Have you ever considered visiting Central Europe? If you haven’t until now, you should be aware of the number of beautiful countries you can visit, and one of them is Hungary. Located at the borders of Romania, Austria, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Slovakia, it is a country with a lot of geographical diversity.
Basically, there are a lot of things to visit here and please your sight. From picturesque villages to mountains and the number of lakes, Hungary is a country that would make a perfect vacation, based on things to visit. Still, there is one thought that crosses the minds of anyone who thinks about going on a trip, and considering Hungary, you might wonder “How safe is Hungary for tourists?”.
You’ll be delighted to find out that there’s a high level of safety in Hungary, and tourists usually have a trouble-free visit. At the same time, you can’t help but worry about the small risks, and start looking for Hungary safety travel tips. This is exactly what you will find throughout this Hungary safety guide, so let’s see whether Hungary is safe to visit or not.
Highest Risks You Expose Yourself to When Visiting Hungary
Overall Risks in Hungary: LOW
Relatively, Hungary is a really safe country to visit, so you won’t have to worry about a lot of stuff. That doesn’t mean you should let your guard down either way, but you won’t have to be on continuous alert either.
Some of the things you should pay attention to the most are pickpockets and thieves, as well as scammers. They exist just anywhere, but since you are at bigger risk in a foreign country, it’s better to be more careful than you’d usually be at home.
There are political demonstrations taking place from time to time, usually in Budapest, but you shouldn’t rule out the possibility somewhere else either. The problem with these demonstrations is that even if they start out as peaceful, the situation can easily escalate and turn violent.
Terrorist attacks are not a thing here for the most part, as there is no recent history of terrorist attacks. At the same time, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the global threat of terrorism, thus staying vigilant at all times is recommended.
Pickpocketing and Theft Risks in Hungary: MEDIUM
Thieves wander the streets just everywhere, and when you happen to visit a foreign country, coming across thieves is not unusual. In popular tourist areas in every European top destination, pickpockets exist and they are ready to take an unsuspecting foreigner by surprise.
That being said, in any public place such as public transport, markets, and others, they might wait for the right moment to strike. There have also been cases of bag snatchings, and you’re surely not looking forward to playing cat and mouse with anyone. It’s the type of situation any tourist might come across if they let their guard down.
- How to Avoid pickpocketing and theft in Hungary?
Although you can’t control everything in your life, you can take some preventive measures so you avoid being the protagonist of an action movie. First of all, you should refrain from bringing a lot of cash wherever you go. You might need money, but you’re surely not going to use all of it in one day. By carrying large sums of money, you’re at higher risk of becoming homeless in the middle of a foreign place, as someone might claim the cash.
Having said that, you should take a certain amount of money with you, and keep the rest somewhere safe, such as the hotel room. If you happen to have a bad or a handbag, hold it tightly and never let it out of your sight, especially in crowded areas. There might be someone eyeballing it, waiting for the right moment.
Always stay vigilant in public areas, whether they’re frequented by tourists or not.
Scam Risk in Hungary: MEDIUM
Scams are probably some of the most common crimes against foreigners that you could come across, which is what makes you wonder “Is Hungary safe to visit regarding scams?”
Just like with any country, you should maintain a certain amount of vigilance and look out for scammers. Specifically in countries that are top destinations, the risk of encountering scammers increases, which means you should be more careful too.
Some of the most common scams you might come across is the one where someone is trying to distract you in order to steal your money, or they offer you unrequested help. Furthermore, there could also be the situation where you’re given less change than you should be given, thus ending up with a smaller amount of money.
- How to avoid getting scammed in Hungary?
Knowing whether someone’s trying to offer you genuine help or just trying to scam you is difficult to know because you can’t read minds. As such, it’s better to avoid giving these people what they want, so stay away from anyone who is trying to distract you, or offering you unwanted help. Moreover, always double-check the change you’re given, and try to negotiate everything before you end up handing the money.
Kidnapping Risk in Hungary: LOW
One of the questions you might have regarding Hungary is “Is Hungary safe to visit regarding kidnappings?”.
In general, kidnappings rarely occur in Hungary, so you shouldn’t worry too much. Back in 2014, the kidnapping rate was at the level of 0 per 100,000 population. Although the ratings change, it’s safe to say that Hungary is safer than many countries. Still, you should never let your guard down either, as you should maintain a level of vigilance.
- How to avoid getting kidnapped in Hungary?
Some of the things you could do include not walking alone after dark, especially in poorly lit or deserted areas. Do not go in any area that is said to be of risk, and make sure you do not trust strangers either.
Terrorism Risk in Hungary: MEDIUM
“Is Hungary safe to visit regarding terrorism?” you might end up thinking about before spending money on plane tickets. The good news is that no recent attacks have been reported in Hungary, thus it’s not the biggest risk to consider. Still, the possibility of an attack shouldn’t be ruled out, and you should maintain a certain level of vigilance.
- How to avoid terrorism in Hungary?
