Hungary Travel Guide

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Shopping

Traditional purchases include embroideries, Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, wooden toys and national dolls. Hungary is also a good place to buy caviar, foie gras and Hungarian wines and spirits.

Shopping hours: Most stores are open Mon-Fri 1000-1800 or 1900 and Sat 1000-1300. Shopping centers have longer hours and are open Mon-Sat 1000-2000; some are also open on Sundays. Food shops are open Mon-Fri 0700-1800 and Sat 0700-1300.

Currency

Hungarian Forint (HUF; symbol Ft). Notes are in denominations of Ft20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, and 500. Coins are in denominations of Ft200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. A large number of commemorative coins in circulation are legal tender.

Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged at hotels, banks, post offices, bureau de change, airports, railway stations, travel agencies and some restaurants throughout the country. Automatic exchange machines are available in Budapest and other main tourist centers.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

It is possible to withdraw cash by credit card at many post offices. American Express, Cirrus, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Credit and debit cards can be used to withdraw money from ATMs, which are found throughout the country.

Travelers Checks

Accepted in most post offices and banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Euros or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if traveling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0800-1700, Fri 0800-1600.

Exchange Rate