Hungary
Lake Balaton, wine hills and Budapest on the Danube.
Introduction
To Hungary with the family
For families by car, Hungary is above all the land of Balaton: a large inland lake with campsites, small beaches and villages on the shore. Combine a few days by the lake with a city trip to Budapest or continue to Croatia or Slovenia.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 10–12 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- mei–sep (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 1,650 km to Budapest (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 3 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- E-vignette duty (10 days 6,900 Ft) (Details and source)
- Paying
- forint (HUF)
- EU member
- yes
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the forint (HUF). Take off at an ATM and, if the screen offers to settle in euros, select the local currency: Then convert your own bank, which is usually cheaper (our tip). In cities and larger campsites, you can often pay by card; In the countryside, on small campsites and in markets, cash is practical (our experience).
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Jó napot: good day
- Köszönöm: thank you
- Kérem: please
- Viszlát: goodbye
Documents and border
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.
Health and safety
Take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of your health insurance card or available from your health insurer): it gives you necessary care in public healthcare under local conditions. Travel insurance is still wise, for example for repatriation. The European emergency number is 112.
Source: europa.eu (EHIC)
Traffic rules that matter
In Hungary, there is an absolute ban on alcohol: so do not drink anything if you drive. Exceptionally, you must also turn on dimming or daytime running lights during the day. Winter tyres are not mandatory, but are recommended. Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, warning vest and bandage box. Children under 150 cm drive in an approved child seat.
Source: ANWB
Best time to travel
July and August are ideal for the Balaton; For Budapest and the hills, May, June and September are more pleasant because it is less hot (our assessment).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-vignette (e-matrica) category D1, passenger car | 10 days 6,900 Ft · Month 11,170 Ft · Year 61,760 Ft | Online from the official seller (nemzetiutdij.hu) or authorised sales points | Nemzeti Útdíj (Hungarian road authority) price checked Oct 2026 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Hungary
Budapest
Capital on the Danube. Beautiful with children: the funicular to the Burgberg and the Margaret Island with playgrounds.
Northern Uplands
Forests and hills in the north (Bükk, Mátra), quieter than the Balaton area.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Lake Balaton
The largest lake in Central Europe. The south bank is flat and therefore beautiful for small children; The north bank is hilly, with vineyards and the Tihany Peninsula. Here are most campsites.
Source: visithungary.com
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Budapest
The capital on the Danube, with castle district and Danube shore as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With children beautiful because of the zoo, the bathrooms and an interactive science museum.
Source: UNESCO: Budapest
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Northern Uplands
The Bükk mountain range near Eger and Miskolc is forest rich and cooler than the plain, with hiking trails and Lillafüred. Good if you want to escape the heat in the lowlands.
Source: bnpi.hu (Bükk National Park)
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
The puszta (Hortobágy)
The large grass plain in the east, protected as a national park and world heritage. Here you see cattle, horses and shepherds; A nice day trip for children who like animals.
Source: UNESCO: Hortobágy
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A round of 10 to 12 days connecting the city, lake and hill (our assessment). Check the travel times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Budapest, with a campsite on the edge of the city.
- Days 4-5: the Bükk Mountains near Eger.
- Day 6: day trip to Hortobágy.
- Day 7-12: Balaton, first the north bank (Tihany), then the shallow south bank for swimming.
Camping
Where do you camp?
Campsites on the south shore
On the south bank of the Balaton are many campsites directly on the water, with a flat entrance. Beautiful with children; in July and August it is full (our assessment).
Source: visithungary.com
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
City campsites near Budapest
There are campsites around Budapest from which you can travel to the city by public transport. So you do not have to go through the center by car or motorhome.
Source: visithungary.com
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
No wild camping
Wild camping is not allowed in Hungary; Choose a campsite or an official pitch.
Source: net.jogtar.hu
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Csodák Palotája
An interactive science centre in Budapest where children do and try out experiments themselves. Ideal on a rainy or hot day.
