So, you planning a trip to Hungary, more particular: Budapest. Then you’re about to start packing your bags and get ready for a new adventure to one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. As Hungary is a Central-European country, many people don’t know what to expect when it comes to the weather. They wonder: what to pack for Hungary? And a Budapest packing list would come in very handy!
So, we prepared a nice list with all the items you should consider packing on this trip. Each of the separate chapters contain suggestions with some explanation. You don’t need every item on this list and it all depends on the season you’re travelling in.
So, let’s dive in.
Clothing - what to wear in Budapest
Clothing is very much subject to the season or month you’re travelling in. If you’re going during the summer, you don’t need the big jackets. Feel free to take a thin jacket instead.
That’s why we say that each of these topics contains suggestions. You take 2 or 3 from each list, depending on the weather.
Jackets or coats
The first one is very dependent of the exact time of travelling. Budapest and the rest of Hungary can be very cold in winter, so make sure to take a decent coat during a winter city trip. In summer, Budapest is quite hot. For the summer, we recommend taking a thin vest, just for the evening chill.
Jackets and coats for women
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All Seasons
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Spring, Summer & Autumn
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Winter Wear
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$57.99
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$89.99
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Jackets and coats for men
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All Seasons
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Winter Wear
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$59.99
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$30.99
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$69.98
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Sweaters and long sleeves
During the colder months, you will probably be wearing a sweater all the time, so you might need 2 or more sweaters for a short trip. In summer, you only need the long sleeves when the weather is bad or when the evening chill hits in.
We recommend taking different long sleeves that allow you to layer. A merino long sleeve is always a good idea, no matter the season, as it packs really small in your day pack and it adds so much warmth for your body.
Sweaters and long sleeves for women
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$28.99
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Sweaters and long sleeves for men
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$29.99
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$25.87
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T-shirts and tops
When it comes to short sleeved tops, we recommend taking a few. This is the layer closest to your body, so you want to wear a clean one every day. In summertime, you might want to take a few sleeveless tops as well. During the colder winter months, you may want a sleeveless shirt as weel, to wear underneath your regular shirt.
T-shirts and tops for women
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$28.99
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$24.99
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$17.10
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T-shirts and tops for men
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N/A
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$45.00
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Bottoms and trousers suitable for any season
When visiting Budapest, it is advisable to bring bottoms such as jeans, trousers, and skirts that are easy to mix and match with the different tops you already packed. Opting for lightweight materials will make them comfortable in the summer while allowing room for layering in winter.
Bottoms and trousers for women
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$35.99
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$27.99
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Bottoms and trousers for men
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Underwear
Pack enough underwear considering the length of your stay. Comfortable undergarments are essential for any trip regardless of the season. We recommend taking merino underwear. We did test those in all types of weather, hot and cold, they’re just the best layer for any season.
These shorties are super comfortable. They're super soft and they stay in the right shape and place!
The merino underwear for men is made out of the same fabric. It's comfortable and it always has the perfect temperature.
Swimwear (for swimming and spa days)
Don’t forget to include swimwear when packing for Budapest as there are many thermal spas to enjoy throughout the year. Be prepared with bathing suits or trunks suitable for both active swimming and relaxation at the baths.
I like the tankini swimsuit a lot because I like to be a little bit covered up.
These are beautiful swim trunks for men with inner lining for extra comfort.
Shoes for Hungary
While this is a Budapest packing list, we assume you might also want to take one of these beautiful day trips from Budapest. Whether it’s in the city or beyond, good shoes are never luxury.
These are the shoes we take on all our trips, just because they’re the perfect combo for every circumstance.
Shoes for women
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41,24€
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Shoes for men
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$54.95
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Toiletries for your Budapest trip
As for toiletries, make sure to take everything you use on a daily basis at home. If you’re in doubt, start preparing a few days in advance in order to determine which items you actually use daily.
If you end up forgetting something, chances are good that you can also buy them once you arrive.
Make sure to pack fluids in your checked luggage, according to airline restrictions.
Smelling nice in Hungary!
We always take deodorant and perfume. Our deodorant is quite neutral and eco-friendly. It’s good for our body and it makes us smell nice, so that’s about perfect. Perfume is a personal choice, but these are the ones we like!
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Unisex
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Women
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Men
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£7.49
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$106.00
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Tooth care for a beautiful smile
As for tooth care, we tend to switch between elektric and normal brushes quite a few time each year. At this time, we’re at the bamboo toothbrush bandwagon. These toothbrushes come with a nice travel case. Then, we have regular toothpaste and these floss / toothpicks.
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$8.99
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$6.98
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$5.49
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Soap and shampoo
And once again, we go for the eco-friendly choices. It’s not just for the airline restrictions on cabin luggage, since we also do this when travelling by train or driving around in our campervan.
We just noticed that carrying around a large bottle of fluids was not interesting. Sometimes it leaked, but a lot of the time, the bottle just took up too much space. Plus, it’s not really eco-friendly or budget-friendly.
