Travel to Prague and Budapest

Hi Ray,
Did anyone say WHY it's unsafe to travel alone in Budapest? My husband and I were there about 3 years ago and unless something has changed dramatically, Budapest felt perfectly safe. In fact, I really hope to return soon.
Sharon in Atlanta

Hi Ray,

You live in Pasadena (my first home in the States) and you are worried about safety? While Budapest is a large metropolis with typical European crime problems (auto theft, vandalism) it cannot compare with the Houston area when it comes to a chronic, high violence environment.

There are a few sections in town that are less savory, but I'd refer you to the corresponding link on tripadvisor.com (Hungary) for some on-site experiences. We have found Budapest (and for that matter all Central European capitals) to be very safe by American standards. Still it doesn't hurt to keep your street smarts with you.

Hi,

Oh I wouldn't worry much at all about Budapest. I've been twice and have a good friend from there. You'll be confronted by gypsies perhaps or others asking for money, but it's perfectly normal there. Granted, it's a big city with big city problems. General rule of thumb, if you are out looking for trouble, you'll find it. I would excercise the same amount of caution travelling to any medium-large size city in the US I didn't know well. In all honestly, I feel MUCH safer in any big city in Europe than I do in many cities here at home. Try to put the fears of others who've never been outside the US aside and have a great trip!

Thanks, to those who replied. It is good to hear such things. We encountered 3 separate couples, each of them had differing stories but all agreed they would not return to Budapest. We were disappointed because we had made plans so I decided to see what others had to say. This posting has brought the kind of response we were hopeing for Thanks again Ray & Terri Palmer

Here's some follow-up info from Trip Advisor:

Safety in Budapest

Was in both 2 years ago, no problem day or night, have fun.

Wow, I'm an American currently living in Prague & I was just in Budapest. I never felt unsafe. (I'm a young woman.) The only thing to be mindful of is less-than-scrupulous waiters or waitresses.

I too have encountered many Americans who think that Europe is "unsafe". That boggles my mind since the US is much more violent than developed Europe. Occasionally, you will hear about pick-pocketing, but it has never happened to me nor anyone I know. (And that's not a violent crime anyway.)

Now, if you were going into Eastern Europe, I'd say be guarded, but you'll be very safe in Prague & Budapest.

Have a great trip!

Ray,
We live in GE and have been to all your planned stops (this year even) and you should wory more about getting bumped by a stumbling drunk celebrating October Fest than feeling unsafe in either Prague or Budapest. Pick-pocketers work Amsterdam, Prague, and Budapest (not really a problem in GE), but if you are a smart traveler (not flashing cash, etc)--you will have no worries. I always carry my wallet in my back pocket and when we get on a crowded train, my wife watches my back, as precaution, but we have NEVER had a problem. In fact, having been to Prague in Apr 08 and Budapest a week ago, I'd say you will find Eastern Europe to be more friendly and polite than most US cities. DO review your restaurant bills and do read up on how to tip in Europe, so you do not get over-charged or over-pay, but violent crime is really not a worry in Europe. The police in Europe do not have the same "restrictions" as US police and they "deter" most crimes with speed and force on those that challenge them, which deters most from trying.