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Voykit pocket guide · Hungary
Salgótarján
Spend a half day (3–4 h) to see Somoskő Castle, Salgó ruins and a short hill walk; no need to stay overnight.
Salgótarján, the county seat of Nógrád, offers two castle ruins and easy access to the Cserhát hills. With a compact centre, a few hours cover the main sights, making it a day‑trip from Budapest or nearby towns.
- Country
- Hungary
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, limited services)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- HUF
- Money
- Currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft). Cards are widely accepted in Budapest.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥1,200–1,800 excl. bed · Mid ¥1,800–2,500 excl. bed · High ¥2,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Yettel, Telekom and One (Vodafone) sell prepaid SIMs; passport needed.
- Emergency
- Police 107 · Fire 105 · Ambulance 104
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard continental two-pin plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurant without service charge: 10–15%, said as you pay.; Restaurant with szervízdíj: Nothing extra.; Taxi: Round up.; Bath masseur: HUF 1,000–2,000.
- Water
- Tap water is safe. Restaurants sell bottled water; ask for 'csapvíz'.
- Toilets
- Public toilets often charge HUF 200–400; carry coins.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 200–400 Ft |
| Local meal (goulash, etc.) | 800–1 200 Ft |
| Bus ticket to castle | 200 Ft |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BUD · Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
- Rail hub for the region: bus or train into Budapest, then train to Salgótarján via Hatvan; check connections
- check · No airport at Salgótarján
- Nearest practical arrival is Budapest; the town is reached by train from Hatvan only
Typical fares
- Train Budapest → Salgótarján
- about 5 200 Ft, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Bus #11A to Somoskő Castle
- 200 Ft, hourly
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town centre is walkable. Local bus #11A reaches Somoskő Castle; #11B reaches Salgó ruins (hourly). Taxis require advance call.
See and do
Known for
- Somoskő Castle
- Salgó Castle ruins
- Cserhát hill walks
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Somoskő Castle | Bus #11A from downtown, about 15 min walk from stop | ≈30 min total |
| Salgó Castle ruins | Bus #11B from downtown, 10 min walk from stop | ≈30 min total |
| Ipolytarnóc Fossil Site | Bus to Ipolytarnóc (via Balassagyarmat), about 1 h 15 min | ≈2 h round‑trip |
| Karancs‑Medves Landscape Protection Area | Local bus or taxi north‑east, 10–15 km (6.2–9.3 mi)Local bus or taxi north‑east, 6.2–9.3 mi (10–15 km) | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Green Gates Guest House
- Family‑friendly, 2‑bedroom suites, garden pool
- Salgó Hotel
- Two‑star, double rooms, restaurant at castle foot
- Medves Hotel
- Near Salgó castle, basic rooms
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Elnézéstelnézést |
| Thank you | Köszönömköszönöm |
| How much is it? | Mennyibe kerül?mennyibe kerül? |
| Where is the bus stop? | Hol van a buszmegálló?hol van a buszmegálló? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Jó napot, handshake; avoid: First names with elders
- Names: Family name first when written; avoid: Assuming the second name is the surname
- Toasts: Eye contact; avoid: Clinking beer glasses with older people
- History: Listen; avoid: Joking about Trianon or 1956
- Home visit: Shoes off; flowers or wine; avoid: Refusing food repeatedly
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus #11A/11B run only once per hour; plan transfers.
- Winter services may be reduced; check schedules.
Generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded stations and follow standard travel precautions.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Salgótarján yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Somoskő Castle
- Salgó Castle ruins
- Cserhát hill walks
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Salgótarján, revision 5262169 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5262169
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/salgotarjan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.