💰 Quick Context: The Hungarian Forint
Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF / Ft), not the euro, even though it is an EU member. A restaurant meal costs 3,000–6,000 Ft, a beer 600–1,200 Ft, and a hotel night 15,000–50,000 Ft. Quick math: divide by 370 for approximate USD (e.g., 3,700 Ft ≈ $10). Budapest is card-friendly with tap-to-pay on public transport. Outside the capital, cash becomes more important.
🎧 Order Hungarian Forint Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order HUF → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Hungary
Budapest is one of Central Europe's most card-friendly capitals. You can tap-to-pay at restaurants, shops, and even on the BKK metro and trams. Outside Budapest, cash is more important.
Cards work well in Budapest. Restaurants in the Jewish Quarter (District VII), shops along Váci utca, the ruin bars of Szimpla Kert, and the BKK public transport system (metro, trams, buses) all accept contactless. Cash is needed at the Great Market Hall (Nagycarnok), smaller thermal baths outside Budapest, village restaurants around Lake Balaton, rural guesthouses, and markets across the country.
Do not pay in euros. Some Budapest tourist restaurants accept euros, but the exchange rate they apply is always unfavorable (often 15–20% worse). Always pay in forints for the best value.
How to Get Forints for Your Hungary Trip
Budapest is one of Central Europe's most card-friendly capitals (BKK metro turnstiles take contactless, ruin bars take Visa, Váci utca shops take Apple Pay), but Hungary stays cash-shaped the moment you leave the city. Lake Balaton village inns, the smaller thermal baths around Eger and Heviz, country tavernas (vendéglő), and Great Market Hall stalls all want forints. There's also a uniquely-Hungarian trap: the country is blanketed with Euronet ATMs that quietly bake 8–15% into a tourist's withdrawal. Two cheap routes for getting forints: pre-order before you fly, or pull from a real Hungarian bank ATM after landing.
Order forints before you fly
For pre-arrival forints, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Hungarian forints to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, at a small spread over the bank rate. Useful as a defensive move against Hungary's Euronet density: arrive with enough forints in pocket so the first ATM you use can be a careful one rather than the closest one. Your home bank is the other path: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi can all order HUF for branch pickup or home delivery, free for many premium account holders and a modest fee otherwise. Allow 5–10 business days because forint isn't a flagship currency for most US banks. Hungary does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so BoA debit users will pay BoA's standard 3% non-network fee on top of any in-country withdrawal. Especially worth pre-ordering if you're flying into BUD on a late-evening LOT or Wizz Air flight when the airport bank ATMs may be tucked behind a closed-down arrivals area and only Euronet machines are still lit.
Withdraw from a Hungarian bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of forints is a real Hungarian bank ATM. OTP Bank (the largest network), K&H Bank (KBC Group), Erste Bank Hungary, MBH Bank (formed from the MKB merger), and Raiffeisen Bank Hungary all give the actual interbank rate with no markup, and they don't add an operator fee on foreign cards. Your only cost is whatever your home bank charges (1–3% foreign transaction fee on most US debit cards, zero with a Wise or Charles Schwab card). Withdrawal caps are typically 100,000–150,000 Ft per transaction. The Hungary-specific gotcha is the same as the Czech Republic and Greece: Euronet ATMs are everywhere in the Budapest tourist core (Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge approach, the Széchenyi Baths corner, the Vörösmarty tér tram stop, the Váci utca shopping strip, every Christmas Market entrance in December). Their "no foreign-card fee" claim is followed by aggressive DCC and a poor rate. If a machine doesn't carry one of the five Hungarian bank logos above, walk to the next corner. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD" or "in your home currency". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup, or our Budapest money guide for neighborhood-level locations. Want to know what an OTP withdrawal will actually cost on your specific card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Currency-exchange booths & Euronet ATMs
Three traps to avoid in Hungary. The exchange windows on Váci utca, around the Great Market Hall, and along Andrássy út advertise "0% commission" sandwich boards but bake 10–20% spreads straight into the displayed rate; some have a reputation for short-changing tourists during the count-back. Stick to Correct Change on Deák F. utca near Deák Square or one of the OTP Bank counters if you genuinely must use a booth (their rates are the closest to honest). Second, the Travelex and Interchange counters at BUD (Budapest Ferenc Liszt) routinely run 8–15% off the interbank rate. Third, Euronet ATMs throughout the Budapest tourist core layer DCC and operator fees on top of an inflated exchange rate, with a famously confusing screen flow that hides the lower-cost "in HUF" option. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at OTP, K&H, Erste, MBH, or Raiffeisen, decline DCC, and pay in forints rather than euros wherever a price is quoted in HUF. Heading to Budapest? Our Budapest money guide walks the cleanest cash strategy.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-HUF timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Hungary
Major Hungarian banks operate ATMs throughout the country with fair interbank rates and no operator surcharges. Budapest has ATMs on nearly every block, but coverage thins in smaller towns. ATM limits are typically 100,000–150,000 Ft per transaction (~$250–400).
