Homophobia, overcharge: embassy warnings for tourists visiting Hungary
As beautiful as the country is, there are too many unpleasant things to encounter here. Now that one can travel without most restrictions, Hungary is becoming flooded with tourists again. However, there are some things that Western governments warn their people about should they wish to travel to Hungary.
Warning list
And no, these “warning lists” do not only contain restaurants and bars that overcharge. Aside from COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, tourists travelling to Hungary do not have much to worry about. Nonetheless, there are a few things to be aware of, as we can learn from the websites of the American, Canadian, British and Australian foreign ministry.
According to these websites,
- public transport in Budapest is “perfect” and “cheap”;
- public safety is generally good, except for thieves and fraudsters who prey on tourists;
- public healthcare may be well below U.S. standards;
- it might be dangerous to drive on Hungarian roads;
- LGBTQI+ persons should think twice before coming to Hungary.
LQBTQI+ tourists
This last point is especially saddening. The website of the USA Bureau of Consular Affairs writes:
“Ethnic nationalist groups have gained popularity in Hungary in the past years advocating intolerance towards Jews, Roma, and LGBTI+ persons. Although these groups do not engage in violence and are not explicitly anti-United States, you should avoid public demonstrations and confrontations with their members.”
Public security
As rtl.hu writes, Western tourists may be reassured by the fact that public safety in Hungary is considered good enough. However, foreign ministries warn visitors that theft is common, especially in crowded places popular with tourists.
According to a warning on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, there have been many reports of thefts on trains, especially those between Vienna and Budapest, and at railway stations.
Dangerous places in Budapest
It was underscored that the Keleti Railway Station and its immediate surroundings are a particularly dangerous place in this respect. The warning shows that thieves targeting foreign tourists are especially keen on metro lines M1 and M3, tram lines 2, 4 and 6, and the bus line 7, as well as American fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Pizza Hut.
In addition, all the above-mentioned countries draw attention to overcharging in restaurants and bars, where unsuspecting customers are issued with huge bills and even forced to pay them. They also warn tourists never to ask taxi drivers to recommend bars and restaurants.
A recurring element is the warning that travellers should never accept drinks from strangers, as they may contain drugs.
Read alsoWhat’s next?! Further price increase to come in Budapest’s rental market!
Source: rtl.hu, travel.state.gov, travel.gc.ca, smartraveller.gov.au, gov.uk
2 Comments
At least in Hungary, there is no random shooting every day
These folks dont mention many major cities police hav been defunded . Steal anything under 1000$ no problem along with many crimes including assault. No problem with gays – it’s being indoctrinated starting in pre-school. Women are another story – it too dangerous to be out alone in major US cities, tourist not so much. The comment above mentions daily assaults – sorry it’s more like every 10 minutes. 10,000 murders last year with guns being the least of them. Violent crime and assault 4 times that many. The majority are blacks- so are the victims – gay not worry they have been made a special group by the left and don’t you dare be critical. I know you are fed this BS with a news feed- same mine that didn’t mention the Vice President – now president and his family made big payoffs in Ukraine and you ignored it – last I heard it was a neighbor country- Biden was put in charge to Curb corruption there. Trump was impeached for 5 minutes of a phone call to the UKraine president because he dare mention the corruption. They same people are now in power and are responsible for the war going on and you ignore it but you have pushed Covid and LGBS not stop and the left wing media loves to bash the dictatorship that is Hungary.