Major city · Hungary
Szolnok
Give Szolnok one night as a rail stop between Budapest and Debrecen, or a half-day for the Tisza bridges, the spa and the aviation museum.
Szolnok is a Great Plain rail junction of about 73,000 people, 100 km east-southeast of Budapest, where the Tisza and Zagyva meet. Armies destroyed it repeatedly, so almost nothing predates the 18th century; its rebuilt squares, riverside and museums carry a short visit. Most travellers pass through by train or use it as a base for the county.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HUF
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, grey), late Jun heat spikes
- Airports
- BUD · DEB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Hungary ↗Hungary is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Hungary ↗The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro: decline dynamic currency conversion at cards and ATMs.
- Hungary ↗Motorways need an electronic vignette (e-matrica) bought before you drive on them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Szolnok112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Szolnok, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft).Hungary-wide
- SIM or eSIMYettel, Telekom and One (Vodafone) sell prepaid SIMs; passport needed.Hungary-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe.Hungary-wide
- TippingRestaurant without service charge: 10–15%, said as you pay.Hungary-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Hungary-wide
- SafetySzolnok is a calm, low-crime city by Hungarian standards; the real friction is infrequent night buses, uneven pavements…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets often charge HUF 200–400 (≈ US$1–2); carry coins.Hungary-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 104 ambulance · 107 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close Mondays.Hungary-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBUD Budapest Liszt Ferenc International (About 82 km (51 mi); train or Route 4 by car, roughly 1.5–2 h door to door).BUD Budapest Liszt Ferenc International (About 51 mi (82 km); train or Route 4 by car, roughly 1.5–2 h door to door).
- Getting aroundBuses are the only public transport; the north of the city is better covered than the south and night services are rare.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféFt 500–900
- BeerDraught beer / can at a shopFt 600–900Ft 300–450
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centreFt 1,500–2,500
- Metro or bus rideBus line ticket (newsstand / driver)Ft 270Ft 350
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekFt 2,000–4,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, adultFt 300–2,500
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personFt 5,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomFt 22,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomFt 45,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Ft 9,000 · Mid Ft 16,000 · High Ft 30,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BUD Budapest Liszt Ferenc International (About 82 km (51 mi); train or Route 4 by car, roughly 1.5–2 h door to door) · DEB Debrecen International (About 130 km (81 mi); rail via Szolnok on line 100, roughly 2–3 h)BUD Budapest Liszt Ferenc International (About 51 mi (82 km); train or Route 4 by car, roughly 1.5–2 h door to door) · DEB Debrecen International (About 81 mi (130 km); rail via Szolnok on line 100, roughly 2–3 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Care*
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
Jul
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (38°F)38°F (3°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jun. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (26°F)26°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Szolnok: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (26°F)26°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Feb
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
2°C (35°F)35°F (2°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (62°F)62°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
3°C (38°F)38°F (3°C)
−2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses are the only public transport; the north of the city is better covered than the south and night services are rare. Buy line tickets at newsstands (Ft 270) rather than from the driver (Ft 350); a one-day pass is Ft 1,050 and a one-week pass Ft 2,000. The centre is walkable and parking is usually easy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jászberény
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or train via Szolnok, roughly 1 h
Jász capital with the Lehel horn legend and a small museum.
Túrkeve
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus from Szolnok bus station, roughly 1.5 h
Sparse services; check return times before leaving.
Mezőtúr
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train on line 120/125 toward Békéscsaba, roughly 1 h
Plain town with pottery and a quiet centre.
Door to door: About 2 h
InterCity from Szolnok station, 1 h 18 min–1 h 55 min
Frequent departures; the capital is the natural next stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Belváros (city centre, Kossuth tér)
Museums, Beer Museum, cafés and the Tiszavirág bridge on foot; best for one night without a car.
Tiszaliget
Riverside park across the footbridge with the thermal lido and sports facilities; quiet, 15–20 min walk from the centre.
Around Szolnok railway station (Jubileum tér)
Practical for early departures; buses to the centre, about 10 min.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Ft 9,000–14,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Ft 14,000–24,000 excl. bed
- High
- Ft 24,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × Ft 22,000 | Ft 22,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Ft 16,000 | Ft 32,000 |
| Train Budapest–Szolnok, one way2 × Ft 2,500 | Ft 5,000 |
| Bus one-day pass2 × Ft 1,050 | Ft 2,100 |
| Tiszaliget lido day ticket, adult2 × Ft 1,650 | Ft 3,300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Ft 2,500 | Ft 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Ft 6,940 |
| Trip total≈ Ft 38,170 per person per day, bed included | Ft 76,340≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in forint; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | Ft 500–900 |
| Daily menu (napi menü) at a restaurant | Ft 790–990 |
| Draught beer / can at a shop | Ft 600–900 / Ft 300–450 |
| Bus line ticket (newsstand / driver) | Ft 270 / Ft 350 |
| Museum entry, adult | Ft 300–2,500 |
| Taxi across the centre | Ft 1,500–2,500 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Ft 2,000–4,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Trains from Budapest run 1 h 18 min to 1 h 55 min depending on service, and delays are common: allow slack for connections.
- The Turkish bridge remains at the Tisza–Zagyva confluence are visible only at extremely low water.
- The Open-Air Water Museum needs pre-registration.
- Some spa and museum hours are seasonal or limited to weekdays: check before you go.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Ambulance
- 104
- Police
- 107
- Fire
- 105
Pocket card
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SzolnokSzolnok
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Erre a címre, kéremTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Ambulance104
- Police107
- Fire105
Embassy
No embassies in Szolnok; most countries keep embassies in Budapest.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Budapest-Nyugati → Szolnok, train: about Ft 2,500, 1 h 18 min–1 h 55 min
- Bus line ticket: Ft 270 newsstand, Ft 350 from driver
- Tiszaliget lido day ticket: about Ft 1,650 adult
Say or show
- Jó napot — Good day (yoh NAH-pot)
- Köszönöm — Thank you (KUR-sur-nurm)
- Elnézést — Excuse me / Sorry (EL-nay-zaysht)
- Mennyibe kerül? — How much is it? (MEN-nyee-beh KEH-rool)
- A számlát, kérem — The bill, please (aw SAM-lat KAY-rem)
- Hol van a WC? — Where is the toilet? (hol vawn aw vay-tsay)
Tourinform is at Kossuth tér 9, with a kiosk on the square; the free Szolnoki Est program magazine appears fortnightly.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Szolnok. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, grey), late Jun heat spikes · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BUD and DEB: last trains from Budapest-Nyugati and Keleti, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Kossuth tér, the Tisza bank and Tiszavirág bridge, Tiszaliget, the station quarter.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (RepTár, Damjanich Museum, Gallery, Beer Museum, Tiszaliget lido) and eat pages with last orders.
- June mayfly and Goulash Festival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSzolnok official city site
- officialRepTár aviation museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Szolnok, revision 5261555 (CC BY-SA 4.0)