Is Budapest Safe to Visit (2024)?

Are you wondering “Is Budapest safe to visit”?

I am originally from Hungary and Budapest is not just a great city to visit in Europe, but it is also very safe. Budapest has very low crime rates and it is safe to visit for foreign tourists, including solo female travellers and families.

The current US State Department travel advisory for Hungary is Level 1, which is the lowest level of alert and it means to exercise normal precautions.

Budapest is safe and crime is very low. However, you should still watch out for your belongings if you are in crowded places, such as public transport or a bar.

Budapest is also safe at night, nevertheless you should remain cautious if you are going home alone at night. Taking taxis is safe in Budapest and it is also safe to take a taxi at night. If you order an Uber or Bolt, you should check the number plate of the car to make sure you get into the correct taxi.

So, here is everything you need to know about safety in Budapest!

Is Hungary Safe to Visit?

Is There a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Hungary Right Now?

In general, the U.S. State Department has 4 levels of Travel Advisory:

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Precautions
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel
• Level 4: Do Not Travel

Currently, Hungary is at Level 1 so travellers can safely visit Budapest and make normal precautions while visiting the country.

Budapest, Hungary Travel Warnings

The safety advisory for Budapest is Level 1, and it encourages travellers in Hungary to exercise normal precautions.

It is also good advice to follow local news in Budapest, to stay up to date of local events. From time to time, there are peaceful demonstrations in the city, when some roads are blocked. In addition, you should watch out for your belongings in crowded places but otherwise, Budapest is a very safe place to visit.

Budapest Crime Rates

Budapest has very low crime rate and you can safely travel to Budapest and excercise normal precautions.

Pickpocketing can happen in crowded places so you should watch out for your belongings and valuables on the public transport, bars and any other crowded places.

Safety Tips for Budapest

✔️ Look after your belongings and valuables in bars, public transport and any other crowded places. Crime rates are low in Budapest but pickpocketing can still happen.

✔️ Carry a copy of your passport during the day and keep your original passport at your accommodation.

✔️ Register your travel at your embassy: Before starting your trip, it is always good practice to register your trip at your embassy. Hungary is a peaceful country but it is always good to be on the safe side.

✔️ Save the contact details of your embassy/consulate in Budapest, so in case you need assistance, you can reach out to them straight away.

✔️ Get travel insurance so in case any of your items gets lost/stolen or if you need medical assistance, then your travel insurance will get you covered.

Is Budapest Safe for Travellers Right Now?

Yes, Budapest is safe for travellers now. The crime rates are low in Budapest and it is safe to visit for foreigners.

Is Budapest Safe for Tourists?

Yes, Budapest is safe for travellers right now. Hungary is a peaceful country and is a safe place to visit for travellers of all nationalities from around the world.

Is Budapest Safe for Solo Travellers?

Yes, Budapest is safe for solo travellers. Even if you plan to travel to Hungary on your own, you don’t have to worry. Budapest is a safe place and Hungarian people are friendly to tourists.

If you travel solo and want to make some new friends, you can stay in a hostel for a few nights and you will meet many fellow travellers.

Is Budapest Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Yes, Budapest is safe for solo female travellers. Hungary is a peaceful country and Budapest is a safe place to visit for female travellers. Hungarian people are friendly and the younger generation speaks very good English.

The public transport in Budapest is safe, so if you travel alone, you can safely take public transport in Budapest. You can also easily explore Budapest on foot as many of the tourist attractions are near each other and Budapest is a walkable city.

Is Budapest Safe at Night?

Yes, Budapest is considered safe at night, however, you should remain cautious and vigilant. If you go home alone at night, just use normal precautions. It is also safe to take taxis at night, just make sure you check the number plate of the car if you order Uber to make sure it is the correct car.

Is Budapest Safe for Families?

Yes, Budapest is safe for families and the city is also child-friendly. There are many parks and playgrounds in the city where children can play safely. Nevertheless, you should still use normal precautions and watch out.

Is Budapest Safe for Expats?

Yes, Budapest is safe for foreign expats. The younger generation in Hungary speaks good English so if you move to Hungary long-term, you will be able to get by speaking English.

The crime rates are low in Budapest and the only district to avoid in Budapest is the District 8. Apart from District 8, the other districts in the city are safe and you will easily settle into life in Budapest.

Are Taxis Safe in Budapest?

Yes, it is safe to take taxis in Budapest. The main taxi companies in Budapest are Uber, Bolt, FőTaxi and CityTaxi. All taxi companies have the same fares in Budapest, even Uber, as they all operate under the same taxi regulations. Nevertheless, Uber and Bolt are the easiest to book through their apps.

Is Public Transport Safe in Budapest?

Yes, public transport in Budapest is safe but you should pay attention to your belongings and valuables as pickpocketing can happen. Otherwise, public transport in Budapest is also safe for solo travellers, including solo female travellers.

Can you Drink Tap Water in Budapest?

Yes, tap water in Budapest is safe to drink. The tap water in Hungary is treated well and goes through a thorough water treatment process that enables clean drinking water from taps in homes, hotels, bars and restaurants.

Safest Districts in Budapest

The safest districts to stay in Budapest are the District 1, 5 and 6.

