Hungary euro. What currency to take to Hungary

Hungary is a country little understood by Russian tourists. Polite and sedate Hungarians, whose language has no concept of gender (he, she – they are all “it”), never seem to be in a hurry. However, life in big cities like Budapest cannot be called measured.

The main monetary unit of Hungary is the forint. Its history is already quite long, it replaced the Austro-Hungarian money. Previously, the forint was divided into 100 fillers, but now this small change coin has been abolished and is found only among numismatists. Sometimes they are issued by a national bank for the same collectors. In circulation there are banknotes from 500 to 20,000 forints (previously there were 200 forint bills, but now they are no longer printed and they are rare; banks withdraw them from circulation) and coins from 1 to 200 forints. The currency in Hungary is quite firmly on its feet and fluctuations in its exchange rate are insignificant, although economically the country is going through a period of stagnation.

Historical figures of Hungary on banknotes and coins

We can say that absolutely all the money in Hungary, be it coins or banknotes, has on the back side images of personalities important to the history of the country. The reverse depicts historical landmarks.

The 500 forint banknote depicts the Transylvanian prince Ferenc Rakoczi (second), at one time he led a national peasant uprising that ended in failure. On the back of the banknote is his summer residence in the town of Sarospotok.

The 1000 forint banknote depicts King Matthias the First, who ruled Hungary at the end of the 15th century. It was under him that the country reached the peak of its influence on the map of Europe, and the currency became convertible throughout the world. On the reverse side is the famous Hercules Fountain, located in the Visegrad Fortress, which is one of the main attractions of the country.

The most popular 2,000 forint note features the profile of Gabor Bethlen, the prince who led the anti-Austrian movement in the heart of Budapest. He was a talented commander and several times fought back the Habsburg troops on the battlefield. On the reverse side is a reproduction of a painting by Victor Madaras - depicting Prince Bethlen among the luminaries of science of that time. The painting was painted at the end of the 19th century.

The 5,000 forint coin depicts one of Hungary's most beloved historical figures, Count István Széchenyi. For the Magyars, he is approximately equal in importance to Lomonosov or Pushkin. The power of people's love is also evidenced by the fact that the main bridge of Budapest (also known as the Chain Bridge) is named after him. On the reverse side of the five-thousandth banknote is the residence of the Széchenyi family in the town of Nodzenk.

On the back of the 10,000 forint banknote is Istvan the First Saint (Istvan and Stephen are the same name in Hungarian, so he may be called differently in different sources). In 1083, the Catholic Church of Hungary, with the blessing of the Vatican, canonized him. His embalmed right hand is kept in the heart of Budapest, in St. Stephen's Basilica. On the reverse side is a view of Esztergom from a painting by Hubert.

For 20,000 forints, the famous politician Ferenc Deak (his grave is still visited to this day in the Kerepesi cemetery). In 1867, thanks to the efforts of Ferenc, Austria-Hungary was formed. On the back of the banknote is the very first parliament building in the history of the country, located in Budapest.

What currency is best to take with you to Hungary?

So, what kind of money can you convert most profitably in this country? Obviously this is the euro, although the Hungarians have not switched to a common European currency, but this money circulates freely in the country and there are no restrictions on its purchase and exchange. In addition, the euro exchange rate is usually better than the dollar exchange rate (relative to their base difference). So the question: “what currency should I use to go to Hungary?” is probably closed – definitely the euro! In large cities of Hungary there are branches of Sberbank and OTP Bank, which will provide favorable exchange rates for rubles, if the euro does not work out. To exchange money in Budapest, for example, you can use the services of exchangers, but banks will be a little more profitable.

It is worth remembering: when withdrawing cash from Sberbank ATMs in forints, you will always be charged a commission of 100 rubles, so it is better to withdraw large amounts at once.

What to do if you urgently need Hungarian currency?

