Budapest is a capital city full of things to see and is a relatively quiet city, in line with other major European cities. The risks tourists face are those typical of capital cities: pickpockets, theft of valuables left unattended, and theft from cars. Violent crimes against tourists are not very common. On this page we provide some useful information to reduce the risk of ruining your holiday in Budapest, as well as some guidance on the areas of the city that are best avoided.
Areas of Budapest to avoid and those where you should be more careful
In all big cities there are neighbourhoods where you need to be more careful, and places that are best avoided, especially at night. A few simple tips on how to avoid unpleasant surprises will help you feel more relaxed while visiting the city.
Margaret Island at night, in winter: it is not very busy even with residents, so you should avoid it too.
Districts VIII and IX should be avoided due to the significant presence of prostitutes and other people connected to this activity.
In the Castle area, in markets, on bus 7 and on trams 2, 4, 6, 47 and 49, there are many pickpockets looking for careless tourists.
Things not to do in Budapest, and almost everywhere else
Avoid showing all the cash you have and divide it into different amounts to keep separately.
When you are in a restaurant or sitting at a café table, do not hang your bag on the chair; do not leave your bag unattended in changing rooms while trying on clothes.
Do not place your mobile phone or wallet on tables or counters in public places; do not put them in an outside pocket of your bag or trousers.
Make sure you have properly closed your car doors and windows. Do not leave your mobile phone, camera, wallet or bags in view, even if they are empty: someone may be tempted to force the lock or break a car window.
Take a photocopy of your identity document with you when travelling and leave it at your temporary residence in Budapest.
In case of loss: if you have lost it, contact the consulate; if it has been stolen, also report it to the police.
Beware of Hungarian girls who seem unusually friendly
It is quite common that if two beautiful Hungarian girls ask you to buy them a drink and suggest a bar to go to, it is probably because their friends at the venue will present you with an extremely high bill. If you do not have the money with you, the bar’s bouncers will accompany you to the ATM and charge you an additional surcharge.
Who to contact for help in Budapest
If something should go wrong, the police number is 107 and the number with an English-speaking operator is 112. There is also another line with an English-speaking operator, available on 438 880. The likelihood of someone answering in Hungarian is very high, so in an emergency, hand your mobile phone to a Budapest resident and they will communicate with the police.
Laws to know during a holiday in Budapest
Alcohol, drugs and prostitution: Hungarian laws
On this page you will find the main laws to respect when you enter Hungarian territory. For some offences there is zero tolerance, with consequences ranging from passport withdrawal to imprisonment. We recommend reading this page carefully to avoid problems.
The sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited for anyone under the age of 18.
Buying and using drugs
Possession of small quantities for personal use is a criminal offence that results in a detoxification treatment lasting at least 6 months. Anyone who cultivates, produces, purchases, possesses, imports or exports larger quantities of narcotic substances through Hungarian territory may be punished with imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Prostitution and sexual offences
Prostitution is legal in Hungary, and Budapest is, not by chance, considered the sex capital of Europe. According to the law, sex zones should be restricted to specific areas, although, as you will see in Budapest, there are no major restrictions and sex workers operate throughout the city. Legislation on sexual violence is very strict: imprisonment of up to 8 years for those who commit violence against adults, and up to 15 years if committed against children under the age of 12.
Please remember that under Italian law, anyone who commits offences against minors abroad — sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution — will also be prosecuted under Italian law upon returning to Italy.
Driving a car
Front seat belts are mandatory and, if the car is equipped with them, rear seat belts are mandatory too. For children, the same restrictions used in Italy apply, such as child seats and seat belts.
Warning triangle: mandatory on board.
First-aid kit: mandatory on board.
Tyres: minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm.
Lights: outside the city, dipped headlights are mandatory 24 hours a day, including on motorways.
Drinking and driving
The permitted blood alcohol level is 0%, so you cannot drink anything before driving. Fines can be as high as 800,000 forints, around €3,000.
Since 1 January 2011, Hungarian law has allowed passports to be withdrawn or vehicles to be seized if a fine is not paid immediately. This rule applies to all offences.
Emergencies and useful numbers in Budapest
We know you will not need them, but when you are far from home it is always better to have useful emergency numbers at hand. You will find them on this page, together with some information on how to contact the Italian authorities in Budapest. The European emergency number 112 is also active in Budapest and can be called for any type of emergency.
- For urgent police assistance: 112 or 107
- Crime hotline: 438 880
- Ambulance for emergency medical assistance: 104
- To call the fire brigade: 105
- Emergency dental service: 2679602. The visit costs 20,000 forints, around €70.
Healthcare, emergency medical assistance and pharmacies in Budapest
For Italians on holiday in Budapest, healthcare is free of charge and to access it you need to bring the Health Insurance Card issued by your local health authority. The assistance covers all urgent medical care but not transport in the event of serious illness. Hungarian healthcare is of a good standard, although the most modern equipment is not always used. On this page you will find the essential information for seeking assistance in hospitals, calling emergency services or finding medicines in pharmacies.
