Going to Budapest

pamsdish

Hi all, My sister and I are going to Budapest for 2 weeks self catering from the end of October, the currency is Forints, does anyone have experience of this currency, are we better value to exchange there with Sterling or is Euro better, or obtain Forints before we go.

zagfles

Changing cash is out of the ark. Get a decent card for spending and ATM withdrawals.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

eDicky

The Hungarian forint is a national currency like any other. Forget about euros. Avoid the expense and hassle of exchanging cash by using suitable credit, debit or prepaid cards, retaining your money in pounds until conversion at ideal rates when using them to pay or withdraw cash. Plenty of MSE info, take more than one. Starling Bank is excellent.

pamsdish

zagfles wrote: »

Changing cash is out of the ark. Get a decent card for spending and ATM withdrawals.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

We have a 0% card thank you, I was only looking for advice as SOME cash is always needed tips markets etc.

zagfles

pamsdish wrote: »

We have a 0% card thank you, I was only looking for advice as SOME cash is always needed tips markets etc.

I wrote "...and ATM withdrawals"!!
Get a card like the Barclaycard Travel card which treats foreign ATM withdrawals just like spending, or the Halifax Clarity where the interest you'll pay on cash withdrawals is far less than the commission hidden in the exchange rate when you change cash. (pay it off as soon as you get back off holiday)

pamsdish

Got a Starling card thanks.

pollypenny

I don't know what someone woukd for a fortnight in Budapest in the Autumn.

It's a lovely place, but it'll be cold and damp by then, I imagine. No street cafes

Voyager2002

pollypenny wrote: »

I don't know what someone woukd for a fortnight in Budapest in the Autumn.

It's a lovely place, but it'll be cold and damp by then, I imagine. No street cafes

I was there for a fortnight over Christmas once, and loved it.

pamsdish

My sister and I usually go on a cruise but she had dental surgery in Budapest, we are going for the fitting of her implants and will find plenty to do, looks a very nice place, with plenty of history.

zagfles

pamsdish wrote: »

Got a Starling card thanks.

Right - so you have a zero fee card so use that for ATM withdrawals, don't change cash. If you're paranoid about all ATMs being down etc, take a little in GBP which you can change in an emergency. Also have a backup card.

Be sure to reject any DCC offer the cashpoint makes, ie take the "without conversion" or "charge in HUF" option. Never let the ATM or retailer charge you in GBP.

When I went a couple of years ago I got cash out of the ATM in the baggage collection hall, it offered DCC which I rejected and got HUF at the interbank rate with no charge. Same with ATMs in the city centre.