Do I need cash in Budapest (Hungary)?
I am from Germany and I will go to Hungary in December. I wonder if I need to get any cash? Can I pay with credit / debit card (maestro + master card) in restaurants / cafés / tourist attractions?
Best Answer
My experience in Budapest earlier this year (2018) was that cards are accepted very widely and contactless payment also works. The funicular up to the castle takes cards but I did not try other public transport. I did find one restaurant slightly out of the way where card payment was not available but they took euros. I suggest you ask before ordering in restaurants just in case. The Dohány Street Synagogue takes cards as well.
Edited to include information from helpful comment from Márton Molnár that public transport also takes cards.
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Is it best to use card or cash in Budapest?
To enjoy all that Hungary offers, you will need a combination of cash and credit cards while travelling. Plastic is accepted throughout Budapest, the Lake Balaton region and other popular tourist hotspots. Although credit and debit cards are widely accepted, some smaller towns and establishments accept cash only.Can I use my credit card in Hungary?
Can I use my credit and debit cards in Hungary? Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards in Hungary. Small businesses may not accept credit cards, or may have a minimum purchase requirement. It's always smart to carry some cash on you, but don't carry more than you plan to use that day.Can I use my credit card in Budapest?
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are commonly accepted all over Budapest, in most restaurants, bars, and shops. Although in small businesses you can pay only by cash, so it's good to have a little amount of local currency.How much spending money do you need for Budapest?
You should plan to spend around Ft26,380 ($70) per day on your vacation in Budapest, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, Ft6,559 ($17) on meals for one day and Ft3,122 ($8.25) on local transportation.DOS AND DON'TS OF CHANGING MONEY IN BUDAPEST -- True Guide Budapest
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Answer 2
Having some cash available is highly recommended when traveling abroad.
For example a few months ago Visa systems crashed in Europe for some hours and some transactions made from abroad couldn't be completed.
If you don't want to exchange much cash (but you're going to pay for every conversion as others have noted), then I suggest to carry some cash with you for emergency purposes and using your card as the main mean of payment.
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Images: Nikolett Emmert, Maria Orlova, Nora, Nora