Cash or Card in Budapest? ATMs, Currency Exchange and Everything You Need to Know
If you are planning a trip to Budapest, one of the practical questions you might have is whether you should bring cash, use your bank card or exchange money once you arrive.
The good news is that Budapest is quite card-friendly, and you can pay by card in most restaurants, cafés, shops and tourist attractions. However, there are still situations when having some Hungarian Forints in your wallet can come in handy.
Hungary's official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the Euro. Although you might find some places that accept Euros, I generally wouldn't recommend relying on them during your visit.
Here is everything you need to know about paying in Budapest, withdrawing cash, finding ATMs and exchanging your money without losing more than necessary on exchange rates and fees.
1. Should you use cash or card in Budapest?
My recommendation is to use your bank card for most purchases and keep a little cash with you as a backup.
Budapest has become very card-friendly over the past few years. You can use contactless payments in most places, including:
Restaurants, cafés and bars
Hotels and accommodation
Supermarkets and grocery stores
Museums and tourist attractions
Shopping centres and clothing stores
Public transport ticket machines
Most taxis
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. American Express is less commonly accepted, so I wouldn't rely on it as your only payment method.
You generally won't need to carry large amounts of cash around Budapest. However, I would still recommend having around 10,000–20,000 HUF in your wallet for smaller purchases, markets or situations where paying by card isn't convenient.
2. What currency is used in Budapest? Can you pay in Euros?
Hungary is part of the European Union, but it does not use the Euro. Our official currency is the Hungarian Forint, abbreviated as HUF or Ft.
You will see prices displayed in Forints almost everywhere.
Some restaurants, hotels and tourist-oriented shops might accept Euros, particularly in the city centre. However, I wouldn't recommend paying in Euros unless you really have no other option.
One little tip to keep in mind: if you notice that a restaurant, shop or other business displays its prices in both Hungarian Forints (HUF) and Euros (EUR), it is often a sign that the place is more oriented towards tourists rather than locals.
You will see this more frequently in busy tourist areas around the city centre. It doesn't necessarily mean that the place is bad, but it is worth keeping in mind.
If you are paying in cash, I would always recommend paying in Hungarian Forints rather than Euros. Businesses that accept Euros can set their own exchange rates, which are often less favourable than what you would get through your bank.
For example, a restaurant might accept a €20 note but calculate the value using its own exchange rate rather than the actual market exchange rate. You might also receive your change in Hungarian Forints.
My advice is simple: always pay in Hungarian Forints whenever possible.
3. ATMs in Budapest: Where should you withdraw money?
If you need cash during your stay, you will find plenty of ATMs around Budapest.
You can find them outside banks, inside shopping centres and throughout the city centre.
However, not all ATMs are the same!
I recommend using ATMs operated by established Hungarian banks, such as:
OTP Bank
Erste Bank
UniCredit Bank
K&H Bank
CIB Bank
These are generally a better starting point than independent ATMs located in busy tourist areas.
If you need to withdraw cash, I would particularly recommend looking for an ATM belonging to one of these local bank branches rather than using the first machine you come across on a busy tourist street.
Be careful with Euronet ATMs
You will probably notice Euronet ATMs around Budapest, especially in tourist-heavy locations.
These machines are easy to spot and conveniently located, but I would personally choose a bank-operated ATM instead.
Independent ATM operators can offer their own currency conversion and additional fees, so make sure you read the information displayed before accepting a transaction.
A little tip: if you are withdrawing money, always check the screen before confirming the transaction. If the ATM displays an additional fee that you don't want to pay, you can cancel and try another machine.
4. The most important ATM and card payment tip: Always choose HUF!
This is probably the most important piece of advice in this entire article.
When you pay by card or withdraw money from an ATM, you might be asked whether you want the transaction processed in Hungarian Forints (HUF) or your home currency (EUR, USD, GBP, etc.).
Always choose HUF!
This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
Essentially, the ATM or payment terminal offers to convert the amount into your home currency immediately. It might sound convenient because you can see exactly how much you are spending in your own currency.
However, the exchange rate offered by the ATM or payment provider is often significantly worse than the rate your own bank or card provider would use.
For example:
You are paying 20,000 HUF for dinner.
The card terminal asks whether you want to pay in HUF or EUR.
You choose EUR, and the terminal applies its own exchange rate.
Alternatively, you choose HUF, and your bank handles the currency conversion according to your card's terms.
In most cases, choosing HUF will save you money.
The same applies when withdrawing cash from an ATM.
Look for options such as:
Without conversion
Decline conversion
Continue in HUF
The wording varies depending on the machine, but the important thing is to decline the ATM's conversion offer.
One final thing: choosing HUF doesn't mean your bank won't charge you anything. Your own bank might still apply foreign transaction or currency conversion fees, so check those before travelling.
5. Currency exchange in Budapest: Where should you exchange money?
If you prefer travelling with cash or need to exchange some money once you arrive, Budapest has plenty of currency exchange offices.
You will find them throughout the city centre, particularly around busy tourist areas.
