Hungary
Central Europe · Hungarian · Forint
Never clink beer glasses, greet everyone with jó napot, and check the bill for a service charge before you tip.
Today in Hungary
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5 phrases you need in Hungary
- HelloJó napotyoh NAH-pot
- GoodbyeViszontlátásraVEE-sont-lah-tahsh-rah
- PleaseKéremKEH-rem
- Thank youKöszönömKUH-suh-nuhm
- Excuse meElnézéstEL-neh-zaysht
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Hungary phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
money
Hungary uses the forint, not the euro; some tourist spots take euros at terrible rates, so always pay in forint and decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs.
tipping
Check the bill first — many Budapest restaurants add a 12.5–15% service charge. If it's not there, tip 10–15% by telling the server the total you're paying.
etiquette
Don't clink beer glasses — tradition holds the Austrians did it celebrating the crushed 1848 revolution. Younger Hungarians shrug, but elders notice.
scams
Never hail an unmarked taxi in Budapest — order Bolt or Főtaxi. In the party district, beware bars where a 'friendly local' invites you in and the drinks bill arrives in the hundreds.
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