Safety in Budapest
Tips on Avoiding Tourist Traps

If you're prepared for them chances are higher that you'll fully enjoy your stay without any unpleasant events or bad experiences.

Most Common Tourist Traps in Budapest

Taxi Scams

Several taxi companies are operating in Budapest and they charge different tariffs. Some companies try to ripp off tourists.

Safety Tip #1: travel by taxi only if it's the simpliest and quickest way to get to your destination within Budapest. Otherwise use the extensive and cheaper public transport.

Safety Tip #2: Travel only with a taxi that has a yellow license plate and a taxi sign fixed to the roof of the cab and on the side door of which you can see the name or logo of a reliable Budapest taxi company. Avoid unmarked cars with only a taxi sign on the roof! Inside look for the table of fares posted usually on the dashboard.

Safety Tip #3: Don't hail taxi in the streets, always call one. City Taxi is a reliable company with English speaking operators: phone number: 2 111 111

Restaurants, Nightclubs, Bars

Budapest has numerous restaurants, bars and clubs and a part of them is targeted at tourists.

Some of these touristy places are simply overpriced: they charge you a lot more for average food and service than you would pay at a less upscale place.

Some places are far worse: they main objective is to ripp off tourists. See our safety tips on our Budapest Nightlife page.

Pickpocketes, scam merchants

Pickpockets are most active on public transport vehicles, on escalators leading down and coming up from the metro, in crowded shops and popular touristy places (Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion, Parliament, Danube promenade, Váci Street, the zoo).

Safety Tip #1: Carry only as much cash as you need for the day.

Safety Tip #2: Keep your money, documents, mobile phone safe and secure; in a belt bag at the front of your body or in an inside pocket. Keep your camera in a bag with a strap wearing it accross your shoulder.

Safety Tip #3: Always pay attention, look out for possible pickpockets. If they see you're on the alert they likely won't choose as their next victim to be pickpocketed.

Safety Tip #4: Pickpockets and scam merchants are usually work together to distract people's attentions. If you're approached by a group of dubious people attempting to gain your attention just turn your back and walk away.

Exchanging Money

Safety Tip #1: Do not change money in the streets! It's against the law and you can be easily cheated or end up with counterfeited money. You can exchange your currency in any major banks (OTP banks are the most common banks in Hungary) or at exchange bureaus.

Areas to Avoid at Night in Budapest

Downtown Budapest (Castle District, districts V., VI., part of district VII. along Grand Boulevard) is safe at night.

Safety Tip: Avoid however the outer part of district VIII., IX. As a general rule of thumb avoid poorly lit streets and underpasses.

See more on Budapest Districts.

Useful Telephone Numbers - Safety in Budapest

Jot down the following telephone numbers or save them in your mobile's memory should you need them during your visit to Budapest (hopefully you' won't).

Police: 107

English-language hot-line specifically set up for tourists: 438 8080
office: Vigadó utca 4., V. district

Ambulance: 104 or 311 166

Loss of passport should be reported to:

Immigration and Citizenship Budapest and Pest County
Address: Budafoki út 60., XI. district,
Tel (round-the-clock): 463 9165 or 463 9181

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