Frequently asked questions about Budapest & Hungary

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, in central Europe right next to Austria. The city is divided by the Danube — Pest on the east bank, Buda on the west. Vienna is about two hours away by car.

Yes. You don't need to worry about street crime or terrorism. Traffic is civilised and the city is very tourist-friendly overall.

Hungarian (Magyar). It's a unique language with no close relatives among major European tongues — it sounds distantly similar to Finnish and is famously difficult to learn. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, bars, and restaurants.

It's a very old joke and Hungarians really don't appreciate it. Keep it to yourself!

Excellent. Hungarian cuisine is hearty and often mildly spicy, with red paprika in almost everything. Must-tries: Gulyás (goulash), Újházy chicken soup, Pörkölt with nokedli (egg dumplings), and Gundel Palacsinta. Don't leave without visiting the historic Gerbeaud café on Vörösmarty Square.

Everything. Global brands are widely available, but the local options are the highlight: cheap and tasty beer, world-class wines (try the rosé — a Hungarian speciality), and two unmissable local spirits — Pálinka (fruit brandy) and Unicum (herbal bitters). Both are strong; both are worth trying at least once.

Yes — cigarettes are sold only in licensed tobacco shops called Nemzeti Dohány Bolt. They're common in the city centre but close in the evening, so stock up before heading out for the night.

1. Parliament — book a guided tour in advance or simply walk around the building itself, which is stunning.

2. Ruin bars and nightlife — Budapest's party scene is centred in the Jewish Quarter of District VII. Joining our pub crawl is the easiest way to see all the best spots without missing anything.

3. Thermal baths — Budapest sits on natural hot springs. Széchenyi and Gellért baths are the most famous and well worth a visit.

4. Danube cruise — the city looks spectacular from the water, especially at sunset.

5. Castle District — Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and Matthias Church are all within easy walking distance of each other and offer great views over Pest.

Some bars and shops accept euros, but the exchange rate they apply is poor. You'll get much better value by changing money at a currency exchange office — there are plenty in the city centre — or simply using an ATM.

Budget around 15,000 HUF (roughly €40) for a good night out. Joining our pub crawl from €15, with a Power Hour unlimited drinks upgrade for another €15, is the best-value way to do it — entry and drinks sorted, and you'll see all the top venues on the crawl route.

10% is the norm in bars, pubs, cafés, and restaurants. Some higher-end venues include a 10–15% service charge in the bill — it will be noted in the menu. If it's already included, there's no expectation to add more.

Absolutely. Budapest has plenty of Chinese restaurants, and you'll also find Turkish and Greek fast-food spots throughout the city.

Four metro lines and major tram lines (4, 6, and 2) connect the main attractions. Buses and trolleybuses cover the rest of the city, and there's a seasonal boat service on the Danube from spring to autumn. Night service is reliable. A single ticket costs around 350 HUF (~€1), valid for one ride — validate it on entry and keep it until the end of your journey. Use Google Maps for routes and times.

Both run 24 hours a day. Taxis are more comfortable but considerably more expensive. For most city-centre journeys, trams and the metro are faster and a fraction of the cost.

The population of Budapest is approximately 1.76 million.

The population of Hungary is approximately 9.8 million.

Yes, Budapest has a lively club scene alongside its famous ruin bar culture. Be cautious at unfamiliar venues — some nightclubs use aggressive pricing. Joining an organised group tour is the safest way to experience the nightlife without unpleasant surprises.