Mistakes everyone makes in Budapest

Most mistakes in Budapest come from two systems that look familiar but aren't: money that isn't the euro, and a restaurant bill around Váci utca that may already carry a service charge. The eight items below carry most of that gap, in forint or in a queue for entry without a booking.

Paying in euro instead of forint

Hungary is not in the eurozone — the forint (HUF) is the only currency actually accepted, even this close to the Austrian and Slovak borders. Euro is taken in places by some larger hotels and souvenir shops near the main sights, but at their own, almost always worse, rate than a bank's. Transport tickets, entry tickets and most restaurants ask for forint.

NightlifeA night out in District VII, what is open until when and what it costs:Nightlife in Budapest →

BudgetFull prices in euro and forint, line by line:What Budapest costs →

A currency-exchange booth on a tourist street

Money-changing kiosks around Váci utca advertise an eye-catching rate on a board outside, but that rate often applies only to larger amounts, or comes with a commission that only shows up at the counter — the gap against a city-centre rate can run to 15%. A cash machine from a major bank, dispensing forint directly, is the more reliable option.

Where to stayWhich district keeps both the price and a proper cash machine nearby:Where to stay in Budapest →

DCC — "charge it in your own currency" at the terminal

When a card terminal or a cash machine offers to "charge in euro" instead of forint, that choice (dynamic currency conversion, DCC) almost always gives a worse rate than the Visa or Mastercard network applies on its own. The right answer is always forint.

Getting aroundWhere transport tickets are bought, and in which currency:Getting around Budapest →

A service charge already on the bill

Some restaurants, especially in the touristy parts of the centre, add their own service charge of 10 to 15 percent to the bill — printed in small type at the bottom of the menu or the receipt. Add a 10% tip on top of that and the same service gets paid for twice; the first thing to check when the bill arrives is whether "szervizdíj" is already on it.

FoodThe prices of the dishes this comes up with most:What to eat in Budapest →

Treating the funicular as part of city transport

The funicular up Castle Hill isn't part of the BKK system, and an ordinary metro or tram ticket doesn't cover it — a separate, pricier ticket is bought at the station itself. Bus 16 from Széll Kálmán tér covers the same route on an ordinary BKK ticket and, in season when the funicular queue runs long, can be the faster option too.

Getting aroundThe whole route up to the Castle, both options side by side:Getting around Budapest →

Parliament without a booking

Entry to the Hungarian Parliament Building is only possible with a guided tour and a purchased ticket — booking is required, in advance (jegymester.hu), and same-day entry on the spot is often no longer possible, especially in season. Arrive without a booking and all that's left is the view from outside.

3 daysWhere the Parliament tour fits into the hour-by-hour plan:Budapest in 3 days →

Other mistakes

• Buying food or souvenirs right by the main sights. Prices there are typically higher than two or three blocks away, for the same item.
• Buying chimney cake once it's cooled. It's best straight off the spit, still warm — ask for one freshly baked, not one that's been sitting on the counter.
• Paying to enter the lower terraces of the Fisherman's Bastion. The lower terraces are free all year; only the towers charge, free (lower terraces); towers €4.69.

When to goWhich month changes the crowds around exchange booths and tourist traps:The best time to visit Budapest →

Day tripsThe same mistakes apply on day trips out of town — Szentendre, Esztergom, Visegrád:Day trips from Budapest →

Hidden gemsPlaces off the main list, with fewer crowds and fewer of these traps:Underground and out of town: four sights beyond the six main ones →