Backpacking Hungary Travel Guide

Keen to discover the country that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves? This backpacking Hungary travel guide will show you how!

Hungary is a truly amazing and magical country in Eastern Europe. It’s full of quaint and charming towns and villages, medieval cities and architectural wonders, thermal baths and spas, hilltop castles, and of course Tokaj wines.

Backpacking in Hungary is a chance to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations whilst somewhat getting off the beaten track.

That said, Budapest has become a regular itinerary stop for backpackers in search of a good time. Known for its budget-friendly accommodation and even cheaper food, Budapest has joined the likes of Prague and Vienna on the summer backpacking trail.

For that reason, Budapest is no longer a hidden destination; the crowds in Budapest definitely reflect that.

Fear not, however, because, at Mind The Travel, I always emphasize how to travel on a budget and venture off the Western European backpacking trail. This travel guide for backpacking Hungary will cover Budapest in detail, but I definitely don’t stop there.

This is the only Hungary travel guide you’ll ever need to get a layout of the entire country. I’m here to help you with your planning, and share with you everything I think you need to know to get the most out of your next trip. I’m going to give you tips and practical travel advice on where to go backpacking in Hungary, tips for getting around, and advice on where to stay in Hungary. I will also cover backpacker accommodation, suggested Hungary itinerary and give you my thoughts on when is best to visit and top things to do in Hungary.

A truly fantastic adventure awaits you in a country that has a surprising mix of places to explore. Let’s get started!

Where to go Backpacking in Hungary

Of course, you can’t go backpacking in Hungary without visiting Budapest, a city can ooze such quintessential European charm. This is where you can visit the famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath, explore the Fisherman’s Bastion, watch the sunset from Gellert Hill and even go caving!

I’m suggesting that you don’t just stop at Budapest. This is because the Chain Bridge, Hungarian Parliament Building, and downtown (Belváros) area can sometimes feel like Disneyland in the summertime, and not in a good way.

To be honest, Budapest is a beautiful city not to be missed, but it’s going to be hard to get a real feel for Hungarian culture if you don’t branch out of the capital city.

Below I’ve covered Hungary travel itinerary that will inspire you to get a bit off the beaten path.

Travel Itinerary for Backpacking Hungary

Altough the country is relatively small, but it is very easy to travel around the country. So you can cover a lot of ground in a short trip. Of course, there is so much to see in Hungary, but if you have a limited time frame for your Hungary itinerary, one week is a really good amount of time to get to know a few places in the country. Plus, even if you can’t see everything, one week in Hungary is going to be incredible regardless!

With 7 days in Hungary, start by exploring the Pest side of Budapest. Be sure to wander the side streets of the Jewish district, marvel at the beauty of the ornate Parliament building, Grand Synagogue with its poignant Memorial and the huge St Stephen’s Basilica. Start your second day by visiting the grand old city of Buda. Walk across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge to hike up the Castle Hill, a place that the Royal Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church call home. From there enjoy panoramic views across the Danube to the Parliament building.

Take a day trip to Szentendre on your third day in Hungary. This Hungarian town was originally an artist town and despite receiving a lot of day trippers nowadays, its quaint cobbled streets, galleries and cafes still hold plenty of charm.

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Next, we’re heading to Lake Balaton, a popular tourist destination in summer for British and Australians. You can hike in Balaton Uplands National Park, take part in various watersports and attend Balaton Sounds festival. I think, the best thing to do near Lake Balaton is simply take in the vibes in Keszthely and natural beauty, and slow down. From here it’s a convenient hop to Pecs and then Szeged or even cross into Serbia.

2 weeks in Hungary will give you plenty of time to experience all of the above before continuing into the Bereg County — the heart of Hungarian folk traditions. From here, you can continue to Eger, the land of Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), baroque buildings and thermal baths. After soaking up in the therapeutic water, return to Budapest or pass through Debrecen to pick up a train to Ukraine.

Best Time to Travel to Hungary

The best time to visit Hungary largely depends on what you want out of your trip. The weather here is similar to elsewhere in Central Europe — hot summers, mild springs and autumns, and cold winters. This is why shoulder season is by and large the most popular time to visit Hungary.

If you want to explore the city streets in the sunshine and sip excellent wine in parks, then summer is definitely a great time to visit Hungary. Of course, the major drawback are the crowds and long airport security lines. Obviously, everyone wants to visit Hungary in the sunshine and the prices definitely reflect that. However, if you’re backpacking Hungary on a budget, you may want to visit in summer, when campgrounds are open.

Another fantastic time to visit Hungary is for the Christmas holidays. The Budapest Christmas Market is one of the best in the world, and the entire city oozes with holiday charm.

Of course, this means Christmas season is not the easiest time to visit. Many of the shops and grocery stores in the city close-up. Some bars and restaurants also shut their blinds for a few days. Those that stay open require advance booking in December.

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Moreover, you’ll only have daylight until around 3 pm, and it’s going to be chilly! Could be well worth it though to experience Christmas in Budapest.

