Currency in Hungary
The complete Hungarian Forint (HUF) travel guide
The Hungarian Forint (HUF, symbol Ft) is the official currency of Hungary. Issued by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB, Hungarian National Bank), banknotes come in 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 forint denominations; coins in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 forint. Despite EU membership since 2004, Hungary has not adopted the euro and shows minimal political momentum to do so under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Budapest is one of Central Europe's most-visited cities, attracting 6+ million international tourists annually for thermal baths, dramatic architecture (Parliament, Buda Castle), and value-priced gastronomy.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Hungary
Hungary is highly card-friendly throughout Budapest, Debrecen, and major tourist destinations. Visa, Mastercard, and the Maestro debit network work nearly everywhere — restaurants, hotels, shops, public transit, and supermarkets (Tesco, Lidl, Auchan, Spar). Tap-to-pay is universal. ATMs at OTP, K&H, Erste, and Raiffeisen branches accept foreign cards with per-transaction limits of HUF 100,000-200,000 (~$270-540) and fees of HUF 600-1,500 per withdrawal. Avoid Euronet ATMs (orange standalone machines) at tourist areas — they charge €5-10 per withdrawal and offer terrible DCC rates if accepted. Cash remains useful at smaller restaurants, ruin bars in District 7, and tipping.
Tipping culture in Hungary
Tipping in Hungary is appreciated and expected at restaurants. Restaurants: 10-12% is standard at sit-down restaurants — round up to a logical figure. Some upscale Budapest restaurants automatically add a 10-15% "szervizdíj" (service charge) — check the bill, no additional tip needed if added. Tipping is typically given when paying (state the total including tip rather than leaving cash on the table). Taxis: round up to nearest HUF 500; Bolt/Yango drivers can be tipped in-app. Hotels: HUF 500-1,000 per bag for porters at international chains; HUF 500 per night for housekeeping. Spa/thermal-bath attendants: HUF 1,000-2,000 for massage treatments.
Best way to get Hungarian Forint (HUF)
For USD-to-HUF or EUR-to-HUF, multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) deliver rates within 0.5% of mid-market — Revolut is particularly popular in Central Europe. Bank-branch ATMs (OTP, K&H, Erste, Raiffeisen) offer reasonable rates with moderate fees. Avoid Euronet ATMs and "0% commission" exchange shops in Budapest tourist areas (around Vörösmarty Square, Castle District) — these often have terrible rates and hidden fees. Better: ICE Currency Exchange and Mr. Change locations near Deák Ferenc tér typically offer competitive transparent rates. For substantial transfers, Wise consistently beats traditional bank wires (OTP, K&H) by 1-2% on total delivered amount.
Practical money tips for Hungary
- •Always decline DCC at retail terminals — pay in HUF, not your home currency
- •Avoid Euronet ATMs (orange standalone machines) at tourist areas — use bank-branch ATMs instead
- •Budapest public transit (BKV) is excellent and cheap (HUF 450 single ticket, HUF 1,650 daily) — buy at metro stations or via BudapestGo app
- •VAT (ÁFA, 27%) is included in displayed prices (one of Europe's highest); tax-free shopping refund available on purchases over HUF 50,000 from participating stores (claim at airport)
- •Hungary plug types C and F (same as Germany/EU); voltage 230V/50Hz — Americans need adapter
- •Get a SIM card on arrival (Yettel, Magyar Telekom, Vodafone) — 7-30 day plans available for HUF 2,000-8,000
- •Thermal baths (Széchenyi, Gellért, Rudas) are a major Budapest attraction — entry HUF 7,000-10,000 ($19-27), cash and card both accepted
Common money scams to avoid in Hungary
Budapest has some persistent tourist money scams. Common patterns: rigged exchange counters at tourist areas offering "0% commission" with 8-15% spread (verify rate against Google before transacting); fake "konzumlány" (bar girl) scams at certain Pest nightlife venues — friendly local invites you in for drinks, then bills come with hidden charges of €200+ for "premium" drinks; restaurant menu switches in tourist-area Pest where prices differ between menus shown to tourists vs locals; rigged taxi fares at Budapest airport (use only Főtaxi — the official airport taxi service — or Bolt/Yango); and aggressive currency-conversion offers in shops (always pay in HUF, never via DCC).
Frequently asked questions
Is Hungary in the Eurozone?
No. Hungary is an EU member (since 2004) but uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the euro. Hungary technically committed to euro adoption in its EU accession treaty but has no formal euro-adoption timeline. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government has consistently opposed euro adoption, prioritizing monetary-policy independence (the MNB has run highly unconventional policies — including emergency 18% rates in 2022 — that wouldn't be possible under ECB control).
Can I use euros in Hungary?
Some tourist businesses accept euros at terrible rates (8-12% loss). Always pay in HUF. Convert at a bank ATM (OTP, K&H, Erste) or use a Wise/Revolut card. Some Budapest tourist-zone shops will refuse euro payment to avoid being seen as tourist traps.
Why was Hungary at 18% interest rates in 2022?
The MNB raised rates aggressively in 2022 — peaking at an 18% one-day deposit rate in October 2022 — to combat extreme inflation (Hungary hit 26% YoY inflation, highest in EU) and defend the forint after sanctions-related EUR/HUF spike to 430. The emergency-rate policy was wound down through 2023-2024 as inflation cooled. By 2025, MNB base rate is around 4-5% — still elevated but normalized.
How much cash should I bring to Budapest?
Plan on HUF 5,000-15,000 ($14-40) per day in cash for ruin bars, smaller restaurants, tips, and thermal-bath fees. With cards accepted at most chain restaurants and shops, your daily cash needs are modest. Withdraw from a bank ATM (OTP, K&H, Erste) — never use Euronet or standalone street ATMs in tourist areas.
Is Hungary expensive for tourists?
Cheap by Western European standards. Budget travel runs $40-70/day; mid-range $80-150/day; luxury $200-400/day. Restaurant meals cost HUF 3,000-8,000 ($8-22) per person at mid-range restaurants. Thermal baths HUF 7,000-10,000 ($19-27). Wine is famously cheap (HUF 1,500-3,000 for a bottle of decent Hungarian wine). Budapest's tourist-zone Pest center prices are 1.5-2x outside-center prices — explore District 7, District 8, and Buda hills for better value.
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.