Money Matters & Banks in Budapest
Hungarian Currency
Although now a member of the European Union (EU) Hungary will not be adopting the Euro until at least 2008. Therefore, the Forint (abbreviated as Ft. or HUF) is the country's unit of currency.
Banknotes come in seven denominations of 20000, 10000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 200 HUF, with coins of 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 HUF.
Currency Exchange
Banks are open from 8am to 3pm Monday through Thursday, from 8am to 1pm on Fridays and are closed on Saturdays. Money can also be exchanged at exchange offices (note that some exchange offices charge a commission of up to 20%), hotel reception desks and travel offices. It is recommended to exchange currency only at accredited places as it is both risky and illegal to attempt to do so in the street.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards and Cheques
All the most popular credit, debit and charge cards (AMEX, Diners Club, Cirrus, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and VISA) can be used in banks and in ATM’s to withdraw Forints, and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and shops. Look for the signs displayed at the entrance showing which cards are accepted.
ATMs
Currency exchange machines and ATMs operate 24 hours a day in Budapest. Major credit cards and banking cards are accepted. We suggest you to keep all money exchange receipts and records of currency exchange transactions until leaving the country.
Traveler's Cheques
There is usually a commission for cashing traveler's cheques at banks and you can use your bank or credit card to get cash at post offices. Please note that stores usually will not accept travelers cheques.
ChequePoint
Address: I. Tárnok u. 26.
Opening Hours: 9am-9pm daily.
Address: VI., Oktogon.
Opening Hours: 8:30am-9pm daily.
Address: V., Fõvám tér.
Opening Hours: 9:30am-7:30pm daily.
Address: VI., Teréz krt.
Opening Hours: 8:30am-6:30am daily.
Major Banks in Budapest
Budapest Bank
Address: 1138 Budapest - Váci út 188.
Phone: (+36-1) 455 5555
Website: www.budapestbank.hu
CIB Bank
Address: 1027 Budapest - Medve u. 4-14.
Phone: (+36-1) 212 1330
Website: www.cib.hu
Citibank
Address: 1054 Budapest - Szabadság tér 7.
Phone: (+36-1) 374 5000
Website: www.citibank.hu
Commerzbank
Address: 1054 Budapest - Széchenyi rakpart 8.
Phone: (+36-1) 374 1000
Website: www.commerzbank.hu
Deutsche Bank
Address: 1054 Budapest - Hold utca 27.
Phone: (+36-1) 301 3700
Website: http://www.db.com/hungary/
Dresdner Bank
Address: 1132 Budapest - Váci út 20-26.
Phone: (+36-1) 465 5555
Website: www.dresdner-bank.hu
Erste Bank
Address: 1054 Budapest - Hold utca 16.
Phone: (+36-1) 40 222 222
Website: www.erstebank.hu
HVB
1054 Budapest - Akadémia utca 17.
Address: Phone: (+36-1) 269 0812
Website: www.hvb.hu
K&H
Address: 1051 Budapest - Vigadó tér 1.
Phone: (+36-1) 328 9000
Website: www.khb.hu
OTP
Address: 1051 Budapest - Nádor utca 16.
Phone: (+36-1) 366 6666
Website: www.otpbank.hu
Raiffeisenbank
Address: 1054 Budapest - Akadémia utca 6.
Phone: (+36-1) 484 4888
Website: www.rsi.hu
Volksbank
1088 Budapest - Rákóczi út 7.
Phone: (+36-1) 888 7200
Website: www.volksbank.hu
WestLB
Address: 1075 Budapest - Madách Imre út 13/14.
Phone: (+36-1) 268 1680
Website: www.westlb.de
Useful Links
Rates at Hungarian National Bank
Currency Converter
