EUROPCAR

36 1 4218370

Traveling around Hungary with a rental car

Hungary is ranked among the 20 most popular tourist destinations in the world thanks to its magnificent capital city of Budapest, many small traditional and charming rural villages, the great Danube river, forests and lakes, many endless tourist attractions. Budapest World Heritage Listed UNESCO thanks to its many historic buildings, Buda Castle and the banks of the Danube.

Hungary 1

Eger in northern Hungary is a historic city known for its buildings dating from different historical eras, such as: Turkish minaret, natural baths and castle. Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Europe, is surrounded by small traditional towns, many of which have thermal baths and Turkish baths, as well as the Upper Balaton National Park, ideal for lovers of mountain excursions.

Hungary 2

Hungary is also a land of castles, with over 2,000 if you count the palaces of the nobility. Among the most beautiful are the Esterházy Palace in Fertod, where Haydn wrote most of his symphonies, the Károlyi palaces in Fota and the Biedermann palace in Szentegat. If you're visiting Hungary, indulge in a wonderful relaxing break at the Hajdúszoboszló spa in the east of the country with a water park, thermal baths, water palace and all kinds of spa treatments.

Hungary 3

Pecs, the fifth largest city in Hungary, located near the border with Croatia. The city has an interesting early Christian necropolis, the remains of a Roman viaduct, a magnificent medieval cathedral built by King Stephen I, and a 16th-century mosque converted into a Catholic church.

Hungary is perfect country to travel by car. There are many wonderful sights here in the form of rural villages and small historic towns that are otherwise impossible to visit. The car will allow you to enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes of forests and mountains that are found in the country.

Hungary 4

The advantage of renting a car in Hungary is that you can move around without time limits and with complete autonomy. Renting a car will allow you to drive along the banks of the Danube and explore the Great Plain, Hungary's most beautiful rural region.

How to rent a car in Hungary without a franchise?

Renting a car in Hungary costs an average of 38 euros per day. Economy (Fiat 500 or similar) is the most popular car class in Hungary. October is the best month to rent a car in Hungary. Prices start at 22.58 euros for an economy class car. This is 49% cheaper than the average price for the year and 70% cheaper than in April (when prices start at 74.82 euros for a compact car). This information can help you determine the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact cost of the trip will depend on the length of the rental and the number of days before the start of the rental period.

Hungary 5

If you want to be tempted to visit several Eastern European countries in a row when renting a car in Hungary and take the opportunity to visit Vienna, Croatia or even Romania , you should check this possibility with your rental agency. The fact is that they do not all apply the same policy in this area. Some will prohibit you from leaving the country in a rental car for certain destinations. If possible, book in advance! Cheap car rental offers are limited, especially during the off-season or for high-demand destinations.

Driving in Hungary

The road network in Hungary is good. It is divided into three categories of roads:

motorways, preceded by the letter M, connect Budapest with neighboring countries and capitals;
national roads, which almost all exit from the capital;
secondary and tertiary roads are often more convenient for those who want to spend time to get to know the landscape.

It's easy to get lost inside cities, as there are many one-way streets, and sometimes they form real labyrinths.

When driving in Hungary, you should keep in mind that traffic rules are slightly different from those in France and other European Union countries. For example, low beam headlights are mandatory as soon as you leave the settlements, and this is regardless of the time of day and weather conditions. This rule must be strictly observed. Similarly, the blood alcohol level allowed while driving is zero. Simply put, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol before driving.

In Hungary, speed limits are 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h on secondary and tertiary roads, 110 km / h on national roads and finally 130 km / h on motorways. These restrictions are not always respected by local motorists, but be careful not to imitate them, as there are radars and DVRs both in the city and on the road.

It is worth considering that when driving in Hungary, if there are no tolls on motorways, you must obtain an electronic sticker to drive on them. It's kind of a package. You pay for a few days or for a year, like a subscription. These stickers are available at gas stations and post offices, but your rental agency will probably offer to include them in your rental for an additional fee of around HUF 3,240 (€10) for 10 days.

Most agencies (Avis, Europcar, etc.) require you to be at least 21 years old and have a driver's license for more than one year to rent a vehicle. Usually young drivers under the age of 23 or 25, depending on the agency, must pay a surcharge. If your license has been issued to you by a country of the European Union, it is enough to rent a car in Hungary. Otherwise, an international permit will be required.

The price of gasoline is around HUF 382 (€1.18) per liter in Hungary. Service stations are easy to find both in cities and in rural areas. However, they are easier to find along the highway than on secondary roads. Prices may vary in the capital and provinces.

Rent an electric car in Hungary

You can rent an electric car in cities in Hungary. For example, in 2013, the Tesla Model S was officially named the safest car in the world, making all-wheel drive enthusiasts ecstatic.

Hungary 6

Renting an electric car means driving a stylish, modern, safe and comfortable car. It's also the best choice for anyone who:

always looking for something new;
protects the environment;
loves comfort and ease of movement;
loves to travel at high speed;
Electric cars are great for driving to a business meeting.

In Hungary, there are a total of about 6,000 electric vehicles on the roads. In Hungary, there are national and local incentives for owning an electric car, such as tax incentives, as well as free parking and numerous electronic charging stations.

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€118

February

€95

March

€132

April

€178

May

€171

June

€188

July

€220

August

€195

September

€127

October

€106

November

€91

December

€153

The most popular cars in Hungary

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular tourist locations in Hungary

Budapest - Airport

Debrecen Airport

Heviz–Balaton Airport

Pecs Airport

Budapest City

Debrecen

Required documents for rental cars

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 tips for your car hire in Hungary

Download Google maps for offline access

The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.

Hungary 7

Early Booking Discount

Hungary is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.

It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.

Which car to choose

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Fiat 500 or Opel Astra. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Fiat Tipo Estate in Hungary will cost €33 per day.

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance recommendations

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

Hungary 8

What types of insurance are available for car rental?

Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Check out the fuel policy

When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Hungary for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.

Hungary 9

Rent without mileage limit

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

Hungary 10

Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Hungary, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

Which rental company to choose

When renting a car in Hungary, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.

If we talk about the best companies in Hungary, then it is worth highlighting EUROPCAR with a rating 9.9 and SIXT, the average rating of which is 9 points.

Getting a car at a rental office

Getting a rented car in Hungary is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.

Our main advantages

24/7 support in all popular languages

Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!

No additional fees

Based on 8255 reviews

Rate 4,8/5

Based on 8255 reviews

Tony

4,8

Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!

Michael

4,7

Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

Luna

4,5

The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

Jody

4,9

Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

Download the BookingAutos mobile app

Download our mobile app and get access to special offers and discounts in Hungary.