YPT Tours to Hungary 

Our Hungary Tours are unique and the gateway to many other countries. Hungary is situated in Central-Eastern Europe, bordering countries such as Slovakia and Romania. Its capital city, Budapest, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Its two parts, Buda and Pest, are famously linked by the Chain Bridge crossing the Danube River. 

Hungary, one of the oldest states in Central and Eastern Europe, experienced its first brush with communism in 1919, when efforts to establish a communist regime led to widespread chaos and nearly brought the country to ruin. It became famous for the Siege of Budapest, also known as the Battle of Budapest, which was a 50-day encirclement of the Hungarian capital by Soviet and Romanian forces near the end of World War II, causing huge civilian losses. At that time, Hungary was part of the axis.

The transition back to the communist line after 1945 caused unrest in the country. During the 1956 revolution, Hungary tried to break from the Soviet sphere of influence and restore democracy, but the uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks. In June 1989, the multiparty system and the country name from 1946 (Hungarian Republic, Magyar Köztársaság) were reinstated and the first free elections held in 1990.

With all that, the country has a lot to offer in terms of history, politics, and culture, besides its beautiful landscape, mountains, and lakes.

Group Tours to Hungary 

YPT do not currently run group tours specifically to Hungary, but we’re always expanding our scope of destinations so check this page and our social media accounts regularly to get all the news. We do cover already the surrounding countries of the former Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, and Ukraine and are hence experts in this region.

Independent Tours to Hungary 

YPT can arrange tours deep into the country, leveraging on its network of local partners, or link it with tours to Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Kaliningrad, the Baltics, and beyond. Also our tours around the former Yugoslavia is a popular option.

Below is an example Hungary tour for a post-WWII and post-soviet city experience. This can be extended or combined with other activities to create independent tours. 

Example of a 4-day Hungary Post-WWII and Post-Soviet Itinerary

Day 1 – Budapest

• Arrival in Budapest at your own convenience and transfer to our centrally located hotel.
• Meet at 6pm in the hotel lobby for a pre-tour meeting with your guides before going out for dinner and drinks in one of our favourite places.
• Overnight in Budapest.

Day 2 – Budapest 

• Breakfast in our hotel.
• Then, we will delve into history, starting with a simple yet powerful monument situated on the banks of the Danube River on the Pest side of Budapest: sixty pairs of shoes made from iron. They represent the Jewish victims that have been brought from the nearby ghetto and shot here. From here we will also head onto the Chain Bridge that unites the once separate cities, just over the river Danube, which was called the “Jewish cemetery” during winter time.
• From there we will go to the impressive Hungarian parliament building. This magnificent building, built over 17 years (1885–1902) at the end of the 19th century, has become the symbol of Hungary and its capital. We will do a full tour inside to learn about different parts of Hungarian history.
• Traditional lunch in the city centre.

Afternoon

• In the afternoon we visit the Dohány Street Synagogue, one of the boundaries of the Budapest ghetto, where 70,000 people were forced into an unbearably small area during the brutal Hungarian winter of 1944-45. Three mass graves were created there.
• Did you know there is a bridge in Budapest nicknamed “Bridge of Intelligentsia”? This bridge was built by all the educated people who were fired from their positions (lawyers, priests, doctors, philosophers…). We will have a closer look at it, too. 
• From there, it is only a few steps to the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park behind the synagogue.
• We then make our way to Buda Castle. Beneath lies a maze of limestone caves that concealed a fully operational underground hospital during WWII. The Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker thrusts you into a time when war was inescapable.
• Traditional dinner in the city centre, where we will have Goulash.
• Overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 – Budapest

• Breakfast in our hotel.
• Today we will get a personal and realistic insight into what life in Hungary was like after the Second World War, during Communism.
• On this part of the tour, we will guide you to Saint Stephen’s Basilica, where you’ll hear unique stories not covered on the Original Tour. From there, we will lead you to Szabadság (Liberty) Square and visit the secret exit of a military bunker. We will walk past the sites of the 1956 uprising, the Bronze Bullet Memorial, and the beautiful Hungarian Parliament building.
• We will conclude just before lunch with a visit to the last standing Soviet war memorial in the inner city, along with other symbols of “Soviet friendship.”
• Late lunch with Hungarian Lángos.

