Budapest Essentials for Travelers

Hungary uses the forint (HUF), not the euro, even though it is in the European Union. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes. Withdraw cash from a bank ATM rather than a standalone currency exchange machine, and always decline when a terminal offers to charge you in dollars.

Tipping is customary but modest. Ten to fifteen percent in restaurants is generous, and it is common to state the total you wish to pay when handing over the card rather than leaving coins on the table.

Tap water is safe and good in Budapest, and the city's mineral-rich thermal baths are worth a morning. Szechenyi is the grand outdoor option; Gellert is the quieter, more ornate one.

Pharmacies are marked "Gyogyszertar" and several near the center stay open around the clock. Pack your prescriptions in original containers with a copy of the prescription itself.

The sidewalks in the historic districts are cobblestoned and uneven in places, so comfortable shoes matter more here than in many European capitals. If walking distances are a concern, a chauffeur waiting between stops turns a demanding day into an easy one.

Summer afternoons can reach the mid-nineties Fahrenheit and winters can sit below freezing, so a car with proper climate control and cold water on board is not a luxury detail in either season.

Finally, plan restaurant reservations for around seven in the evening. Kitchens in Budapest serve later than in the United States, and the best tables at that hour are almost always booked a day or two ahead.