Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft). The old subunit, the fillér, has been abolished, so prices are in whole forint. Hungary has not adopted the euro, so the forint is the everyday currency. Some places may accept euros, but the exchange rate they offer is usually unfavourable, so paying in forint is generally better.
- Currency
- Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft)
- Subunit
- Fillér abolished
- Euro
- Not adopted
- Euro payments may be possible but at poor rates; prefer forint
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Be careful with street exchange kiosks, which can offer poor rates or use misleading practices. It is generally safer to change money at banks or reputable exchange offices, or to withdraw forint from a bank ATM. Airport exchange counters tend to give unfavourable rates, so avoid changing large amounts there.
- Avoid
- Street kiosks
- Better
- Banks/bank ATMs
- Airport
- Poor rates
- Change at banks or trusted offices; ATMs are usually reasonable
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Hungary, and in cities most shops, restaurants and hotels take cards, with contactless payment common. If a terminal offers to charge in your home currency (dynamic currency conversion), decline it and choose to pay in forint (HUF) for a better rate. It is still handy to carry some cash for small vendors or markets.
- Networks
- Visa/Mastercard
- Cities
- Cards widely accepted
- DCC
- Choose forint (HUF)
- Decline home-currency conversion and pay in HUF
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs are plentiful in Hungary, especially in cities. Be wary of standalone machines from independent operators (such as those branded Euronet), which often charge high fees and push unfavourable dynamic currency conversion. Bank-branded ATMs usually give better value. Always choose to be charged in forint (HUF) and decline home-currency conversion.
- Availability
- Plentiful in cities
- Watch out
- Independent ATMs
- Tip
- Charge in HUF
- Prefer bank ATMs and decline home-currency conversion
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely usable in Hungary wherever contactless card payment is accepted, which covers most shops, restaurants and transport ticket machines in cities. Add your card to your phone or watch before you travel. Local mobile wallets also exist, but international travellers can generally rely on Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Apple Pay
- Widely usable
- Google Pay
- Widely usable
- Where
- Contactless terminals
- Set up your phone wallet before travelling
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is customary in Hungary. In restaurants, around 10% is a common guide for good service. Check your bill first, as some places already add a service charge, in which case an extra tip is not expected. It is often easiest to tell the staff the total you want to pay rather than leaving coins on the table.
- Restaurants
- Around 10%
- Service charge
- Check the bill
- How
- State the total
- Avoid double-tipping if a service charge is already included
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Overall, prices in Hungary are generally lower than in Western Europe, which makes it good value for many travellers. Budapest tends to be more expensive than provincial towns and the countryside. Everyday costs such as casual meals, public transport and entry to thermal baths are usually reasonable, while tourist-area dining and taxis can cost more.
- Overall
- Cheaper than Western Europe
- Budapest
- Pricier than regions
- Good value
- Baths, transport, food
- Tourist-area restaurants and taxis can be more expensive
Visitors who live outside the EU can often reclaim VAT on eligible goods bought for personal use and taken home (Tax Free shopping). A minimum purchase amount usually applies, and you need to ask the shop for the correct tax-free form. When you leave the EU, get the export validated with a customs stamp or electronic confirmation, then claim your refund following the operator's instructions.
- Eligible
- Non-EU residents
- Minimum
- Purchase threshold
- At exit
- Customs stamp/e-confirm
- Ask for the tax-free form and keep your receipts