The largest cities in Hungary. Hungary

All cities and resorts in Hungary for travel. List of the most famous regions, regions, cities and resorts of Hungary: population, codes, distances, best descriptions and reviews of tourists.

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Cities, resorts and regions of Hungary on the map

When planning a trip to Hungary, you should not limit yourself to well-known and popular hiking trails. After all, every corner of this beautiful region has its own charm. And in very small villages, located among the green hills, and in ancient cities that have witnessed many historical events, and in large modern developing metropolises. In general, you can travel around Hungary for a very, very long time, and at the same time a change in impressions is guaranteed.

Capital of Hungary

The capital of Hungary, luxurious Budapest, spread out on both banks of the mighty Danube, rightfully bears the title of one of the most beautiful European capitals. The central part of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And its beauty has been noted since ancient times, when the city was divided into two parts and did not represent a single whole: the Budu fortress on one bank, and the Pest settlement on the other.

Budapest has a lot of attractions of all kinds: the building of the largest parliament in all of Europe, the oldest European metro line, majestic churches and cathedrals, ancient city quarters and bridges over the Danube.

Budapest restaurants also deserve special mention, where you will be offered to taste national cuisine - goulash, paprikash, local wines and much more.

Cities of Hungary

The ancient capital of Hungary, the city of Visegrád is located just 40 kilometers from Budapest, and also rises above the Danube. The main attraction is the ruins of the ancient fortress of the Hungarian kings, with the preserved Solomon's Tower, in which, according to legend, Prince Vlad the Impaler, better known as Count Dracula, languished. Another place in Visegrad that cannot be ignored are the ruins of the luxurious palace of King Matthias, which at one time was called the “Second Alhambra”.

Szentendre is a small town, very close to Budapest, once settled and rebuilt by Serbian refugees. The city is unique in its own way in that there are quite a lot of Orthodox churches (Greek and Serbian), which is not very common for Catholic Hungary. The historical center of the city consists of narrow streets, beautiful houses and craft shops located in them. Szentendre is a kind of center for various trades and crafts, so there are a lot of museums dedicated to them. Among them are such famous ones as the Marzipan Museum and the Wine Museum.

Esztergom is a city very important for the history of Hungary. Once upon a time, the first Hungarian king, the famous Istvan the First, was crowned here. For a long time, now not the largest town has played great importance in various spheres of life in the country. Esztergom is home to the Basilica of St. Adalbert and the seat of the head of the Hungarian Church. Another attraction is the bridge over the Danube, which connects Hungary with neighboring Slovakia, so that after visiting the city, you can take a walk to another country.

The city of Debrecen, second largest after Budapest, is often called the "eastern capital". Debrecen was a real capital, in the full sense of the word, twice, albeit for a short period of time - in 1849 and 1945. Here in the 15th century, in a church that we can still see (accommodating about 5,000 believers), the Hungarian Declaration of Independence was read. In addition, here is one of the most popular thermal complexes in the country, Nagyördő, a zoo, and in the surrounding area is the Hortobágy National Park.

Hungary is located in east-central Europe and borders 7 countries: Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia to the south, and Austria to the west.

The country is divided into 19 regions (medye).

The capital of Hungary is Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

The largest cities in the country:

• Debrecen;
• Miskolc;
• Seben;
• Gyor.

Capital	Budapest
Population
Population density	107.7 people/km²
	Hungarian, sign language
Religion	Catholicism, Protestantism
Form of government	parliamentary republic
	Hungarian forint
Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The geographical location of the country has a beneficial effect on its weather conditions. Hungary has a comfortable temperate continental climate with mild winters and hot summers. average temperature January - from 0 to -4°C, July - +22 °C. Hungary receives the highest number of sunny days of any European country. In Budapest, the sun shines 85 days a year, of which 69 occur between April and September.

Nature

The diversity of Hungary's landscapes is one of the country's main attractions. Mineral springs, the only thermal lake in Europe and the famous Hungarian steppes attract many tourists from all over the world. The terrain is mostly flat, mountains meet on the border with Slovakia, and in the center of the country there is the largest freshwater lake in central Europe - Balaton. Hungarians call it the sea.

Attractions

Hungary is one of those countries that has everything for an unforgettable holiday. The main thermal spa in Europe is rich not only in its springs, spa resorts and wineries. Many historical and cultural values ​​are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in museums you can find exhibits from the 9th century. BC.

Of course, during your first visit to this country it is difficult to appreciate all the sights at once, but you simply must see the most important ones. Among them:

• Budapest is a resort city with an unforgettable atmosphere;
• Lake Balaton is the most visited Hungarian resort;
• the cozy ancient town of Veszprém;
• Debrecen with its abundance of architectural masterpieces;
• Bukk and its baths;
• Baroque city of Eger;
• The Tokaj region is the birthplace of the famous Tokaj wine.

Nutrition

Hungary is famous for its national cuisine, amazing Tokaj wines And fruit vodka palinka. In numerous cafes and restaurants you can try a wide variety of dishes. The most popular recipes among tourists:

• goulash;
• paprikash;
• perkelt;
• numerous types of sausages;
• Debrecen sausages;
• Dobosh cake, etc.

It is noteworthy that many establishments offer menus in Russian and give guests a large portion of treats. However, do not forget to include in the bill tip of 10%.

Accommodation

Hungary has no shortage of hotels. And even in those marked with 2 or 3 stars, the service is provided at a decent level. For those who do not like hotels, we offer campings(for example, on Lake Balaton) or hostels.

Entertainment and relaxation

There are only 8 official holidays in Hungary, among them the familiar Christmas, New Year, Easter, Republic Day, etc. However, this country has no equal in the number of festivals and international holidays held. These are various music and folklore festivals, grape harvest festivals, a carnival of flowers, a gathering of shepherds, a sail-raising festival and many other noteworthy events. Resorts regularly host spa parties and various fairs, major cities have vibrant nightlife, and almost every hotel has tennis courts or a golf course.

Purchases

In addition to the usual magnets and keychains, you can bring world-famous wines from Hungary "Tokay" And " Bull's blood», palinka(fruit vodka) marzipan sweets and, of course, salami. Colorful handmade items made by Hungarian craftsmen will also be a pleasant gift.

For shopping, tourists should go to the central market of Budapest or to any shopping center, where during the period of discounts and sales they can update their wardrobe without damaging their wallet.

Transport

Hungary has fairly convenient transport links. The best way to get around in Budapest is by car (you can rent it) or public transport. He starts work at 4:15 and finishes at 23:15. The most convenient way is to buy a weekly pass. Whatever method of transportation you choose, you should definitely take a ride on the world's longest tram (its length is 53.9 m) and the oldest metro in Europe.

Connection

To stay in touch while traveling in Hungary, you can activate roaming from your operator or buy a SIM card from one of the local ones, for example Westel, Pannon, Vodafone, etc. You can also call home from any payphone, having previously purchased a card for international calls at the post office or at a kiosk. The average cost per minute is 1 $ . You can access the Internet at any Internet cafe or using Wi-Fi access points, which are available in all major cities.

Safety

To travel to Hungary, you need a foreign passport with blank visa pages and the visa itself. When crossing the border, it is worth remembering that dairy and meat products cannot be brought into the country. Valuables must be declared.

The crime rate in Hungary is low and therefore, in order to get only positive impressions from your trip, you must adhere to simple rules: leave a copy of your passport and return ticket at the hotel, do not carry large sums of money with you (it is better to pay with a plastic card) and keep an eye on your personal belongings in crowded places. places.

Just in case, it’s worth remembering a few useful numbers: 104 - ambulance, 107 - police, 105 — fire service and emergency telephone — 112 .

You should always have your passport with you - according to the law, it can be checked at any time.

Business climate

Hungary is a rapidly developing country. A significant part of the budget is made up of profits from the tourism business. Its geographical location and historical heritage have made Hungary attractive to international investors.

Much attention is paid to the development of business ties with neighboring countries. To maintain a positive image, international exhibitions, conferences and business seminars are held.

Real estate

Every foreigner has the right to purchase any real estate and land in Hungary, with the exception of arable areas and objects protected by law. Compared to real estate in other EU countries, Hungarian real estate is becoming particularly attractive to foreigners. The tax on the purchase of an apartment will be 6%, A on house or land - 10%. To attract foreign capital, the procedure for registering property as a property has been simplified as much as possible.

Like any country, Hungary has its own unwritten rules and behavior. For example, the use of Soviet symbols is prohibited, it is not customary to talk loudly or discuss politics and religion.

Before your trip, you should take care of a Russian-Hungarian phrasebook in advance. Even a couple of phrases in Hungarian will make a good impression on the locals, because they are very proud of their unusual and complex language (Hungarian has 25 cases).

Visa information

Hungary is a country included in the Schengen zone. By applying for a tourist visa to Hungary, you will have the tempting opportunity to visit other European countries.

