Hungary

Planning ahead? See typical weather for your travel dates.

Hungary has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant for sightseeing, while winter is a good season for the thermal baths. Best time to visit: April to June or September to October for sightseeing, or winter for the thermal baths.

Budapest has an efficient metro, tram, and bus network, including Europe's second-oldest underground line. Trains connect Budapest to Vienna, Prague, and other regional cities.

Strong 4G/5G coverage in Budapest and other major cities. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and public spaces.

Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint, not the Euro. Cards are widely accepted in Budapest and tourist areas, though cash is useful for smaller vendors and markets.

Hungary is known for hand-embroidered textiles, Herend porcelain, paprika, and Tokaji wine. Most shops in central Budapest stay open daily, including Sundays.

Hungary applies the highest standard VAT rate in the EU at 27% on most goods. Non-EU visitors can claim a refund on purchases over 74,001 HUF from a single store, processed at the airport on departure.