Most Common Scams in Budapest
No need to worry, Budapest is generally very safe. However, there are occasional reports of tourists being scammed. While not as frequent as in some other major cities, it's good to be prepared.
Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t.:)
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Probably the easiest scam to fall victim to are freelance taxis. These are fake taxi providers that operate independently from the general providers. They tend to charge a ridiculously high price (sometimes even 3-4x normal rate) once you get to your destination. The easiest way to avoid them is by never flagging down a taxi on the street, or getting into the ones that approach you directly.
Instead, we suggest you download one of the many taxi apps available, and order there. The most common ones are: Bolt, Fotaxi or Uber.
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This isn’t a scam necessarily, but an overall bad deal. Budapest is full of Euronet ATMs that allow you to withdraw different currencies. They, however, have a long list of additional costs, and you will get a really bad deal. Just use any other ATM, or go to an exchange place. It will save you a lot of money.
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If a stranger approaches you offering to exchange money, never accept! It will always be a scam of some sort, and you risk losing your hard earned cash.
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Not a scam, but can be costly. If a store offers the option to pay in cash in a foreign currency, it will almost exclusively be a very poor exchange rate. By law, all stores have to accept cards, so just use your card, or pay cash in Hungarian Forints.
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If you plan on enjoying the nightlife of Budapest (highly recommended:)) as a man, you might bump into this one. Some local young girls approach you - seemingly just to talk - and suggest they know the best bars around. In Hungarian culture, it is very rare for women to approach men, so this should already raise some flags. The goal is usually to get you to a scammy bar and over charge you. Talking to locals is perfectly fine, but be cautious if it seems too good to be true.
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There are plenty of these in the city centre, but many of them will use some way to overcharge or scam you. Be extra cautious if visiting.
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In Hungary, the purchase, consumption or carriage of any drug is illegal, so just avoid it. If someone approaches you on the street (especially in the party district), it is almost always a scam.