Visas to Hungary are divided into several types. The easiest way would be to get a transit visa. However, having it, you will be required to leave the country within 24 hours. You can obtain a transit visa by providing a standard package of documents and a visa to the country of final destination. The most popular among guests of Hungary is a tourist visa, issued for a short period (about 10-12 days).

Frequent visits to the country, trips for study and business will require a long-term multiple visa.

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Hungary is located in the center of the European continent, mainly on the Middle Danube Plain. Its territory with a total area of ​​93,036 km² borders Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria and Ukraine. And in size it is in one hundred and eighth place in the world ranking between the Republic of Korea and Portugal. The terrain, only partly hilly in the west, is mostly low-lying, flat.

The main river of the country, the Danube, with a length of 410 kilometers (through the territory of Hungary) from north to south, is the longest river in the European Union, and its basin covers the territories of nineteen more European countries.

Hungary is also famous for its lakes, one of which, Heviz, has thermal origins, is a balneological mud resort and the largest such facility in Europe. Of interest to tourists, first of all, is the largest Lake Balaton as the best holiday area in Hungary.

The population is around 9,778,371 based on the 2018 census. This is eighty-ninth place in the world list, and the capital Budapest is in eighth place in the European Union for this indicator. More than half of the citizens are adherents of the Catholic faith.

Hungary is a unitary parliamentary republic with Hungarian as the state language, the currency is the forint and an actively developing economy. GDP per capita in 2019 was calculated at $33,408. For entry of travelers from countries not included in the Schengen list (including Russia and CIS countries), a visa to Hungary is required.

Customs rules when entering the country regulate the amount of imported tobacco, alcohol and perfume without paying duty. You cannot import more than 250 g of tobacco products, which corresponds to 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes. You are allowed to take with you 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of wine, as well as 1 liter of cologne, 250 ml of eau de toilette and 100 ml of perfume.

The volume of imported foreign currency can be any, but amounts greater than 1 million HUF will have to be declared, and documents will be required upon departure. The limit on the transport of local currency is 350,000 HUF.

Current time in Budapest:
(UTC +1)

Goods purchased in Hungary are allowed to be transported duty-free if they are not from the “commodity group” category and their total value does not exceed 270,000 HUF. For antiques and items made of precious metals, a special permit is required.

How to get to Hungary

Regular flights from Russia to Hungary are operated only to the capital - Budapest. There are flights to other cities, but this largely depends on seasonality and, more recently, on the economic situation. In any case, it is better to start traveling around the country from Budapest, where it is simply cheaper to get there by air and you can find more options. Using the form below, you will find the flight you need and can buy a ticket in a few clicks; you only need a bank card and passport details.

As for traveling by land, there is a direct train from Moscow to Budapest. It runs daily, travel time is 30 hours, the train goes through Smolensk, Minsk, Brest, Warsaw and Bratislava. By car you will have to drive through the territories of other countries along the route. You can enter Hungary through Slovakia, Ukraine or Romania.

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Story

For the first time, the ancestors of the Hungarians, called the Magyars, came to the Middle Danube Plain in 862, but this was only an raid by nomadic tribes, and the main settlement took place in the 10th century. Already at the beginning of the 11th century. A young feudal state was formed - the Kingdom of Hungary, led by the first king, who took the title in 1001. The territory was divided into comitates, which were ruled by ispans - royal officials, and a set of laws was introduced. For about three hundred years, the throne belonged to the Arpat dynasty, descended from the Magyar princes. As a result of the Mongol invasion in 1241, royal power weakened, and rule by foreign dynasties and monarchs became common in the early 14th century. Gradually, estates were formed in Hungary, and by the 15th century the regime of estate monarchy was finally established, where the nobility played a leading role, including in the election of the State Assembly, which ruled together with the king. The comitas were led, along with the ispans, by comitat assemblies consisting of nobles.

In 1687, Hungary, completely weakened after the war with Turkey, became part of Austria and found itself under the rule of absolutism of the Habsburg Empire, which received from the assembly of nobles the right to transfer the Hungarian throne to them. The dominance of foreigners and the deteriorating economic situation caused discontent among the population, which resulted in a large-scale uprising. And, despite the fact that it was not possible to completely overthrow the Habsburgs, in the process of further struggle, much later, the absolute monarchy was eventually replaced by a constitutional dualistic one.

The outbreak of the First World War was a turning point for Hungary. In 1918, the then strong democratic opposition, carrying out a coup on October 31, declared Hungary a republic and the monarchical period ended. A little later, on November 12, 1918, the monarchy was abolished in Austria, and the state of Austria-Hungary ceased to exist. On November 16, the State Assembly proclaimed the Hungarian People's Republic. But already in 1920, Budapest passed into the hands of the right, who, with the help of the army they created, overthrew the previous government, held elections to the National Assembly and announced the restoration of the monarchy, but not with a king, but a regent at the head.

In World War II, Hungary, having initially announced its participation on the side of Germany, subsequently abandoned these plans. This led to German occupation with the support of the Hungarian Nazis. At the end of 1944, the nationalist right-wing Arrow Cross party came to power, whose regime fell after the surrender of Germany and the liberation of Hungary.

After electoral victories in 1947 and 1948, respectively, the Communist Party and the SDPV became one party on June 12, 1948, the Hungarian Working People's Party (HWP). In 1955 the party changed its name to the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party.

On August 20, 1949, a new constitution based on the Soviet model was introduced and the Hungarian People's Republic was declared. Legislative power formally still belonged to the State Assembly, the executive power was transferred to the Council of Ministers, and the Presidential Council was created instead of the post of President. The VPT usurped power by banning all other parties, which continued until 1989, when supporters of radical political reforms took leadership positions. A multi-party system was introduced, the constitution was changed, Hungary became the Hungarian Republic again, and the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party did not retain power and split into two parties, which could not win the first multi-party elections. Democracy returned to Hungary, which contributed to subsequent integration into the pan-European space and entry into the EU on equal terms with other Western countries.

Climate and weather in Hungary

Hungary is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and therefore its climate is temperate continental. There are no seas nearby, their softening influence is not felt, so in the summer months the country is usually scorched by heat, and winters, on the contrary, are quite cold. On average, snow is observed for a total of more than a month during the winter, and the Danube periodically ends up under ice. Late spring and early autumn are most suitable for visiting Hungary: there are still many sunny days, but the heat has already subsided.

In summer, it is best to go on vacation to the area of ​​Lake Balaton, where all conditions for beach and active recreation are created. You can spend hot hours on the beach and go sightseeing in the morning and evening. In winter, it’s optimal to focus on the museums and palaces of Budapest, but, alas, you won’t be able to enjoy the Hungarian nature.

Reviews by month

January 25 February 18 March 19

April 23 May 39 June 14

July 43 August 56 September 77

October 21 November 18 December 23

Photos of Hungary

Cities and regions

Hungary is divided into seven regions, within which there are 19 counties.

Central Transdanubia region

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Wellness holiday

Private guides in Hungary

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Hungary in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

tourist sites in Hungary (by the way, photos of Hungarian attractions can be seen in the section of the same name), the most famous and popular (besides Budapest) is Lake Balaton. It is located at a distance of just over a hundred kilometers from Budapest.

Since this region has long attracted vacationers with its nature of extraordinary beauty, numerous mineral springs and baths, resorts were created here. They were intended both for simple relaxation on the shores of Balaton, and for treatment and recuperation.

One of the popular balneological resorts in Hungary is Balatonföldvár. It is located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton and is considered one of the most beautiful and cozy cities in the country. In the northwestern part of Lake Balaton in Hungary There are several significant balneological resorts located at once, among which Tapolca ranks first.

In the central part of the northern shore of Lake Balaton there is Revfulep. On the southern shore of Lake Balaton spread out Balatonföldvar, which It is considered one of the most beautiful and cozy cities in Hungary. Another popular resort on Lake Balaton is Balatonfured. The small Hungarian town of Heviz is located on the lake of the same name and most people know about its existence solely thanks to the unique lake, which has no equal in Europe.

Balneological resorts of Hungary

Getting around the country

Transport in Hungary is well developed, although purely land-based. There are no domestic air transportations at all, while river transportation is mainly aimed at tourists.

Despite the fact that bus and train routes cover Hungary in a dense network, tourists often encounter difficult obstacles on their way. The fact is that this country holds the palm in Europe in terms of the percentage of people who do not speak any language other than their native language, there are 65% of them here, and the majority, unfortunately, do not even try to understand what a guest of the country needs, immediately refusing from negotiations. Even at a large station, the caliber of the capital’s “Nyugati”, there may not be a single person who could speak English tolerably.

