Country Tour Safety

Intro

Although Hungary is a very safe place to visit for the vast majority of travelers, it is necessary to apply caution and stay alert to any potential dangers. While violent crime like robberies and murder are thankfully very rare, problems with petty crime (such as pick pocketing and petty theft) do exist. Generally though, travel in Hungary is no more dangerous than it is the US, so travelers who apply some basic common sense should avoid problems. Always keep your personal safety in mind, and pay attention to the following basic advice and safety tips.

Basic Safety

By far the most common crime to affect tourists in Hungary is petty theft. Visitors need to be especially cautious and remain alert in places such as train stations and other crowded areas, particularly places that are popular with tourists. Always apply common sense and never allow yourself to become separated from your possessions. Make copies of your passport, visa pages and any other important documents you are taking with you. These documents and valuables such as money, jewelry and credit cards should be kept either locked in the hotel safe, or carefully on your person. Back pockets, back packs and shoulder bags are vulnerable, even if they have a zipper. Consider investing in a money belt for carrying these items. Con artists and scammers also operate in tourist areas, so be especially wary of anyone who seems to be overly friendly and offers to assist you in any way. Of course this doesn’t mean you should ignore everyone you meet, but just don’t place too much trust in anyone. There have been a number of civil protests in recent years, so you should avoid any large demonstrations, which are still fairly common in Hungary. Recent years have seen several demonstrations turn violent, with riot police and water cannon being deployed to control the crowds.

Women’s Safety

Generally speaking, most female travelers feel at ease in Budapest, which is for the most part a clean, safe and modern city. While Hungary is like many Central European countries in that there is a somewhat ‘macho’ culture among the men, these attitudes usually manifest themselves in more flattering compliments than anything that could be construed as sinister. Just remember to act confident at all times, and don’t get upset by any comments you might consider to be sexist. Women travelers should always apply the same common sense outdoors that they do when in the US. To avoid any unwarranted attention it is a good idea to dress down, as a scantily clad appearance is guaranteed to attract attention wherever you are in the world. Avoid wearing too much jewelry, as this is a natural magnet for petty thieves and pickpockets. Don’t drink too much, especially if you are travelling alone, as being inebriated leaves you vulnerable to anyone who might want to take advantage of you. Women should also take care to walk around alone late at night, if it’s possible. Take only official taxis and don’t accept a lift home from strangers.
 

You are your Best Defense

While travelling in any foreign country can be unsettling at first, especially for lone travelers or first-time travelers, Hungary is a very safe destination in comparison to many other countries. Indeed, crime levels here are comparable with those back in the US or Western European countries. Just apply common sense, make yourself familiar with the surroundings and research the destination as much as possible before you travel and you will be unlikely to experience any problems.