Source: csopa.hu
Budapest Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in Europe, with a botanical garden in the city grove.
Source: zoobudapest.com
Tihany
The peninsula in Balaton has an abbey, viewpoints and hiking trails. A nice morning, then swim.
Source: visithungary.com
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Aquaworld
Large covered water park with slides, all year round; Ideal for a city trip to Budapest.
Bobpálya Budapest
A summer toboggan run on the edge of Budapest: brake and steer yourself in a sled on rails.
Fővárosi Állat- és Növénykert
The old city zoo of Budapest, with historic buildings in the city park.
Caves of Duna-Ipoly (Pálvölgyi)
Stalactite caves beneath Budapest managed by the Duna-Ipoly National Park, with guided tours.
Tickets/tour via Viator → Ad · affiliate link
Balaton Uplands National Park
National park with caves (about Tapolca), viewpoints and hiking trails over the lake.
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Gulyás
In Hungary, goulash is mainly a soup with beef, peppers and potatoes, not a thick pot.
Lángos
Fried flat bread, usually with garlic, sour cream and grated cheese. You buy it at stands on the Balaton.
Kürtőskalács
A 'tree stone': dough wrapped around a roll, baked over the fire and rolled into sugar or cinnamon.
Paprikás csirke
Chicken in a sauce of paprika and sour cream, often with small flour dumplings (nokedli).
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (4)
Featured campsites
On the Balaton at ACSI Eurocampings are Balatontourist Camping Napfény (Révfülöp, directly on the water and family-friendly) and Família Camping Balaton (Balatonőszöd). Near Budapest is Arena Camping & Guesthouse. According to ACSI, Hungarian campsites are among the cheapest in Europe.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Hungary
Cycling around Lake Balaton
Around the lake leads a cycle path of about 200 kilometers (source: ACSI). You don’t have to ride it all the way: Take a slice on the flat south bank for a quiet day trip with kids (our tip).
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Hungary
Day trip: Aggtelek caves
To the north are the dripstone caves of Aggtelek, along with the Slovak part of UNESCO World Heritage. Under the ground it is also cool in summer: Take a sweater with you.
Avoid: wrong fuel and a forgotten vignette
Tank no E85: This damages a normal engine. Register your e-vignette no later than 60 minutes after entering the motorway and save the receipt (ACSI recommends one year).
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Hungary
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Vignette (e-matrica)
For the highways you need an e-vignette. A normal car falls into category D1. You buy them online from the official seller; a vignette for 10 days costs 2026 6,900 Ft. Source: nemzetiutdij.hu (Hungarian road authority)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Wild camping
The Hungarian forest law allows camping or tents in the forest for longer than 24 hours only with the permission of the forest manager. In national parks and protected areas stricter rules apply. With children and car you simply choose a campsite. Source: Hungarian Forest Act 2009/XXXVII, art. 93
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- nemzetiutdij.hu (Hungarian road authority)
- Hungarian Forest Act 2009/XXXVII, art. 93
- visithungary.com
- UNESCO: Budapest
- bnpi.hu (Bükk National Park)
- UNESCO: Hortobágy
- csopa.hu
- zoobudapest.com
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- ACSI Eurocampings: Hungary
- UNESCO: Aggtelek and Slovak Karst
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Hungary?
E-vignette duty (10 days 6,900 Ft). Prices, points of sale and the official source are in the block 'Toll and Vignette' on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Hungary?
Prohibited; choose a campsite. (source: ACSI Eurocampings)
What is the best time to travel to Hungary?
July and August are ideal for the Balaton; For Budapest and the hills, May, June and September are more pleasant because it is less hot (our assessment).
How far is Hungary from London?
From London to Budapest it is about 1,650 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 3 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Hungary?
Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, warning vest and bandage box. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our page Traffic rules & equipment. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Hungary?
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.