Hungary summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
Hungarian
Forint
10,031,000
GMT + 1
36
Right
Yes
Local weather
Budapest
-
Sat-8° | -5° -
Sun-16° | -4° - Mon-9° | -3°
- Tue-15° | 8°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 130kmh (80mph)
- Open roads:
- 90kmh (55mph)
- Towns:
- 50kmh (31mph)
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- Laws against driving under the influence of alcohol are strict and follow a policy of zero tolerance
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- Whilst driving It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone
- Drivers may only use a mobile phone with built-in speaker during driving
-
Seat belts:
- The use of seat belts is compulsory for both front and back-seat passengers
- In Hungary children are permitted to travel in the front seat provided they are seated in a child safety chair or they are over 150 cm tall or are at least 12 years of age.
- All locations in Hungary have child seats/booster seats/booster cushions available.
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red – Stop (no right turn at red light)
- Amber – Slow down
- Green – Go
Costs
- Road tolls:
- A Highway sticker must be bought for using highways M1, M3, M5, M6, M7
- They can be bought at petrol stations near the highways
- Stickers are available in 4 days, 10 days, monthly and yearly versions
- Price of the 4 days sticker may be different in the high and low season (high season from 1st April until 30th September)
- Always keep the receipt for the sticker as the Highway Control may ask for it
- Sticker must be affixed to the front windscreen
- On the spot fines:
- Police have the ability to issue on the spot fines for traffic and motoring offences.
- Such fines are issued and may be paid on the spot to police, or they can be paid within 30 days at the bank by cheque. Credit cards are not accepted.
- Fines can be up to EUR 1200.
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- Budapest: 0700-1000hrs and 1600-1900hrs
- Other cities may vary
- Fuel:
- Fuel stations are open Mon – Fri 0600 – 2000hrs
- Most of multinational stations are open 24hrs a day
- All the multinational companies, except ÖMV, buy petrol from the Hungarian Oil Company (MOL); so the prices are almost the same everywhere
- You can find an air pump, a shop and a rest room by all stations; and there is a restaurant joined to most stations
- Unleaded petrol and diesel are available everywhere, and credit cards are accepted
- Octane ratings are always indicated
- Diesel oil and liquid gas (LPG) are also available
- If an attendant fills your car, it is common to give a tip
- Parking advice:
- Budapest town centre is closed to traffic
- Vehicles must be parked on the right hand side and following the flow of traffic
- A parking ticket must be bought if parking in controlled areas
- Parking receipts must be put on the dashboard behind the windscreen and easy to read from outside
- Downtown areas are usually controlled