Hungary Visa Requirements
For ๐ฏ๐ต Japan passport holders
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond stay
Blank Pages
At least 1 page required
Multiple Entry
Single entry
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Travel Essentials
Health & Safety
Safety Rating
Vaccinations
Routine vaccines (MMR, Tetanus, COVID-19). Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine if spending time in forests.
Tap Water
Safe to drink
Safety Tips
Hungary is generally safe. Budapest has typical European city concerns - pickpockets target tourists in popular areas and on public transport. Scams targeting tourists include overcharging at certain restaurants and currency exchange tricks. Use reputable exchange offices and check restaurant bills carefully.
Money & Costs
Currency
Ft Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Daily Budget (USD)
Budget: $50 ยท Mid: $100 ยท Luxury: $220+
Cards & ATMs
Cards are widely accepted in Budapest and tourist areas. Smaller towns and traditional markets may prefer cash. Always have some forints on hand. Visa and Mastercard are common; Amex less so.
Tipping
Tipping is expected and typically 10-15% in restaurants - tell the server what you'd like to pay rather than leaving money on the table. Round up taxi fares. Hotel porters and spa attendants appreciate small tips. Hairdressers expect 10-15%.
Practical Info
Power
Type C, F, 230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
Emergency
Emergency: 112
Police: 107
Ambulance: 104
Fire: 105
Mobile/SIM
Buy a SIM card from Telekom, Vodafone, or Yettel stores. Tourist packages cost 3,000-5,000 HUF for 5-10GB data. EU SIMs work with no roaming charges. Coverage is excellent throughout the country.
Getting There
Main Airports
Budapest (BUD)
Airport Transfers
Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD): Bus 100E express to Deรกk Ferenc tรฉr (HUF 2,200, 35 minutes) - single ticket, not valid on regular passes. Bus 200E to Kลbรกnya-Kispest metro, then M3 to center (regular ticket). Taxi HUF 9,000-12,000 (30-45 minutes). Bolt available.
Local Transport
Budapest has excellent public transport - metro, trams, and buses. Buy a Budapest Card for unlimited transport plus museum entry. Validate tickets before boarding. MรV trains connect cities affordably. FlixBus for budget intercity travel. Bolt (like Uber) works in Budapest.
Culture & Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
April-June and September-October for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (July-August) is hot and busy. December for Christmas markets. Winter is cold but atmospheric for thermal bath visits.
Cultural Notes
Hungarians are proud of their unique culture and language. Toasting with beer while making eye contact is important (never clink glasses for beer - a historical tradition). Hungarians may seem reserved initially but warm up quickly. Tipping is expected. Christmas markets are magical.
Insider Tips
Budapest is really two cities - hilly Buda and flat Pest. The thermal baths are essential - Szรฉchenyi is grand, Gellรฉrt is art nouveau, Rudas has rooftop views. Don't miss the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter. Learn a few Hungarian words - it's unrelated to other languages and locals appreciate effort. Hungarian wines are underrated.
Dress Code
Casual dress is fine for most occasions. Smart casual for upscale restaurants and the opera. Thermal baths require swimwear (rentable if forgotten). Some religious sites require modest dress.