HUNGARY
Travel to Europe Hungary with a special and free-spirited plan that suits me

Various things to consider when traveling to Hungary.

Climate and best season

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Average temperature and precipitation in Hungary (Budapest)

Source: Weather Base (http://www.weatherbase.com/)

Cash, cards and currency exchange

The currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint.
Foreign currency exchange is possible at official exchange offices (banks, exchange offices, hotels, etc.). Exchange offices at airports have high rates, so it is recommended to exchange money in the city. In Budapest, cashless payments are also possible at places like markets. In addition to credit cards, ApplePay and Paypal are also accepted.
On the other hand, since there are services that only accept cash and tipping is customary, it is reassuring to have some cash on hand.

Tips

In Hungary, it is common to leave a tip for hotel services. For housekeeping, a tip of 200-500 forints is customary. If you ask a concierge for services like porter assistance or restaurant reservations, it is typical to give around 200 forints.
In restaurants, tipping is not necessary for self-service, but it is common to leave about 10% for table service.
When using a taxi, it is customary to round up the fare by about 5-10%.

Public Safety

The security situation in Hungary is generally good, and the number of recognized crimes has been decreasing since 2010. However, when viewed in terms of population ratio, Hungary's crime rate is higher than Japan's, so caution is advised.

There have been many reports of thefts such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, so caution is necessary in busy areas like Budapest.

Clothing

Hungary, which is at a latitude similar to Hokkaido, experiences four seasons.
While spring temperatures are almost the same as Tokyo, other seasons tend to be slightly cooler than Tokyo, so it is recommended to have an extra layer.
In summer, the average temperature is around 22 degrees Celsius, which is cool, but on hotter days it can reach 30 degrees, so it might be good to be prepared for adjustments. Autumn is also quite cool, so having a light coat makes it more comfortable. Winter is colder than Tokyo, so make sure to have proper winter clothing.
It feels comfortable throughout the year because it is dry.

Things you should bring with you

Multi-plug, regular medication, mobile battery, travel insurance, warm clothing

Visa availability and arrangements

There is a visa waiver agreement between Japan and Hungary, so visas are exempted for short stays of up to 90 days for purposes such as tourism, visiting acquaintances, or short-term business.
Additionally, Hungary is a member of the Schengen Agreement. From 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be introduced. From 2025, Japanese travelers to ETIAS countries will need to have an approved ETIAS upon arrival. For short stays not requiring a visa within the Schengen area, it is stipulated that they are only allowed for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. This means that the maximum period one can stay without a visa in the Schengen area, including Hungary, is 90 days, and all days spent in the Schengen area within the past 180 days are counted as part of the short stay period.
Additionally, those eligible for the short-stay visa waiver must have a passport with a validity period of more than three months beyond the planned departure date from a Schengen Agreement member country.

Required vaccinations

There are no mandatory requirements for travel.