Just in case, commonly used terms: “hétfő” Monday, “kedd” Tuesday, “szerda” Wednesday, “csütörtök” Thursday, “péntek” Friday, “szombat” Saturday, “vasárnap” Sunday, “szabadnap” day off, “vonat” train , "busz" bus, "erkezes" arrival, "indulas" departure, "következő" next, "naponta" daily, "palyaudvar" railway station, "tavolsagiautobusz palyaudvar" long-distance bus station, "helyiautobusz palyaudvar" short-distance bus station, "kosciallas" 4" platform number 4, "Melyik busz megy Budapestre" which bus goes to Budapest. You will find more words and expressions in Russian-Hungarian phrasebook .

There are also icons: two crossed picks mean “any day of the week”, the same picks in a circle - only on weekdays, in a square - from Monday to Thursday, a cross on Sunday and holidays, a cross in a circle on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Adding to the problems are the infuriating names of settlements, which a guest of the republic cannot always pronounce clearly. Based on the above, it makes sense to write down the necessary phrases and names on paper in capital letters and contact local residents, showing one or another of them as needed.

The situation for tourists is not made easier by the fact that in the capital there are only three large railway stations and three bus stations, not counting small ones, and between them there is no clear distribution of which direction which one of them serves. It should be borne in mind that in Budapest and in the provinces, as in Debrecen, Eger, Pecs and in general the vast majority of cities in Hungary, bus and train terminals are located separately from each other, and sometimes at a fairly significant distance, as in Esztergom. Even in small Vaca you will have to walk. Gyor and Szentendre are quite rare exceptions; there you just need to cross the square.

In such conditions, online services of leading carriers become of particular importance: for bus transport "", for railway transport, and for river transport "". When choosing how to get from point A to point B in Hungary, it is worth carefully comparing all the options, because in some places it is cheaper and faster by bus, in others by train, and in others it is cheaper in one way and faster in another. So when choosing which type of transport to take, you should weigh the pros and cons twice and check all the details three times. The railway network is built in the form of a multi-pointed star with Budapest at the center, while the bus network is more dynamic and decentralized, so it is usually easier to move from one peripheral region to another by bus, and to get from both of them to the capital by train. Tickets are sold at ticket offices and in vending machines, most of which understand English, but it is better not to rely entirely on plastic cards; you should have some cash on hand.

Buses in Hungary

Bus service in Hungary is established at a high level, but it has a number of serious problems that directly stem from the linguistic barrier and the strange organization of bus stations. Tickets, for example, are sold at ticket offices, in vending machines and in the hands of drivers, but the latter option is not always available, for most flights from the capital you need to come to the door with already purchased tickets, and in the provinces on popular routes it is easier to buy at the ticket office in advance, than standing in line to see the driver, wondering whether there are enough seats or not. This is especially true on Friday evenings, when a lot of people move around the country. The flagship of the industry is "" - in fact, not one company, but several dozen different ones, united by one brand, which allows you to find the schedule on its website. It’s strange, but finding a price for moving there will be much more difficult.

What makes life significantly more difficult for a traveler is the fact that Budapest has three large bus stations and several smaller ones. The good news is that they are all located near metro stations. The most famous among tourists is the Nepliget bus station, located 30 meters from the metro station of the same name on line 3 (blue). It serves international lines and, although located in the south of the city, not only southbound, but also northbound. The waiting room in this modern building is not open 24 hours a day, but from 4:30 to 23 hours, and from 6 to 21 there is a luggage storage room, in the basement - “Nepliget”, it seems, the only one of the capital’s bus stations that is equipped with it. In turn, the Stadionok bus station, served by the Ferenc Puskás Stadium station on line 2 (red), the usual departure point for transport to the east, opens at half past six in the morning and is open until 11 pm. The Arpad Hyd bus station, located next to the station of the same name on line 3 (blue), covers the areas north of Budapest, in particular Esztergom. Opens just before 4am and stays open until almost midnight, with the locker opening an hour later and closing an hour earlier. At the same time, it is partially duplicated by the small bus station “Sena ter”, at the station “Sell Kalman ter” of line 2 (“red”), from which buses also go to Esztergom.

In Hungarian provincial cities, there are usually one bus station per city and they are usually located closer to the center than the railway stations - and in the case of Esztergom, much closer. Moreover, even in the provinces at the bus station the platforms are numbered. The buses themselves will not cause any complaints even among picky passengers; they are fast and quite comfortable, although in summer ventilation issues become very relevant; the majority of the transport fleet is not equipped with air conditioning. Smoking is prohibited on buses.

Railway transport in Hungary

All details of travel by rail should be clarified in advance on the website of the Hungarian Railways (www.mav.hu), and this is not a figure of speech. The fact is that Budapest has three large train stations and a couple more stations within the city. "Keleti", which is served by a double metro station, lines 2 and 4 ("red" and "green"), is best known to tourists traveling by rail; trains most often arrive here from Vienna and generally from the west. Nyugati, located at the station of the same name on line 3 (blue), is designed to send transport to the east. In general, "Delhi", located on the right bank of the Danube, in Buda, on top of the "Delhi" station on line 2 ("red"), serves flights towards Balaton and to the southwest - west. At the same time, there is no clear, iron-clad division of responsibilities between the stations: you can go to Debrecen in the north-east of the country, and to Bekescsaba in the south-east, from Nyugati and Keleti, to Nagykanizsa in the south-west and Győr in the north-west. west from both Keleti and Delhi. Trains to Bucharest leave from both Keleti and Nyugati, and even from the shallow Kelenföld station on the outskirts of the city. Even small Eger has two train stations.

The system is also highly centralized; often the most convenient route by rail between cities in neighboring regions on the periphery is easiest to transit through Budapest. It’s possible to travel from Székesfehérvár to Györ, although the distance between them by road is approximately the same as from Székesfehérvár to Budapest.

Tickets must be purchased at ticket offices or vending machines; in the provinces, there is usually only the first option. If you are traveling by international train, having ordered and paid for a ticket through the network, you will most likely still have to find a ticket machine at the station and print out the piece of paper with which you can board; carefully read the information on the order page. At the capital's stations (quite interesting in terms of architecture) or there are important things nearby such as shops and storage lockers, but seating is usually tight. In the provinces, train stations, as a rule, are very small in area, with a small number of seats and are not particularly comfortable, and in large cities a rather dubious public tends to hang around them.

The quality of the trains themselves can vary quite significantly: comfortable modern trains with soft seats and air conditioning in the cabin usually run from the capital, and in the periphery there can be trains that, perhaps, are still remembered by János Kadar when he was young.

In general, if you compare the cost of travel, say, from Budapest to Esztergom with the price of a walk the same distance in Russia - i.e., in our realities, from Moscow to Ramenskoye, then it turns out that a Hungarian ordinary train costs on average 40 % more expensive than our electric train, but the same as the Russian express train in the same direction. Both travel time and ticket price can seriously depend on the class of train: the journey to Debrecen, depending on which train you take, can take from less than three hours to more than four, and the price ranges from 3,900 to 4,600 forints. Purchased tickets, unlike in Italy, do not need to be validated anywhere. When traveling by rail, you should not rely on chance - although there is no platform control, the conductors work very intensively, and after the first check, the ticket should not be thrown away or taken far away; they can be checked three times during a two-hour journey. The fine is usually 2,600 forints (8 euros) plus the cost of travel.

Since the Hungarian railways are undergoing a period of thorough reconstruction of the tracks, often instead of trains, some section has to be covered on special buses, using the same train tickets that are checked during transfers.

Water transport in Hungary

Water transport is not very developed in Hungary today. Apart from flights within Budapest and leisure trips in different parts of the country, the only remaining services are ferries on the Danube and Lake Balaton, and flights from the capital to points upstream as far as Esztergom and an international line to Vienna. The flagship of river transportation is the company "". Its fleet consists of motor ships of the "Moscow" type and meteors, the former are usually placed on voyages to Szentendre and further to Visegrad, and meteors travel further, to Esztergom, and up to Vienna inclusive. A trip by boat to Szentendre takes about an hour and a half, Visegrad three and a half, and costs about 2 thousand forints, and a trip to the same Visegrad by meteor takes only an hour and costs 4 thousand, it gets to Esztergom in an hour and a half and 5 thousand forints . Operating three times a week, the meteor to Vienna and back takes 6.5 hours to travel upstream, an hour less downstream, and costs 99 and 109 euros respectively. International transport departs from the Vigado pier, and domestic services start from the same, but make a stop within the city at the Battyany pier. Apparently, it makes sense to use them only for the sake of the views from the side and the exoticism - the train gets to Esztergom in the same hour and a half, but for only 840 forints.

The Battyány pier is located on top of the metro station of the same name on line 2 (red), and in Vigado you will have to walk from Vörösmarty ter (not Vörösmarty duck), line 1 (yellow), which is closer, or Ferencik. , line 3 (“blue”), it is somewhat further away. Finding the right pier on Vigado is easy, since only “Maharta” has a permanent, albeit one-story, structure on the shore, and not just a gangway and a booth. Usually ships depart from Vigado, make a stop at Batthyany, then go to their destination, and on the way to Budapest the opposite is true. Therefore, having sat down at the second point, you can find that all the good seats have been taken away, and, on the contrary, on the way to Budapest there is a reason to get off at Battyany, where the metro is closer.

