DOs and DON'Ts

You don’t have to follow unique etiquette in Hungary, just be kind and polite. Here are some tips to make your trip even more comfortable and help you make some Hungarian friends.

Eat well!

Try all the different Hungarian dishes and drinks! Everyone knows the goulash soup but Hungarian cuisine is far more complex and diverse than that. Hungarians take special pride in their traditional dishes and wines, and a few praising words will surely do some magic. Don’t miss out on the staples of street food such as the so-called lángos, a deep-fried flat bread served with cheese and sour cream, or the sweet chimney cake.

Hop on the public transport!

Some of the vehicles might not be state-of-the-art, but public transport in Budapest is practical, cheap and extensive.

Walk as much as you can

And make sure to look up! Budapest and other Hungarian cities might not boast cityscapes with towering skyscrapers but the facades and ornaments that adorn old buildings are a fantastic sight, and some of the most exciting details can be found in the narrow backstreets.

Reserve some time for a voyage on the Danube

On a short, one hour voyage, you will have the opportunity to see the most prominent buildings of one of the most panoramic capitals in the world: the Hungarian Parliament building, the scenic bridges across the Danube and the stylistic palaces from a unique perspective - they are the most beautiful at sunset.

Take a couple of days to go to the countryside and slow down

This will help you experience the broader canvas and everyday reality this country has to offer. You can lodge in a hundred year-old peasant-house, a luxury yurt, a houseboat or a treehouse, enjoying the untouched wilderness.

Don’t be careless, and hold onto your valuables!

Even though Hungary is considered to be one of the safest places, crowded places attract pickpockets.

Don’t hail a cab on the street

Call a taxi service or use an application. Always use the reliable, well-known taxi companies.

Don’t exchange money at the airport!

You will get a much better exchange rate anywhere in the city, and you will get more Hungarian Forints for your currency.

Don’t expect everyone to speak a foreign language

For the younger generation, it is natural to speak a second or even a third language, but older people might only communicate in Hungarian (or sometimes in Russian or German). At the same time, people are generally very friendly and friendliness or willingness can overcome language barriers.

Don’t make the cheesy Hungary-hungry pun

Everyone has heard it at least once, and many don’t consider it clever.

Don’t mistake Budapest for Bucharest,

lest you be ready for a long and complex lesson in history.