Travel around by road

Roads in Hungary are generally good and there are three basic types. Motorways, preceded by an ‘M’, link Budapest with Lake Balaton and Vienna via Gyõr and run part of the way to Miskolc and Kecskemét. National highways are numbered by a single digit and fan out mostly from Budapest. Secondary and tertiary roads have two or three digits.

Fuels of 91, 92, 95 (unleaded) and 98 octane as well as diesel are widely available. Payment with a credit card is now possible at many stations, including branches of the national chain MOL. Third-party insurance is compulsory. If your car is registered in the EU, it is assumed you have it. Other motorists must be able to show a Green Card or will have to buy insurance at the border.

The ‘Yellow Angels’ of the Hungarian Automobile Club do basic repairs free of charge in the event of a breakdown (if you belong to an affiliated organization such as AAA in the USA or AA in the UK). They can be reached 24 hours a day at 06-1-355 0379 (nation-wide) or 1-252 8000 in Budapest. 

Road Rules

To drive in Hungary you need a full national photo license from your home country. UK visitors still holding the old green style licenses will need an International Driving License.

You must drive on the right. Speed limits for cars and motorbikes are consistent throughout the country and strictly enforced line through it as you leave); 80 km/h on secondary and tertiary roads; 100 km/h on highwd: 50 km/h in built-up areas (from the town sign as you enter to the same sign with a reays; and 130 km/h on motorways.

The use of seat belts up front is compulsory in Hungary, but this is often ignored. Motorcyclists must wear helmets, a law strictly enforced. Another law taken very seriously is the one requiring all vehicles to show their headlights throughout the day outside built-up areas. Motorcycles should have headlights on at all times.

There is virtually a 100% ban on alcohol when you are driving, and this rule is very strictly enforced. Do not think you will get away with even a few glasses of wine at lunch if caught and found to have even 0.008 alcohol in the blood, you will be fined up to 30,000 Ft. If the level is higher, you will be arrested.

Children under 150 cm must sit in a child safety seat on the front seat. Motorcyclists must wear crash helmets.

You will have no problem with buying fuel: there are numerous filling stations along the roads. In addition to the Hungarian MOL, you will find stations of most major companies, however credit cards are not accepted everywhere. Fuels on sale: 91 (unleaded), 95 (unleaded), 98 (leaded and unleaded), diesel oil, and gas at some stations. Fuel prices here. Service stations of large car makers are also found in Budapest. The Hungarian Automobile Club operates a 24-hour international breakdown service in Budapest. Tel: 212-2821 (GB, D). For ADAC and ÖAMTC members: 212-5167 (Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00).

Foreign citizens who have caused an accident can get information on settlinginsurance claims from the Hungarian Insurance Co.: Budapest XI., Hamzsabégi út 60., Tel: 209-0730. Office hours: Mon-Thu 07.30-16.00, Fri 07.30-15.30. The police must be called when the accident has involved any personal injury. You can leave Hungary in a vehicle with damaged body only if you produce a certificate made out either at entry into Hungary or on the spot of the accident.

Rental

In general, you must be at least 21 years of age and have had your license for a year or longer to rent a car in Hungary. All the big international firms have offices in Budapest, and there are scores of local companies throughout the country, but don’t expect many bargains. Our company does car rentals, more info here.

Hitching

Hitchhiking is legal everywhere except on motorways, though it is not as popular as it once was. The road to Lake Balaton in the holiday season is always jammed with hitchhikers though. There is a service in Budapest called Kenguru (266 5857), VIII Kõfaragó út 15 (metro: Blaha Lujza tér), matches up drivers and riders for a fee - mostly to points abroad. They give out a free booklet listing other ride-share centers in Europe and North America: The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. till 6 p.m., Saturday from l0 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Driving in Budapest

Take our advice: don’t drive in Budapest unless you know the city well. Traffic jams are frequent, roads are often closed near construction sites. You can drive from Buda to Pest only across the bridges, often at a snail’s speed. Hungarian drivers are rather reckless, and unwritten rules seem to be stronger than the highway code. Public transport will take you anywhere. There are P + R sites near large underground stations.

Parking in Budapest

Parking is a real challenge in Budapest. Park your car only at the places allowed, as the police can transport the vehicles parked at a wrong place (signs indicate these places). If you do not find your car where you have left it, contact the Complaints Office of the Budapest Police, which will find out whether the police have taken it. In such a case, you can learn where you can collect it and under what conditions. The transport charge and the fine must be paid in cash, in forints and on the spot. At the parking areas a ticket is available from the attendant, or you get a parking ticket from the machine for 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Ft coins for the duration of your stay (max. 2 hours in the inner city from 08.00 to 18.00). If you miss to buy a ticket or leave your car there after the time you paid for, your car may be wheel clamped. Multy-storey car parks: V., Szervita tér 8., V., Aranykéz u. 4-6., VII., Nyár u. 20., VIII., corner of Üllõi út and Baross utca, VIII., Futó u. 52.

Using highways you have to buy vignettes.