Hungary Travel Guide

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken, especially in the areas close to the Austrian border. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Currency

Even though Hungary is part of the EU it does not use the Euro; the official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travelers checks are not widely favored. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 4pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.

181.9800

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international access code for Hungary is +36. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g., 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g., (0)1 for Budapest. There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use public telephone boxes or calling cards. Local directory assistance is available by dialing 198, and international directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few moments, but English-speaking operators are available. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Hungary with goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay customs duty on 3200 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 3kg of smoking tobacco; 10 liters of spirits; 110 liters of beer; 20 liters of fortified wine, such as sherry or port; and 90 liters of wine. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these. Alcohol allowances (for passengers over 17 years) include 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine; perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. Prohibited items include fresh meat and dairy products.

Tourist Office

Hungarian Tourist Office: +36 (06)1 438 8080 or www.hungarytourism.hu

Embassies in Hungary

• United States Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 475 4400.
• British Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 266 2888.
• Canadian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 3360.
• Australian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 457 9777.
• South African Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 0999.
• Irish Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 301 4960.
• Closest New Zealand Embassy is in Germany: +49 (0)30 206 210

Hungary Embassies Abroad

• Hungarian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 362 6730.
• Hungarian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 2664
• Hungarian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 9614.
• Hungarian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6282 3226.
• Hungarian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 3020/30.
• Hungarian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 661 2902.
• Hungarian Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 973 7507.

Emergency

Emergencies: 112.

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken, especially in the areas close to the Austrian border. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Currency

Even though Hungary is part of the EU it does not use the Euro; the official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travelers checks are not widely favored. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 4pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.

181.9800

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international access code for Hungary is +36. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g., 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g., (0)1 for Budapest. There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use public telephone boxes or calling cards. Local directory assistance is available by dialing 198, and international directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few moments, but English-speaking operators are available. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Hungary with goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay customs duty on 3200 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 3kg of smoking tobacco; 10 liters of spirits; 110 liters of beer; 20 liters of fortified wine, such as sherry or port; and 90 liters of wine. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these. Alcohol allowances (for passengers over 17 years) include 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine; perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. Prohibited items include fresh meat and dairy products.

Tourist Office

Hungarian Tourist Office: +36 (06)1 438 8080 or www.hungarytourism.hu

Embassies in Hungary

• United States Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 475 4400.
• British Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 266 2888.
• Canadian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 3360.
• Australian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 457 9777.
• South African Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 0999.
• Irish Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 301 4960.
• Closest New Zealand Embassy is in Germany: +49 (0)30 206 210

Hungary Embassies Abroad

• Hungarian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 362 6730.
• Hungarian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 2664
• Hungarian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 9614.
• Hungarian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6282 3226.
• Hungarian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 3020/30.
• Hungarian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 661 2902.
• Hungarian Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 973 7507.

Emergency

Emergencies: 112.

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken, especially in the areas close to the Austrian border. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Currency

Even though Hungary is part of the EU it does not use the Euro; the official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travelers checks are not widely favored. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 4pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.

181.9800

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international access code for Hungary is +36. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g., 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g., (0)1 for Budapest. There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use public telephone boxes or calling cards. Local directory assistance is available by dialing 198, and international directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few moments, but English-speaking operators are available. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Hungary with goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay customs duty on 3200 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 3kg of smoking tobacco; 10 liters of spirits; 110 liters of beer; 20 liters of fortified wine, such as sherry or port; and 90 liters of wine. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these. Alcohol allowances (for passengers over 17 years) include 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine; perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. Prohibited items include fresh meat and dairy products.

Tourist Office

Hungarian Tourist Office: +36 (06)1 438 8080 or www.hungarytourism.hu

Embassies in Hungary

• United States Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 475 4400.
• British Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 266 2888.
• Canadian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 3360.
• Australian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 457 9777.
• South African Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 0999.
• Irish Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 301 4960.
• Closest New Zealand Embassy is in Germany: +49 (0)30 206 210

Hungary Embassies Abroad

• Hungarian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 362 6730.
• Hungarian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 2664
• Hungarian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 9614.
• Hungarian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6282 3226.
• Hungarian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 3020/30.
• Hungarian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 661 2902.
• Hungarian Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 973 7507.

Emergency

Emergencies: 112.

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken, especially in the areas close to the Austrian border. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Currency

Even though Hungary is part of the EU it does not use the Euro; the official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travelers checks are not widely favored. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 4pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.

181.9800

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

The international access code for Hungary is +36. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g., 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g., (0)1 for Budapest. There are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use public telephone boxes or calling cards. Local directory assistance is available by dialing 198, and international directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few moments, but English-speaking operators are available. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Hungary with goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay customs duty on 3200 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 3kg of smoking tobacco; 10 liters of spirits; 110 liters of beer; 20 liters of fortified wine, such as sherry or port; and 90 liters of wine. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these. Alcohol allowances (for passengers over 17 years) include 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine; perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. Prohibited items include fresh meat and dairy products.

Tourist Office

Hungarian Tourist Office: +36 (06)1 438 8080 or www.hungarytourism.hu

Embassies in Hungary

• United States Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 475 4400.
• British Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 266 2888.
• Canadian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 3360.
• Australian Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 457 9777.
• South African Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 392 0999.
• Irish Embassy, Budapest: +36 (06)1 301 4960.
• Closest New Zealand Embassy is in Germany: +49 (0)30 206 210

Hungary Embassies Abroad

• Hungarian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 362 6730.
• Hungarian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 2664
• Hungarian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 9614.
• Hungarian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6282 3226.
• Hungarian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 3020/30.
• Hungarian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 661 2902.
• Hungarian Consulate-General, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 973 7507.

Emergency

Emergencies: 112.