Budapest Currency Explained: Why You Should Probably Ignore Your Euros

You’re landing in Budapest. The Parliament building is glowing like a gold bar on the Danube, and all you want is a steaming bowl of goulash. But then you look at the menu. The prices aren't in euros. They're in thousands. 3,500 for a soup? Don't panic. You aren't suddenly broke; you've just met the Hungarian forint.

Basically, the currency in Budapest Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). While Hungary joined the European Union way back in 2004, they haven't made the jump to the euro yet. Some politicians talk about it like it's happening next week, while others say "maybe by 2030." Honestly? For now, the forint is king. You'll see it written as "Ft" on price tags or "HUF" at exchange booths.

Can You Use Euros in Budapest?

Kinda. But you probably shouldn't.

Walk around the Váci utca shopping street or the Jewish Quarter, and you’ll see plenty of "Euro accepted" signs. It feels convenient. It's a trap. When a shop or restaurant accepts euros, they get to pick the exchange rate. Unsurprisingly, that rate is almost always terrible. You’ll end up paying 10% to 20% more than if you just used the local currency.

Plus, even if you pay in euros, your change will almost certainly come back in forints. Now you’re stuck with a pocket full of coins you don't recognize and a conversion rate that just bought the waiter a nice coffee on your dime.

The Forint Breakdown: Coins and Notes

Hungarian money is colorful, slightly confusing at first, and feels a bit like Monopoly money because of the high numbers. As of early 2026, the exchange rate hovers around 385 to 390 HUF for 1 Euro.

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The Coins

• 5, 10, and 20 Ft: These are basically pocket weight. You can't buy much with them alone.
• 50 Ft: Great for public toilets (yes, you usually have to pay).
• 100 and 200 Ft: These are your workhorses for small tips or a quick pastry. The 200 is bimetallic—silver on the outside, gold in the middle—sorta like a two-euro coin.

The Banknotes

• 500 Ft: The smallest note.
• 1,000 Ft: Features King Matthias Corvinus.
• 2,000 and 5,000 Ft: Mid-range notes.
• 10,000 and 20,000 Ft: These are the big ones.

Pro tip: Be careful with 20,000 HUF notes. While they are only worth about 50 euros, some small bakeries or kiosks will look at you like you’re trying to pay with a gold brick. They often don't have enough change. Try to break these at a supermarket or a larger pharmacy.

Cash vs. Card: Do You Really Need Paper Money?

Honestly, Budapest has gone incredibly digital. Since 2021, a law required nearly every business with an electronic cash register to offer electronic payment. You can tap your phone or card for a 450 Ft bus ticket or a 15,000 Ft dinner.

You've got a Revolut or Wise card? Great. Use it. It'll give you a much better rate than any "change" booth near the Deák Ferenc tér metro station.

However, don't go 100% cashless. You’ll still need forints for:

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1. Public Toilets: Usually 200-300 Ft.
2. Thermal Baths: While the entrance is card-friendly, some locker deposits or small snack bars inside the older baths still like cash.
3. Market Stalls: At the Great Market Hall, the souvenir guy might give you a "special price" if you pull out a 5,000 Ft note instead of a Visa card.
4. Tipping: While you can add a tip to the card machine in most restaurants now, waiters always prefer cash. It goes straight to them.

The "Euronet" ATM Trap

This is the one thing that ruins a lot of trips. You’ll see bright blue and yellow ATMs everywhere. They are conveniently located right next to the ruin bars and hotels. Avoid them. These machines are notorious for offering "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC). They'll ask if you want to be charged in your home currency. It sounds helpful. It’s actually a way for them to charge you a massive markup.

Always look for ATMs attached to actual banks like OTP, Erste, or K&H. When the machine asks "Accept conversion?" or "Decline conversion?"—ALWAYS DECLINE. Your own bank back home will almost always give you a better rate than the Hungarian ATM.

Tipping in Budapest

Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's very much expected for good service.

• Restaurants: 10% to 15% is the norm. Check your bill for "Szervízdíj" (Service Charge). If it's already there (usually 12.5%), you don't need to add anything extra.
• Taxis: Round up the fare. If it’s 3,800 Ft, just give 4,000.
• Bars: If you're standing at the bar, you don't really tip. If there's table service, a few hundred forints is plenty.

Actionable Steps for Your Arrival

1. Don't exchange money at the airport. The rates at the Liszt Ferenc Airport booths are some of the worst in Europe. If you need cash for a taxi, use an ATM (and decline the conversion).
2. Download the BudapestGO app. You can buy all your transport tickets on your phone using your card. No need to fumble with coins at a machine.
3. Get a travel-friendly card. Cards like Revolut, Monzo, or Wise allow you to hold a balance in Hungarian Forints, so you know exactly what you're spending without hidden bank fees.
4. Keep about 10,000 HUF in cash. This is roughly 25 euros. It's enough for a few days of small "cash-only" emergencies like toilets, tips, or a street-side chimney cake.
5. Look for "Correct Change" booths. If you absolutely must exchange physical cash, these orange-branded booths in the city center usually have the fairest rates in town.

Budapest is an affordable city once you get the hang of the zeros. Just remember: pay in forints, use your card for the big stuff, and never, ever let an ATM "convert" the money for you.