Kitchen

The national cuisine of Hungary is considered one of the best in Europe - after French and Italian. Its diversity and taste are determined by ancient culinary traditions, which also absorbed the nuances of the cuisines of all the peoples who have ever inhabited this country. All the best dishes of Hungarian cuisine are presented in restaurants in Budapest.

A Hungarian specialty is undoubtedly goulash. Real goulash is not a meat gravy that requires a side dish (in our understanding), but a thick beef soup with onions and potatoes, also called “royal peasant soup” for its high taste.

Cellular communications in Hungary

If you intend to be in Hungary for quite a long time, or plan to make a lot of phone calls, you should consider buying a SIM card from one of the local operators, since calls from a hotel or while roaming are quite expensive.

GSM 900/1800 communication standards apply in Hungary. Mobile communication services are provided by operators.

Internet in Hungary

The same operators also offer mobile Internet services (cost is about 10 euros per month, depending on the volume of traffic).

You can access the Wi-Fi network in any of the many Internet cafes, in regular cafes and restaurants, and in hotels. Sometimes access may be paid - from 2-3 euros per hour.

Economy

Safety

Hungary in general is a fairly safe country, its crime rate is quite low. In Budapest, as in any other large city, you need to be especially vigilant in places where tourists gather - pickpocketing is possible. It is better to store valuables, documents and large sums of money in a hotel safe.

According to Hungarian law, tourists are required to carry an identification document (passport or driver's license).

When communicating with Hungarians, it is worth remembering that in the country it is not customary to ask questions and talk about personal topics: about work, salary, marital status, health, etc. Comparisons between Hungarians and their Slavic neighbors are not welcomed by native residents. Sensitive topics also include the Soviet period, both world wars, and relations with the Roma.

Due to their natural reserve, Hungarians can be shocked by loud speech, aggressive or defiant behavior of tourists, especially in public places.

Where to stay

You can find out everything about accommodation in Hungary and its main cities (hotel characteristics, reviews, hotel reservations, etc.) in the “Hotels in Hungary” section. Below you can follow the links to the hotel pages of popular cities in Hungary and book the option you like.

• Budapest Hotels
• Heviz Hotels
• Gyor Hotels
• Pecs Hotels

I first came to Hungary 4 years ago, and on the very first day it struck me with its simplicity, elegance and beauty. Since then, I have been organizing Hungarian holidays every year: I have already visited all the cities and villages and cannot calm down. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Hungary is a great travel option. It is located relatively nearby, prices are among the lowest in Europe, a beautiful and diverse capital, many ancient cities, delicious cuisine close to ours, thermal resorts, rivers and lakes, a high level of security.

The main thing is that the country has a wonderful atmosphere: there is no Western gloss and Eastern sadness. There is a hidden “golden mean”: a neat and very pleasant life, to which you always want to return.

Visa and border crossing

You can read more about Hungarian visa laws for Russian travelers in.

Hungarian customs regulations

Duty-free import allowed:

• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco (when traveling by plane); 40 cigarettes, 10 cigars or 50 g of tobacco (when entering by land);
• 1 liter of strong alcoholic drinks or 2 liters of alcoholic drinks with a strength of up to 22 degrees, 4 liters of wine, 16 liters of beer (persons over 17 years old);
• goods worth up to 430 € (when crossing the border by plane) or 300 € (when entering by land);
• 1 liter of cologne, 250 ml of eau de toilette and 100 ml of perfume.

The following equipment is allowed to be imported duty free:

• TV,
• video recorder,
• Personal Computer,
• 2 cameras + 10 films,
• narrow film camera,
• video camera + 10 empty video cassettes,
• music Center,
• CD player + 10 CDs,
• portable cassette player or radio,
• telefax.

Prohibited for import:

• weapon,
• ammunition,
• drugs,
• pornographic products,
• meat and dairy products except 2 kg of baby food or food needed for medical purposes.

When importing, you need to declare currency of more than 1 million forints (or 3,500 euros). Hungarian forints can be imported and exported no more than 350 thousand forints per person. Valuables (additional pieces of equipment, antiques, works of art, gold and silver items) must also be declared upon entry.

To import pets into Hungary, you must have a veterinary certificate issued no earlier than 8 days before entry. It must indicate that the animal has been examined, found healthy and there are no objections to its import from doctors.

How to get there

Hungary does not border Russia, but it is not so far away. Therefore, you can get to it by different types of transport: plane, train and car.

If you are not particularly keen on road or rail travel, I can definitely recommend air travel. It wins on all counts:

• more often (flights from Moscow every day),
• cheaper (from 30 euros one way),
• faster (2.5 hours).

Trains run only once a week, are more expensive (from 160 euros one way) and travel time is almost 31 hours.

Traveling by car is only possible for experienced and hardy drivers. If you leave from Moscow, you will have to spend more than a day behind the wheel.

By plane

This is the easiest and most affordable way to get from Russia to Hungary. There are a total of five international airports in the country:

• Franz Liszt (Budapest),
• Pecs-Pogany (Pecs),
• (G. ),
• Gyor-Per (city),
• Sarmellek (Lake Balaton).

From Russia, a non-stop flight is only possible to the capital of Hungary. Direct flights from Moscow to Budapest are made by:

• Aeroflot (two flights a day from Sheremetyevo),
• Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air (daily flight from Vnukovo).

Seasonal flights from St. Petersburg to St. Petersburg are operated by UTair. You can find out about the prices for flights to Hungary.

I'll tell you about my experience. The last time I flew to from Moscow was in August 2016 with low-cost Wizz Air. A ticket purchased a month ago cost 30 euros one way. The price is really ridiculous, but you need to keep in mind that it did not include luggage (only a small hand luggage) and meals on board. Both can be purchased additionally.

Also, electronic check-in is not available on Wizz Air flights from Moscow. The travel time from Moscow to Budapest was 2 hours 30 minutes, the flight was on time. So I can confidently recommend this option.

From the airport to the center of Budapest

Liszt Ferenc Airport is located just 16 km from Budapest. Getting from here to the city center is not difficult:

• Bus. From 3:30 a.m. to 10:59 p.m., bus number 200E runs every 7-8 minutes between Terminal 2 and Kőbánya-Kispest metro station (line M3). The fare is 1 euro. The bus goes to all stops and the journey to the city takes up to 45 minutes.
• Shuttle. The minibus leaves from the main entrance to the terminals every 20-30 minutes and goes to the center of Budapest without stopping. You need to look for the AirportShuttle-Minibus counter. The shuttles are very comfortable: they have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The fare is 10-12 euros.
• Electric train. Within walking distance from the airport there is the Ferihegy railway station, from where trains depart to Nyugati (West Station). You won’t have to wait long; about 100 trains pass in the right direction every day from 4 am to 11 pm. The fare is 1 euro. Tickets can be purchased from machines on the platforms or from the conductor.
• Taxi. The most expensive and comfortable way of all possible. You can take a taxi at the airport (Főtaxi) immediately after arrival. Taxi rates are fixed - 1 euro per kilometer. A trip to the center will cost approximately 20 euros, depending on traffic jams.

By train

You can get to Budapest by train “Moscow – Prague” No. 21/22, which includes a direct carriage to Budapest. Departure from Moscow from Belorussky Station on Wednesdays, departure from Budapest in the opposite direction is carried out on Thursdays. The journey takes 30 hours and 50 minutes. The minimum cost of an adult one-way ticket is 167 euros.

In Budapest, the train arrives at Keleti Station (East Station). This is the largest railway station in the city. Nearby is the M2 metro station “Keleti pályaudvar”.

By car

The distance from Moscow to Budapest is 2040 kilometers. It is possible to overcome them by car, but you will have to spend about 25 hours behind the wheel.

In my opinion, the most logical and shortest route for traveling by car along the Moscow – Budapest route passes through Belarus, Poland and Slovakia. Crossing the Russian border is quite conditional and does not require the presentation of documents. But at the border / sometimes you have to stand for several hours.

Undoubtedly, the most popular, well-known and therefore crowded border checkpoint on the territory of Belarus is (aka “Warsaw Bridge”). I recommend that you cross the border at Domachevo: it’s much more comfortable and faster. Before entering the border checkpoint, the driver and all passengers will have their passports taken. After some time, they are returned with a completed control slip that needs to be signed. A stamp is placed in the passport about crossing the border by car. Then customs officers inspect the car, sometimes asking you to open the trunk and bags.

Then it’s the Polish side’s turn. In my experience, it takes longer than the Belarusian one. Polish border guards check the condition of the car, the presence of a fire extinguisher, and ask about the purpose of the trip. If there is an animal in the car, you must go to the border veterinary station to have the vaccination certificate checked.