1. Absolutely standard advice for traveling to any country is not to change money at airports and train stations. And if you exchange, then small amounts for a taxi or transport and a snack. By the way, the Spar supermarket at the airport sells at prices that do not differ from the general Hungarian prices;
2. Always exchange either as much as you want to spend or a little less. Because the unspent national currency of Hungary in your wallet on the way back will be exchanged at a very unfavorable rate or will leave with you as a souvenir. It is worth remembering that you can take out of the country up to 10,000 forints and no more than 1 banknote of each denomination. But customs officers are unlikely to check wallets;
3. Currency in Budapest is available on every corner, but with a mobile application you can find exchangers or bank branches where the rate is more favorable, so do not change at the first place you come across;
4. Not all exchangers work 24 hours a day. There are those who do not work on weekends. So on weekends and after 20:00 the rates may be worse.
5. If you plan to travel around the country, change your money in Budapest first. In the capital, the exchange rate is slightly more favorable than in other cities.

Approximate ratio of the forint to other currencies

In 2017, the forint to ruble ratio was approximately 5 forints per ruble. This is not difficult to figure out because Hungarians have banknotes of 10,000 and 20,000. So when shopping, consider that the currency in Hungary is 5 times cheaper. 100 forints is 20 rubles, and 500 is 100. The average price of a metro or trolleybus ticket is 350 forints, that is, about 70 rubles.
The approximate exchange rate to the dollar is 285 forints, to the euro – 308 forints. Moreover, the forint is quite stable, so this ratio will fluctuate very slightly.

Exchange in the capital

You can change it right in the center, but it’s worth checking the exchange rate in several places before parting with your saved euros or dollars. This way you can save some money for “tea” for your loved ones. In practice, this is how it works: the more hidden the exchanger is from busy points, the better the rate.
The first time I did this. At first I saw the rate of 301 forints per euro, then 306, then 308 and even 309. In the last exchanger I changed it. There is another Hungarian exchange network – Correctchange. She has a website correctchange.hu, where you can compare rates with real ones.

It is also worth remembering that all exchangers here have a commission, starting from 0.3%. The more you change, the lower the commission. Of course, there are places where there is no commission, but there the exchange rate, most often, neutralizes the benefit from the exchange.

The state currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (Hungarian Forint, international code - HUF). Used since 1946, before that the Pengö was used as the Hungarian currency, which could not survive the largest hyperinflation in history. Previously, forints had change coins - fillers, but they are now out of circulation.

The monetary unit is issued in the form of banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 forints. Hungary also mints metal coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 forints.

Exchange rates: Hungary

Currently, the Hungarian economy uses a special floating exchange rate regime. That is, the forint exchange rate is flexible and can change, adapting to the state of the foreign exchange market without being artificially held by the state at a certain level. The official exchange rate of the Central Bank USD/HUF as of September 2015 was 284.19 forints per 1 US dollar ($100 = 28419 HUF). In turn, for 100 Hungarian forints in September 2015 they gave 0.35 US dollars (1000 HUF = 3.52 USD).

Hungary: currency to ruble

The dynamics of the Hungarian forint exchange rate against the Russian ruble showed relatively small fluctuations in 2015. The peak moments were April, when the ruble strengthened, and the end of August, when the forint “jumped” to almost 25.8 rubles per 100 HUF. As of September 2015, 100 Hungarian forints could be exchanged for 24.21 rubles (the official exchange rate of the Central Bank), and for 100 rubles, respectively, they gave 413 Hungarian forints. You can check the current official and market rates of the Hungarian forint in the “Currencies” section.

Currency of Hungary: Euro

Despite the fact that Hungary has been a full member of the European Union since 2004, the state is not part of the so-called Eurozone (European Monetary Union) - that is, the zone in which the countries have introduced a single euro currency. Just like Denmark, Great Britain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and a number of other countries, Hungary retains its national currency and does not see any prospect of switching to Euro money in the near future. However, this does not change the fact that in Hungarian banks and exchange offices there is a free exchange of forints for euros, as well as euros for forints. In addition, the euro can be used for payment at retail outlets and other places.

What currency should I use to travel to Hungary?

