Packing list for Hungary, insurance for Hungary, and taking your belongings

What to take to Hungary: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient for travelers from the EU. Are you from outside of the EU? Then bring a passport with at least 6 months validity and check beforehand if you need a visa. Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF). Although euros are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, you will pay at a very poor exchange rate. You can withdraw cash almost everywhere, but a little cash is handy at markets and in smaller villages.
• Clothing: light clothing is pleasant during the warm summers, but also bring a cardigan or light jacket for the evenings. If you are traveling in winter, warm clothing, gloves, and a hat are necessary.
• Shoes: comfortable sneakers for city trips to Budapest. If you are going hiking in national parks such as Bükk or Hortobágy, bring sturdy hiking boots.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor is recommended.
• Packing and protection: a small daypack and a raincoat or compact umbrella for unexpected summer showers. Insects and animals: mosquito repellent is especially useful around Lake Balaton, the Danube, and other water-rich areas. A tick remover is also advisable if you frequently walk through forests or grasslands.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a small first-aid kit with plasters, ORS, painkillers, and personal medication.
• Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, and a small towel if you visit the thermal baths.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for type C and F sockets.

To consider

• Swimwear and flip-flops for the many thermal baths and Lake Balaton.
• Binoculars for birding areas such as Hortobágy National Park.
• A digital toll vignette if you are traveling by car!

Are there mosquitoes in Hungary?

• Mosquitoes are common in Hungary during the warmer months, especially around the Danube, the Tisza, Lake Balaton, and other lakes and rivers. Especially after heavy rainfall, they can become quite a nuisance.
• But that is about it; they are mostly just annoying. Tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are not a concern for travelers.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Hungary?

• Yes, to a limited extent.
• Sandflies have been found in parts of southern Hungary. They are microscopic, make no sound, and are mainly active around sunset and during the night on windless, warm summer evenings in rural areas.
• For most travelers, apart from severe itching, they do not pose a major problem. However, in rural areas, it is wise to use mosquito repellent in the evening or wear protective clothing.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Hungary?

• DEET, picaridine, and other insect repellents are available at pharmacies, drugstores, and supermarkets.
• See also DEET anti-mosquito repellents and the percentages.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Hungary, or bring it into Hungary?

• No, Hungary has a strict drug policy. Cannabis is prohibited, and possession, use, and sale can carry severe penalties.
• Bringing cannabis into Hungary is also prohibited, even if you come from a country where cannabis is partially permitted.