On average, it takes an hour or two to cross the border. But then you are in the Eurozone and can travel with a feeling of complete freedom, choosing any cities and villages you like to stop at.

Tourist regions

The state of Hungary is divided into seven regions, each of which is ready to please travelers in its own way.

• Northern Hungary (Eszak-Magyarorszag)– a region famous for its historical and natural treasures. The main thing here is mountains and rocks. It is in Northern Hungary that the highest point of the country is located - Mount Kekes (1014 meters). The Cserhat, Mátra, Bükk and Zemplén mountains are nearby. I wholeheartedly advise all connoisseurs of mountain ranges and clean air to come to Northern Hungary.
  The main cities are Lillafüred, Hollokö, Szechenyi and the capital Miskolc.

• Northern Great Plain (Eszak-Alfold)– this is a grassy steppe, shepherds, herds of cows, horses and sheep, hot sun, national parks, rural holidays, mills. I think that the Northern Great Plain is suitable for vacation for those who, in addition to the sights, want to see the kind and honest life of ordinary people on trips, reveal the true national soul, try to understand the character of not only the residents of the capital, but also those who inhabit the hospitable and picturesque outback.
  Main cities: Nyiredhaza, Szolnok and the capital.

• Southern Alfold (Del-Alfold)– the cradle of folklore, folk customs and crafts. Each town and village here has its own colorful traditions, especially embroidery, making ceramics and gingerbread figurines. It is here that you can taste real national food, take part in a competition for the best fish soup and truly understand the beauty of provincial nostalgic villages.
  Main cities: Bahia, Kalocsa, Kecskemet, Szarvas and the capital.

• Central Hungary (Kozep-Magyarorszag)– the smallest region in area, but the most popular region among tourists. After all, this is where the beautiful capital of Hungary and many surrounding beautiful and history-rich places are located. I can recommend a trip to Central Hungary to all connoisseurs of historical and artistic monuments, breathtaking landscapes and folklore traditions.
  The main cities are: Esztergom, Szentendre, Vac, Gödölle and the capital Budapest.

• Central Transdanubia (Kozep-Dunantul)- a region on the right bank of the Danube, north of Lake Balaton. It is here that one of the most famous porcelain manufactories in the world, Herend, is located. In general, the region is famous for its archaeological sites, medieval settlements, and mineral springs. So I definitely advise all lovers and connoisseurs of the European historical past to go to the Central Transdanubia region.
  The main cities are Veszprem, Papa, Sumeg and the capital Szekesfehervar.

• Western Transdanubia (Nyugat-Dunantul)– this is my favorite region of Hungary. There really is everything that the country is famous for: the ruins of medieval castles, ancient charming churches, numerous healing thermal springs, amazingly beautiful forests and lakes, magnificent palaces.
  The main cities are: Fertod, Sárvár and the capital Győr.

• South Transdanubia (Del-Dunantul) is the region south of Lake Balaton. I advise all fans of ancient history to visit it. Here are preserved: Roman tombs, chapels, frescoes, crypts, catacombs, sarcophagi, fortresses. The importance of these monuments is difficult to overestimate.
  The main cities are Pecsvarad, Siklos, Bexard, Kaposvar and the capital Pecs.

Top cities

Many people call Hungary a country of one city. Tourists adore Budapest, but rarely go further and make a big mistake. The capital is truly magnificent, but other cities in Hungary are also interesting. Each of them has its own spirit, its own unique attractions, its own history. I highly recommend including visiting different cities and villages on your trip to Hungary. It's really worth it! You can book hotels in the cities of Hungary on Booking - by, you can check prices from different sites. If you prefer the idea of ​​renting a private apartment or apartment -.

• Budapest is a fantastically interesting and incredibly beautiful city. Stretching on both sides of the Danube River, it combines two completely different worlds: old Buda with narrow crooked pretty streets of the 14th–16th centuries, silence, fortress, royal palace and Pest with straight, harmoniously built streets, luxurious churches, lively, cheerful and crowded life. Two such different parts of the city are connected by amazing bridges, each of which is a unique work of engineering art. It seems to me that Budapest has absolutely everything that travelers value: a good climate, delicious food, many cafes, fantastic architecture, a river with ferries, parks, a huge variety of shops, original markets. A trip to Hungary is unthinkable without visiting the capital!

• is a picturesque town at the foot of the Bükk mountain range, famous for its beautiful baths and twelfth-century fortress. The baths of Hungary were mostly built by Turkish conquerors, which is why they successfully combine European traditions and oriental flavor. The Eger Fortress is one of the best preserved in the country. On its territory there is a museum of medieval torture, which I personally love very much. It is unusual, exciting and not at all boring. Another important detail is that in Eger they make excellent red wine “Egri Bikaver”, the name of which translates as “Eger ox blood”. In general, there are many reasons to visit the city. I am convinced that he is truly worthy of attention. More specific information about Eger can be obtained.

• Szekesfehervar to this day it is called the city of kings. It was here that coronations, weddings and burials of royal persons took place for many years. The main basilica, unfortunately, has not survived. Only its foundation remains. You can see it in the Garden of Ruins. There are many interesting museums in Székesfehérvár: an ethnographic museum, a doll museum, and a pharmacy museum. I recommend this Hungarian city for visiting to anyone who is interested in history and appreciates its rich museum culture.

• Esztergom is located just 46 km from Budapest, on the very border with Slovakia. This is a picturesque town on the banks of the Danube with a magnificent cathedral. Its green dome can be seen for miles, rising to a height of 72 meters. The temple is also famous for the fact that it houses the world's largest altar image, painted on a single piece of canvas. It always seems to me that Esztergom is a place where time seems to have stopped. I highly recommend visiting it for at least one day.

• is the sunniest city in Hungary. According to official statistics, the sun shines here 300 days a year. Szeged is one of the most popular resorts in Hungary. There are two largest thermal springs here - the Anna and Dora wells. In addition, Szeged is an interesting ancient city with narrow cobbled streets and beautiful architectural monuments. It is also known throughout the world as the birthplace of salami sausage. You can read about Szeged.

• - a wonderful town with two-story medieval houses, red tiled roofs, green hills, narrow winding streets, Gothic churches and an ancient fire tower. There are even some ruins of the Roman Empire and the Old Synagogue is one of the oldest in Europe. Walking around the city is incredibly pleasant. It has silence, peace and a real old-fashioned spirit. You can learn more about Sopron.

• Szentendre- This is a very small town, but very rich in attractions. First of all, it is famous for its two hundred museums. Among them: the Marzipan Museum, the Margit Kovács Museum of Ceramics, the Wine Museum, and the Museum of the artist Károly Ferenczi. Szentendre is secretly called the city of artists. Each house here is decorated in a colorful, original and charming way. I highly recommend wandering around Szentendre relaxed, without any purpose, and just looking at the signs, shop windows and cute windows.

• Gödöllö– one of the most, in my opinion, interesting cities in Hungary in close proximity to the capital. It can be reached by train in just half an hour. Gödöllö is famous for its luxurious Baroque palace, which took a quarter of the nineteenth century to build. For a long time it was the official residence of the imperial court. You can take a walk in the park around the palace for free. You have to pay to enter the palace, but it's worth it. The interior decoration really impresses: elegant stucco, gilded chandeliers, spacious halls, aristocratic royal chambers. I am sure that a trip to Gödöllo is an ideal one-day tour from Budapest for all fans of exquisite architecture, quiet parks and leisurely towns.

• Pecs- a southern city at the foot of Mount Mecek. One of the most beautiful places in Hungary. Charming houses with bright tiles, cozy streets of the old town, a majestic cathedral, numerous cute cafes, fig gardens, almond trees. It was here that the first university in Hungary opened. There is not a single attraction in the city that has glorified it, but the very atmosphere of a calm, relaxed and very southern city in its energy is valuable, spending a day in which is a pleasure.

• Debrecen- one of the largest thermal resorts in Hungary and the second largest city after the capital. Debrecen waters treat joints, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological, neuralgic, and dermatological diseases. In 2003, a modern, excellent health bath, Nagyerdo, was opened in the city, and since then its popularity has increased several times. I recommend Debrecen to anyone who expects quality treatment in Hungary. Detailed information about Debrecen can be found.

Islands

Hungary is landlocked, but boasts two large river islands: Margaret and Sziget.

• Margaret Island arose naturally many centuries ago right in the middle of the Danube and today is the favorite oasis of silence for the residents of the capital. It’s very easy to get to, it’s only half an hour’s walk from Buda or Pest. In addition, trams stop right in front of the island's entrance. Margate today is a real landscaped park. There is a jogging track, a musical fountain, an outdoor swimming pool, bicycle rentals, a tennis court, slides, swings, a mini zoo, and a Japanese garden. Despite the apparent abundance of entertainment, Margate is a very calm, green and peaceful place. If you're tired of sightseeing and city walks and just want to lie on the lawn by the river for a day, Margate won't let you down.