Most travelers who have already visited the country advise taking euros with them whenever possible, although there are no special problems in Hungary with the exchange/rate of the American dollar. Recommended schemes are using a card or exchanging cash euros for cash forints, which can then be used to pay profitably anywhere. In addition, in Budapest there are ATMs and banking branches of Sberbank of Russia, as well as OTP Bank. It is possible to pay for purchases or services in euros and receive change in forints, which is very convenient.

“Keep in mind that when withdrawing cash in Budapest, a commission with a minimum amount of 100 rubles is charged from a Sberbank card, so it is more profitable to cash out larger amounts (100-150 thousand forints) if possible.”

Currency of Hungary - exchange rate to hryvnia

As for the Hungarian forint/Ukrainian hryvnia currency pair, as of autumn 2015 the following rates were recorded. According to the average bank rate of Ukrainian banks, 1 forint was 0.08 Ukrainian hryvnia (0.0786 at the official rate of the National Bank of Ukraine), that is, for 100 forints you could buy about 8 hryvnia. In turn, 1 Ukrainian hryvnia in September 2015 cost 12.42 forints - at the average bank rate (12.73 Hungarian forints at the NBU rate).

Currency exchange in Hungary

If you are planning a trip to Hungary, it is better to have popular world currencies with you - US dollars or euros. Currency exchange in Hungary with this money is significantly simplified. You can exchange money at a travel agency, at the airport, at local bank branches, and at specialized exchange offices. You can also use machines to exchange money. At the same time, experts recommend changing only the amount of currency into Hungarian forints that you are willing to spend in the country, since the reverse exchange is carried out with a large commission (it is almost impossible to find a favorable rate). To pay for purchases and services in Hungary, you can use bank cards from international payment systems - American Express, MasterCard, VISA.

Dynamics of the Hungarian forint exchange rate

The dynamics of the Hungarian forint exchange rate over the past five years has remained relatively stable. After the global financial crisis, the exchange rate fluctuated within minor limits. Today, one euro can buy 310 forints. One forint is 0.00327 euros. The easiest way to monitor currency quotes is on Forex exchange charts. The currency itself is not popular on the market. Today, no more than 0.5% of traders from their total number make money on it. The Hungarian forint to dollar exchange rate is currently 0.0036. For one unit of Hungarian currency you can also earn 0.24 Russian rubles.

History of the Hungarian forint currency

The history of the Hungarian forint currency is relatively short - it was officially founded in 1946. At that time, the country was experiencing a terrible crisis related to the previous war. The previous Hungarian currency Penge was completely withdrawn from circulation due to inflation. The Hungarian forint got its name thanks to the Florentine city of the same name, where coins were minted. After the forint was officially introduced into circulation, its exchange rate remained stable for twenty years. In the seventies of the 20th century, as a result of economic instability in the country, inflation occurred. The last issue of banknotes and coins in Hungary was carried out ten years ago - they are still in circulation to this day.

Hungarian forint: coins and banknotes in modern times

Hungarian forint coins and banknotes in modern times come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 forints. Moreover, 100 and 200 forints are made from an alloy of two metals (for which they are commonly called “bimetallic”). Paper banknotes that are in circulation today have denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 100,000 forints.

It is worth noting the incredible beauty of modern Hungarian money: banknotes and coins contain incredibly picturesque images. In addition, the coins feature images of the Hungarian coat of arms, the Iris flower (the country's floral symbol), a falcon and the famous Hungarian Bridge. On one side of the banknotes there is an image of historical figures who played a special role in the formation of the country.

Official exchange rate of the National Bank of Hungary

The forint to Russian ruble exchange rate is currently 1 forint - 0.24 rubles. For one Russian ruble you can buy 4.18 Hungarian forints. The dynamics of changes in the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Hungary can always be monitored on open price charts of exchange rate quotes. If we consider the monetary unit from the point of view of the subject of trading, on the market it belongs to the category of exotic. Traders do not pay attention to the Hungarian forint because it has a large spread value. If you are planning to visit Hungary in the near future, take euros or US dollars with you. You will not have any problems exchanging these currencies in the country's banks.

