Hungary Visa RequirementsFor Poland passport holders
Polish citizens visit Hungary visa-free as EU and Schengen members. No visa or prior authorization is required, and EU citizens face no time restrictions.
Great news! Poland passport holders can enter Hungary without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa is required for EU citizens. A valid Polish passport or national ID card is sufficient. EU citizens can reside in Hungary without restrictions. ETIAS does not apply to EU nationals. Hungary is an EU member but not in the eurozone; carry Hungarian forints for cash transactions.
Hungary is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Poland to Hungary: What You Need to Know
Hungary is one of Poland's closest partners through the Visegrad Group (V4), which also includes Czech Republic and Slovakia. Polish-Hungarian friendship is genuine and historical: the two nations have a long tradition of mutual support, commemorated on March 23 as Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day. Budapest is consistently one of the most popular city-break destinations for Polish travelers, known for its thermal baths (Szechenyi, Gellert), dramatic Danube panorama (Parliament, Buda Castle), vibrant ruin bar scene, and excellent food at lower prices than Warsaw. Eger (wine region), Lake Balaton (Central Europe's largest lake), and the Puszta plains are popular for longer stays. Ryanair and Wizz Air (headquartered in Budapest) offer excellent connectivity.
How to Get There
Hungary's Danube position creates excellent multi-country itineraries. Vienna (Austria) is 2h30m by train. Bratislava (Slovakia) is 2h15m. Prague is about 7 hours. Krakow is 7-8 hours by overnight train. Belgrade (Serbia) is 8 hours. Bucharest (Romania) is 13 hours. The Danube Bend north of Budapest (Visegard, Esztergom) makes for an excellent day trip.
Money & Banking
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF). Hungary is considerably cheaper than Western Europe and moderately cheaper than Poland's major cities. A restaurant meal in Budapest costs HUF 3,000-6,000 (roughly PLN 35-70), a local beer HUF 700-1,200. Ruin bars (romkocsmak) like Szimpla Kert are affordable social hubs. Cards are widely accepted in Budapest; rural areas may be cash-preferred. Exchange currency at banks or ATMs; avoid exchange kiosks near tourist sites which charge high fees.
Practical Tips
Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) is served by LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair, and Wizz Air from Warsaw (1h30m), Krakow (1h), Katowice, and other Polish cities. Budapest is also reachable by overnight train from Warsaw (11h) or Krakow (7h30m). Within Hungary, MAV (Hungarian State Railways) connects Budapest to Debrecen, Pecs, and Gyor. Budapest's metro (lines M1-M4) is efficient. The city center is very walkable. Taxis via Bolt app are reliable and affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Polish citizens need a visa to visit Hungary?
No. Polish citizens visit Hungary visa-free as EU and Schengen members. A valid Polish passport or national ID card is sufficient. EU citizens can stay indefinitely. Hungary is an EU member but uses its own currency (the forint, HUF), not the euro.
Do Polish citizens need a visa for Hungary?
No. Poland and Hungary are both EU and Schengen members. Polish citizens can travel freely to Hungary without any visa or border checks.
What is the Visegrad Group and why does it matter?
The Visegrad Group (V4) is an alliance of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, established in 1991. It coordinates policy positions within the EU, promotes regional cooperation, and celebrates shared Central European culture and history. Poland and Hungary have particularly close bilateral ties, commemorated on Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day (March 23) , the only such day between two European nations.
How are Polish-Hungarian relations?
Poland and Hungary have particularly warm bilateral relations and often coordinate political positions within the EU and Visegrad Group (V4), along with Czech Republic and Slovakia.
How long does it take to travel from Krakow to Budapest?
By overnight train: approximately 7-8 hours (departure evening, arrival morning). By bus (Flixbus, Orangeways): about 7-8 hours. By direct Ryanair or Wizz Air flight from Krakow (KRK) to Budapest (BUD): approximately 1 hour. Wizz Air is headquartered in Budapest and offers frequent, cheap connections from Polish cities.
What is Budapest known for?
Budapest is known for its thermal baths (Szechenyi, Gellert), the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge, ruin bars, and vibrant nightlife. It is consistently rated one of Europe's most beautiful capitals.
What are Budapest's famous thermal baths?
Budapest sits atop numerous natural thermal springs. The most famous baths are Szechenyi (largest in Europe, outdoor pools, chess players on the terrace), Gellert (Art Nouveau, indoor and outdoor), Rudas (Ottoman-era, spectacular rooftop pool), and Lukacs. Baths are open to all, with tickets ranging from HUF 4,000-8,000. Most have saunas, steam rooms, and massage services.
What currency is used in Hungary?
Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the euro. Carry forints for everyday expenses. Some tourist businesses accept euros but give change in forints.
What currency does Hungary use and should I exchange before arriving?
Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro. The best exchange rates are usually found at bank ATMs in Hungary rather than exchange bureaus, especially those near tourist attractions. Avoid exchange kiosks at Budapest Keleti or Nyugati train stations and in the Castle District. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants and hotels in Budapest.
How far is Budapest from Warsaw?
Warsaw to Budapest is approximately 850 km by road (8-9 hours). By train, the journey takes approximately 9-11 hours. By air: about 2 hours.
What is Hungarian cuisine like?
Hungarian cuisine is hearty and flavorful. Signature dishes: goulash (gulyas , beef stew with paprika and vegetables, served as a soup), paprika chicken (paprikas csirke), fisherman's soup (halaszle , a fiery red fish soup), langos (deep-fried flatbread with sour cream and cheese), and dobos torte (layered sponge cake). Hungarian wine from the Tokaj region (sweet Tokaji Aszu) and Eger (red Egri Bikaver "Bull's Blood") are internationally recognized.
Is a Polish national ID card accepted in Hungary?
Yes. Polish national ID cards are valid travel documents for travel within the Schengen Area, including Hungary.
Are there thermal baths in Budapest?
Yes. Budapest is the city of thermal baths. The most famous are Szechenyi, Gellert, Rudas, and Kiraly. Entry costs approximately 4,000-6,000 HUF. Booking ahead is recommended for popular baths.