Using US Dollars in Budapest: Not Accepted—Use Forints

US dollars are not widely accepted in Budapest. Hungary's legal tender is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). While a few tourist-oriented businesses *might* accept euros or dollars at poor rates, it's unreliable and costly.

Best practice:

• Exchange USD → HUF at banks, licensed exchange offices (avoid airport/hotel rates), or withdraw HUF from ATMs (use debit card, decline dynamic currency conversion).
• Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, transit.
• Carry some cash for small vendors, markets, taxis.

Current rate: ~350–370 HUF/USD (check live rates).