• Sighet– the island is specific. Most often it is empty, but once a year it is filled with young people from all over the world. The fact is that it is here that the music festival of the same name has been held since 1993, which attracts about 400 thousand music lovers every year. The festival program is always interesting and very diverse, almost all genres of modern music are represented. Please note that this event is very crowded. Several days before and after the festival, young people actively walk around Budapest. If you are not a fan of large crowds, then be sure to check the dates of Sziget (usually it is in August) and come on holiday in Hungary on other days.

Top attractions

• – the most beautiful building in the capital of Hungary. The local population jokes that the size of the Parliament does not correspond to the size of Hungary, but they are still glad to have such a beautiful Gothic symbol of the country's independence. In its location and architectural style, the building resembles the famous English Palace of Westminster. Parliament is open to the public. Its interior decoration, in my opinion, is no less impressive than its exterior: sculptures, frescoes, paintings made by the best Hungarian artists.

• Lake Balaton- the main thermal resort of Hungary, where the entire population of the country flocks to in good weather. An interesting feature of Lake Balaton is its shallow depth, reaching a maximum of three meters. Swimming in the lake is incredibly pleasant, the bottom is sandy, the water temperature on fine days reaches twenty degrees. And there is plenty to do on the shore: you can take surfing lessons, play tennis or minigolf, ride through picturesque meadows on horseback or go sailing.

• is a huge health complex of 11 baths and 5 swimming pools. Located in the center of the main city park Városliget in the heart of the capital of Hungary. Expect to spend a whole day in Széchenyi. On the territory of the thermal resort there is a Turkish hammam and a Finnish sauna, weight and contrast baths, salt and carbon dioxide pools, a gym and much more. The most famous bathhouse in Hungary was built at the beginning of the 20th century in the modern Renaissance style, since then it has been restored several times and is now in excellent condition.

• Shoes on the Danube embankment– one of the most, as it seems to me, unusual monuments in Hungary. On the river bank on the Pest side, very close to the Parliament, cast iron men's and women's shoes and children's shoes are scattered. This is a memorial in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The fact is that before execution, prisoners' shoes were removed so that they could later be sold on the black market. The memorial was opened in 2005 on the eve of the sixtieth anniversary of victory in World War II.

• Marzipan Museum– one of the most entertaining and fun museums in Hungary. Opened in 1994 and located in the city of Szentendre. The museum displays paintings and sculptures made of marzipan, marzipan figurines and cakes. For example, I was especially impressed by the sweet building of the Hungarian Parliament. There is a shop and cafe at the museum where you can try and buy marzipan joys. If you're exploring Hungary with kids, this is a great option to visit.

• Lake Heviz– one of the most popular thermal resorts in Hungary. This is the largest warm-water lake in Europe with incredibly healthy waters containing calcium, potassium, salts, and bicarbonates. The most important thing: you can swim in Lake Heviz in Hungary all year round. Heviz is surrounded by stunning scenery, calm, peaceful and very relaxing. At the beginning of the 20th century, the only healing practice in the world was established in Heviz. To this day, treatment in Hungary always includes a visit to the lake, which is unique in its healing qualities.

• Great Synagogue– the largest synagogue in Europe is located in Hungary, in the very center of Budapest. I have never been able to get inside; I need to make an appointment in advance. But even from the outside it is very impressive: a beautiful 19th-century building built in the Moorish-Byzantine style by the Austrian architect Förster. Be sure to take a stroll through the Jewish quarter around the synagogue, where you can try authentic Israeli street food, read the history of the houses and visit a kosher restaurant.

• Mount Gellert- a hill 235 meters high, from which a beautiful view of the Danube and the entire side of Pest opens. It is very easy to climb it, using specially laid steps. At the top you will find a citadel built during the Habsburg era and the majestic Statue of Liberty holding a palm branch. Local residents say that she used to hold a propeller from an airplane. It’s definitely worth climbing Mount Gellert during an independent excursion in Hungary: excellent panoramic view, ancient citadel, Hungarian Statue of Liberty, good location. But I advise you to choose a cooler day: in the heat, climbing the steps is quite tiring.

• Chain Bridge- the first suspension bridge in the capital of Hungary, it is still the most beloved by local residents. The bridge is called a chain bridge because of the iron chains that hold the roadway. The bridge, opened in 1849, looks luxurious and monumental. At each entrance there are lions, which tourists never tire of photographing, delaying pedestrian traffic.

• - the central attraction of Hungary and one of the largest temples in Europe. The height of the basilica is the same as the height of the dome of the Hungarian Parliament building - 96 meters. But if the Parliament is the clearest example of Gothic, then the Basilica is a more restrained neoclassicism. I highly recommend going up to the observation deck on one of the bell towers. Two elevators and a spiral staircase lead to it. The view of the city from here is simply fabulous.

• Memento Park– an excellent option for connoisseurs of Soviet history. This is an open-air museum dedicated to monumental sculpture from the communist period in Hungary. There are a total of 40 exhibits in the park. During the walk, I found statues of Lenin, Marx, Engels, a typical Soviet telephone booth and even a small cinema.

Weather

The weather in Hungary is similar to ours, with four distinct seasons. In winter it is quite cold (temperatures in January drop to –10 °C), in summer it is warm (in July on average about +25 °C).

A special feature of the country is its very long, warm and pleasant spring and autumn. I recommend planning your trip for this time. In addition, hotels in Hungary often offer favorable prices in the spring-autumn period.

Moving around the country

Hungary, in my opinion, is perfectly suited for traveling around the country. I traveled across the Hungarian expanses on trains, buses, and swam on ferries. Only, perhaps, I didn’t fly on airplanes. I can warmly recommend any method of travel. Transport in Hungary is clean, comfortable and very punctual.

Aircraft

Hungary is not a very large country and, by European standards, not rich, so domestic flights are completely undeveloped there. There are several regular flights from Budapest to the cities of Pécs and , the rest are charter. The main regional airline is Travel Service Hungary. Ticket prices start from 40 euros.

Local residents and travelers prefer to use trains and buses: the distances are short, the views are beautiful, and the prices are lower.

Trains

Rail transport is well developed in the country. The main carrier is the state-owned company MAV.

The center of the country's railway map is , from which tracks radiate out to almost all cities of Hungary. So it won’t be difficult to get anywhere from the capital. But it is often not very convenient to travel between cities; you always need to make a connection in Budapest.

It only makes sense to buy tickets in advance on holidays and summer weekends. In other cases, you can go to the ticket office at the station right before the train departs.

Buses

Intercity buses are very popular in Hungary. They are modern, comfortable, punctual, and very often equipped with free internet.

Buses are a little more expensive than trains, but often more convenient: the routes are laid directly between the cities of Hungary, without stopping at the capital.

There are a total of 28 bus operators in Hungary, united under the common brand Volánbusz. The ticket price depends on the distance. You can purchase it at the box office or from the driver.

Ferries

Water transport in Hungary is represented by Mahart steamships, which ply on Lake Balaton, the Danube (Budapest - Esztergom route) and the Tisza River.

You can use this method of travel only from May to September.

Automobile

Car rental is very popular in Hungary. You can find prices for car rental in Hungary. The roads are good, the distances are short, and there are more than enough small beautiful towns along the way. The traffic rules are standard.

You can rent a car only after reaching 21 years of age if you have an international driving license and at least a year of driving experience. As a financial guarantee, you must leave a deposit or a credit card.

Speed ​​limits in Hungary:

• in cities – 50 km/h,
• outside them – 90 km/h,
• on highways – 120 km/h.

Connection

Hungary is a highly developed country, there are no problems with communication here. A SIM card can be purchased at any communication store. To conclude an agreement, you need a passport and money (from $10).

There are three operators in Hungary providing mobile communications and Internet services: Vodafone, Telenor, Magyar Telekom. There is no big difference in prices for tariffs and quality of communication.

Free Wi-Fi signal is available in many cafes, restaurants, shopping centers in the capital and major cities of Hungary.

Language and communication

Hungarian is rightfully considered one of the most difficult languages ​​in Europe. For example, if you know one of the Romance languages, you can intuitively understand related ones, but from the same language group. This trick won't work with Hungarian. He is absolutely unique. Of the thousand words spoken by the Hungarian, not a single one evokes the slightest association. The subject of the monologue and the mood of its speaker remain a mystery.

There is only one way out - use English. In the capital of Hungary he is understood very well, in small towns it is quite tolerable. However, it is useful to know the most common phrases in Hungarian, if only to please the locals.

10 phrases you need to know:

• Hello – Udvözlöm – Let’s take you away.
• Goodbye - Viszontlátásra - Visontlaataashra.
• Yes - Igen - Igen.
• No - Nem - German.
• Sorry – Bocsánat – Bochaanot.
• Thank you – Köszönöm – Kööööönöom.
• Please – Kérem – Keeerem.
• How are you? – Hogy vagy? - Go van?
• Okay – Jo – Yoo.
• I don’t understand - Nem ertem önt - Nem ertem önt.

