HungaryVisiting Hungary: What to See and How Many Days
Budapest first, then the Danube Bend, Lake Balaton, Eger, Tokaj or Pécs: what to see in Hungary and how to plan your trip.
Destinations
Hungary Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go
Hungary packs a lot into a compact country you can cover by train: Budapest's thermal baths, the shores of Lake Balaton, the Tokaj vineyards and baroque Eger. Here's when to go, how long to stay, what things cost in forints and where to base yourself.
Photo : Mgimelfarb · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Our guides: Hungary
HungaryWhy visit Hungary
Most Americans meet Hungary through Budapest, often as one stop on a Danube itinerary. The capital deserves the attention. Its UNESCO-listed core covers the Buda Castle Quarter, the Danube banks and Andrássy Avenue, and it is still a working spa city, with Ottoman-era baths and grand Art Nouveau bathhouses in daily use.
The rest of the country rewards a longer trip. Hungary's national tourism office describes Lake Balaton as the largest lake in Central Europe: summer swimming on one shore, vineyards on the other. In the northeast, the Tokaj wine region has been a World Heritage Site since 2002. Eger combines a hilltop castle, an Ottoman minaret and wine cellars, and Pécs, a European Capital of Culture in 2010, has a UNESCO-listed early Christian necropolis. Add the folk village of Hollókő and the puszta grasslands of Hortobágy National Park. For sights region by region, see our guide on what to see in Hungary and how to plan your route.
Best time to visit Hungary
Hungary has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. It's landlocked, so Lake Balaton serves as the summer beach, and it's busiest and priciest in July and August.
- Spring (April–June): the best balance for combining Budapest with the countryside before the summer heat.
- Summer (July–August): prime time for Balaton and festivals. Budapest can feel sweltering.
- Fall (September–October): grape-harvest season in Tokaj, Eger and around Balaton, with softer light on the Danube.
- Winter: Christmas markets and steaming outdoor thermal pools in Budapest. Balaton goes quiet.
How many days do you need?
Plan on 3 days for Budapest: Buda, Pest, a thermal bath and an evening on the river. With a week, add a Balaton stay or an Eger–Tokaj wine loop, or day trips to the Danube Bend (Szentendre, Visegrád, Esztergom). Ten to 14 days lets you take in Pécs in the south, the Great Plain and Hortobágy in the east, and Sopron near Lake Fertő in the west. Our Hungary itineraries by trip length break down each option.
Getting there and getting around
American Airlines ran a seasonal nonstop between Philadelphia and Budapest in summer 2026. Outside that season, plan on connecting through a major European hub into Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport. Many travelers pair Budapest with Vienna: Railjet trains take about 2 hours 40 minutes to Budapest-Keleti station, roughly 150 miles (240 km).
Hungary is in the Schengen Area. On a U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, and you'll register your fingerprints and photo in the EU's Entry/Exit System on arrival. The ETIAS travel authorization was not yet in operation at the time of writing, so check the official ETIAS website before you book.
Hungary's rail network fans out from Budapest and serves Eger, Balaton, Pécs and Debrecen well. In Budapest, BKK public transit (metro, tram, bus) costs 500 Ft per ticket bought in advance (700 Ft on board) or 5,750 Ft for a 72-hour pass. The 100E airport shuttle needs its own 2,500 Ft ticket. If you drive, an electronic vignette is required on motorways, about 6,900 Ft for 10 days in 2026.
Hungary trip budget
The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF or Ft), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted, and paying in forints usually beats any euro price you're offered. Transportation and dining are generally cheaper than in Western Europe, but Budapest hotel rates in peak season have largely caught up with other capitals.
| Item | 2026 benchmark |
|---|---|
| Budapest transit ticket | 500 Ft (700 Ft on board) |
| Budapest 72-hour transit pass | 5,750 Ft |
| 100E airport shuttle | 2,500 Ft |
| Budapest tourist tax | 4% of the room rate |
| 10-day motorway vignette | about 6,900 Ft |
Budapest's 4% tourist tax is often collected at check-in rather than included in prepaid online rates, so factor it in when you compare hotels.
Where to stay in Hungary
- Budapest, Pest side: District V (Belváros-Lipótváros) is central and walkable. District VII (Erzsébetváros, the old Jewish Quarter) is lively at night, with its famous ruin bars.
- Budapest, Buda side: the Castle District (District I) is quieter and greener, but hilly and less convenient late at night.
- Lake Balaton: the north shore (Balatonfüred, Tihany) for vineyards and views, the south shore (around Siófok) for shallow beaches and a busier scene.
- Wine country: Eger and the Tokaj villages suit guesthouse or winery stays.
For up-to-date events and opening times, check the official Visit Hungary site.
Frequently asked questions
Do Americans need a visa for Hungary?
No. On a U.S. passport you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Check the official ETIAS site for any new authorization requirement before you travel.
Can I use euros or dollars in Hungary?
The currency is the forint. Some places take euros at poor rates, and dollars are rarely accepted. Paying by card in forints is usually best.
How many days should I spend in Hungary?
Three days covers Budapest. A week adds Lake Balaton or Eger and Tokaj, and 10 to 14 days covers most of the country.
Are there direct flights from the US to Budapest?
American Airlines ran a seasonal Philadelphia–Budapest nonstop in summer 2026. Otherwise, connect through a European hub.
Is it easy to combine Budapest and Vienna?
Yes. Railjet trains link the two capitals in about 2 hours 40 minutes, with departures through the day.