Afternoon

• We will then make us of our private minivan to drive certain parts between the next stops and guide you through the House of Terror, once the headquarters of the Hungarian secret police, where you’ll experience its chilling history.
• Then, we’ll explore the neglected factories on Csepel Island and witness the imposing statues at Memento Park.
• Finally, we will end the tour by admiring the breathtaking view from the top of Gellért Hill.
• Traditional dinner in the city centre.
• Overnight at our hotel.

Day 4 – Szeged

• Early breakfast and ~2h transfer to Szeged in our private minivan which is the third-largest city in Hungary. Szeged was seized by Soviet troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front on 11 October 1944 during the Battle of Debrecen. In the communist era, Szeged emerged as a hub for light industry and the food industry. With its grand buildings, museums, charming parks, and bustling markets, this city is a rich tapestry of attractions waiting to be discovered.
• We will visit the Votive Church of Our Lady of Hungary, one of the largest churches in Hungary, providing a breathtaking view over the city. Following is the Dom square, where you watch people as well as visit the Reök Palace Art Museum, and the Dömötör Tower. The city hall will round up our old town visit, just next to Széchenyi Square.
• Last is the Szeged Synagogue, one of the largest synagogues in Europe, with a museum that houses different exhibits on Jewish history and culture in the region.
• Another late lunch with Hungarian cuisine.
• The tour will conclude here, with a last coffee and cake, and we offer transport back to Budapest or Lake Balaton for those in need. A night in Szeged is recommended though. 

From here you can continue easily to Timisoara in Romania or explore former Yugoslavia with us, or join one of our other tours in Eastern Europe to Poland, the Baltic countries, or beyond!

Bespoke tours to Hungary 

As part of our travel packages within Central and Eastern Europe, we can offer bespoke and independent tours to Hungary. These can be done as full Hungary tours or be combined with other countries. 

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch. 

Eco-Travel in Hungary 

Young Pioneer Tours can arrange trips to the lesser seen places of Hungary, such as the rural areas that cater to eco-tourism within the country, especially at its extraordinary lakes and towns around the Bukk National Park, the Mátra mountain range, or the world-renowned Lake Balaton.

Hungary to Romania Overland Tour

Starting with the exploration of Budapest and its surroundings, we will then head via bus to Timisoara. After two days in Hungary, we enter Romania to explore its role in WWII as well as during the communist era.

Hungary to Slovakia Overland Tour

Starting with the exploration of Prague and its surroundings, we will then head via bus to Bratislava. After two days in Hungary, we enter Slovakia to explore its role in WWII as well as during the communist era when it was part of the joint country of Czechoslovakia.

Outdoor Adventure Tour

Hiking, kayaking, wild camping, mountain biking to secret natural treasures – all of this is possible in Hungary. The revered Hortobágyi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the serene Lake Tisza provide excellent birdwatching, guided eco-tours, and stunning natural landscapes. The rejuvenated Sopron Hills and Lake Fertő region offer a haven for active adventurers and ecotourism enthusiasts.

Underground Hungary Tours

Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen, and the wider country have some amazing dark tourism, urbex and contemporary historical sites that few tourists get to see. Working with our local partners, YPT can arrange and underground and dark tourism tours to Slovenia. Get in touch to have a bespoke itinerary planned for you. 

Wine Tasting Tour

Hungarian wine has a long history which was initiated by the Romans. By the Middle Ages, Hungary had become a major wine exporter. Today, there are many popular wine regions in the country. You can get a really great overview of the country’s wines from 4 of its top regions: Eger, Tokaj, Villány and Somló. Tokaj, Hungary’s best-known wine region, consists of a group of 27 historic villages in northeastern Hungary.

Filming in Hungary 

Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others, to film within Hungary from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in the country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within the country.

Frequently asked Questions about travel to Hungary

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