Forints and Crowns in Munich

It is very likely that the Reisebank at the main station sells these currencies, but certainly at such poor rates that you should think twice. You don't need to try anywhere else in the city - since the introduction of the euro, this business has almost died out, and you even have to pre-order dollars from your bank.

If you are taking the train, won't you be at the HbH anyway? If you think using a currency exchange is the way to go, then that's probably as good a place as any. Just be prepared for the fact that it will cost you more than using an ATM. And since you will be travelling with a bunch of cash, be sure you have secure storage for it (money belt/neck wallet, etc).

Thanks sla019 and CJean - @sla019 - I figured that might be the case. Perhaps if Reisebank has an email contact #, I can contact it in advance to help in the determination. @CJean - Logistics and timing notwithstanding, I think I want to change money deliberately and not in a rush-rush fashion at a transportation hub just before we are ready to take off. It sounds as if Reisebank is my best option, unless I can find a NON Euronet bank ATM in close proximity to Keleti and also train station in Prague. Thank you both for your thoughtful and very helpful replies.

Well, you might consider the rate of exchange you will get for exchanging currency compared to what you think you will lose by using a Euronet ATM once you arrive.

Did you decide to not use the ATM at your hotel?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/taxi-from-keleti-to-hotel

Thanks again, TexasTravelMom, and for the Ritz Carlton reminder as well. I suppose that is perhaps the analysis - Euronet vs. Reisbank cost. As far as Ritz Carlton, we need to get to hotel (late afternoon arrival) first (I know City Taxi takes credit cards) and I anticipate mild to moderate mayhem from Keleti to hotel. I guess I don't want to use my credit card under pressure and in the midst of possible chaos, not knowing reliability and trustworthiness of company or of driver. Perhaps I am overthinking this, but I'm trying to keep this as stress free as possible. I saw an OPT ATM that appears to be within walking distance of Keleti - maybe this or Euronet will work. Thank you again for your thoughtful and helpful reply. You've been a gem more than once.

Harwood,

Have you been to Europe in the last few years? Cash is dying. Cash-based foreign excange is becoming more expensive and less convenient. I suggest that you use a credit card to get to your hotel. Then get a recommendation on a bank-owned ATM to visit in the morning.

Also, Keleti is a bit discheveled, especially at night.

Thanks, jkh. I am beginning to slowly realize the truth of your very succinct and undoubtedly accurate statement. Last visit was 2019, but not to Hungary or CZ. That (credit card for taxi) would seem to be the way to go, but I'm trying my best to take the stress out of this part of the trip. Thanks again for your reply.

This may be an unpopular suggestion, but you could just get some of each currency (including Euro, for Munich) before you go, from your local bank or AAA outpost. Yes, it might not be the most favorable exchange rate, but if you want peace of mind and low hassle that is a route I often take so I can focus on other things. As has been noted you may not need very much cash for your travels in any case, so it need not be a huge amount.

You can search on "currency exchange munich" - when the results come back, see if any of them have a currency calculator on their website. Compare their rate to an interbank retail rate. Only you can determine whether the cost is worth it to you. They may prefer to exchange from Euro rather than USD.

For Prague you might post an inquiry on the Czech forum - sometimes Jason of Living Prague will respond. In the past he has suggested a change desk in Prague as being a decent value.

If you're going to Prague, you should check out www.livingprague.com in any case.

You may function differently than I do, but it is far easier for me to pay a taxi with a credit card than to count out a brand new currency quickly. If you use City Taxi (or even Fo Taxi), they use meters and you can see the charge.

Thank you, CL. I was thinking along those lines as well - that all things considered and our desire to mitigate stress - that local may be the way to go - that or pay for by CC for Budapest City Taxi. Thank you again for your valuable insight. That might be the way we will go. I've emailed Resieback at the Munich Hbf. and I'll see what they have to say, if anything. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Thanks, Markcw. I've already checked Reisebank's exchange rate. Excellent suggestion. And you're right - only we can determine what cost we are willing to bear. I had a feeling that Euro vs. USD might be in play when it came to currency exchange at Reisebank. Thank you for your reply and for the link. I am vaguely familiar with Jason on that forum.

Excellent point, TexasTravelMom. Counting out new currency (and in large denominations) might be more trouble than it's worth under this scenario. I may go the City Taxi route via CC and hope they show up and find us rather that choosing taxi from taxi stand. Thank you again.

I've not been in Hungary or Czechia recently (but will be in Prague this summer - yay!), but I've not had to pay cash for a taxi in Europe in the last 5 years of traveling there. Spain, France, UK, Denmark, Ireland: all took CC.

Thanks, jphbucks. Useful info.

For Budapest, just wait until you get here. Everyone takes credit cards and that are ATM machines at the train station, airport and all over town. Use google maps to locate them.

OTP and K&H probably the best ATMs for rates. But even I use an EURONET machine if I am in a bind. Just not the cheapest.

Thanks, James. Much appreciated. I saw an OPT ATM on google maps which was an 8 minute walk from Keleti. Thanks again.

They may prefer to exchange from Euro rather than USD.<<

@markcw - You were correct. I heard from Reisebank by e-mail. They change first from USD to Euros and then Euros to CZK and HUF.

You are walking from Keleti? Do a post in the Hungary forum and let's see if we can make your life easier.

Just walking to ATM.

Maybe better to find ATM near your accommodations? Keleti isn't in the prettiest part of town.

But, okay, there is one a lot closer than 8 minutes at Thököly út 4.

Here is the street view. If you spin it around you can see the train station across the street.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/OTP+Bank/@47.5011548,19.0829684,3a,75y,298.52h,89.52t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sczZHqU5xKNsEtvXwEuoxow!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DczZHqU5xKNsEtvXwEuoxow%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D298.51867124462086%26pitch%3D0.4783944508070306%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192!4m11!1m2!2m1!1skeleti+otp!3m7!1s0x4741dc89d4d22809:0xd3ad1bb28011073e!8m2!3d47.5012086!4d19.0827178!10e5!15sCgprZWxldGkgb3RwIgOIAQGSAQRiYW5r4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F1ptwyynf0?authuser=0&coh=205410&entry=ttu

And, it appears that this is one that has the ATM in the inner lobby with the door that requires a credit card or atm card to open. Just swipe any card in the reader on the door jamb. Remember, door probably opens in so dont yank on it, think its locked and walk away.

If you are doing this, then I guess you are taking public transportation to your next stop. The 2 and 4 metro line are in the lower level of the train station, so head back. At the bottom of the stairs that go from the platform area to the sub-level you will find a BKK office where you can purchase your TravelCard for the stay.

If you are riding a bus or a tram i suggest you download the BudapestGO App on your phone. It will show the stop locations and give you the times for the next bus or tram at each stop. But you do need to know the name of the end stop of the bus or tram to know which direction to go.

If you are calling a taxi, you can do that from the ATM. If you use the City Taxi App it will tell city taxi where you are so you dont have to call and try and pronounce a Hungarian street name.

Thank you again Mr. E. for the Keleti warning and all the other information. You've gone above and beyond, as usual. I have already contacted City Taxi and surprisingly they sent a reply e-mail to me. (AAA in Prague did not). I tried putting my telephone number in the app and it would not take it - even using +1 prefix, etc. City Taxi did not answer this question for me. I guess I'll call upon arrival and hope for the best. Thanks again.

Try 01 instead of +1. They do have a tech person email. I had trouble changing my phone number and they were quick to fix it.

Thanks. I should have thought of that.