So, these are our recommendations.
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$6.00
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$12.99
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$4.99
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More toiletries we recommend for Hungary and Budapest
Aside from these items, we also recommend taking a few other, personal things. For Lola, these are extra lenses and lens fluid. And then usually these:
Must-have accessories and electronics for Budapest
When traveling in Budapest, it’s essential to have certain electronics and accessories for convenience. These include a small power bank to keep your devices charged, noise-canceling headphones to enjoy some peace on the go, and a universal adapter to stay connected no matter where you are.
Camera or smartphone for photos
Whether using a dedicated camera or smartphone, having a device to capture memories is crucial when exploring Budapest. Ensure your chosen device is fully charged with enough storage space for all the incredible sights you’ll encounter.
The iPhone Pro is a smartphone which gets you amazing pictures. For me, it replaces my bulky camera and of course, it does much more!
Noise cancelling headphones
Especially when travelling to a city, you might be craving a time out at one point or another. Whether it’s during your flight or train trip there or rather before going out for dinner, zoning out can be a real life-saver on a city trip.
We know we enjoy putting on some music or a guided meditation in order to find a little peace and quiet on a busy day.
These are, without a doubt, the very best noise canceling headphones you can get right now. And they're super comfortable.
Ereader or books
To enhance your travel experience, consider packing electronics like a tablet loaded with e-books or movies for downtime during your trip. Staying entertained and connected can make long journeys more enjoyable.
Kobo ereaders are lightweight and comfortable to use. You can only use them for reading and that's what they do best, in all circumstances.
Chargers and power bank for staying powered up
Don’t forget to pack chargers for all your electronic devices, including phones, cameras, and tablets. Having the right adapters will also ensure that you can easily plug in and charge up wherever you are in Budapest.
We always have a small power bank in our day pack to make sure we never have an empty phone battery.
Other things to pack for Hungary (you might have missed)
And then we have a few valuable tips and tricks for your Budapest packing list. Chances are that you haven’t packed these yet, so make sure you do!
A small luggage lock
Whether you’re falling asleep in the train, leaving your backpack at your table for a few minutes, or some other situation that can happen during your trip, a small luggage lock is the perfect way to give yourself a little peace of mind. The lock will not only be of service to lock up your bag. It can also come in handy when leaving things behind in your hotel or hostel.
Of course, we know that people can still steal your pack, but there will be an extra barrier. We never travel / backpack / train ride without a lock!
This high-quality lock is perfect for suitcases and backpacks.
You can set your own numeric code.
On top of that, this luggage lock is TSA approved.
Packing cubes
Yes! Packing cubes are the best thing ever. Not only do they help you to pack all your clothing smaller, they also serve as an organiser within your bag or suitcase.
After we used packing cubes for one trip, a long time ago, we never ever went without any more. These are just so easy and convenient.
These Bagsmart compression packing cubes come in different colours and sizes. You can select your own composition of bags to match your needs.
Have a look at the combinations and options in the Amazon store.
Medications and first aid kit
Include medications you require daily in their original containers. Pack a small first aid kit with band-aids, pain relievers, antihistamines, motion sickness tablets if necessary, and any other essential medicines for unexpected situations.
This small first aid kit contains everything to get you started with small wounds or bruises.
Foldable bags
We started taking a foldable bag in every backpack we own. Whether we’re going on a hike or into the city, having a spare foldable bag always comes in handy. Maybe you do some grocery shopping and don’t want to pay for the plastic bag in the store. Or you pick up something else along the way.
Foldable bags have already served us so many times.
Set of 6 foldable bags. It's always a good idea to have these at hand (or in your backpack)
Where to put all this stuff? Backpack or suitcase?
You’re going to have to pack all these Budapest packing list items somewhere. Will it be a backpack or a suitcase? We’ve been backpackers for ages and having all of our stuff in a backpack seemed just so natural at some point in time.
Then, we started doing citytrips, like this 3 day trip to Budapest, and a suitcase turned out to be ok as well.
If you have to choose, you best choose what fits your style best. Also, your mode of transportation can be the things that decides for you. These are the options we have already tried. We always grab for the backpack first!
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Easy carry for men
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Easy carry for women
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Roll instead of carry
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Day Pack
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$172.84
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$169.99
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Conclusion - Budapest packing list
In conclusion, a lot of the things you pack for Budapest or Hungary depends on personal preference and season. Obviously, everybody is going to pack personal items and clothing they like best.
We tried to give you some ideas for what to pack and what not to forget.
We hope you experience an amazing time in Budapest and the rest of Hungary.
In the meantime, these are some ideas for your trip!
Extra Tips for Budapest and Hungary
If you’re travelling to Budapest, but you also want to see a little more of the country (and you have enough time to do so) make sure to check out some of the coolest cities in Hungary during a road trip through Hungary.
And don’t forget to explore some other cool places.
