What to avoid / or be prepared for as a first time visitor?
Posted by AffectionatePack3647@reddit | budapest | View on Reddit | 61 comments
What are some things that I should be careful about in Budapest?
Also any things I should know before visiting?
Tips etc
Thanks
runninbeard88@reddit
Don’t buy perfume or Apple products from the street vendors. Avoid freelance taxis, use bolt or uber instead.
hobbiesandcommunity@reddit
out of absolute curiosity, whats the deal with them? is it just counterfeit products or is there more to them
SharpSignal4929@reddit
The products are either fake or stolen, and if you engage with them and don't want to buy anything, they turn aggressive.
Lekapekanevaljeka@reddit
Oh man those guys still exist! Was in Bp almost 10 years ago and they were annoying, love Budapest tho
sometimes_based@reddit
Street vendor lmao, im gonna call them like this
runninbeard88@reddit
Well, we know they don’t have PC nickname
tension-extended-mix@reddit
+vapes
CryReasonable9320@reddit
Avoid every street vendor and freelance taxi Some stuff abt public transport is not intuitive, like you can freely swap from metro to metro (but not to anything else!) with a single ticket, you can use phone's banking app as a single ticket (but it's tricky a bit!). Also AFAIK with BKK pass you can use trains (ran by MÁV, not just HÉV trains - those are being ran by MÁV as well btw) in Budapest, they might come handy sometimes.
Grouchy_Speaker_5061@reddit
Go to vakvarju or kehli csarda for Hungarian food:) don’t try elsewhere
Try turorudi
NataschaTata@reddit
Do not, and I repeat, do not even think about going to New York Cafe
AffectionatePack3647@reddit (OP)
What's up with that?
EvenAd1314@reddit
Instead of New York coffee palace, go inside the Parisi Udvar Hotel cafe. THATS MORE BEAUTIFUL than the New York palace inside. Trust me :) it is also free to visit inside.
AnarchiaKapitany@reddit
It's quickly catching up to NY in infamy.
BabitchMihaly@reddit
or centrál maybe
NataschaTata@reddit
I’d say the biggest tourist trap in the country. Every time I drive by and see the 10+ meter queue a piece of me dies and it’s insane to me that people still don’t know how big of a trap it is. Budapest has an amazing coffee and tea house culture, if you’re into that stuff, you will find at least 1000 places better than that one.
Fancy-Debate-3945@reddit
The service is shit and overpriced and also waaaaayyy too crowded. It's a tourist trap. But the building itself is beautiful. As the other commenter I also recommend párisi udvar. But there are other classic cafés in Budapest that are beautiful
isawtheyeti@reddit
Beautiful building tho, very classic but overused for touristic benefits
SureTomatillo7939@reddit
Shitty and expensive tourist trap.
egyedi_nevemvan_yeah@reddit
Way too overpriced, way too crowded.
Brokentoken2@reddit
But for a similar enough experience, Café Astoria is a great choice. I’ve yet to visit, but looked at the prices and it’s very fair. Most of the time, there’s plenty of space. Granted, they don’t have gold leaf lattes for €50
igenigen@reddit
These questions are widely covered, please use the search function or read the extremely detailed pinned guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/budapest/wiki/index/guide-to-budapest/
ATMs / Payment Method
If the terminal ever asks, you always select HUF instead of your own currency.
Random Woman
Tipping
A majority of restaurants will automatically include a service fee between 10% and maximum 15%, do not tip on top of this.
VAT is 27% in Hungarian, do not misintrepret the receipt and think this was the tipping percentage.
ID for Public Transportation
You asked this question in a comment. The ID number is to prevent fraud since passes are not transferrable, but the ticket inspectors primarily only care about it when its for a discounted ticket such as one for a student.
If you don't always have internet, I would recommend sticking to paper passes, it will make your life easier as they are also easier to validate. If you buy a pass, it validates automatically upon purchase unless you set a future date.
For single tickets, you need to validate them manually.
koszevett@reddit
What is the random woman thing? I've lived here all my life but have never heard about this.
AnarchiaKapitany@reddit
That's exactly why you're not the target of this scam.
igenigen@reddit
How? They were all over Váci utca.
koszevett@reddit
The closest I've seen is restaurant greeters trying to drag you into the restaurant if they see that you're from abroad, but I'm sure that's not what you're referring to. Is this some attempt at seduction which ends up with you being robbed / mugged?
igenigen@reddit
These are not restaurant greets.
Similar. 2 girls invite you to a bar, get some drinks then bill end sup being 100,000 HUF+. After 2 thugs will escort you to the ATM.
For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGhtfSwTKGQ
Unhappy_Program_4405@reddit
VAT for restaurant table service is just 5% though
igenigen@reddit
5% only applies to food and non-alcoholic beverages if you dine in.. 27% for everything else.