• District 1: Castle District on the Buda side. The Buda side of Budapest has always been considered as safer then Pest and District 1 is one of the best and safest districts in the city. It has many tourist attractions such as the Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
• District 5: Budapest Downtown on the Pest side. District 5 is the city center if Budapest. It is safe and has many amenities. It is not only close to historic monuments and tourist attractions, but has also many bars and restaurants.

• District 6: Terézváros is the second best district on the Pest side of Budapest and is also home to many tourist attractions, bars and restaurants.

• District 7: Erzsébetváros has improved its safety a lot in the past years. It is still pretty much in the city center, close to tourist attractions and has many bars and restaurants.

Budapest District to Avoid

District 8 in Budapest has the highest levels of crime and is the least safe district in the city. It is the only district in Budapest that is best to avoid for travellers, especially at night.

The safety in the district has improved in the last few years and the area closest to the city center is safe to visit. However, the areas in district 8 that are further from the city center, are the ones that are the least safe.

How to Avoid Scams in Budapest

Budapest is a safe city to visit and there are not that many scams to be worried about. The main problems are pickpocketing in crowded places and a few taxi drivers trying to overcharge passengers.

Pickpockets

Crime rates are low in Budapest and pickpocketing is nothing to be too worried about. However, it is still one of the most common petty crimes in Budapest so you should watch out for your belonging and valuables in crowded places, such as bars and public transport.

Taxi Scams

If you hail a regular taxi, some taxi drivers will try to pretend that the meter is not working in a way to overcharge you. If you want to avoid it, the best if to book a taxi through one the taxi companies in Budapest.

There are 4 taxi companies in Budapest and they all regulate under the same regulations and fares (even Uber!). if you want to book taxis through apps, the two companies that operate in Budapest are Uber and Bolt. The other two taxi companies (CityTaxi and Főtaxi) are also great, they are the most established Hungarian taxi companies in Budapest.

Where to Stay in Budapest

Here are 3 of my top hotel recommendations for every budget:

FAQs: Is Budapest Safe to Visit?

Is Budapest a safe city?

Yes, Budapest is a safe city. Hungary is a peaceful country and Budapest has low crime rates.

There are not that many scams in Budapest to be worried about. The main problems are pickpocketing in crowded places and a few taxi drivers trying to overcharge passengers. Make sure to look after your belongings in bars and public transport. When taking a taxi, only take a taxi that goes on the meter.

Is Budapest safe for American tourists?

Yes, Budapest is safe to visit for American tourists. Budapest is a peaceful city and is a safe place to visit for travellers of all nationalities.

Is it safe to walk around Budapest at night?

Yes, Budapest is considered safe at night, however, you should remain cautious and vigilant. If you go home alone at night, just use normal precautions.

It is also safe to take taxis at night, just make sure you check the number plate of the car if you order Uber to make sure it is the correct car.

Is Budapest foreigner friendly?

Yes, Budapest is foreigner friendly. Hungarian people are friendly to all foreign travellers and the younger generation also speaks English well.

The staff in hotels, restaurants and at touristy places also speak good English in Budapest, so you will be able to get by easily.

Is it safe for a female to travel alone in Budapest?

Yes, it is safe for female travellers to visit Budapest alone. Hungary is a peaceful country and Budapest is a safe place to visit for female travellers.

Hungarian people are friendly and the younger generation speaks very good English. If you want to make some new friends, you can stay in a hostel for a few nights to meet fellow travellers.

Is it safe to go to Budapest at the moment?

Yes, it is safe to go to Budapest right now. Hungary is a peaceful country and Budapest is a safe place to visit.

The U.S. State Department’s safety advisory for Budapest is Level 1, and it encourages travellers in Hungary to exercise normal precautions.

Where to avoid staying in Budapest?

One of the least safe places to avoid in Budapest is the District 8. It is infamous for being the least safe place in Budapest and it is especially true to avoid at night.

Some of the safest districts to stay in Budapest are District 1, 5 and 6. They are located in the city center and are the safest places to stay in Budapest.

How to avoid pickpockets in Budapest?

The crime rates are low in Budapest but petty crimes, such as pickpocketing can still happen. To avoid pickpockets in Budapest, make sure to watch out for your belongings, especially in crowded places, such as bars and public transport.

Is Uber safe in Budapest?

Yes, it is safe to take Uber in Budapest. Uber is easy to book but make sure to check the number plate of the taxi to make sure you get into the right taxi. Taking a taxi at night in Budapest is also safe but you should still remain cautious.

Conclusion

Budapest is not just a great city to visit in Europe, but it is also very safe. Budapest has very low crime rates and it is not only safe to visit for solo female travellers but also for families.

The current US State Department travel advisory for Hungary is Level 1, which is the lowest level of alert and it means to exercise normal precautions.

Budapest is safe and crime is very low. However, you should still watch out for your belongings if you are in crowded places, such as public transport or a bar.

Budapest is also safe at night, nevertheless you should remain cautious if you are going home alone at night. Taking taxis is safe in Budapest and it is also safe to take a taxi at night. If you order an Uber or Bolt, you should check the number plate of the car to make sure you get into the correct taxi.