Advice from Sravni.ru: Holders of cards opened in euros will feel most comfortable in Budapest. Many travelers manage to pay for almost all purchases and services with such a card, while spending a minimum of money on commissions at exchange offices and ATMs.

At the moment, Hungary is not part of the Eurozone; the single euro currency does not apply to its territory; the country has its own currency, the Hungarian forint, and all payments are made in it. In some tourist places they may accept euros as payment, but the offered exchange rate will be extremely unfavorable, so immediately after arriving in the country you need to take care of currency exchange. In some Russian exchange offices (mainly in large cities) they buy and sell forints, but as you understand, it is much more profitable to change money directly in Hungary (you should not go to the country with rubles, since there are very few exchange offices in Hungary that accept Russian currency).

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and it is in this city that the most places where you can change money are concentrated, especially near the main attractions of the city. You can also change currency in banks, but tourists do not go there often, due to the specific operating hours of banking institutions and the not very favorable exchange rate. Street exchangers should not cause you much concern, just before the exchange you need to carefully study the information that is on the exchanger or next to it, and also make sure that the cashier issues a signed receipt; if this does not happen, then it is better not to deal with such exchangers to contact. You should not exchange too large sums of money in one exchanger, as this may attract a lot of unnecessary attention to you. Also, you should not change money from street money changers, who are found not only in Budapest, but also in other large cities and lure tourists with more favorable exchange rates, but it often turns out that in the end tourists are deceived (cheated, given counterfeit money).

In addition, to exchange money you can use ATMs, of which there are plenty not only in Budapest, but also in other cities, and their main advantage is that they operate around the clock. But there is one significant problem with such an exchange and it is that until the ATM dispenses the money, you will not know at what rate the exchange will be made. The rate depends on the payment system used and on your bank, so if you take cards with you to Hungary, you should check with your bank before your trip and clarify all your questions there.

Often tourists are frightened by the fact that when exchanging there is an additional (hidden commission), which ultimately makes the exchange rate far from being as attractive as indicated on the sign of the exchanger. If the exchanger has the inscription “no commission”, then this does not mean at all that they do not take a commission, but rather the opposite. You need to understand that you cannot do without additional fees when exchanging currency, since in Hungary there is a tax on currency exchange (even if small), which falls on the shoulders of exchangers, and they, in turn, pass it on to the shoulders of those who change money. To avoid becoming a victim of unscrupulous exchangers, you need to find out how much you will receive when exchanging 50, 100 euros or another amount. In any country, tourists are advised to show the cashier a banknote and ask him to indicate on a calculator, tablet, mobile phone or other method the amount that he will give you.

If it is important for you to change money at the most favorable rate, then no matter what city you arrive in, you do not need to change currency at the first bank or exchange office you meet on the way, you need to spend a little time to go around several places where exchange is carried out, and then already make a choice.

It is best to change money in the city center or on its outskirts, but not at bus and railway stations, airports, which cannot please tourists with a favorable exchange rate and usually in such places tourists try to change a small amount to get to the city.

Unfortunately, Hungary is not part of the eurozone, and it has its own currency - the Hungarian forint, HUF (Ft is usually indicated on price tags). In some tourist places, however, euros may also be accepted as payment, but often at an unfavorable rate. In addition, of course, in a number of places you can pay by card - but still, not all sellers accept cards, and some are reluctant to accept them, so you will obviously need cash forints.

Where can you buy these same forints? In some exchange offices in Russia - but in very few, and the rate there is usually bad. However, you shouldn’t be upset: in Russia you can buy euros or dollars, and exchange them for forints in Budapest, fortunately this is not a problem. However, you should not bring rubles to Hungary: as a rule, exchange offices do not accept them. Accepted currencies typically include the US dollar, euro, Australian dollar, British pound and Swiss franc.

