Stay online in Hungary from the moment you land in Budapest. Install a data eSIM before you fly and keep your usual number for calls and texts, with one Europe plan that keeps working when your train goes on to Vienna, Bratislava or Prague.
Hungary eSIM
Hungary eSIM plans
Every plan is data only, priced in US dollars, with no contract and nothing to return.
Our picks
Three plans we would buy ourselves, by the trip you are taking. Every plan we sell is listed below.
Short trip
10.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
7 days
A week or so away: maps, messages, rides and the odd video call.
Part of the Europe bundle
$11.99
Buy this planLong trip
22.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
15 days
Two weeks or more, with room for photos, streaming and work email.
Part of the Europe bundle
$19.99
Buy this planHeavy use
Unlimited data
15 days
You stream, work online or share your connection every day.
Part of the Europe bundle
$29.99
Buy this plan
Also covered by Europe
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
Also covered by Global (170 countries)
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
See every country in Global (170 countries)
Also covered by Global (75 countries)
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
See every country in Global (75 countries)
No eSIM, no charge. If your payment goes through and we cannot issue your eSIM, we refund you in full. Refund policy
Real people. A person answers every day, 07:00 to 23:00 Paris time, within 2 hours. How we look after you
Safe checkout. Secure payment by Stripe. Cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Local networks. See which ones it uses in Hungary
Which plan fits your trip
Hungary is sold on our Europe plans, which cover it together with 29 other European countries, the United Kingdom included, in one install. The plan cards above show the days and data on sale:
- Daily data suits steady use: maps, transit, messages and photos every day. A Budapest city break or a rail trip along the Danube is steady from day to day, so this is the usual pick.
- Unlimited suits heavy users, video calls and remote work. A fair-use policy applies; the plan details say how.
See fixed, daily or unlimited for how each type behaves, and eSIM for Europe if Hungary is one stop on a longer trip. Serbia is not on our Europe plan's list: for a trip south to Belgrade, check the global plans further down.
Landing in Budapest
International flights arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt airport, southeast of the city. Install the eSIM at home while you are on your own Wi-Fi, then turn on data roaming for the eSIM line once you are off the plane. You can then book a car in the Bolt app or check the airport bus into the centre before you reach the exit.
Getting around
In Budapest, the BudapestGO app plans journeys on the metro, trams, buses and boats and sells tickets, and Bolt is the usual way to book a car. Trains to Lake Balaton, Eger and Vienna can be booked on your phone. All of it needs data on the go.
Coverage
Coverage is strong in Budapest, around Lake Balaton, in Eger, Pécs and Szentendre and along the main rail lines. It thins out on the Great Plain away from the towns, in Hortobágy National Park and on forest trails in the northern hills. Download offline maps before a day in the countryside.
How much data do you need?
A typical traveler using maps, messaging and photos uses about 1 GB a day. Video calls, streaming and working from a laptop push that up, so remote workers are better served by an unlimited plan.
Networks in Hungary
Hungary's mobile networks are Telekom, Yettel and One. A travel eSIM connects to one of them as a roaming partner, which is why data roaming must be on for the eSIM line. The partner network can differ from plan to plan, so check the plan details, or ask us at support@esimlounge.com before you buy.
How to install your eSIM
Install it at home before you fly, then switch it on when you land.
Check your phone
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. Most phones from the last few years do.
Scan the QR code
Scan the code from your email while you still have Wi-Fi at home. It takes about two minutes.
Switch on when you land
Turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for it. Keep your usual SIM for calls and texts if you like.
Hungary eSIM questions
Is an eSIM cheaper than my own carrier's roaming in Hungary?
Usually, yes. US and Australian carriers typically charge a daily pass for each day you use your phone abroad, and since Brexit many UK plans charge a daily fee in Europe too. Over a week those passes add up to more than a plan here. Check your own plan's roaming terms to compare.
Does the same eSIM work in Vienna, Bratislava and Prague?
Yes. Hungary is sold on our Europe plans, which cover 30 countries including Austria, Slovakia and Czechia, so your data keeps working on the train.
Does the Europe eSIM work in Serbia?
No. Serbia is not on our Europe plan's list. For a trip to Belgrade or Novi Sad, choose a global plan that lists Serbia.
Can I use Bolt and public transport apps in Budapest?
Yes. The eSIM gives you mobile data, so Bolt, BudapestGO and Google Maps work as they do at home.
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. Your usual SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts, and the eSIM carries your mobile data. Keep data roaming off on your usual SIM to avoid roaming fees from home.
When does the plan start counting days?
On most plans the days start when the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country, not when you install it. The plan details say how yours works.
Hungary travel guides
Our guides for getting online there.
