We plan to travel down the Danube in November. As Hungary does not use Euros would it be advisable to get some local currency
for shopping at Christmas Markets?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20993 posts
At the major markets, they all take credit cards. But never hurts to carry maybe 10.000 in one and 2 thousand forint notes.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20993 posts
This will be a good read as well : https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/the-christmas-markets-open-soon-in-budapest
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20993 posts
There have been a number of questions, some Hungary specific, some travel in general, that were about the wisdom of converting currency in the US and bringing it with you.
I never fretted much about a few percent difference on pocket change when weighing it against the cost of a trip to europe. Just doesnt matter, and if having the cash in your pocket makes you more comfortalbe, then its worth 2 or 3 percent on a few hundred dollars.
Now here is another "what-if". What if the Hungarian forint had been bouncing around between 355 and 365 to the dollar for the better part of the last 12 months, but today it was at 380-something. Hasnt been this good in over a year. Your trip is in 6 months. Will it still be that high when you go to the ATM in Budapest in 6 months? Or is now the time to pay a tad more and order your cash in the US?
My answer is dont play the games. Get your money when it makes you feel the best, then be happy with the deal and dont look back.
Thank you to all who replied to my post. I will get get the minimum from an ATM in Budapest so I will have some cash if I need it