But the service fee is subject to 27% which is why I stated it here since a lot of people asked why they were charged 27% tip.
NyolcemeletesDrugics@reddit
I highly recommend visiting small local restaurants and businesses for food and souvenirs. You’ll usually get better food, more authentic experiences, and friendlier service than you would in areas near major attractions or tourist hotspots.
AffectionatePack3647@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I love supporting local and small businesses. Do you have any recommended areas I should go to and areas to avoid?
EvenAd1314@reddit
The list is too long on both sides, you can search restaurant keyword in this sub and you will see plenty of to visit
NyolcemeletesDrugics@reddit
If you’d like to try traditional Hungarian food, I’d recommend:
For international cuisine:
NataschaTata@reddit
SeriousTeaAddict@reddit
Rosenstein Restaurant behind Keleti Station. Serves good quality traditional Hungarian Jewish food.
Bitter-Hand6979@reddit
+Vakvarjú
almightygodszoke@reddit
The 7th District has lots and lots of small businesses and it's also close to the city centre (in case you're staying there)
Gokwds3@reddit
Study the metro and tram ticket system so you dont get fined
utsuriga@reddit
OK so is this sub sponsored by Uber and Bolt or what? I've been using Citytaxi for ages and I've never ever once have been scammed. I have had terrible experiences with Bolt though, and as for Uber, in Hungary Uber is a normal taxi company, under Főtaxi! it's not the Uber that tourists know from other countries.
Avoiding freelance taxis, sure, that's a very good advice, but wtf is this Uber/Bolt mania here...
AffectionatePack3647@reddit (OP)
Hey ! Actually I downloaded the Budapest Goapp but it stated that I need a photo ID. I guess this is something that is connected with your government Personal ID?
Is it possible as a tourist to register without such details?
NyolcemeletesDrugics@reddit
As I know you can use your passport, but it requiers some kind of ID. Maybe it allows you to buy single tickets without ID, but honestly I’m not 100% sure.
AffectionatePack3647@reddit (OP)
No worries mate. Thank you for all the info anyway, I will do some research
TheCrazyHans@reddit
It requires the ID because passes are tied to personal identification (like drivers license, ID card or passport). This is to avoid transferring your pass to other members of your group.
NyolcemeletesDrugics@reddit
Download the BudapestGo app to buy tickets or pass easily. You cam avoid the line at the ticket machines and a lot of hassle.
Lepelotonfromager@reddit
You can pay by card. Make sure to pay in local currency.
koszevett@reddit
Do not stop for anyone on the street. Do not engage, don't even verbally decline to engage. You're pretty much guaranteed to be approached by someone during your time in the city. It will feel unnatural and rude to just ignore them without even saying a word, but that is 100% what you should do. This sounds scary, but Budapest isn't really that unsafe and you don't need to be afraid of strangers generally. But when someone walks up to you, you can assume they're up to no good.
Don't wear your flashiest, most expensive clothing. Flaunting one's wealth isn't particularly welcome here and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. You will be targeted if it says Gucci all over you, or if you look like you're fresh off a magazine cover. You don't need to look like a bum, but you can absolutely look good without overdoing it and drawing attention to yourself.
Absolutely do not do the Hungry/Hungary joke. Ever. Not even in irony. We have become so tired of it that it's borderline considered to be offensive these days.
Don't be obnoxious, especially when you're around other people. This includes talking loudly on the phone while on public transport, or taking photos or videos of other people.
Don't tell the time when asked.
Bitter-Hand6979@reddit
- dont go to a restaurant where a staff member is in front of it, inviting you in - definitely bad food and most likely tourist trap
- dont hop into any taxi, use the Bolt or Főtaxi app, order and wait for it. If you just hop in, probably a scam
- dont eat at Váci street. overpriced and not traditional hungarian food, but a touristy version
- public transportation is great, use it (but a single tickewt is only for one ride, if you need to change vehicles, you will need a new ticket - probably a 72 hours ticket is overall better). you can get it in paper form if you dont want to use the app (i live here for 28 years and i never had the app)
- if you use a single ticket, you need to validate on the vehicle or when you are going into the subway
- boat rides on the Danube are amazing, it worth it, day or night
- 100E bus needs an aiport bus ticket but its much cheaper than a taxi and quite fast and comfortable
- there are areas where gipsies and homeless are much more present than in others. avoid direct contact and you will be fine. the city overall is much safer than bigger other eropen cities.
