Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Hungaryor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t rely only on Amex in Hungary. It might work in upscale restaurants but failed at ATMs, supermarkets, and public transport. Visa worked everywhere, even for metro tickets and museum entries. Meals were 3,500-5,500 HUF, and I budgeted 21,000 HUF daily. Mastercard worked well too. Amex is just not practical for Hungary travel.
Hungary wasn’t great for Amex. Even in central Budapest, cafés and smaller shops declined it. ATMs didn’t work either. I relied on Mastercard for cash and Visa for daily payments. Meals cost 4,000-6,000 HUF, and I averaged 20,000 HUF per day with sightseeing. Amex was accepted only in one luxury hotel. If you’re traveling Hungary, Visa is essential.
My Amex didn’t help much in Hungary. Restaurants in Budapest and Szeged didn’t accept it, and ATMs refused it too. Visa debit worked flawlessly. Meals were 3,000-5,000 HUF, and tours like river cruises added 10,000 HUF, so I spent about 22,000 HUF daily. Mastercard also worked fine. Amex was too limited to depend on. Bring Visa for sure.
In Budapest, Amex was accepted at a few luxury hotels and restaurants, but most cafés, shops, and ATMs declined it. Visa worked everywhere, from metro ticket machines to supermarkets. Meals cost 4,000-6,000 HUF, and I budgeted 20,000-25,000 HUF daily including transport and attractions like thermal baths. Amex was okay for high-end spots, but Visa was far more reliable across Hungary.