Things open 24 hours a day in Budapest

Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital, is a city that pulses with life at all hours. Known for its stunning architecture, thermal baths, and thriving nightlife, Budapest also offers a surprising array of 24-hour services. Whether you’re a local working odd hours, a traveler with an early flight, or simply someone craving a midnight snack, this guide covers everything open 24 hours in Budapest. From shopping and dining to medical care, entertainment, gyms, coworking spaces, and more, we’ve compiled an exhaustive list based on local insights and reliable sources, including Hungarian-language information where relevant.

1. Shopping

While traditional retail shops and malls in Budapest typically close by 8–10 pm, several 24-hour convenience stores ensure you can grab essentials at any time.

Convenience Stores

• Roni ABC: A popular chain of non-stop stores offering affordable food, drinks, and household items. These are scattered across the city, making them a go-to for late-night shopping.

• SPAR Express: A well-known chain with 24-hour locations, particularly in central areas, stocking groceries, snacks, and personal care products (SPAR Hungary).

• Shop&Go: Smaller, often family-owned convenience stores that operate 24/7, especially in residential neighborhoods.

• MOL: Many MOL gas stations have attached convenience stores open 24 hours, ideal for quick purchases like snacks or toiletries.

Tobacco Shops (Dohánybolt)

• Nemzeti Dohánybolt: These government-licensed shops sell cigarettes, tobacco, and some alcoholic beverages. Many are open 24 hours and are found on nearly every street, though alcohol sales are restricted from 11 pm to 6 am.

Note: Traditional retail, such as clothing stores or electronics shops, is not available 24 hours. Malls like WestEnd City Center close by 9 pm, but convenience stores fill the gap for urgent needs.

2. Food and Dining

Budapest’s food scene caters to late-night cravings with a mix of takeaways, fast food, and a few sit-down restaurants open around the clock.

24-Hour Takeaways

• Pizza King: A growing chain offering pizza, kebabs, salads, and baklava, with several locations open 24 hours. Delivery is available, making it a convenient option (Pizza King).

• McDonald’s: Select locations, particularly on the city’s outskirts, operate 24 hours with drive-through or walk-through service. Check specific branches, as not all are non-stop.

Late-Night Restaurants (Open Until Early Morning)

• Pizza Me: With multiple locations across Budapest, some Pizza Me outlets stay open until 7 am, especially in party-heavy areas like Dob Street, Király Street, and near the Basilica. They’re known for consistent quality pizza slices (Pizza Me).

• Zing: A burger chain with locations on Király Street, Margit Avenue, and Nyugati, open until 1–4 am depending on the day (Zing Burger).

• Pesti Pipi: Specializing in fried chicken, locations at Nyugati and Deák are open until 2–6 am, with extended hours on weekends (Pesti Pipi).

• Urfa Kebab: Located on Wesselényi Street, this kebab shop is open until early morning most days (Urfa Kebab).

• Melissa Bistro: Found on Wesselényi and Kazinczy Streets, it offers Greek gyros and Mediterranean dishes until early morning (Melissa Bistro).

24-Hour Restaurants

• Pizza Paradicsom: A standout for 24-hour dining, this restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including steaks, and is accessible via tram from central areas like Nyugati Pályaudvar (Reddit Discussion).

Note: Budapest’s dining scene leans heavily on late-night fast food and takeaways. Sit-down restaurants open 24 hours are rare, but the above options ensure you won’t go hungry.

3. Money Services

Accessing cash or exchanging currency at any hour is straightforward, though some caution is needed for cost-effectiveness.

ATMs

• ATMs are widely available 24 hours across Budapest, often located outside banks, in shopping areas, and at transport hubs like the airport. Bank-affiliated ATMs (e.g., OTP Bank, Erste Bank) offer better rates and lower fees than standalone Euronet ATMs, which are common in tourist zones but charge high fees (Wise ATMs Guide). Withdrawal limits are typically around 100,000 HUF (approximately £202 GBP) per transaction.

Currency Exchange

• Most currency exchange offices operate during standard hours (9 am–6 pm), and 24-hour options are limited. Some exchange offices at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport may be open 24 hours, but they often have poor rates, with margins as high as 40% (Info Budapest). For better rates, visit city-center exchange offices like Exclusive Change or Omika Currency Exchange during the day, or rely on ATMs and card payments at night.

Tip: Pay with credit or debit cards whenever possible, as most shops, restaurants, and services in Budapest accept them, offering competitive exchange rates.

4. Medical Services

Budapest is well-equipped to handle medical needs at any hour, with pharmacies and emergency services readily available.