Exchange points

There are more than enough exchange offices in the tourist areas of Budapest. In addition, there are banks, but they are only open in the morning and afternoon, and are usually closed on weekends. However, there is nothing wrong with street exchange offices - however, pay attention to the presence of a cash desk in the exchange office! The exchanger must be stationary and issue receipts to all clients. Receipts must be signed by the operator.

It is not worth buying forints directly on the streets. However, the windows of some legal exchangers may face the street, but still, it seems to me, it is safer to change money at exchangers-eateries, rather than at kiosks. If you change at an exchange kiosk, quickly take the money and put it away. Do not exchange large amounts at exchange kiosks.

In addition, to buy forints you can use ATMs, of which there are quite a few in the center of Budapest; They usually work 24 hours a day. However, what exchange rate will be applied is a mystery; it may depend on your bank and payment system.

Rate difference and commission

Sometimes tourists are intimidated by the presence of an additional commission when exchanging, so some guests of Budapest may want to find an exchanger with the inscription “no commission”. No problem! Such exchangers exist, but keep in mind that they may have a very bad rate compared to those exchangers that charge a commission (in addition, it is worth clarifying whether “no commission” applies to all transactions).

A simple example, a real case: in a “no commission” exchanger they can give you 2680 Hungarian forints for 10 euros, and in an exchanger with an explicitly stated commission - 3080 forints (this is after deducting that same commission). In other words, in the second exchanger you get 15% more forints!

By the way, strictly speaking, exchangers cannot do without additional fees, because in Hungary there is a small tax (a fraction of a percent) on currency exchange transactions, which exchangers must pay. By exchanging money in “no commission” exchangers, you de facto still pay this tax, just without knowing it.

Another thing is that some exchangers are tricky with commissions. One typical example is a progressive scale, when the exchanger sets the commission amount depending on the amount you exchange/receive. The higher the amount, the higher the commission. Sometimes all this is done quite well, but sometimes the scale works against those who change round sums. For example, it may turn out that you can exchange 25 euros in some exchange office at a much more favorable rate than 20 or 30 euros.

Coins are not always accepted for exchange, and usually an additional commission is charged for exchanging coins. In general, when exchanging small amounts (up to 10 euros), the rate may turn out to be very unfavorable, up to 1100 forints for 5 euros, for example.

In order to understand where the most favorable rate is, you should go around several exchangers and make calculations in your head or using a calculator - or directly ask the operators how many forints you will get for a certain amount of euros. If you don’t show excessive fanaticism and don’t go straight to all the exchange offices in the area, it won’t take much time, and the savings in the end can be quite good.

It is worth adding that the size of the commission can vary widely. Information about the commission is usually posted near the window, on the glass.

What numbers on the scoreboard should I look at?

As a rule, exchangers have electronic displays on which exchange rates are indicated. First, find the desired currency, and then the columns of the buying and selling rates. Remember that euros/dollars are bought from you, that is, the purchase rate will be applied, and it is always the lower of the two. If suddenly the rate in the first column is higher than in the second, then most likely the exchanger in the first column indicates the selling rate, not the buying rate. This is rare - and is done to lure unlucky tourists.

Is it possible to sell the forints later if they remain?

Yes, sure. Exchangers not only sell forints, but also buy them. Of course, the buying rate will be lower than the selling rate.

How can you immediately understand that the course is unprofitable?

Look at the difference between the buy rate and the sell rate. If it is large, then the exchange rate is unfavorable (say, buying euros at 270 forints and selling at 315 = unfavorable exchange rate). If the difference is small (say, buying at 307 and selling at 314), then the rate may be profitable, but you need to look at the size of the commission.

Where is the best place to buy forints?

I would advise buying them at exchange offices on the streets of the city, and not at train stations/bus stations or at the airport. Most likely, you can find a better course in the city (but it is unlikely that it will be the most touristy places like the square in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral). Arriving at the train station/bus station/airport, you can exchange a small amount (say, 10 euros), and then in the city center exchange larger amounts.

Despite the fact that Hungary has been a member of the EU and Schengen for many years, the country has retained its own national currency - the Hungarian forint.