Overall, what you should do is stay vigilant while you’re out in public, and look out for anyone that seems suspect. Be careful around religious areas, and monitor the local news, so you find out whether something’s unfolding at the moment or not.
Risks for Women Traveling Alone Hungary: LOW
If you’re a woman traveler and this is the first time you’re going to Hungary, you might wonder “Is Hungary safe for solo women travelers?”. It’s only normal to think about something like this because perpetrators might find you a much easier target when you’re only by yourself.
In terms of solo women traveler safety, Hungary is not the big bad monster you should fear, and it’s usually really safe to walk around. At the same time, you can’t take it for granted either, because you can’t predict anything. Therefore, there are some precaution rules you should still apply, regardless of the matter.
- How to avoid crime as a solo woman traveler in Hungary?
The best thing you could do to avoid crime as a solo woman traveler is to stay away from any deserted areas, specifically poorly lit ones. It’s much easier for criminals to act there, which is why you should stay away. Also, you should be careful about whose company you are, as you can’t trust people easily.
Rape Risk in Hungary: MEDIUM
Rape is a terrible crime that nobody should encounter, which is why it’s so important to take safety measures and avoid such an incident as much as possible. Although it’s not something that is definitely likely to happen, it’s essential to take safety measures beforehand. While Hungary is not the most dangerous country, rape is possible, just like anywhere.
- How to avoid getting raped in Hungary?
Make sure you dress accordingly, which means you shouldn’t wear outfits that are too revealing. Don’t trust strangers too easily, and if you’re going to any bar, do not accept drinks from strangers. They might put something in the drink, so it’s easier to take advantage of you.
Risks for People Traveling With Children in Hungary: LOW
Hungary is very friendly for children, and it’s not a destination where they’re in danger. Usually, children receive discounts for local attraction entries, as well as public transport. The little ones will enjoy the country, and as long as you’re with them, there’s barely any danger surrounding them.
- How to avoid unwanted scenarios?
In order to avoid any kind of incident, you should always keep your eyes on your children, and not let them get away from you. If possible, try to be at your accommodation before dark, so the risk decreases even more, as there’s nobody who could put your little one in danger.
Natural Disaster Risks in Hungary: LOW
Generally, you won’t encounter many natural disasters in Hungary. It’s best to monitor the local news before your trip, but the ones you could come across are flooding, blizzard, and snowstorms. They generally take place in the northeast region of the country, but otherwise, Hungary is pretty safe in terms of natural disasters.
Transportation Risks in Hungary: LOW
“How safe is Hungary for tourists in terms of road travel?” you might ask, whether you’re a driver or you’re planning to use public transport.
Most of the time, you can rely on taxis and transportation in Hungary, as they are usually safe. Still, you should be careful at the recommendations you’re given by the drivers in terms of bars, as they may often be places where pickpockets operate.
If you choose to drive yourself, you should pay attention to the road, as well as be aware of the driving rules. For example, you should use headlights on roads outside the town, even during the daytime, and you must never drive under the influence of alcohol. If you do, you will have to face the consequences.
Back in 2016, there were 607 road deaths in the country, which equates to 6.2 road deaths per 100,000 of the population. You don’t want to contribute to the number, so you should be a responsible driver.
Night-clubs, Pubs, and Bar Risks in Hungary: MEDIUM
Nightlife can be fun, so who’s to say you can’t enjoy some partying while you’re in a foreign country? Not only do you get to see how pubs and nightclubs are in other places, but you could also meet new people and form new bonds.
At the same time, being wary of your surroundings while in the club is essential. There were situations when drinks have been spiked, leading to people getting stripped of belongings, without any idea of what happened when they woke up. If you don’t want to encounter such a situation, you should never leave your drink unattended, or accept drinks from strangers.
Health Risks in Hungary: LOW
Hungary is not that dangerous when it comes to health, but that doesn’t mean there are no risks whatsoever. On special occasions, tourists may come across illnesses such as Hepatitis A or B, as well as rabies. For this exact reason, everyone should get the proper vaccinations upon leaving their home.
List of Vaccines You Need in Hungary
You should make sure that, before you leave, you visit your doctor, so he/she can determine if you need one of the following vaccines:
- Routine vaccines
- Rabies
- Hepatitis A and B
Most Dangerous Area in Hungary
Hungary is not that dangerous, but if you’re a tourist, it’s easier to come across situations when you don’t know what to do. Although there’s no particular place of heightened risk, Budapest should be a place where you pay a lot of attention to your surroundings. There’s a lot of petty crime, such as theft and pickpocketing, and you should always stay away from such situations.
Concluding Remarks: Is Hungary Safe to Visit?
Going to a foreign country is a beautiful experience that you should have without worrying about being a crime victim. Through this Hungary safety guide, you should have been able to find out if the country is safe enough to give it a shot or not.
If you end up visiting, you will be delighted by the beauty of the mountains, as well as the lakes and multiple picturesque villages. Stay safe and enjoy Hungary!