Features of mentality

On the very first day, it seemed to me that Hungarians are a rather closed and secretive people. Indeed, if you take a general glance at passers-by, the impression is rather harsh. There are few open faces, everyone is serious and concentrated.

If you spend more time in the country, it becomes clear that Hungarians are cheerful and mischievous people. It’s simply not customary to actively express emotions on the street and in the company of strangers. Hungarians are also very proud people. Almost everyone keeps their back straight, does not wave their arms, and makes calm and smooth body movements.

I can also say with confidence that society for the most part is very well educated. At the table it is customary to talk about serious topics: from the latest political news to world classic literature. The attitude towards tourists is excellent: everyone is ready to show the way and come to the rescue.

Food and drink

Hungarian cuisine is very hearty and substantial, with a good rustic touch. Main ingredients: meat and vegetables (primarily cabbage). Most often, the dishes are stewed, with a sour taste and the addition of the country's most important spice - paprika. The main national drinks of Hungary match the food, serious and strong: fruit moonshine Palinka and forty-proof herbal liqueur Unicum.

I really love Hungarian folk fairs; they take place in the squares of Budapest almost every weekend. Farmers from all over the country come to the capital to cook simple but very tasty local food in giant vats. I advise you not to take several servings at once, they are very large, and one is often enough.

5 dishes worth trying

• Goulash– the pride of Hungary, truly the main dish of the country. This is a cross between a soup and a rich meat stew. Always very tasty and nutritious. Translated, goulash means Shepherd's Soup, since it was the shepherds who first began to cook it over fires. The ingredients of Hungarian goulash are familiar to us: meat, potatoes, onions, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, herbs. At the end of cooking, Hungarians always add paprika and cumin, which give the soup a bright red color and a unique aroma. In tourist restaurants, goulash soup is sometimes served in bread.

• Perkelt (pörkölt)– a hearty mixture of coarsely chopped vegetables and meat, stewed with paprika. There are many variations of perkelt. Whatever vegetables and meat products the housewife has in her refrigerator, those are the ones she uses. One thing remains the same – paprika.

• Paprikash- almost the same as perkelt. The difference is that paprika is mixed with sour cream. The sauce is creamy and thick. In addition, paprikash is prepared only from white meat, most often chicken. Served with a side dish of dumplings.

• Stuffed cabbage rolls- are very similar to a similar dish of Russian cuisine, but the cabbage is always sour, and the same ubiquitous paprika is added to the minced meat.

• Goose liver (libamáj)- a local delicacy. You can buy it in the form of canned pate at the market or order it fried in almost any national restaurant. It is served with nuts, fruits, mushrooms or chestnuts, topped with fruit and berry sauces. I advise you to try goose liver at the beginning of lunch, when your taste buds are most sensitive.

5 dough products worth trying

People in Hungary love sweets. Confectionery shops are everywhere, national cakes are famous all over the world. On holidays, entire streets are filled with stands of cheesecakes and pastries. Unsweetened dough products are also popular, number one among them is langosh:

• Langos- the main Hungarian street fast food. This is a large flatbread made from unleavened yeast dough, which is fried right in front of you in boiling oil until crispy. Then, at your request, it is rubbed with garlic sauce, poured with sour cream and sprinkled with grated cheese. Hungarians call lángos the local pizza and eat it almost every day. Langos is often prepared near the metro, in squares and central streets. In recent years, lángos restaurants have begun to open, where for double the price they offer to add meat, arugula, mushrooms and hundreds of other ingredients to the flatbread. The local population ignores such places, but tourists love them very much.

• Retesh- Hungarian version of strudel. Many people like it much more than its Austrian counterpart. And deservedly so. The dough for retesh is very thin and tender, the variety of fillings is huge: cottage cheese, apples, poppy seeds, cherries, nuts.

• TOUrtosh Kalash (kürtős kalács)– translated from Hungarian means “pipe roll.” Kurtosh Kalash is prepared right on the streets, on special wooden devices invented a long time ago. Watching the ancient process is a pleasure. Traditionally, at the end the finished product is simply sprinkled with sugar, but there are other interesting options: cinnamon, chocolate, grated almonds, coconut. The hot Hungarian kalach is especially popular during the Christmas holidays.

• Esterházy– almond-chocolate cake with cognac. It is very easy to recognize in a coffee shop: the top of the esterhazy is always covered with a chocolate mesh over white glaze. This is an incomparable dessert that people try to prepare all over the world, but the original recipe is known only to Hungarian confectioners.

• Dobos– the most favorite cake among Hungarians. This is a six-layer sponge cake with layers of mocha and caramel, topped with a hard frosting. A most delicate, amazing dessert created back in the 19th century by pastry chef József Dobos. Even if you are just passing through Hungary or for a couple of days, try dobos – you won’t regret it.

5 drinks worth trying

• Tokaj– a magnificent aromatic dessert white wine, the calling card of Hungarian winemakers. It is made according to a unique ancient recipe from the 12th century from grapes dried in the sun, specially affected by a special fungus. It was a favorite drink of the aristocracy, including Louis XIV, who called Tokaj “The King of Wines, the Wine of Kings.” Tokai always tastes a little spicy; it has not just a light, but an amber-golden hue.

• Unicum– an herbal liqueur prepared according to a secret recipe from more than 40 Hungarian herbs. It comes in bottles decorated with a black label with a white and red cross and has a strong and rather unusual taste. This drink is a special pride of the Hungarians. “Unicum” helps with colds and coughs, stomach upsets, eliminates muscle weakness and lack of appetite.

• Palinka- famous Hungarian liqueur. The most famous varieties are “barackpálinka”, made from apricots, “körtepálinka” from pears, and “szilvapálinka” from plums.

• Pezsgő– Hungarian champagne, always sweet, most often white. It goes well with famous national desserts. In Hungary, everyone drinks alcohol on the street, so you can walk around the city like a student on a warm evening with champagne and local cakes.

• Beer- a drink that is not as popular in Hungary as dessert wine or fruit liqueurs, but nevertheless there are quite a lot of local varieties and all are delicious. Try Beers Dreher, Borsodi, Shoproni and Arany Ászok on a hot summer day. Light beer in Hungarian is világos, dark beer is barna.

Shopping

In my opinion, it’s not worth going on a special shopping trip to Hungary. Prices for clothing and equipment in Russia and Hungary are the same, the range is similar.

I can advise you to go to the market or grocery supermarket before leaving home. You can find some interesting things in them. For example, excellent salami sausage, hundreds of types of paprika, all types of marzipan sweets, local fruit moonshine Palinka. In my experience, everyone is always happy with such gifts.

Hungarians also love to embroider. In the city markets and Vaci Street in Budapest there is a large selection of tablecloths, scarves, and napkins. Bargaining in Hungary, no matter how hard I tried, doesn’t work. Sellers always stand their ground. But they never cheat.

Best cities for shopping

It makes sense to buy gifts in Hungary only in Budapest. Prices there are lower than in the regions, and the variety of goods is higher. Depending on your taste, I can suggest three directions for searching for souvenirs: Vaci Street, Central Market Hall and Andrássy Avenue.

• Central Market- the most important, oldest and largest indoor market in Hungary. Thousands of local residents come here every day to buy fresh meat, milk, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and herbs. The most essential goods occupy the first floor of the building. There is also a second one, where they sell magnets, handicrafts and everything that tourists like so much. There are also several very simple cafes with delicious national food and therefore eternal crowds. In short, the Central Market is a magical place where you can walk all day and return the next. In addition, it is located in a beautiful building of the 19th century. By the way, the Hungarian Arbat – Vaci Street – begins right from the market.

• Vaci street– the main shopping pedestrian street of the country. It is here that there is the largest concentration of cafes, restaurants, shops, souvenir shops, and barkers. Unlike Andrássy, there are no luxury brands here, only mass and budget brands. In terms of atmosphere, Vatsi is exactly like Old Arbat. The only thing missing is street musicians, they are prohibited here. There is so much traffic, tourists, sellers, goods and passersby on Vaci that you can often not pay attention to the wonderful houses, wooden carved portals of the first floors, mosaics and cast iron decorations on the buildings. In addition to shopping, I recommend taking a walk around Vaci early in the morning. It is at this deserted hour that it opens in all its glory.

• Andrássy Avenue- the longest, most majestic and luxurious street in the city, which locals call their “Champs Elysees”. Expensive and elegant stores of all prestigious brands are concentrated here. Even if you don't need expensive shopping, it's still worth a walk around Andrássy. Parade Avenue is famous for its pompous architecture from the most famous masters of Europe.

What to bring from this country

Almost all souvenir shops in Hungary have the amazing and mysterious word for foreigners written, Hungaricum. Actually, such a word did not exist in nature until recently. During the tourism boom, savvy Hungarian sellers coined it to represent everything unique and quintessentially Hungarian. I offer several options for Hungaricum that will delight you and your loved ones.