The forint in stores is usually indicated on price tags as Ft. In exchange offices (and on international markets) the Hungarian currency is designated HUF. There are many photos of the Hungarian currency on the Internet - look at the banknotes in advance just to know what they look like, otherwise you may become a victim of scammers.

What currency is best to take to Budapest?

When traveling to Hungary, it is best to take euros with you. And on the spot exchange them for forints at exchange offices or bank branches. The Euro is the currency of the EU, which includes Hungary, so the exchange rate will be the most favorable. You can also take dollars with you - they will also be accepted here without problems, but you may lose a little on the exchange rate difference. In some tourist places they may accept euros, but the exchange rate will be reduced by one and a half times - this will be very unprofitable.

Another good option is to take a visa or mastercard bank card with you to Budapest. It is advisable to have this card account in euros - there will be fewer losses due to exchange rate differences. It’s just that banks automatically first convert the rubles or hryvnias on the cards into euros, and then they are transferred to forints, that is, in this way a double exchange is obtained. It’s good if this card is connected to online or SMS banking, then you can immediately control all your payments and transactions.

You can pay with a bank card in shops and restaurants in Budapest; no commission will be charged. You can also withdraw cash from your card at an ATM, but the ATM will charge you a small commission.

MashaPasha recommends taking two bank cards with you on a trip (you can just keep one in your hotel room just in case), and the other to pay where possible. It is also advisable to immediately exchange a small amount (within 100 euros) for forints. The fact is that bank cards are not accepted everywhere (you are unlikely to pay with them for magnets), and you will still need local currency.

Where to exchange currency in Budapest?

The best place to change currency in Budapest is in the city center. These exchangers are located in the area. You can also change it at bank branches, but like all banks they work rather strangely (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break for lunch; they will be closed on weekends). The largest banks in Budapest are OTP Bank, Raiffeisen, Citibank, CIB Bank, MKB Bank, etc. When exchanging currencies, you will be charged a small commission (it is official - this is a currency exchange tax), but be careful that there are no other additional commissions or payments. Previously, Hungarian exchangers liked to make money from tourists in this way. You can compare the rate at several exchangers near St. Stephen's Basilica and then choose the most profitable one.

Gold change exchanger in Budapest. These exchangers often offer the most favorable rates.

If after Budapest you need to go to the Hungarian province (for example, to Balaton), then change the currency immediately in Budapest. In the provinces the exchange rate will be much less favorable. Traditionally, the rate at Budapest Airport will be very unfavorable. It makes sense to change only a very small amount to buy tickets for public transport and that’s it.

Exchange rate of the Hungarian currency in Budapest to the euro and other currencies

The exchange rate of the forint against the euro at the beginning of 2017 was about 310 forints per 1 euro. It hasn't changed much for several years now.

The exchange rate of the Hungarian currency in Budapest to the ruble is about 4.8 forints per 1 ruble. But keep in mind that you will not be able to exchange rubles for forints in Budapest. It is better to take dollars or euros with you on the road.

The exchange rate of the forint to the Ukrainian hryvnia at the beginning of 2017 was about 11 forints per 1 UAH.

If you wish, you can buy Hungarian forints in a bank at home before traveling to Budapest. But the loss on the course will be noticeable. It’s better to buy forints in Budapest.

See the current exchange rate of the Hungarian forint to the euro, UAH and ruble:
As of today, 06/08/2019, the course dollar US to Hungarian forint is 282.45 per 1 dollar. Well Euro to the Hungarian forint is equal to 320.97 per 1 euro. Well Ukrainian hryvnia to the Hungarian forint is equal to 1064.24 per 100 hryvnia (this is 0.09 hryvnia per 1 forint). Well Russian ruble to the Hungarian forint is equal to 435.95 per 100 rubles (this is 0.23 rubles per 1 forint).

• 1 dollar
• 1 euro
• 100 hryvnia
• 100 rubles

• forint:
• 282.45
• 320.97
• 1064.24
• 435.95