Budapest and Lake Balaton

Duration: 3-7 days (~4.5 hours one way from the border)
Approximate distance: 410 km (one way)
Overnight stays abroad: 2-6 nights
Countries covered by the route: Hungary

Budapest Only:

Duration: 2 days (~3.5 hours one way from the border)
Approximate distance: 300 km (one way)
Overnight stays abroad: 1 night
Countries covered by the route: Hungary

Route

driving on Hungary's highways – Parking in Budapest – Budapest Center – Balaton

Route on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/NPGvkcGBAP6iwVku8

Language

A large percentage of the population understands and speaks English. No language problems were encountered.

Currency

In Hungary, the currency is the Hungarian Forint (currency code HUF). It's easiest to have a bank card with you. There are no problems with card payments. You can exchange a small amount of money into Forints. The most favorable exchange rate is at currency exchange offices at the border from the Ukrainian side. Before the border, ask where to exchange currency, ask in a store, or ask someone local; they will tell you where to find it. At the end of the route, if you have cash left, you can refuel to avoid losing on the exchange rate.

Border Crossing

All border crossing points into Hungary are suitable.

Border crossing points on the border with Hungary (Zakarpattia region):

• Chop-Zahony
• Luzhanka-Berehshurani
• Vilok-Tysabech

You can view the border crossing points on the map and their workload on the website of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine:
https://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/map

Toll Roads in Hungary

In Hungary, certain road sections are toll roads. For a short trip, you will need a vignette for the minimum period—10 days for 3500 HUF (€ 11). You can buy it at the border or gas stations. It is recommended to buy it at the border to avoid any problems with further travel. There's a nuance: it's best to pay by card and in Forints (the bank automatically converts the currency), as the price in euros will be 19 euros when paid in euros.

For more details on toll payment, mandatory equipment in the car, and other nuances regarding travel in the country, read the article about Hungary.

Cost of Fuel in Hungary

Parking in Budapest

In Budapest, parking is subject to a fee. Budapest is divided into parking zones, each with a different fee for parking (ranging from HUF 525 to 175 per hour (€ 1.6–0.5)). Payment is required on weekdays from 08:00 to 20:00.

Parking zones and prices (click on the respective zone for price information): https://nmzrt.hu/szolgaltatasok/parkolas/parkolasi-zonak.html

Parking tickets can be purchased at the nearest machine and placed on the front windshield. Minimum parking time: 15 minutes. The maximum time is indicated on the sign. You can also pay using various mobile applications; you can download them from the website (in Hungarian): https://nemzetimobilfizetes.hu/applikaciok

For long-term parking, leave your car at the P+R parking lots, which are usually located at metro stations and bus terminals, and use public transport.

Verified location for parking near Mexikói út station: https://goo.gl/maps/MRxYUotYeYutaDNC6 If you arrive and there are no available spaces, it's worth waiting a bit; someone will leave, and you'll be able to park.
Another parking location https://goo.gl/maps/zjyEatiFFjKDq1vK7

List of all P+R parking lots:

• P+R Mexikói út - near metro line M1, Pest
• P+R Déli Pályaudvar - near metro line M2, Buda
• P+R Batthyány tér - near metro line M2, Buda
• P+R Budapest Sportcsarnok - near metro line M2, Pest
• P+R Újpest-Városkapu - near metro line M3, Pest
• P+R Váci út - near metro line M3, Pest
• P+R Népliget - near metro line M3, Pest
• P+R Kőbánya-Kispest - near metro line M3, Pest
• P+R Hűvösvölgy - near streetcar No. 56, Buda

Budapest City Center

In the evening, it's worth seeing the illuminated Parliament building.

Exploring Budapest is best done on foot. It's a fantastic city for a weekend getaway. Start by exploring the part of the city that was once Buda, then head up to the hill in the Pest part of the city. You can quickly tour the city in 4-5 hours or take your time and enjoy the entire weekend. One of the most iconic and well-known places is the Parliament building, which is best reached via the riverside.

Ministry of Agriculture

Monument "Shoes on the Danube Bank," which is perhaps most striking when you delve into its essence. To save on bullets, the Nazis would line up 50–60 people, chaining them together, and shoot only the first one. As they fell, they would drag the others along. People were ordered to take off their shoes. The abandoned shoes on the quay were sold or used by the fascists for their own needs.

Two parts of the city connected by a tunnel. Very unusual for us.

Well, take a ride on the tram :)

If you left your car in the parking near Mexikói út station, you can walk there. Along the way, you will see several nice places: Heroes' Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, and the Statue of Anonymus.

Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is a place you can just go to relax :)

There can be several options for this trip. You can just come to Budapest for the weekend, stroll around the city, and enjoy its beauty. You can spend some time in Budapest and then go to Lake Balaton for relaxation, or you can combine everything and explore the city and relax by the lake. Choose the option that suits your mood and desires.