As with anywhere in Europe, spring and autumn are the best times to visit. You can expect good deals on food, accommodation, and flights to/from the country, while avoiding the omnipresent crowds. It really depends what you’re after. October would be a great time if you pack enough layers. Bring a solid rain jacket, parka, warm down jacket to beat the cold and you’ll be just fine for the fickle weather in Hungary!

Hungary Travel Guide to Getting Around

Hungary is a small country with a convenient public transport system. You will probably fly into and out of Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) if you’re traveling from another country, but there are also airports in Debrecen, Miskolc and Pecs.

Liszt Ferenc Airport has currently an operating terminal, Terminal 2. It is divided into T2A (serves all Schengen flights), the SkyCourt area with a good selection of shops and food and beverage outlets, as well as free WIFI, and T2B (serves the non-Schengen flights).

Depending on your time frame, budget, and desired experience, there are many different ways to get around Hungary, which I’ll cover below.

Hungary Visa Requirements

Hungary is part of the Schengen Zone. If you’re flying into Hungary from abroad, you will probably land at the Ferihegy International Airport, but Hungary has plenty of borders easily accessible by train or bus. You won’t have to deal with passport checks if you’re already in the European Union.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the US do not need to pre-apply for a visa; their valid passport will be stamped on arrival. EU nationals will only need their national ID card to travel to Hungary. Other nationalities will need to apply for a Schengen Visa beforehand to visit Hungary.

Language in Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian is the main language spoken in Budapest and Hungary. Grammar is very complex, and while the alphabet looks similar to English, the letters are pronounced much differently. In fact, the Hungarian language is one of the few non-Indo-European languages in Europe and bears little resemblance to other Uralic languages.

Navigating the countryside can be a little tough without knowing at least some basic phrases. In Budapest, especially in the city center and more touristy areas, English is pretty commonly spoken. I’ve learned about several Hungarian phrases: yes (Igen), no (Nem), thank you (Köszi) informal, Good morning (Jó reggelt), excuse me (Elnézést), do you speak English? (Beszél angolul?) formal way. You’ll definitely need to know these basic words and phrases for communicating with locals and showing them you’re making an effort to appreciate their language.

How to Travel in Hungary

MALÉV Hungarian Airlines is the country’s domestic service, though to be honest you should rarely have to travel by airplane inside the country.

Magyar Államvasutak (Hungarian State Railways), the national railway company in Hungary, connects all major cities and towns, a convenient mode of transportation within the country and to neighboring cities such as Prague, Bratislava, Krakow, Warsaw, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Belgrade or Bucharest. If you are already traveling in Europe, train is the best way to get into Hungary.

Buses are also efficient for longer distances unless you’re going way off the beaten path. Hungarians prefer to travel by bus and therefore long-haul buses can get a little packed. Most routes have multiple departures each day. Show up at least 30 minutes before the departure. You can purchase tickets at bus stations or directly from the bus driver.

Most travelers streetcars (or trams) and trolley buses to get around Budapest. It’s tempting not to buy or validate a ticket, but be forewarned: there are ticket inspectors in many cars who will slap you with a nice hefty fine if you get caught. Just pay the $1.15 for a ticket. Validate your ticket before hopping on tram or boarding the metro. Take my advice though: Budapest downtown is absolutely walkable, so you can save some money by skipping public transport here.

What to Eat in Hungary

Paprika is arguably the best known ground spice in Hungary. You’ll find it pretty much everywhere. Traditional dishes are primarily based on meats, seasonal veggies, fruits, fresh bread, dairy products and cheese. Plus, Hungarians use plenty of garlic, sour cream and they just love white bread!

The most common vegetable is potato, but you’ll also find cabbage, bell peppers, dark leafy greens, and plenty of other vegetables served as side dishes.

Nothing represents Hungarian cuisine best other than their national dish, goulash (gulyás). Therefore, be sure to complete your Budapest experience with a piping hot pot of this slow-cooked beef stew. A bowl of Goulash usually comes with a good ratio of slow-cooked beef and veggies, with paprika to top off the broth. The traditional Hungarian goulash exists in many forms. Today you can find goulash that comes in soup form, but I also recommend trying hearty, rib-sticking version, made with big chunks of beef, carrots, and potatoes in a stew flavored with onions, garlic, and peppers.

There is a wide array of places to eat in Hungary that range from inexpensive snackbar or Bufe (self-catering establishments) to fine dining restaurants offering an upscale setting. In Cukrászda (patisseries), you will find wouth-watering cakes and pastries, and Kavehaz (coffee shops) are great for spending cold winter evenings. Elegant Vienna-style coffee houses serving coffee and rich pastries are omnipresent in Budapest. Gerbeaud, a refined but busy Art Nouveau institution, is Europe’s most prominent coffeehouses.

Budget for Backpacking Hungary

Hungary is still one of the most underrated countries in Europe. With so many cool and off-the-beaten-path places, the largest lake in Europe, as well as the world’s finest thermal springs, Hungary is very affordable, and easy to do on €25 a day. Especially if you travel outside of Budapest, in which case you can get by on much less. Plus, the country is far cheaper than most Western European cities, and only a little more expensive than its neighbors to the east. So you can get a lot of value from your cash.

