If you love the romance of central Europe, it’s hard to beat Budapest. And if you love international music festivals with an alternative twist, then the city’s Sziget Festival is a must. It’s long been a magnet for adventurous music fans across Europe, and its mid-Danube island location gives it magical feel, as if the summer can never end.
For festival aficionados, Sziget is well known (by the number of festival goers, it’s one of the largest in Europe) but for anyone new to the scene, it’s a revelation.
So, if you’re looking for high summer music at its best, Sziget is a festival not to miss. In 2025, this celebrated “Island of Freedom” returns from 6th to 11th August, with a line-up that includes Charli XCX, Nelly Furtado, A$AP Rocky, Armin van Buuren, and Boris Brejcha. There’s a good mix of well established artists and (for the UK public) some lesser known performers from central Europe who are well worth getting to know.
But beyond the big stages, attending Sziget is also about day-to-day practicalities – including when and where to carry cash.
Why Sziget stands out
Sziget Festival began in 1993 as a relatively small student event. Since then it has become one of Europe’s biggest music and artistic gatherings. Unlike many purely music-focused festivals, Sziget offers theatre, circus, art installations and social activism zones. Around half of its audience travels from outside Hungary, with large contingents from the UK and Western Europe.
The festival is set on Óbuda Island in the Danube, offering an immersive atmosphere that feels like a temporary city within a city. And for a more conventional take on culture, it’s easy to cross back into Budapest to see the sights.
Payment culture: cash vs card
Sziget itself is officially cashless. Attendees top up a wristband using debit or credit cards, or by loading cash at designated points on-site. However, when exploring Budapest before or after the festival, cash is important.
As with much of Europe, in the city cards are widely accepted in most restaurants, bars and shops. Yet many smaller businesses – especially market stalls, kiosks, ruin bars (bars in abandoned buildings and an integral part of the nightlife) and local food stands – prefer cash. Even if you rely on cards for most transactions, it’s wise to keep some Hungarian forints (HUF) in your pocket for tips and small vendors.
Getting around Budapest
Budapest’s public transport system is efficient and inexpensive. A single metro, bus or tram ticket costs around HUF 450 (about £1.00), and a 24-hour pass is around HUF 2,500 (approx £5.40). Many festival goers also use taxis late at night; a typical city centre fare runs between HUF 4,000 and 5,500 (£9.00–12.00).
Ride-hailing apps do exist, but local taxis remain popular. Always check that the driver uses a meter and consider rounding up the fare as a tip.
Food and drink costs
Hungary remains relatively affordable for UK visitors. Outside the festival, you can expect:
- Street food (e.g. lángos – a deep-fried flatbread with various toppings; sausages): HUF 1,500–2,500 (£3.25–£5.40)
- Mid-range burger: HUF 3,500–4,500 (£7.60–£10.00)
- 500ml local beer or 300ml imported beer: HUF 900–1,500 (£2.00–£3.25)
- Coffee (latte or cappuccino): HUF 900–1,300 (£2.00–£3.00)
- Soft drink: HUF 500–800 (£1.00–1.60)
Inisde the festival, expect to pay a premium for much of the food and drink.
Tipping is common practice: around 10 – 15% in restaurants and rounding up in bars and taxis. Many locals still prefer tips in cash, even if the main bill was paid by card.
Why carry cash for Sziget?
Although Budapest is modern and card payment is widespread, cash brings flexibility. Local food markets, bars and smaller night spots might not accept cards or may have a minimum spend. Cash also helps you manage discretionary purchases more clearly, which can be useful as festival expenses mount up.
Another benefit of cash is that it reduces the penalty of foreign card fees or poor exchange rates applied by your bank or the bank operator the cash machine. Having a sensible mix of payment options is part of a smoother travel experience.
Preparing your travel money
For a festival like Sziget, preparing cash in advance can help you stay relaxed. And to get ready before you go, services like Money4Travel offer an easy way to order Hungarian Forints online at competitive exchange rates. Then you can collect them at a convenient local currency exchange or bureau de change. With Money4Travel you can also earn loyalty points (“Pips”) towards future trips, plus take advantage of a buy-back guarantee if you have left-over notes at the end of your trip.
This approach avoids the risk of high rates or commission fees at airport kiosks and in city centres, where exchange counters often charge steep margins. Plus, it’s one less thing to do when you get there.
Enjoying Sziget and beyond
Beyond the festival grounds, Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, beautiful architecture, ruin pubs and riverside walks. All are worth exploring. While Sziget itself will keep you busy from midday into the early hours, many visitors spend extra days enjoying the city.
Whatever your motivation, as a music purist or a lover of cities, the simple task of organising your foreign currency before you go makes for a smoother, more enjoyable experience while you’re away. Why not investigate?
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travel – the online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.
For reference: Sziget 25, Budapest ; Budapest taxi fares ; Numbeo – Budapest