OTP Bank
Hungary's largest bank with the most extensive ATM network in the country. Found everywhere from Budapest's city center to small rural towns. ATMs offer English language options and accept all major international cards. Your best bet across Hungary.
Top Pick
K&H Bank
Part of the KBC Group, K&H is one of Hungary's largest commercial banks. Good ATM coverage in Budapest and major cities like Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs. Reliable machines with English language support and no operator fees for foreign cardholders.
Recommended
Erste Bank Hungary
The Hungarian branch of Austria's Erste Group. Solid ATM presence in Budapest and larger cities. If you are also visiting Austria, you will recognize the brand. Fair rates, English language options, and no operator surcharges.
Recommended
Raiffeisen Bank Hungary
Another well-known European bank operating in Hungary. ATMs are found in Budapest and regional cities. Straightforward withdrawals with no operator fees. A reliable backup option when OTP or K&H ATMs are not nearby.
Recommended
MBH Bank
Formed from the merger of Budapest Bank, MKB Bank, and Takarékbank, MBH is now one of Hungary's largest banks. Growing ATM network across the country, especially in areas previously served by the merged banks. Fair rates with no operator fees.
Recommended⚠ What is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)?
When an ATM offers to charge you in USD (or your home currency) instead of HUF, always decline. Choosing your home currency means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select "HUF" or "local currency" at every prompt. This is the single biggest money trap for tourists using ATMs in Hungary.
ATMs to Avoid in Hungary
Independent ATM operators are widespread in Budapest, especially around tourist hotspots like the Buda Castle district, Váci Street, and the ruin bar area. These machines charge steep fees and aggressively push DCC. Always look for ATMs operated by Hungarian banks instead.
Euronet
Euronet is actually headquartered in Hungary, and its bright blue ATMs are everywhere in Budapest's tourist zones. Charges high operator fees per withdrawal and offers terrible exchange rates. Aggressively pushes DCC through multiple confusing screens designed to trick you into accepting.
Avoid
Travelex
Found at Budapest Airport and select tourist areas. Poor exchange rates with hidden markups built into the rate. Bank ATMs are available at the airport, so skip Travelex entirely.
AvoidStandalone ATMs
Unbranded machines found in tourist shops, hotel lobbies, and nightlife areas in Budapest. These typically charge the highest fees and offer the worst exchange rates. Always walk to the nearest bank-operated ATM instead.
AvoidCurrency Exchange Booths
Budapest is full of exchange offices advertising "0% commission" while hiding massive markups in the spread. The rates displayed outside are often for large transactions only. Avoid these entirely and use bank ATMs instead.
AvoidPaying by Card in Hungary
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most restaurants, shops, and attractions in Budapest. Coverage drops in smaller towns like Eger, Pécs, and Lake Balaton villages. American Express is rarely accepted outside international hotel chains like the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons. Discover has very limited acceptance.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Tap-to-pay is widely accepted in Budapest, including on the BKK public transport system (metro, trams, buses). Just tap your contactless card at the validators. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most modern terminals in the capital. Outside Budapest, contactless coverage is patchier, especially at traditional restaurants and markets.
Where Cards May Not Work
The Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) in Budapest is cash-only or cash-preferred at most vendor stalls. Smaller thermal baths outside Budapest (Harkány, Győr, Miskolc-Tapolca) may accept only cash. Village restaurants around Lake Balaton and in the wine country are frequently cash-only. Markets across the country require cash in forints.
Tipping in Hungary
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, 10–15% is standard. Many do not add service charges, so check first. The Hungarian way is to tell the server the total you want to pay (including tip) when handing over cash. Say the amount, e.g., "háromezer" (3,000) on a 2,700 Ft bill. Do not leave money on the table, as it is considered rude. At cafés, round up to the nearest 100 Ft. Taxis: round up or add 10%. At thermal baths like Széchenyi or Gellért, tip massage attendants 500–1,000 Ft for personal services.
