Budapest Warnings and Dangers

First - it is very important to buy a metro - tram pass for the entire time of your visit, and even pay for an extra day or two if needed. The ticket offices in the metro stations seemed to open and close without rhyme or reason. At 10 AM the office at the tourist - heavy Vorosmarty ter station was inexplicably closed, yet another was open at 10 PM on the same line at Heroe's Square. Even busy stations like Oktagon had closed kiosks at midday when we passed through there. And - - - The ticket machines are confusing and often don't work. It is very difficult to figure out which single ticket is the one you need due to limited English translation and even local users couldn't get some machines to work. Be forewarned.

Second - don't ride anything without a validated ticket at any time. We saw many more ticket inspectors here than in Prague, and often at stations most likely to be used by tourists. Ticket inspectors are often not on the subway or bus itself but waiting at the exit from the station. We once had our tickets inspected at the foot of the stairway leaving a station at 11 PM, believe it or not. Keep your ticket with you if you buy single tickets until at street level. Smart move - buy the pass.

There aren't many dangers in Budapest (at least not more than in any other big city) but there are some things good to know about so you can...well...save some money! :)

Don't never use a taxi which is not belonging to one of the bigger companies (6x6, Fõtaxi, Tele5, etc.).

To independently working ones are usually the so called "hienas", who settle down near railway stations and so, and overcharge the foreign customers.

The best is to order a cab by phone or to wait for one which is belonging to a company. Don't let the people at the stations with "Taxi" sign on a paper lure you to a "No label cab".

It may also be a good idea to ask the cab driver about a price. Between any central railway station and any hotel in the central districts (unless You arrive to the Buda side and go to a hotel in southern Pest) the price shouldn't be more then 5000 forints or even less.

(Picture taken from the website of Rádió Taxi)

According to the US department of state travel advisory, Budapest is rated as a city with relatively low levels of violent crime, but relatively high levels of petty crime, like pick pocketing.

For me Budapest feels generally safe, but the huge numbers of drunks, drug addicts and homeless people can make people uncomfortable. It's a city with possibly the worst problem like this that I've seen anywhere in Europe. They are never aggressive towards me, and are often either sleeping or stumbling out of my way with an embarrassed look on their face. I've seen them urinating in public and bothering people on the metro begging aggressively for money. Many areas of the city, especially around the main public transport terminals can stink strongly of urine.

In general Buda, especially the Castle District, is very safe, although Moscow Square is a bit of a dive. Pest is also generally safe, but there are rougher parts, and one district with a very bad reputation. Most of the train stations are a bit grotty, and the underground section near Nyugati doesn't feel 100% safe at night. Keleti also gets bad reports. According to the locals, the worst place to be is district VIII, especially around Blaha Lujza Ter and Rakoczi Ter.

Despite that, I often go drinking in these areas and have never experienced any problems, even in the early hours walking about on my own. But I have heard tales of people getting mugged and beaten in the dark side streets when they are drunk, so if you don't know what you are going stick to the well lit areas and get a cab home. But in general, Budapest is one of the safest cities in Europe, so you don't need to take special precautions.

The metro has a bad reputation for pick pocketing, so keep your hands in your pockets when the crowds gather around you. I've never had any problems on the trams or metro, though, and I have never seen anyone acting suspiciously. Taxis also have a bad reputation for ripping off tourists, and I've had experience of this, so stick to reputable taxi companies like City (2111111) and Fo (2222222). These are very cheap, and the call centers generally speak English.

Whatever you do, don't get into an unmarked cab. These mafia cabs hang around, especially at night, and usually have nothing on them except the word "taxi" on the side and lit up on the roof. You'll probably get home alive, but the price you'll pay will be extortionate.

Like every big city, Budapest also has them...take good care of your valuables, don't leave your backpack on your back when you get on the tram or bus.

Take extra care on the tram number 4 and 6, because they are really crowded in peek hours, and thus they are quite "attended" by pickpockets. Take good care on the escalators as well!

Please take either your passport or any ID that contains photo with you.

The heart of Budapest, most districts are very safe to walk even during the night (even though the lapms on the streets are not too strong somewhere), but avoid some parts of the VIII, IX districts.

Driving around in Budapest is not that easy. The insanity of some drivers can be a danger for other travellers, passangers, etc...

Do take care of anyone who seems to have an agressive driving style. They won't let you in the line, they won't give you the way even if according to the signs you would be granted...

Driving here is not the most dangerous in Europe, but it can cause you hard times. Just take extra care and be very patient! :)

And watch for the holes in the road...due to the weather changes and the lack of proper road building and maintenance, roads around here are full of the so called "Katyu's", which can give a hard time to your car's suspension...

If you get caught using the subway without a valid ticket, you will be fined on the spot. Security uses surveillance and has personnel at many stations looking for people. Playing "stupid tourist" or pretending not to know English doesn't work.

If you don't pay your fine on the spot, it will cost you more to pay it at the main office.

Do yourself a favor and buy a 1, 3, or 7 day pass.

Be very careful when using the numerous cashpoints in and around Budapest.

A favourite trick is to insert a strip of metal into the slot where the money is dispensed. This stops your money from coming out. You go into the shop to report the fault, they quickly remove the strip and your money!!

I was lucky, I managed to ram my hand into the slot before it closed and grab hold of my cash but other friends of mine have not been so lucky.

My tip, if you are near to a bank use their machines which are often inside and protected by security cameras. Avoid the cashpoints attached to shops and petrol stations as well as the stand alone machines.