- if anyone wants go give you anything for free on the street, dont accept it. (you will have to pay at the end even if they tell you that you wont)
- if you need a quick breakfast, supermarket pastries are a great option (Lidl, Aldi, Spar) and much better than an average store pastry
- if you go into a restaurant, always check prices on the menu before ordering anything
- lángos and kürtőskalács are traditional food and perfectly fine from bodegas (we eat that too), no need to go to a restaurant for it
- if you have half a day or one full day as extra, check out Szentendre city, use the HÉV (you will need a HÉV ticket for that).
- we are not proud of our cuisine yet so you will find amazing pizza, gyors and burger places if you need quick good food - but never buy them from an underpass, not all but there are bad hygene ones (we know them all, where to eat, where we shouldnt eat, but as a stranger, just avoid in general) - underpass pastry post are fine
- if you chose a thermal bath to visit, i recommend Rudas, but check out beforehand because there are days when only one gender can go into the turkish bath
- great view from Gellért Hill tp the Danube and the city (we call it a mountain but its only 140m )
faur217@reddit
Unofficial taxi Really bad charging rates Some tourist trap restaurants
TrueGamer77@reddit
Pozsonyi kisvendéglő, thank me later
FreeAnonn@reddit
Pay cash if you want to go out of your way to respect the local culture. And maybe someone can confirm but when I withdrew cash it asked me whether I wanted to agree to a 15% fee. Apparently you can just select " no" and get your money at the normal conversion rate?
IAmReallyNotAR0b0t@reddit
What are you even talking about? Us locals use contactless card payment almost exclusively.
That's either your bank or you used one of those shady euronet atms that only exist to scam tourists.
OP you can pay by card literally everywhere, if they insist on cash they want to scam you. Also always choose the local currency when paying by card because your bank has a better exchange rate than the payment processor.
FreeAnonn@reddit
Everyone I talked to, inside and outside of Budapest told me people prefer cash and that's it's just more normal. Probably excluding Zoomers. Obviously you can pay by card in the city lol.
Are you claiming that Hungary doesn't have a super big cash culture?
TheCrazyHans@reddit
Amongst boomers and scammers maybe. I am 27. I lived in Bp for over 10 years before that I lived in the country side, I have barely ever needed to use cash since I got my card in 2013. This year I haven't yet used cash, not once, not even when the plumber came to fix some pipes. And even my gardener and barber takes card. Cash only is, strictly speaking, not allowed and usually means that they don't like to pay tax. None of my immediate family or friends use cash and I always recommend people to avoid places where they can't pay by card.
PathOfPurrrate@reddit
Even when shit happens, and their card reader doesn’t work (yeah, it could happen, you can usually just ‘transfer’ money to their bank account, and they also can be able to issue receipt/invoice that way, but especially in those casea, ask for the invoice thing.
In general tho, I like to have some cash in every country I visit, but buying them prior to the trip. Sometimes I just spend it on the last few days, or if it’s euro, I keep it for later.
And yes, those who doesn’t accep cards are usually tax avoiders (mostly), and maybe scammers, since some kind of ‘electric payment’ is legally required to have here. Can ve QR, card reader, official company account for transfer, etc. but you need to provide any of those option.
IAmReallyNotAR0b0t@reddit
I'm not 'claiming', I'm stating as a local that Hungary does not have 'a big cash culture'. If someone insists that you pay cash they either want to scam you or they try to avoid paying taxes.
unyikabonya@reddit
yes, Hungary doesn't have a cash culture, it's just a few older people who have trust issues and/or (to be honest it's usually and) want to avoid paying taxes.
there are more and more places where cash isn't even accepted anymore (like Budapest Park for example), and it is mandatory for vendors to accept electronic payments.
EvenAd1314@reddit
Hungary doesnt have cash culture. My 70yrs old mom also pays woth contactless bankcard in the countryside. This is bs
Myself havent carried cash with me for years
fogatlan_prokator@reddit
no. hungary doesnt have “cash culture”.. only scammers, and tax cheaters prefer cash, OP should avoid them.
picurebeka@reddit
Do not, ever, under any circumstances give anyone your time and/or money on the street unless you are 1000% sure they are a legitimate vendor. Not to bums. Not to homeless. Not to random charity peolpe. Not to a person approaching you near TVMs that they need to get to somewhere, can you buy them a ticket or give money. Not to the random person trying to sell parfume, phones, belts, gloves, panties, socks or glowing thingamabobs or whatever.
Use common sense. Whatever scams you have at home, we have similar ones (plus beggars who are actually pimed by organised crime groups).
C_G_Walker@reddit
The inner city with sights to see is not That big. You can walk and enjoy the surroundings without the need of transportation all the tume.
Mediocre-Field7835@reddit
Watch out for the crows man. They will dive at you
Happy-Elevator-9925@reddit
Avoid taxi which have the sign only “Taxi” without any brand or “freelancer” rather use Bolt from app if you need Taxi.