Hungary Tours

• The Hungarian language is unique and one of the hardest to learn, originating from the Magyar tribes of the steppes of central Asia! There is no other language like it throughout Europe.
• Budapest, the capital of Hungary, consists of the districts of Buda and Pest, separated by the River Danube. Nine bridges connect the two halves of the city.
• Although Houdini claimed to have been born on April 6, 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin, he actually was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary.
• The Rubik’s cube, holography, ballpoint pen, theory of the hydrogen bomb, BASIC programming language and the krypton electric bulb were invented by Hungarians.
• Paprika is a Hungarian word for pepper.
• Hungary was one of the first communist-era countries to oppose the Soviet regime during the Cold War, notably with the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
• Hungary is one of the oldest countries in Europe. It was founded in 896, before France and Germany became separate entities, and before the unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Australian passport holders travelling to Hungary do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

The Australian Embassy in Austria is responsible for Hungary:

The Icon, Gertrude-Fröhlich-Sandner-Str. 2
A1100 Vienna
Ph. +43 1 506 740
Fax. +43 1 506 74185

The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint. Notes come in denominations of Ft20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000 and 500.

The recommended currency to take to Hungary is the Hungarian Forint or the Euro. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have Forint’s or Euro’s with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Budapest is approximately €1.50.
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately €8
• The price dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately €18.
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately €2.

In Hungary, national specialties include: halászlé (fish soups), goulash gulyás soup (western goulash is called pörkölt or tokány), stuffed vegetables, sweet cakes, gundel palacsinta (pancake), goose liver, paprikás csirke (paprika chicken), kolbasz (spicy sausage) and samlói galuska (a sponge, chocolate, rum and cream dessert). The national drinks are; tokaji (strong dessert wine), Bull’s Blood (strong red wine) and pálinka or barack (apricot brandy).

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

Hungary is best visited during June - September, when the weather is warmer and the attractions are all open. The weather in spring and autumn can be very pleasant, but temperatures drop to around 9°C. Over winter, temperatures approach freezing. Some rain can be expected throughout the year.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

Taxis in Hungary are inexpensive and readily available. Walking is also one of the best ways to explore one of Europe’s grand river cities.

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Hungary…

Unique souvenir ideas include special embroideries, handcrafted Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, and Ajaka crystal tableware and glasses. Hand painted eggs are everywhere, these were traditionally given as a gift from a woman to her intended and are now an incredibly delicate art form. Hungarian national dolls also make a wonderful souvenir, as do the more traditional brandies, Palinka liqueur and wines special to the region.

In Hungary, tips are not included on the bill and are at your discretion (allow for 10% of the bill and always round up) - both the payment of the bill and tip should be handed to your server at the same time, do not leave money on the table.

It is common to share tables with strangers in busy restaurants and pubs.

Full of a rich cultural heritage, Hungary has no short supply of fun festivals and events happening throughout the year. Some of these include the Balaton Music Festival held in June/July, the Holloko Easter Festival and the Summerfest International Folklore Festival, celebrating different cultures throughout the world.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year’s Day
• Revolution Day (March 15th)
• Easter Friday and Easter Monday
• Labour Day (May 1st)
• Ascension Day (40 days after Easter)
• Whit Monday (50 days after Easter)
• Saint Stephen’s Day (August 20th)
• Republic Day (October 23rd)
• All Saints Day (November 1st)
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Hungary is a safe travel destination with low crime rates. As we advise with travelling anywhere international, always keep your personal possessions and valuables safe and secure. If you need any advice about Hungary tours, don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly Travel Specialists. 

The best time of year for a Hungary tour is during the spring, from March to May and autumn, from September to November. The weather is warm and sunny, and not too hot for any outdoor activities. There are also fewer crowds during these periods.

It all depends on what you would like to do and see in Hungary. If you are planning on visiting neighbouring countries on a Viking Cruise Tour, then we recommend at least 2 days in Hungary to discover all it has to offer.

Hungry is an affordable location for tourists! We offer two viking cruise tours, starting from $10,045 per person, where you will spend 15 days exploring fascinating history, discovering pristine architecture, sampling local cuisine all on the comfort of a luxury cruise ship.

We offer a 19 day small group tour where you can discover the grand cities of Eastern Europe. We spend 2 nights in Hungary's beautiful capital city of Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube'. You will discover the outstanding Parliament, the Royal Castle, the Castle Hill area and the famous Fisherman's Bastion.

At Bunnik Tours, we are committed to safe travel for everyone. Visit our Book & Travel with Confidence page to find out about our latest policies.

At Bunnik Tours, we believe in responsible travel and sustainable tourism. For more information, visit our Sustainable Tourism hub.