Camping in Hungary - Everything you need to know

For pass roads and tunnels to or from Austria, such as the Brenner or the Tauern motorway, you have to pay a toll in addition to the vignette, which costs around 10€. Even if you enter via Czech Republic (about 13€) and then Slovakia (12€), a toll is due. On Hungarian highways you pay around 15€ for a weekly vignette.

Off tip: It is best to get your vignette(s) in advance. This can be done conveniently online:

Here you can not only buy vignettes for Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary but the Route-Calculator also tells you what tolls will be charged on your personal travel route.

From Germany, you usueally enter Hungary via Austria, but depending on your starting point, it may be quicker to enter via Czech Republic and then Slovakia. It is important to know in advance that in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and in Hungary tolls apply when you are driving on the motorway.

In Hungary, you are allowed to drive 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h in out of town. On expressways 110 km/h and on motorways 130 km/h are allowed. Special rules apply in front of a level crossing and you are only allowed to drive 30 km/h (urban) or 40 km/h (extra-urban). You are only allowed to pass the level crossing at 5 km/h.

Did you know that in Hungary you don't pay in euros as you do here, but in forint (HUF/Ft)? Well, now you know. The exchange rate can change from time to time, at the moment (May 15, 2023) 1 Euro equals about 370 Forint. Especially in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, you will find numerous exchange offices. When withdrawing money or paying with your card, you should make sure to do so in the Hungarian currency, otherwise you may lose money due to the conversion. For more detailed information on card payments and cash withdrawals abroad, it is best to contact your bank directly.

It may come as a surprise to some, but Hungary has not been an insider tip among camping fans for some time now. Especially during the high season in summer, you should play it safe and book in time to avoid any unpleasant surprises and disappointments.

Lake Balaton is one of the most popular destinations in Hungary. At the sight of the blue water, it is not difficult for us to understand why it draws quite a few friends of water sports and other outdoor activities to the shores of the lake year after year. As far as campsites are concerned, you are spoiled for choice here, because around the largest inland lake in Central Europe, quite a few campsites have settled. Directly on the shore you can make yourself comfortable at the Sellő campsite or you can head for the St. Ilona campsite if you prefer to stay a bit further away from the hustle and bustle.

Good news for those who want to combine camping in Hungary with wellness vacations: Hungary is also known, among other things, for the healing and relaxing effects of the countless thermal baths and lakes in the country, and some of them either have their own camping facilities or have campsites in their immediate vicinity. The multi-award winning Pápa campsite is located right next to the spa and thermal bath of the same name, where a wide range of wellness treatments and water fun for children and adults awaits you. On the grounds of the wellness park between Lake Balaton and the impressive Keszthely Mountains you can not only relax in a sauna or in the bubble bath, the location is also perfect for enthusiastic cyclists, hiking fans and all who like to spend their vacation sporty thanks to the connection to the Balaton bike path and the proximity to the mountains .

By the way, you can also spend wellness vacations in the capital, because in Budapest there are several well-equipped thermal baths, among others the Rudas Bath, the Széchenyi Bath or the Gellért bath, to mention just a few names.

If you are searching for beautiful landscapes in the form of lush green mountain meadows, sweeping gorges, the idyllic rippling waterfalls, and numerous caves that are just waiting to be explored by you, you will find all of it in the Bükk National Park. The densely forested area has some highlights to offer, which can be wonderfully explored on an extended hike. Pure nature! At the edge of the park you can camp at the Szilvásvárad campsite, but national park nature lover can also camp in the middle of nature at the Répáshuta forest campsite.

Anyone planning a trip to Hungary should not miss the versatile capital. There is an incredible amount to discover and experience here: The Chain Bridge alone, which connects the high-altitude (Buda) and the flat part of the city (Pest), as well as the beautiful Danube, which meanders through the city, are real eye-catchers. Over the bridge you can reach the so-called Fishermen's Bastion by train. The Fishermen's Bastion is not only an impressive and interesting monument for architecture fans, due to its location on the castle hill rising above the city, you can enjoy fantastic views of the city from here. After a long walk along the banks of the Danube you can enjoy a few delicacies in the famous Great Market Hall and then take a look at one of the many churches or the Hungarian National Gallery, before you end your day in the capital in one of the countless restaurants and let the Budapest atmosphere take its effect on you.

Fortunately, in and around Budapest you will also find a handful of accommodations for you and your camper. The Campsite Fortuna is only a stone's throw away from the city centre and has its own pool. About the same distance from the metropolis you can make yourself comfortable at Campsite Flamingo. You prefer to camp in the middle of the hustle and bustle? No problem, Camping Arena Budapest makes this possible.

Smaller than Budapest, but at least as nice is Eger which stretches across northern Hungary. Not only does Eger border the Bükk National Park, but the city is also known for the extensive vineyards surrounding it - cheers to that. In addition to the wine taverns and cellars scattered throughout the city, the townscape is characterized by baroque buildings and its own thermal spring and spa. You can settle down at the Tulipán campsite, but town can also be easily reached from the campsites we suggested near the Bükk National Park. Very close to Eger, on the outskirts of Egerszalók, a very special and unique sight is waiting for you: the Salt Hills. Created from failed oil drilling, this terraced natural formation, which owes its existence to lime and hot thermal water, is now a nature reserve and is one of the very special sights that Hungary has up its sleeve. Be sure to visit!

In the Hortobágy National Park you can experience the notorious landscape of the puszta up close and explore it yourself on various nature trails. What awaits you is mostly flat grassland, interspersed with individual wetlands and fish ponds, and flora and fauna that will amaze you - the park is especially known for its crane migration. One of the highlights of the national park is probably Lake Tisza. You can admire the lake on foot at the Lake Tisza Boardwalk, but if you'd like to be a bit more adventurous, you can also take a canoe tour instead. You should not miss the Cégénydányád Castle and the adjoining spacious park! Near the national park there are several campsites, which are looking forward to welcoming you. At Dieter's Camping you can look forward to a beautiful pitch in the green and the campsite's own pool, and if you don't want to miss out on the proximity of Lake Tisza and the National Park, or on wellness, then the Tiszafüred Thermal Campsite is the place to be.

One of the most beautiful scenic advantages of Hungary is that you will find both abundant water and mountainous areas. In the Visegrád Mountains you can not only hike and bike, but the view of the Danube, which you can enjoy on many routes, makes the Visegrád Mountains a great travel stop for action and nature lovers. Is there anything better than spending a cozy evening in front of the camper with a view of the Danube after a long day outside? You can make this beautiful idea come true, and if necessary enjoy a little cooling off in the campsite's own pool, at Dömös campsite, at Pap-Sziget campsite or also at Gran Camping. The latter we recommend especially if you are travelling with our - watch out, it's coming flat - Grand(d) California on the road ;)

Hungary has an incredible amount of destinations to offer. We have only presented a small selection of the possibilities that the country has to offer and hope that with all the different regions and activities of all kinds you could find something suitable for you. Whether it's water sports that excites you the most, the various thermal baths or the Hungarian culture in Budapest, we wish you an unforgettable camping vacation - Adventures ahead!