Major city · Hungary
Szombathely
One night covers the Roman core and the cathedral; add a second only for the August carnival or as a base for Kőszeg and Ják.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HUF
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), late Dec–Feb (cold, short days)
- Airports
- VIE · BUD · GRZ · BTS
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
Szombathely is the seat of Vas county and one of Hungary's oldest cities, founded as the Roman colony of Savaria on the Amber Road. The sights sit in a compact centre — cathedral, ruin garden, Iseum, main square — so a half day covers the core. Most travellers use it as a western base for Kőszeg, Ják and the Austrian border, or as a rail stop between Budapest, Sopron and Vienna.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Szombathely, 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
- SafetyA calm, low-crime county town; the real risks are winter ice on pavements, unlit side streets after dark and cross-border train gaps…
- RestroomsPublic toilets often charge HUF 200–400; 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.
- AirportcheckVIE Vienna International (About 2 h by road; rail via Sopron or Szombathely's own line, check connections).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: main square, cathedral, ruin garden and Iseum are within about 15 minutes of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFt 500–900
- Sit-down mealNoodle soup or a main course in a local restaurantFt 1,500–3,000 (≈ US$5–9)
- Beerdraught / can from a shopFt 700–1,200Ft 300–500
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxiFt 2,500–3,500 (≈ US$8–11)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus rideFt 350–500
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or cathedral entryFt 1,000–2,500 (≈ US$3–8)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personFt 6,000 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomFt 24,000 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomFt 45,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Ft 9,000 (≈ US$30) · Mid Ft 15,000 (≈ US$45) · High Ft 26,000 (≈ US$80)
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 →
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
- VIE Vienna International (About 2 h by road; rail via Sopron or Szombathely's own line, check connections) · BUD Budapest Ferenc Liszt (About 3 h by road; InterCity rail from Budapest takes about 3 h) · GRZ Graz (About 2 h by road; cross-border rail via Szentgotthárd, check) · BTS Bratislava (About 2.5 h by road; rail via Budapest or Vienna, check)
Weather and climate
Szombathely: 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°C37°F
−3°C27°F
6 rd
Feb
5°C41°F
−2°C28°F
6 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
1°C34°F
7 rd
Apr
16°C61°F
5°C41°F
8 rd
May
21°C70°F
10°C50°F
9 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
13°C55°F
10 rd
Jul
27°C81°F
15°C59°F
9 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
15°C59°F
8 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
11°C52°F
7 rd
Oct
15°C59°F
6°C43°F
7 rd
Nov
8°C46°F
2°C36°F
8 rd
Dec
4°C39°F
−1°C30°F
7 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: main square, cathedral, ruin garden and Iseum are within about 15 minutes of each other. Local buses (Vasi Volán) cover the outer districts and the baths. The city has a well-developed bike-path network, including a route along the Gyöngyös creek and out toward Kőszeg and the Írottkő nature park.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from Szombathely bus station, about 30–40 min
Walled old town and Írottkő forest walks; easy half day.
Ják
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or bike, about 10 km southBus or bike, about 6.2 mi south
Romanesque abbey church, one of the best in Hungary; go at opening.
Sárvár
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Train or bus, about 20 km eastTrain or bus, about 12 mi east
Nádasdy Castle and arboretum; combine with the thermal baths.
Szentgotthárd
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train toward the Austrian border, about 1 h
Quiet border town; check train times before committing.
Körmend
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Train or bus, about 30 km southTrain or bus, about 19 mi south
Batthyány Castle and park; a short stop rather than a full day.
Celldömölk
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
Train, about 40 km eastTrain, about 25 mi east
Only worth it if you are already heading that way.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (Fő tér and around)
Walk to cathedral, Iseum and museums; best for one night without a car.
Near the train and bus stations
Cheapest beds and easiest early departures; about 10–15 min walk to the main square.
Outer residential districts
Quieter and cheaper, but you need the local bus; only worth it with a car or long stay.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Ft 9,000–14,000 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- Mid
- Ft 14,000–22,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- High
- Ft 22,000 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × Ft 24,000 | Ft 24,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Ft 15,000 | Ft 30,000 |
| Local bus day ticket2 × Ft 1,000 | Ft 2,000 |
| Train Szombathely → Budapest, one way2 × Ft 9,000 | Ft 18,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Ft 3,000 | Ft 6,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Ft 8,000 |
| Trip total≈ Ft 44,000 per person per day, bed included | Ft 88,000≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in forint; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Ft 500–900 |
| Noodle soup or a main course in a local restaurant | Ft 1,500–3,000 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer: draught / can from a shop | Ft 700–1,200 / Ft 300–500 |
| 5 km taxi | Ft 2,500–3,500 (≈ US$8–11) |
| Local bus ride | Ft 350–500 |
| Museum or cathedral entry | Ft 1,000–2,500 (≈ US$3–8) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hungarian is the everyday language; English is common with younger people, less so in shops and at the station.
- Some museums and the cathedral keep limited hours and close on Mondays — check before you plan a day around one.
- The Savaria Historical Carnival fills the centre in mid-to-late August; book beds early or avoid those dates.
- Cross-border trains toward Austria and Slovenia are infrequent; check the timetable the day before.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Ambulance
- 104
- Police
- 107
- Fire
- 105
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SzombathelySzombathely
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Erre a címre kéremTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Ambulance104
- Police107
- Fire105
Embassy
No embassies in Szombathely; the US, UK and most others are in Budapest. Austrian and Slovenian consulates are the nearest cross-border options — check addresses.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Szombathely → Budapest, InterCity: about Ft 9,000 (≈ US$30), about 3 h
- Train Szombathely → Sopron: about Ft 1,300 (≈ US$4), about 50 min
- Bus Szombathely → Kőszeg: about Ft 500–800, 30–40 min
Say or show
- Elnézést — Excuse me / Sorry (el-nay-zaysht)
- Köszönöm — Thank you (kur-sur-nurm)
- Ezt kérem — This one, please (est kay-rem)
- Mennyibe kerül? — How much is it? (men-nyi-be ke-rule)
- Tudok kártyával fizetni? — Can I pay by card? (tu-dok kar-tya-val fi-zet-ni)
- Hol van a WC? — Where is the toilet? (hol van a vay-tsay)
Tipping: 10–15% unless a service charge (szervízdíj) is already on the bill.
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 Szombathely. 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 Jul–Aug (hot), late Dec–Feb (cold, short days) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for VIE, BUD and GRZ: last rail departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Fő tér, cathedral and ruin garden, Iseum, the museums quarter.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, Iseum, Savaria Museum, arboretum) and eat pages with last orders.
- August carnival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.