Hello Everyone:
Would someone recommend a good agency to rent a car from at the Airport in Hungary? We shall be flying there in June and want to travel to my parents' villages in eastern Hungary . Highway conditions are of concern also?? What are the roads like? Oh yes, do you need a visa as well as a passport in Hungary nowadays? Mnay thanks for all previous help and replies.
I really value and appreciate the advice people give on this website !! Ilonka

Hi
We rented in Hungary a couple of times. We rent through Autoeurope, there a wholesaler and work with various major rental cos. we've always rented from the airport as that is the easiest we have found. The roads from the airport changes from a highway to street type parkway. Old and slow when traffic is heavy. Where in eastern Hungary are you planning? It is our favorite country, we've been there 3 or 4 times, exploring different areas. Last time we visited Pecs, Szeged and that area that borders Romania. The roads are good and they are constantly expanding the road system adding autobahns We were there 2 yrs ago and the rebuilding and expansion was continuing. Get yourself a good road map and look at the year it was printed. If it's over 2-3 years don't buy it. Because you have to add an extra year on to it. Check the book stores or go on line, Amazon will tell you sometime the edition. Easy and fun to drive in Hungary. A road sign with the town name is the same on the map. Enjoy your trip.

From http://travel.state.gov/hungary.html

"A passport is required. A visa is not required for tourist stays of up to ninety (90) days. Starting May 1, 2004, American citizen tourists may remain in Hungary for up to ninety (90) days during any six-month period from the date of first entry."

Best wishes,

Rex

Thank you for your help on road conditions in Hungary. Also we'll be sure to get a current map. My mother
came from Kenezlo (near Tokaj) and my dad was from Nyirascad (near Debrecen).
Hopefully we can day trip there by car on different days from a hotel near the Budapest airport (Ibis Aero).
We are having difficulty finding hotels in Debrecen or Tokaj ? Any suggestions are appreciated . Kind regards & thanks ! Ilonka

For maps, you may wish to wait until you arrive in Hungary. All gas stations last fall sold excellent road atlases. I bought one for 1790 Forints ($8 at the exchange rate then). The publisher's website listed in the atlas is www.mol.hu. I have not checked to see if it can be purchased online.

Hi
I just want to ask why you want to stay in Budapest and visit tokaj and Debrecen? They are several hundred km from Budapest. Debrecen is near the Romanian border while Tokaj is in NE Hungary close to both the Slovakian and Ukranian border. They are both in really nice landscape that it would be a shame not to drive there. The distances are far apart. We've driven through most of Hungary and it is probably my favorite country to visit.
I realize it's cheaper to buy map at a gas station in Hungary but plan your trip using one at home.

We wanted to visit my wifes fathers town in Hungary, finally found his passport and it was Czech. Apparently it had been part of Hungary until after WW I.. The Nazis destroyed many town also.
Enjoy

Hello Aeiger
We decided to stay in Debrecen for 2 nights as my dad's village (Nyiracsad)is close and my mom's village is not far from Tokaj (Kenezlo).. I guess my grandmother walked to Tokaj as it wasn't too far away. It will be wonderful to see my "roots" and parents homeland ! We are so grateful to have the health & enough $ saved to see this part of the world ! Ilonka

Hi llonka
Enjoy your trip to Hungary, it's a beautiful country and the people are friendly. Hope I've been of help. If you have anymore questions, I'd try to help if possible.
enjoy
alan