• Paprika- perhaps the most famous Hungaricum. You can buy it in the form of a spicy paste, small dried peppers, or the most common option - in small bright fabric bags. Paprika occupies entire rows in markets and stores. Depicted on tablecloths and dresses. It is simply impossible to return from a trip to Hungary without it. Price from $2.

• Salami- a world-famous raw smoked Hungarian sausage. It was first made in the city of Szegedi in the southeast of the country back in 1869 and salami is still produced according to the original recipes of the 19th century. The most famous variety is considered to be “Téliszalámi”, or “winter salami”. Price from $4.

• Herend porcelain– elegant porcelain products produced at the famous and ancient Herend factory. You can buy tea and coffee sets, vases, figurines, interior details, and lamps as gifts. Everything is quite expensive, but incredibly beautiful. The main thing is to pack well so as not to break anything along the way. Price from $400.

• Rubik's Cube– the famous toy was invented in Hungary by the sculptor Erne Rubik, from whose name it got its name. If you need to choose a gift for children, this is an ideal option.

• Marzipan sweets– people in Hungary love marzipan; in regular stores you can find wonderful marzipan candies and chocolate products. You can buy a set of marzipan plasticine, marzipan zodiac signs and much more. Price from $2.

• Products with hand embroidery– Hungary has a large selection of tablecloths, napkins and even embroidered bookmarks. The main motif is the famous Hungarian paprika. Floral patterns are also common. Price from 10$.

According to Hungarian customs regulations, it is allowed to export goods from the country whose value in forints does not exceed the equivalent of 1,200 €.

A special permit is required to export antiques, works of art, gold and silver items.

Tax free

In many large stores in Hungary, as well as throughout the world, you can see the “Tax Free” badge on the doors. This means that after making purchases for a certain minimum amount, you can get a tax refund when leaving the country.

Purchases must be exported no later than three months from the date of purchase. The minimum purchase amount in Hungary is 45,000 forints (about $220).

To receive VAT, when purchasing goods in Tax Free stores, you need to ask the seller to issue a Tax Free Shopping Check. When departing from Hungary, before checking in for the flight, you must present a Tax Free receipt with purchase receipts attached to it at customs.

I advise you to place purchased goods with price tags in one or more separate bags, as the customs officer may require you to show your purchases. At customs, the Tax Free Shopping Check is stamped, after which you are entitled to a refund.

There is a Global Refund counter at Budapest Airport where you can make your refund immediately. The money can also be collected from any Global Refund counter on your next trip abroad, as long as the check has not expired. Or upon returning home at an authorized bank. In this case, additional commissions will be charged.

Vacation with children

Hungary is perfect for families with children. If your child has reached school age, then you can safely go on a tour of Hungary with him. The country offers all the favorite entertainment for children: a zoo, a circus, a cable car, a wild animal park, a water park, and children's museums.

Top places to relax with children

• Zoo in Budapest– an old (opened in 1865) and very interesting zoo. In addition to hundreds of species of animals, on its territory there is an aquarium, a butterfly house, birds, a variety of plants, a palm pavilion and even a Hungarian village where domestic animals are presented. The zoo is very large, but at the entrance they give you a map that is easy to navigate.

• Wild Animal Park Budakeszi Vadaspark is an area of ​​350 hectares where animals are kept not in cramped cages, but in spacious enclosures. The park is over thirty years old, and every year the number of its inhabitants increases. Now you can find deer, roe deer, wild boars, gray wolves, brown bears and many other animals there. The park is really good, it is spacious and picturesque. In clear weather, it makes sense to climb the observation tower and look at the surroundings.

• Bear Park "Medveotthon"- a completely unique park in the suburbs of Budapest. It is not that big, with an area of ​​only about four hectares. It is home to 39 brown bears. Each of them has their own name and hobbies. Some bears starred in Hungarian films. So that the animals can sleep comfortably, 8 artificial caves have been dug for them. You can come to the bear park with your honey and feed its friendly inhabitants. To do this, you will be given a long wooden spoon for free.

• Aquaworld water park is Europe's largest indoor water park, located on the outskirts of Budapest. It is aimed equally at adults and children of all ages. Kids will enjoy such water attractions as: Whirlwind, Magic Carpet, Rainbow, Jungle, Mountain Stream, Octopus. There is a separate children's pool with a water temperature of 30 degrees. If you do not have swimming equipment for small children with you, you can purchase them in the store right on the territory of the water park.

• Children's Railway (Gyermekvasút) is a wonderful project by students from the Technical University of Budapest, implemented shortly after the end of World War II. All workers here are children from 10 to 17 years old. To get such a tempting job, you need to study well and undergo special training. The length of the children's railway is 11 kilometers, which can be covered in 45 minutes. The small carriages offer a magnificent view. The Children's Railway has 9 stops, at any of which you can get off or on. The most interesting station is Mount Janos, on which there is an observation tower.

• Bear Museum "Macimuzeum"– a cozy and very homely museum, which is located in the tiny village of Rakotsifalva. The history of the museum is simple and beautiful: a resident of the village of Antal Balazs collected a collection of bears with his family all his life and several years ago, when more than one and a half thousand exhibits had accumulated, he opened the museum on his own. Bears in the museum read books, drink tea, sleep in cribs. In a word, this is a wonderful and magical place in its kindness.

• Toy Museum in Kesztehely– a relatively new museum (opened in 2010), but already a favorite among young tourists. It houses one of the largest collections of 20th century toys in Europe - ten thousand exhibits. The museum has two parts. For girls: with dolls, dresses, strollers. For boys: with cars, tanks, trains, soldiers, construction sets.

• Tropicarium– a very unusual place in the capital of Hungary. On an area of ​​3 thousand square meters there are various aquariums with fish from all over the world and even a piece of tropical forest. There is a shark aquarium, a pool with stingrays, piranhas, alligators, scorpions, chameleons, and rainbow trout. In addition to river and sea inhabitants, marmoset monkeys (the smallest monkeys in the world) and tufted partridges live here. A child will definitely not get bored in the Tropicarium.

• Transport Museum- one of the oldest museums in Europe on this topic, located in Városliget Park in the capital of Hungary. The transport museum is especially interesting, of course, for boys. In it you can see the very first Danube steamship, ancient steam locomotives, toy cars from Soviet times, and Peugeots from the 19th century. There are interesting and beautifully made small copies of ancient city transport. What is important for children is that the museum is interactive. You can put a coin in the machine and the trains will happily run along the model railroad.

• Mini-Hungary Park– a miniature park in the small town of Kisber, where you can see 22 small copies of the most famous places in Hungary. You can spend a long time looking at the masterfully made Parliament, the Royal Palace, the Great Synagogue, the Palace of the Princes and other sights of Hungary. It’s very nice that entrance to the park is completely free.

5 things you definitely shouldn't do

• Trying to understand the Hungarian language.
• Be afraid of prices because there are a lot of zeros in the forint.
• Drink a bottle of pálinka in one sitting.
• Ignore street food: langosh and kurtosh-kalash.
• Plan a visit to the baths on Friday evening.

5 things you must do in this country

• Try all types of local paprika.
• Rejuvenate in one of the famous baths.
• Climb to the Statue of Liberty on Mount Gellert.
• Eat mountains of marzipan sweets.
• Spend a peaceful day on a Danube island.

Nearby countries

Hungary is located in the very center of Europe and is in an excellent position in terms of travel to neighboring countries.

From Budapest to other European capitals it is a stone's throw: in 3 hours you can get to Bratislava, Vienna and Zagreb, in 4 - to Ljubljana and Belgrade, in 5 - to Prague.

It is not very reasonable to travel such distances by plane; it takes more time to go through customs control. So, the most common and convenient options are trains and buses.

The most reliable railway companies are the Hungarian MAV and the Austrian Railjet. Among bus services, the recognized leader is Eurolines. Prices for both types of transport start from 10 euros.

From April to October, pleasure boats depart from Budapest to Vienna via Bratislava. The price to Vienna one way is about 79 euros, round trip – about 99 euros.

Money

Hungary is one of the few EU countries that carefully protects its currency and does not succumb to the pressure of the euro. The currency of Hungary to this day is the forint (HUF). Current Hungarian currency exchange rate for September 2016: 100 HUF = 23.46 RUB (1 USD = 277.89 HUF, 1 EUR = 309.49 HUF).

I advise you to change money on weekdays; banks are most often closed on weekends. The exception is the center of Budapest, where exchange offices operate around the clock, but at an inflated rate. I also do not recommend making exchange transactions at the airport, hotels or with individuals. They almost always offer an unfavorable rate.

Hungary is a modern European country. You can pay with plastic cards everywhere. As elsewhere in Europe, from a conversion point of view, it is more profitable to carry a Mastercard than a Visa. ATMs in Hungary are literally everywhere.