Budapest, Lake Balaton & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
For Budapest-specific tips (ruin bar payments, BKK transit tap-to-pay, Euronet traps, and district-by-district card acceptance), see our Budapest Money Guide.
Euronet ATMs in Budapest are notorious for DCC. Their bright machines line the streets of the Jewish Quarter and Váci utca. Multiple confusing screens try to trick you into accepting their exchange rate, which adds 10–18%. Always select "HUF" and decline conversion. OTP Bank, K&H, and Erste Bank ATMs are always nearby.
Budapest's BKK public transport accepts contactless bank cards directly at validators on metro gates and trams. No need to buy paper tickets or a Budapest Card unless you prefer it. The ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter (Szimpla Kert, Instant-Fogas) accept cards at the bar, but smaller pop-up bars and street vendors around them are cash-only.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath accepts cards for entrance tickets, but locker deposits and any massage services may require cash. "0% commission" exchange offices on Váci utca and near Keleti station hide their margins in the exchange rate. Bank ATMs give better rates. Hungary uses large numbers: common ATM denominations are 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 Ft notes.
Money Safety in Hungary
Staying Safe
Use ATMs at OTP Bank, K&H, or Erste Bank branches rather than standalone Euronet machines on tourist streets. In Budapest, the branches near Desk Férenc tér and in Westend City Center are safe options.
Pickpocketing occurs on the M1 metro line, at Keleti train station, and in the crowded ruin bar district late at night. Keep bags zipped and valuables in front pockets. Avoid "0% commission" exchange offices near tourist sites; they set their own unfavorable rates. Hungary is a well-known EU destination, so most card issuers do not flag Hungarian transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hungary use the euro?
No. Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF) despite being an EU member. Euro adoption has no target date. Some tourist restaurants in Budapest accept euros, but at unfavorable rates (15–20% worse). Always pay in forints.
Why are Euronet ATMs bad in Budapest?
Euronet ATMs use confusing multi-screen prompts to push DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion), adding 10–18% to your withdrawal. Always select "HUF" and decline conversion. OTP Bank, K&H, and Erste Bank ATMs are always nearby and charge no operator fee.
Can I use contactless on Budapest public transport?
Yes. BKK (Budapest's transport system) accepts contactless Visa and Mastercard directly at metro gates and tram validators. Just tap your card. No paper tickets needed.
How does tipping work in Hungary?
10–15% at restaurants. Tell the server the total you want to pay when handing over cash. Do not leave money on the table. At thermal baths, tip massage attendants 500–1,000 Ft.
Do I need cash for the Great Market Hall?
Yes. Most vendor stalls in the Nagycsarnok (Great Market Hall) are cash-only or cash-preferred. Bring small forint notes (1,000 and 2,000 Ft) for souvenirs, paprika, and food.
Is Budapest expensive?
Affordable compared to Western Europe. A restaurant meal costs 3,000–6,000 Ft ($8–16), a beer 600–1,200 Ft ($1.60–3.25), and a hotel night 15,000–50,000 Ft ($40–135). Széchenyi Thermal Bath entry is about 7,200 Ft ($19).
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend forints like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hungarian Bank ATMs (OTP, K&H, etc.) | Very Low (no operator fee + fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Most travelers |
| Independent ATMs (Euronet, etc.) | Very High (fees + rate markup) | ★★★☆☆ | Emergencies only |
| Credit Cards (no foreign fee) | Very Low for purchases | ★★★★☆ | Budapest restaurants, shops |
| Airport / Currency Exchange Booths | Very High (large markup fees) | ★★☆☆☆ | Not recommended |
Hungary Quick Facts
| Currency | Hungarian Forint (HUF / Ft) |
| Best ATMs | OTP Bank, K&H Bank, Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, MBH Bank |
| Typical ATM Limit | ~100,000–150,000 HUF per transaction |
| Card Acceptance | Good in Budapest. Limited in smaller towns and markets |
| Tipping | 10–15%. State the total when paying, do not leave cash on the table |
| DCC Risk | Very high, especially at Euronet ATMs in Budapest tourist areas |
| Best ATM Tip | OTP Bank has the widest coverage across all of Hungary |
Hungary City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Hungary's biggest cities. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.