currency

Are the specific ATMS that are better (currency conversation/fees) than others to take cash in Budapest?

JoyNycB, generally speaking it probably won’t make much difference. When I can, I like getting cash from a bank ATM in case there’s a problem. Also generally speaking, they will have a better exchange rate than a Euronet machine, which is what is at the airport. These days, though, things are moving to tap to withdraw, so you don’t even have to risk putting your card in, having it disappear into the recesses of a machine, and not coming back out.

What you do about cash might also depend on how long you are there. For 4 or 5 days, Mr. Ë usually recommends 19,000ft (@ $60) but you could probably get by with 9,000, especially if you are there a shorter amount of time. The uneven amount gives you some smaller bills to begin using more easily.

I am there a couple of times a year and rarely use cash. But it’s always nice to have some “just in case”. But for that small an amount, you can see a slightly worse exchange rate simply won’t make much difference financially.

Virtually everyplace should accept plastic.

The key words are "virtually" and "should" which isnt the same as "all" and "will". But for most tourists that just do the tourist zones and the tourist sights and dont wander into the culture too deeply, yes, "odds are" you will never "need" cash. Many places in the tourist zones will take Euro. The rate of exchange on the menu isnt good because they dont want to reprint the menu everytime the exchange rate changes. They cover themselves against changes in the rates and are not trying to take advantage of you.

But while you are here, walking around the neighborhoods, look up and observe the black wires stretching across roads from roof to roof; often hanging down the fronts of buildings and going in through windows. That’s internet cabling. What could possibly go wrong with that system?

Lunch for two in the tourist zones will cost between 10.000 and 15.000 forints ($15 to $22 each) depending on where you go. Sure, there are cheaper but how many tourists go looking (so they miss out on good food)? If the wind blew and the internet is down and so, no credit cards, the 19.000 will generally be sufficient to have lunch as you had planned – for two.

About two weeks ago my son and I, in part to escape the 16F temps and snow fall decided to visit the House of Houdini. Turned out to be sort of fun to be honest. It turned out to be cash only. It turned out to be 10.000 forints for the two of us. Now if we didn’t have the cash, no problem we just go to the nearest ATM which Google Maps shows is a Euronet at the Budapest Hilton. Round trip from the House of Houdini on foot in the snow probably not more than 15 minutes. I live here; I have the time.

There is a certain wine bar in Buda that offers a small discount for cash (not uncommon). Two 2dl glasses of good stuff, maybe 4.000 forints plus another 1.000 forints for a tip. One of my favorite restaurants has a service charge of 12% which is common. Why there is a service charge is a bit of a complex answer that has as much to do with the tax system and pricing on the menu as anything else. But the money does have to go to staff, but it will be distributed to all the staff. If I want to tip the individual service provider that needs to be in cash. 5% is sufficient. Cash tips are income and VAT tax exempt by law so they are appreciated. Some personal service provider businesses are cash only for service and/or for the tip.

So, the two of you take 19.000 forints but never use it. Now what? Call me and I will come pick it up. Or the taxi to the airport will be 9.000 and since you arrived early that breakfast at O’Leary’s in the airport (my favorite) will cost you at least another 10.000 ft for two. Or it’s a poor country and we have our share of homeless and that’s always a good cause for a few thousand from time to time. Or for those that want to stay hydrated, pay cash at the ABC for that bottle of water. But you will have to drink a bunch to use up 19.000.

Or like I said, odds are you will never need even 1 forint in cash. So don’t mess with it.

Which ATM? They have all gotten expensive. Bank ATMs a little less so than the EuroNet machines; except maybe the Erste Bank machines, they have a hefty flat fee. So, good chance all those fees will add 3 or 4 dollars to your $20.000 European holiday.

When paying with a credit card do watch the service provider. The majority of the credit card machines do offer DCC these days. Quite often the service provider will make the decision Forints or Dollars for you. I watch and when that happens it’s been 100% of the time the right decision: forints. They know the deal and they aren’t out to get you. Now, I don’t go to Vaci utca or Franz Liszt ter very often. There I would be cautious. Maybe the Buda Castle District too.