You’re standing at a kiosk in Budapest. The smell of fried lángos is basically everywhere, and the vendor is pointing at a screen that says 4,500. For a second, your heart skips. Then you remember: that’s not dollars. It’s forints.
Honestly, the first time you look at Hungarian money, you feel like a secret millionaire. Thousands of forints for a simple lunch? It’s wild. But the math gets fuzzy fast. If you’re trying to convert Hungarian ft to USD, you aren’t just looking for a calculator; you’re trying to figure out if you’re getting ripped off at the ATM or if that "boutique" leather bag is actually a steal.
The forint (HUF) is a weirdly resilient currency that’s been around since 1946. While most of its neighbors jumped on the Euro train, Hungary stayed put. This means you’re stuck doing mental gymnastics with exchange rates that look like phone numbers.
The Reality of the Exchange Rate Right Now
As of mid-January 2026, the rate is hovering around 0.0030 USD for 1 HUF.
That looks like a lot of zeros. It’s easier to flip it. One US Dollar gets you roughly 332 forints.
Rates move. Fast. Last week was different, and next week will be too. If you’re looking at a 10,000 forint bill, just think of it as roughly 30 bucks. It’s a quick-and-dirty shortcut that keeps you from overspending while you're wandering through the Great Market Hall.
Why the Rate Is So Jumpive
Inflation in Hungary has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. You’ve got the Hungarian National Bank (Magyar Nemzeti Bank) trying to keep things steady, but global energy prices and EU politics keep tossing the forint around. For an American traveler, this is usually good news. Your dollars have some serious muscles here. Hungary remains one of the more affordable spots in Europe, provided you aren't paying in Euros—which is the biggest mistake tourists make.
Where Everyone Loses Money on Conversion
Seriously, don’t use the airport exchange booths. They are basically legalized robbery. I’ve seen spreads there that take 15% of your money just for the "convenience" of being 10 feet from the arrivals gate.
The same goes for those bright blue and yellow Euronet ATMs scattered all over the Váci utca. They will offer to do the conversion for you. Say no. > Expert Tip: Always choose "Withdraw in Local Currency" (HUF). If you let the ATM do the conversion into USD, they use a "Dynamic Currency Conversion" rate that is almost always terrible. Let your home bank do the math instead.
The Cash vs. Card Debate
In 2026, Hungary is pretty digital. You can tap your phone for a coffee or a bus ticket. But if you head out to the countryside or want to tip your tour guide, you’re going to need physical bills.
- Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000.
- Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200.
There are no 1 or 2 forint coins anymore. They got phased out because the metal was worth more than the money. If your bill ends in a 2, they just round it to the nearest 5. It’s simple, kinda smart, and saves everyone the pocket weight.
Living the "Millionaire" Life (Briefly)
When you convert Hungarian ft to USD, you start to see where the value is. A mid-range dinner for two in a nice Pest neighborhood might run you 15,000 HUF.
That sounds huge! But it’s about $45.
Try doing that in Paris or London. You won't.
Real-World Price Checks (Approximate)
- A pint of local beer (Borsodi/Soproni): 800–1,200 HUF ($2.40–$3.60)
- A high-end coffee in a specialty shop: 1,100 HUF ($3.30)
- A day pass for Budapest public transport: 2,500 HUF ($7.50)
- Entrance to Széchenyi Thermal Bath: 12,000 HUF ($36.00)
If you’re seeing prices in Euros at a restaurant, ask for the forint bill. Some places use an "internal" exchange rate that assumes 1 Euro equals 350 forints when the market says it’s 400. You end up paying a 10-15% "ignorance tax" just for using the wrong currency.
How to Get the Best Rate
If you actually need to swap physical cash, look for the small exchange windows in the city center that have narrow spreads. "Correct Change" is a popular chain that’s usually fair. Check the board for the "Sell" and "Buy" rates. If the gap between them is huge, keep walking.
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Digital is still better. Use a card like Wise or Revolut. They give you the mid-market rate—the one you actually see on Google—and charge a tiny, transparent fee. For most people, this is the cheapest way to handle the conversion.
A Note on Tipping
In Hungary, 10-15% is standard for good service. But don't leave it on the table. It’s considered slightly rude or just confusing. Tell the waiter how much you want to pay in total when they bring the card machine, or hand them the cash directly and say the total amount you want them to keep.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
To make sure you don't overspend when you convert Hungarian ft to USD, start by checking the current mid-market rate on a reliable site like OANDA or XE right before you land. Download a currency converter app that works offline; the basement of a ruin bar is no place to realize you have no signal and no idea what you're spending.
When you get to the city, find an ATM attached to a major bank like OTP or Erste. Withdraw about 20,000 HUF for emergencies and small vendors. For everything else, use a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Always, without exception, hit the button that says "Pay in HUF" on the card terminal. Your wallet will thank you later.