Hungary Visa Requirements

No, US citizens can visit Hungary and other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. Starting in 2025, travelers will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization, which costs €7 and is valid for 3 years. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the previous 10 years. Hungary joined Schengen in 2007, so border crossings with neighbors are seamless.

Budapest is divided by the Danube into Buda (hilly, historic) and Pest (flat, vibrant). Must-sees include the Hungarian Parliament Building (stunning interior tours available), Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion for panoramic views, and the iconic Chain Bridge. Budapest is famous for its thermal baths; Széchenyi (grand, outdoor pools) and Gellért (art nouveau elegance) are most popular. Explore the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter, especially Szimpla Kert. The Great Market Hall offers local foods like lángos, goulash, and chimney cake (kürtőskalács). Night cruises on the Danube showcase the illuminated city beautifully. Budapest offers excellent value compared to Western European capitals.

Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the Euro, despite being in the EU. Credit cards are widely accepted in Budapest at hotels, restaurants, and shops, but carry some cash for smaller establishments, markets, and thermal bath tips. ATMs are widespread; use ones attached to banks for better rates and security. Avoid exchange offices with "0% commission" signs as they often have terrible rates. Tipping is customary: 10-15% in restaurants (check if service is included), small amounts for thermal bath attendants. Prices are generally very reasonable compared to Western Europe, making Budapest an excellent value destination.

Budapest has excellent public transportation including metro (4 lines), trams, buses, and trolleybuses. Purchase a travel card (24-hour, 72-hour, or 7-day) for unlimited travel. The historic M1 metro line (yellow, UNESCO listed) runs under Andrássy Avenue. Taxis should be booked by app (Bolt is popular) or phone; avoid hailing on the street. For day trips, MÁV trains connect to destinations like Eger, Szentendre, and Lake Balaton. Intercity buses (Flixbus, Volánbusz) offer affordable connections. Renting a car is useful for exploring the countryside but unnecessary in Budapest. Walking is the best way to experience the city center.

Budapest sits on thermal springs, and bathing culture dates back to Roman times and flourished under Ottoman rule. Popular baths include Széchenyi (largest in Europe, outdoor pools, mixed gender), Gellért (art nouveau architecture, indoor and outdoor), Rudas (Ottoman-era, rooftop pool with views), and Király (intimate Ottoman bath). Bring or rent a swimsuit and towel (or wear disposable slippers and use rental items). Baths have various pools at different temperatures, saunas, and steam rooms. Weekends are busiest; mornings are quieter. Some baths host "sparties" with DJs and lights on weekend nights. Etiquette is relaxed, many visitors spend hours reading or chatting between dips.