So what makes Budapest safe?
This is not an official study, but I think my arguments are realistic and convincing.
1, Most of the people have no guns, neither do they keep guns at home. No wonder, homicide rates are relatively low (oftentimes connected to inner family business or gangster rendezvous). Most murder attempts happened in District 8 in 2005, so do not go deep into District VIII, especially at night. The closer you get to the city centre (District 5) in District 8 the calmer. However, we must add that this district is developing extremely dynamically, new buildings with new residents are pushing out older, poorer people who were more inclined to desperate violent acts.
2, Somehow Budapest thinks of itself as a safe city and acts accordingly. I don't know if you see what I mean. Now I am living in New Orleans and I know that New Orleans knows that it's dangerous - in the same token, Budapest knows that it's safe. So it's like a Pygmalion effect, sort of. Even at late night you can see people (young girls too) going home alone, without fear. And it's a great feeling to see people's confidence. Historically, it may be one of the consequences of the former communist era, but it's my opinion, so don't take it as a fact. After all, Denmark or Finland is safe enough without communism.
3, Efficient public transportation: most buses, metros, trams run even after 10 pm, and people do use them, so there is not much isolation brought about by private cars: you will travel with many people, buses after 11 and at 12 are still taking people home, there is life at night and people in the streets, waiting at stops, walking to bars or back home, etc. Staying in the US has opened my eyes that heavy reliance on cars also results in fewer people on the streets (fewer pavements to start with). Now one place is an exception: Margaret Island (Margitsziget) has no public transportation at night. So even if you walk to the island (there are good parties there in summer), only come and go there with more people, and hardly any money. Avoid dark patches in the green park, however inviting for a romantic kiss.
4, Good police? I don't know. Many people are complaining about Hungarian policemen (almost fifth joke is about 'the stupid policeman') - but then again, Hungarians tend to complain. Yes, people love complaining. :) So I don't know what to say: visibly, Budapest is not safer because of the police - I mean on an everyday level you won't see policemen standing at every second corner in a Morgan Freeman style. Which is a good thing. So they work, and they work. Just as the cameras in Budapest, which also greatly contributed to the decrease in crimes in District 8.
Thieves, Pickpockets, Shoplifters
If anything Budapest can 'boast' about is the number of petty crimes connected to stealing in one way or another. For instance, one thing that Hungarian tourists are amazed at in western countries is that they can leave things outside, in the garden, on the bench in the park, because they will very likely find them. As a Hungarian, you wouldn't do it at home, especially not in Budapest as it will disappear in a blink (last Xmas I left a gift bag from my girl friend in one of the boutiques at Mammut, and it was gone instantly too). So keep your bag under your arm, watch who is standing next to you on the tram, bus, or underground, and don't flash expensive jewelry. Mugging can take place at night in the worse parts of the city (as the aforementioned District VIII), but again, most of the central areas are very safe, well-lit at night and full of young party goers from Thur to Sat night (Sun nights tend to be calm, with fewer happenings) - you shouldn't feel unsafe.
Tourists as Targets
If you are a tourist you cannot hide it: you have the look and feel and map of a tourist. So does it make you a target? Yes and no.
Pickpockets will pay attention to you more (just as in any big city) and also ticket inspectors (unlike in other cities). As I said, watch your belongings (especially backpacks and bags with side pockets) on metros, escalators, and in crowds (e.g. at concerts). Of course, don't carry a lot of cash with you - or not in your bag, not in your pants hanging out from your back pocket, but somewhere more hidden. But otherwise, you have no reason to be on the alert.
Why ticket inspectors? Because they work on commission, the more people they catch red handed the more they earn. If you decide not to increase their wallets/ purses, don't forget to validate your ticket whenever you get on a bus, metro, tram, trolley, etc. and whenever you change lines. The best solution is to buy a 3 or 7 day pass and travel without limits (it is not good for the Funicular railway though).
Third, some guys and girls are selling their bodies at night along the River Danube (especially on Váci utca and on the Pest side, next to Hotel InterContinental - between the Chain Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge. But you can expect to be sexually approached in certain bars too - for some supplemental revenue.)
Fourth, there are quite a lot beggars in central areas (especially metro stations sitting/ lying at the walls): some will recognize that you are a precious thing to get money from, so if you don't want to give them some money (usually a 100 HUF coin), just say NEM ('No' in Hungarian, pronounced as naem) and walk on. Some beggars will want more, even if you gave them something, so be prepared to walk away firmly. If you decide to give money, it is better to give it from your pocket rather than flashing your wallet. Just put some 50-100 HUF coins in your pocket in case you want to be humane.
Mis-billing: mis-billing may happen unintentionally - or intentionally, especially if you are a tourist. It can happen in stores or shops at the cashier, through waiters in restaurants, at different vendors, etc.. Run through your bill with a quick check if you feel suspicious of the total price you pay. What I have experienced in this respect was limited to some mis-billings at bars when we were with a bigger bunch (5 or more people staying for hours). Usually, they don't expect a bigger group to keep track of spendings, so it might happen that you end up paying more than you should. The vast majority of prices include VAT.
Scam: occasionally, if you are unlucky, you can run into scammers. Scam has various manifestations: some will pose as ticket inspectors (ask for ID with photo), some may pretend to be policemen (rare in Budapest), etc. There are corrupt policemen in Hungary too, and if you rent a car and stay longer in Hungary, you may experience a police bribe. If in doubt, ask for ID, ask for a bill/ invoice (check the amount stated) for what you pay, get all the documentation, and contact the relevant embassy for help and advice.
I hope you will have only good experiences in Budapest. Have fun and enjoy the city.
PS: here's what a Hungarian woman living in Budapest wrote as a comment on LA Times, Homicide report:
What a horror. And what a horror to read the LA Times Homicide Report. I live in Budapest, Hungary, where what passes as a normal weekend in LA would be considered a national emergency if so many kilings occurred in a year. This is a city where anyone can walk around anywhere at night, and the worst, the absolute worst that could but probably would not happen to you is to be mugged by an unarmed mugger. In seven years I have heard of this happening once to a friend of mine. How can Americans put up with this, I cannot comprehend.
Posted by: Alex | June 05, 2007 at 12:21 AM