24-Hour Pharmacies

Numerous pharmacies operate 24 hours, ensuring access to medications. Below is a comprehensive list of some key locations:

For a full list, visit Info Budapest. Many pharmacies have English-speaking staff, especially in central areas.

mergency Medical Services

• Health Guard Hungary: Offers 24/7 urgent care with English-speaking doctors, including house calls, office visits, and access to specialists like ENT, pediatricians, and orthopedics. Services include lab tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and emergency prescriptions (Health Guard Hungary).

• General Emergency Services: In case of serious emergencies, dial 112 for immediate assistance. Hospitals like Szent Imre Hospital have 24-hour emergency departments.

5. Bars and Entertainment

Budapest’s nightlife is world-renowned, with bars and clubs keeping the city alive well into the early hours.

24-Hour Bars

• Legjobb Kocsma: A chain of affordable, lively bars, particularly the ‘4es6os’ bars along the 4/6 tramline on the Grand Boulevard, which are mostly open 24 hours. These are popular for their casual atmosphere and late-night crowds.

Late-Night Clubs

While no clubs operate strictly 24 hours, many stay open until 4–6 am, especially on weekends:

• Instant-Fogas: Located at Akácfa utca 49-51, this massive club complex is open from 6 pm to 6 am, offering 17 bars and seven music floors with genres like EDM, rock, and hip-hop (Instant-Fogas).

• Club Heaven: Found at Deák Ferenc utca 5, it’s open Friday–Saturday from 11 pm to 6 am, featuring hip-hop, R’n’B, and a luxurious atmosphere (Club Heaven).

• Doboz: Located in the Jewish Quarter, it’s open until 5 am, known for its eclectic music and vibrant vibe (Nightlife Budapest).

Other Entertainment

• Ruin Bars: Iconic spots like Szimpla Kert stay open until 4 am on weekends, offering a unique blend of drinks, music, and art (Szimpla Kert).

• Tanning Salons: Surprisingly, many tanning salons along the Grand Boulevard are open 24 hours, catering to Hungary’s tanning culture.

6. Gyms

Fitness enthusiasts can work out at any hour thanks to 24-hour gyms:

• Gilda Max: A chain with five locations in Budapest, offering 24-hour access to aerobic equipment, weights, and fitness classes. Nighttime visits are recommended to avoid daytime crowds (Gilda Max).

7. Coworking Spaces

For remote workers or freelancers needing a workspace at odd hours, Budapest has coworking spaces with 24/7 access:

• The Other WorkSpace: Located in District XI, this space offers 24/7 access, large desks, fast Wi-Fi, and a family-like atmosphere. It’s ideal for digital nomads and startups (The Other WorkSpace).

• Loffice: Centrally located, Loffice provides 24/7 facility access, with amenities like meeting rooms and community spaces (Loffice).

• Han Spaces: Situated near the M3 metro, it offers 24-hour access, cleaning services, and a professional environment (Han Spaces).

8. Transportation

Getting around Budapest at any hour is easy with 24-hour public transport options:

• 4/6 Tram: This tram line runs 24 hours along the Grand Boulevard, connecting Pest and Buda (BKK).

• Night Buses and Trolleybuses: An extensive network of night buses operates throughout the city, though some run every 30 minutes (Budapest by Locals).

• Bubi Bikes: Budapest’s public bike-sharing system is available 24 hours, with stations across the city for convenient rentals (Bubi).

9. Other Services

• Tanning Salons: Many salons along the Grand Boulevard operate 24 hours, reflecting a cultural preference for tanning.

Practical Tips

• Verify Hours: While many services are listed as 24-hour, some locations may have adjusted hours, especially on holidays. Check specific branches or call ahead.

• Language: In central areas, English is widely spoken, but some pharmacies or smaller shops may use Hungarian signage. Look for green plus (+) signs to identify pharmacies.

• Cash vs. Card: Most 24-hour services accept cards, but carrying some Hungarian Forint (HUF) is wise for smaller shops or transport tickets.

• Safety: Budapest is generally safe at night, but stick to well-lit areas and use reputable transport options like Bolt for late-night travel.

Conclusion

Budapest’s 24-hour services make it a city that truly caters to all schedules. From grabbing a late-night kebab at Pizza King to working out at Gilda Max or accessing emergency care at a 24-hour pharmacy, you’re never far from what you need. The city’s vibrant nightlife, reliable transport, and flexible workspaces ensure that whether you’re a resident or a visitor, Budapest keeps its doors open around the clock. For the most up-to-date information, check specific locations or consult local resources, especially for services that may vary by district.