Must have items when travelling to Hungary

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The Central European country of Hungary is a beautifully diverse destination, people from around the world visit Hungary to explore its natural wonders, thermal baths and comforting cuisine.

If it is your first time travelling to and visiting the country, you will find this list of key travel items useful for packing. As well as the basic essentials, it includes often forgotten items.  This is everything from entertainment, such as a device for playing roulette online, to safety items such as a neck wallet for keeping valuables protected from pickpockets.

Why visit Hungary?

There is something in Hungary for every traveller, whether you wish to explore the bustling cosmopolitan city of Budapest or enjoy the serene Lake Balaton. It is also an affordable place to visit with relatively lost cost food and beverages and many free to enter attractions.

Do not forget to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes

No matter your planned itinerary, one thing for sure during a trip to Hungary is that you will be doing a lot of walking. The capital city of Budapest in particular is highly walkable and walking is by far the best way to see its historic architecture.

With that in mind, you will want to pack a comfortable and durable pair of walking shoes. Be sure to wear in these shoes before your trip, purchase cushioned insoles for added support if needed.

Alongside shoes, you are going to need to pack good quality walking socks made from a breathable material. Blister plasters are also a good shout, keep them in your bag just in case.

Walking shoes may not be the most fashionable but there is no reason you can’t keep a smarter pair in your bag if you want to stop off at an upscale restaurant or bar.

A travel towel.

Next on your packing list should be a travel towel. A travel towel is a little different from your typical bath towel, it is made from a quick drying material and folds into an easily portable size.

This item is usual for visiting Hungary’s many famous thermal baths. In the centre of Budapest’s city park is Széchenyi with indoor and outdoor pools, while in Makó is the Hagymatikum Baths in a mushroom shaped hall.

Thermal baths are heated by geothermal energy, they are an important part of Hungarian culture and provide relaxation and temporary pain relief for ailments. Locals prefer to visit the baths in the morning in an effort to avoid the tourist crowds.

It is expected to wear a bathing suit in thermal baths, so bring one with you. It is also customary to wear flip flops or other footwear around the pool area.

A phone with portable power bank

You could be spending a lot of time on transport during your trip, particularly if you are travelling between Hungary’s cities and towns. Ensure you have your smartphone with a SIM card that will work within the EU for both entertainment and keeping in touch with friends and family back home.

You could be away from mains electricity for a good few hours so a portable power bank will prevent your phone running out of juice. Download some games apps and television series or movies to your device to keep you entertained during your travels.

A Hungarian phrasebook

English is spoken at tourist hotspots and hotels in the cities of Hungary, however if travelling to more rural areas you might find that the language is less widely used. Carry with you a pocket sized phrase book and try to learn some key sentences.

Learning basic phrases such as pleasantries, asking for directions and ordering drinks and food in a cafe or restaurant. Even when English is spoken and understood, it is often still considered polite to try and use the local language if possible.

A raincoat

The weather in Hungary can be unpredictable and like many areas of Europe, it can be prone to heavy rainfall at times. An unexpected storm can disrupt your planned activities, but carrying a raincoat with you will help you be prepared.

It doesn’t need to be a bulky coat, particularly if you are travelling in the warmer months of the year. A pack-a-mac will be lightweight enough and small enough not to be a nuisance to carry.

A backpack

Lastly, you are going to need a small day backpack to carry the items listed above. Try to find a bag with external storage for your water bottle and map for convenience.

Pickpocketing can be an issue in many busy European cities. Adding a key or combination lock to your bag can help prevent theft of your wallet, phone, or travel documents. Just be sure not to place your bag down anywhere where someone could pick it up.