Cross-border route

Austria Hungary

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Austria into Hungary: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Hungary expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. The A4/M1 motorway crosses near Nickelsdorf toward Budapest.

Get my permit for Hungary Hungary requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromAustria

ToHungary

IDP in HungaryStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna

Driving sideright (no change)

Currency in HungaryHUF

Emergency number112

Top speed limit130 km/h motorways

Austria → Hungary

Crossing the border

The A4/M1 motorway crosses near Nickelsdorf toward Budapest.

Driving rules in Hungary

Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%).
Motorway e-vignette required.
Headlights on outside built-up areas.
Reflective vest required when leaving a broken-down car.

What to see when you arrive in Hungary

the Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle in Budapest
the thermal baths of Budapest
Lake Balaton
the Danube Bend
the historic spa town of Eger

Once you're driving in Hungary

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

EU/EEA licences are valid for the visit; other foreign visitors may drive on a home licence for up to one year, and an International Driving Permit is required if the licence is not in the Latin alphabet.

Tolls & road charges

Motorways use an electronic e-vignette (e-matrica) bought online or at petrol stations for 10-day, monthly or annual periods; with no physical sticker, your plate is registered, and a mispurchase grace of 60 minutes applies before fines.

Parking in the cities

Budapest charges by zone, payable at machines or by SMS (often needing a Hungarian number); wheel clamps are used and illegally parked cars are towed, so garages in districts VII/VIII are recommended.

Fines & camera enforcement

On-the-spot fines run up to about 300,000 HUF; drink-driving is zero-tolerance (0.00%), and driving without a valid e-matrica brings automatic penalties of roughly 75,000-150,000 HUF passed on by rental firms.

If you have an accident

Call 112; police must be called for injuries or notable damage, all occupants leaving the car must wear a hi-vis vest, and a European accident statement should be completed.

Driving in the capital

Central Budapest has bus/tram lanes and restricted-traffic zones, plus the bridges over the Danube funnel traffic into congested, camera-monitored junctions.

Sources: rac.co.uk · tollguru.com · tolls.eu

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Austria to Hungary?

Yes — Hungary commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Hungary recognises the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Austria and Hungary?

No. Both Austria and Hungary drive on the right.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Hungary?

In Hungary, dial 112 for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 130 km/h motorways, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Hungary?

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.