Hospitals and emergency medical assistance in Budapest
In an emergency, call 104, the number for requesting an ambulance immediately. Most likely, an operator will answer in difficult Hungarian, so hand the phone to a Budapest resident. Alternatively, call 112, the European emergency number, where someone will answer at least in English.
Dentists in Budapest
Budapest is a famous destination for those looking to get a new smile. Costs are much lower than those of inaccessible Italian dentists. So do not be surprised by the large number of advertising signs for dental clinics. The quality is generally good, but it is better to choose a clinic about which you already have reliable information. If, however, you simply have a toothache during your holiday, call the Emergency Dental Service on 2679602. The visit costs 20,000 forints, around €70.
Pharmacies — Patika or Gyógyszertár — in Budapest
The European emergency number 112 is also active in Budapest and can be called for any type of emergency. All information and other useful numbers can be found in our previous section, Emergencies and useful numbers in Budapest.
Telephone and electricity in Budapest
Hungary has an excellent GSM network, so you will have no difficulty making and receiving calls with your Italian mobile phone. As soon as you arrive in Budapest, your phone will connect to one of the mobile operators active in Hungary. Before leaving, however, it is best to check all costs with your provider, asking about call and message rates.
Calling from/to Budapest
To call from Budapest to Italy, dial 00 39 followed by the Italian landline or mobile number. To receive calls in Budapest from Italy, the caller must dial 00 36 followed by the recipient’s landline or mobile number.
Electricity and electronic devices in Budapest
In Budapest and throughout Hungary, German-style two-pin “Schuko” sockets are used and the electrical voltage is 230 W. You should therefore have no problems charging your phones, players and so on. To avoid problems, it is advisable to bring an adapter suitable for two-round-pin sockets.
Budget and cost of living in Budapest
Budapest has a reputation for still being an affordable tourist destination, like the other Eastern European capitals. In fact, prices are still convenient for Italians, although they are increasing year after year and gradually aligning with those of other European cities. Despite this, Budapest still remains an inexpensive tourist destination. On this page we provide some general references on the cost of living in Budapest, specifying that much depends on the season in which you travel to Hungary, the hotel category you choose and how far in advance you book your flight.
Average cost of living in Budapest
- Bus or tram ticket: €1.20
- Lunch for two in a mid-range restaurant: €20–30
- Lunch for two in a luxury restaurant: €40–50
- Lunch for two at McDonald’s costs around €8
- Coffee: 70–80 cents
- A slice of cake: €2
- A 50 cl beer: around €1.50
- Museum ticket: €5
Hotel costs in Budapest
Budapest welcomes around 20 million tourists every year, so it offers a wide variety of accommodation, from bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels, as well as many family-run guesthouses. Price ranges vary according to services and location; in any case, even in the central area it is possible to find hotel accommodation for less than €30 per night for a double room. Of course, prices rise for those looking for a more exclusive hotel.
Cards to save money in Budapest
The Budapest Card is the official tourist card of Budapest, allowing you to travel freely across the entire urban transport network and obtain discounts at museums, thermal baths, cafés, bars, shops and much more. You can find information about prices, included attractions and costs on the Budapest Card page.
Hungarian currency, exchange offices, banks and ATMs in Budapest
Hungary is part of the European Union but has not yet adopted the euro. The current currency in Budapest is therefore the Hungarian forint, whose exchange rate against the euro changes every day, although it is relatively stable. €1 is worth around 307 forints. The Hungarian forint is available in banknotes of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000. Coins are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 forints. The 200-forint coin is therefore worth a little less than €1, and the 500-forint banknote a little less than €2.
Where to exchange euros into forints
The easiest way to obtain forints at an acceptable rate is through an ATM. You will already find two at Budapest airport, but they are widely available throughout the city and accept cards from all networks — Visa, MasterCard, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus and so on. Before leaving, check with your bank that your ATM card works abroad and ask about withdrawal limits in Hungary. Currency can be exchanged at exchange offices, many travel agencies and many hotels. Exchange office rates are usually more convenient than bank rates, but always check.
Beware of the black market for currency exchange: if someone offers to exchange money for you in the street, remember that they may give you some out-of-circulation forints at an extortionate rate. In any case, it is illegal.
CIB Bank is part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. At the branch in Szabadság tér 15 — M2 metro, Kossuth tér stop — you will find staff who speak Italian. Tel: 0036-1-802-34-44.
ATMs and credit cards in Budapest
All credit cards are accepted, with only some issues for American Express. Before entering a shop or restaurant, check that the logo of your credit card is displayed on the door. In case of loss, here are the numbers to contact.
Losing and blocking a credit card in Budapest
If you lose your card, here are some numbers you will need to block it while you are in Budapest:
- Visa 06-800-17682
- American Express +800.263.92.279
- MasterCard 06 800-12517
- Maestro Card 0039.02.34980132
- Diners Club 0039 02.3216.2656
In any case, banks in Budapest are mainly concentrated in the historic centre and are generally open until 5:30 pm, and until 12:00 noon on Saturdays.