As with anywhere in Europe, eating out every meal, booking last minute accommodation (in the summer) and trains, and going on a pub crawl will put a heavy burden on your budget.

With a comfortable budget of €25 a day, you can book a dorm room, though probably not in the downtown, have a glass of wine a day, cook your own food with the occasional traditional dinner out and late night kebab, walk around, and visit an attraction. Double that and you could have some meals in restaurants and indulge in the occasional spa treatments, making for a much more comfortable Hungary trip.

Try to get around on foot with public transportation when necessary. Book your accommodation and trains in advance too! To keep your expenses way down, you’ll need to be hitchhiking, volunteering, couchsurfing or staying with friends, and cooking for yourself.

Backpacker Accommodation in Hungary

Budapest is a completely different city to that of the rest of the country in terms of accommodation. It has been a backpacker paradise for decades now. It feels like there’s a hostel around every corner. Before you book one, figure out what you want from a hostel. A lot of the party hostels are gross and expensive. Dorms in someone’s flat are also available and usually of good value.

Most hostels are in Pest, which is where you’ll want to stay anyway since it has easy access to main attractions. Airbnb and apartment rentals are a popular way to stay in Hungary, and you can find some awesome apartments. Follow this link for your Airbnb discount.

When it comes to finding affordable places to stay in the rest of the country, hostels aren’t as widespread as in Budapest. You may want to visit in summer to take advantage of tent camping. For example, in Eger, you can rent a caravan at a campground a bit outside the city during the warmer months. In Pecs and Szeged, you’ll find at least a handful of budget accommodation options.

Differently, you’ll have to stick to no-frills guest houses when backpacking Hungary. These can come as cheap as €22 — a very reasonable price if you’re traveling with a large group of friends. But such affordable options can also be pretty far outside the city centre. €36 is a more reasonable budget for a good, central hotel outside of the capital city.

Where to Stay in Hungary

Below are a few of my favourite hostels and budget accommodation options when backpacking Hungary:

Maverick City Lodge, Budapest
Big Fish Budapest Hostel
Vitae Hostel, Budapest
Peterfia Panzio, Debrecen
Aviátor Motel – Vendégház, Eger
Koves Vendeghaz, Pecs
Hotel Kodmon, Eger
Joy Guesthouse, Siofok
Stop Panzio, Debrecen
Ananas Hostel, Pecs

Must Try Experiences in Hungary

Ever since my first trip to Hungary as a teenager in 1999, it’s been one of my favorite destinations to travel to. The country features some of the Europe’s most beautiful churches, hilltop castles and unique combination of rich cultural experience with medical, health or wellness treatments.

Local folks love to pamper themselves and the tourists who visit with spa days. Traditional-style hot-spring baths, beautifully presented and supplied with mineral-rich water direct from the hot springs. Spa practices in Budapest date back to 1st century AD. Today, there are five main thermal baths in Budapest, but there are also medieval hammams built by a Turkish pasha, and some minor baths inside exquisite Baroque Revival buildings.

Budapest nightlife is huge and features some really great night clubs where you can dance all night long. You can’t miss an experience at so-called ruin bars. These bars began popping up across the city at the beginning of the new millennium when the owners of Szimpla Kert (the first ruin pub of Budapest) had the great idea to convert ruinous buildings into bars.

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These drinking establishments are mainly concentrated in the VII district (aka the Jewish Quarter), and each one has its own vibe. In Budapest, you’ll find wide variety of ruins bars spanning every taste imaginable. Even if booze isn’t your thing, many of the ruin pubs also host farmer’s markets, food stands, and community events during the day.

Hungary’s stunning countryside is alluring for outdoor enthusiasts. Striding off into the countryside is one of the best things to do in Hungary. Most people probably come to visit Balaton Uplands or Budapest but there are also Bukk National Park, Aggtelek National Park, Bakony Hills, and the National Blue Trail. These places offer some of the finest hiking opportunities in Hungary, however, some hiking areas and campgrounds may be closed outside of the busy summer season.

Top Tips for Backpacking Budapest on a Budget

Cook Your Own Food

Cutting down on eating out is the easiest way to save extra money for a travel fund. Definitely eat out and try Hungarian cuisine, but it’s pretty hearty food. Chances are you’ll want to cook healthy meals for yourself anyway. Most hostels have kitchens; in the countryside travel with a portable camping stove and cook your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking Hungary.

Bring a Student ID

Aside from Budapest, there are universities in Debrecen, Pecs, Szeged and Miskolc. So you will probably get discounts on the trains and for all the attractions if you have an ISIC card too!

Go on Walking Tours

They are free (though make sure to tip) and a great way to get acquainted with the history of Budapest! Some of the prominent tours include General tour, Jewish quarter tour, communist tour and the afternoon tour. Enjoy a brief excursion into the history of the city, hear some jokes and get an insider’s look at the history and culture of the country. The meeting point is on the Vorosmarty square.

Visit Places Outside Downtown in Budapest

Want to explore beautiful town squares and castles without the crowds and inflated restaurant prices? Head out of Belváros and explore Varosliget, Margitsziget Island, Kozponti Vasarcsarnok (central market), Gellert Hill without spending a dime.