However, I wouldn't recommend exchanging a large amount of money at the airport.
Airport exchange offices are convenient, especially if you have just landed and need some cash immediately, but their exchange rates are generally among the least favourable.
If you really need cash when you arrive, exchange only a small amount and look for a better rate once you are in the city.
Where can you exchange money in Budapest?
You have a few options:
1. Currency exchange offices
There are plenty of exchange offices in central Budapest. Compare a few before making your decision, as rates can differ quite a bit between providers.
2. Banks
You can also exchange money at banks, although their opening hours might not be as convenient as those of currency exchange offices.
3. Hotels
Some hotels offer currency exchange services, but I wouldn't recommend this as your first option. The rates are often less favourable.
What should you check before exchanging money?
Don't just look at the big numbers displayed outside the exchange office.
Always check:
What is the actual exchange rate?
Is there a commission?
Are there any additional fees?
How many Hungarian Forints will you receive for the amount you want to exchange?
Some exchange offices advertise 0% commission, but this doesn't automatically mean they offer a good exchange rate.
The most important thing is how many Forints you actually receive at the end of the transaction.
I would also avoid exchanging money with people offering currency exchange services on the street. Always use an established exchange office.
6. Can you use Revolut or Wise in Budapest?
Yes! Both Revolut and Wise are popular options for international travellers, and they can be particularly useful when visiting Hungary.
If you already use either service, you can generally pay with your card in Budapest just as you would with a regular bank card.
They can also offer competitive currency conversion rates, depending on your plan, transaction amount and applicable fees.
A few things to remember:
Make sure your card is activated and ready for international payments.
Check your plan's foreign currency exchange limits and fees.
Always choose HUF when paying.
Check the ATM withdrawal limits and fees associated with your card.
Have a second payment method available in case your primary card doesn't work.
You don't necessarily need to exchange a large amount of money in advance. You can simply pay in Forints using your card and let your card provider handle the conversion.
7. Do you need cash for public transport in Budapest?
Not really!
You can purchase public transport tickets and passes using your bank card at the ticket machines around the city.
You can also use the BudapestGO app to purchase tickets and passes directly on your phone.
If you are planning to purchase a single ticket directly from the bus driver, however, you will need cash, as drivers do not accept card payments. Not every bus offers this option, so I wouldn't rely on it as your main way of buying tickets.
If you are arriving at Budapest Airport, you can also purchase your 100E Airport Express ticket using a card, this is the only bus in the city where you can purchase tickets on the bus with card!
So, unless you specifically prefer carrying cash, you don't need to exchange money just to use public transport.
8. How much cash should you bring to Budapest?
If you are visiting Budapest for a few days, I wouldn't recommend exchanging hundreds of Euros or withdrawing a large amount of Forints.
Most of your everyday expenses can be paid by card.
Personally, I would suggest keeping around 10,000–20,000 HUF in cash as a backup, depending on your spending habits and travel plans.
You can always withdraw more if you need it.
Remember that you don't want to end up with a large amount of Hungarian Forints left over when you leave the country, especially if you have to exchange them back into your home currency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Money in Budapest
What currency does Budapest use?
Budapest uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Hungary is an EU member but has not adopted the Euro.
Can I use Euros in Budapest?
Some restaurants, hotels and shops accept Euros, particularly in tourist areas. However, their exchange rates are often unfavourable. It is better to pay in Hungarian Forints.
Is Budapest cashless?
Budapest is very card-friendly, and most restaurants, shops, cafés and attractions accept contactless payments. However, it is still useful to carry some cash.
Should I exchange money at Budapest Airport?
I wouldn't recommend exchanging large amounts at the airport because exchange rates are generally less favourable. If necessary, exchange only a small amount for immediate expenses.
Which ATMs should I use in Budapest?
I recommend using ATMs operated by established banks such as OTP Bank, Erste Bank, UniCredit, K&H or CIB rather than independent ATMs in busy tourist areas.
Are ATMs safe to use in Budapest?
ATMs operated by established banks are generally a good option. Always check the withdrawal fees and exchange rate displayed before confirming your transaction.
Should I choose HUF or EUR when paying by card?
Always choose HUF. This allows your own bank or card provider to handle the currency conversion instead of accepting the exchange rate offered by the payment terminal.
Can I use my American bank card in Budapest?
Yes, Visa and Mastercard issued by American banks are generally accepted throughout Budapest. Check with your bank about international transaction fees before travelling.
Do I need cash for taxis in Budapest?
No, you can generally pay by card in licensed taxis. Most established taxi companies offer card payments.
Can I buy public transport tickets with cash in Budapest?
Yes. You can buy tickets at ticket offices and machines. If you want to purchase a ticket directly from a bus driver, you will need cash.
My final advice
If there is one thing I would like you to remember before visiting Budapest, it is this:
You don't need to exchange a lot of money before arriving. Bring your bank card, have a little Hungarian Forint cash available and always choose HUF when paying or withdrawing money.
It is a simple way to avoid unnecessary exchange fees and make your stay in Budapest a little easier!
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