Money, Safety & eSIM in Hungary
Hungary's currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF) — Hungary is in the EU but hasn't adopted the euro. Cards are widely accepted in Budapest; carry some cash for smaller vendors and markets. Hungary is genuinely very safe from violent crime, but Budapest has a long-running, well-documented taxi overcharging scam targeting tourists — avoid it entirely by using the Bolt app or the official taxi desk at the airport, and never hailing a cab on the street.
The practical questions that actually shape a trip: what to do about cash versus card, what the real safety risk is (it's specific, it's avoidable, and it's not violent crime), and how to get online without paying painful roaming fees.
Money and currency
The Hungarian forint (HUF) is the currency everywhere — despite EU membership, Hungary hasn't adopted the euro, and exchange rates move, so check a current rate before your trip. As a rough 2026 planning anchor, $1 has recently traded in the low-to-mid 300s in forint. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Budapest (restaurants, hotels, shops, even most market stalls), but keep some cash for smaller vendors, public toilets, and rural areas outside the capital.
| Payment method | Where it works best |
|---|---|
| Card (contactless) | Restaurants, hotels, shops, most taxis (via app), the Great Market Hall |
| Cash (forint) | Small family-run restaurants, market stalls, public restrooms, some rural towns |
| Mobile payment apps | Widely supported alongside contactless card in Budapest |
Is Budapest safe?
Yes, genuinely — Budapest is one of Europe's safer capital cities by violent crime rate, and most visitors have a completely trouble-free trip. The real, well-documented issue is financial rather than physical: a long-running taxi overcharging scam that's given the city an outsized reputation problem for decades.
The taxi scam — and how to avoid it entirely
Unlicensed drivers, often concentrated around Keleti train station and Budapest Airport, approach tourists offering a ride at what sounds like a normal rate, then either run a rigged meter that climbs unusually fast, quote a flat 'special price' several times the real fare, or manipulate the payment screen so an extra digit gets added without the passenger noticing until after paying. The fix is simple and complete: never hail a taxi on the street in Budapest. Use the Bolt app (works exactly like Uber — you see the price before you book, and pay through the app, no room for manipulation), or at the airport, use the official Fotaxi desk inside the arrivals hall, which gives a fixed-price voucher before you're assigned a car.
eSIM and staying connected
eSIM is the easiest option if your phone supports it — providers like Airalo and Holafly sell data-only EU-wide plans from around $5-15 for 7-15 days, active before you land. A physical SIM from a Hungarian carrier (Telekom, Vodafone, Yettel) is also easy to buy at the airport or in the city and works well if you want a local phone number too.
Everyday practical notes
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout Hungary, including Budapest — no need for bottled water on tap-water grounds alone.
- Tipping around 10% at restaurants is customary and often not included automatically — check your bill, since some places do add a service charge.
- Pickpocketing happens in crowded tourist areas (the metro, Vaci utca, the Christmas markets) at ordinary big-city levels — normal precautions apply, nothing Budapest-specific beyond the usual.