Advice for First Time Visit to Budapest
Oct 1st, 2008, 08:49 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Advice for First Time Visit to Budapest
My college aged son will be in Budapest for 4 days over Thanksgiving to visit a college buddy who is doing an overseas semester from the US.
Are there any pieces of advice or caution I should pass on to him about Budapest (ie local laws or quirks)? He's been to Paris and London, but it's always been as a family.
Thanks for any help.
Are there any pieces of advice or caution I should pass on to him about Budapest (ie local laws or quirks)? He's been to Paris and London, but it's always been as a family.
Thanks for any help.
Oct 1st, 2008, 09:01 AM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Budapest is a fairly safe city that presents no particular problems to the visitor (with the exception that the inspectors on public transport are very rigorous and unforgiving if one does not have a valid ticket). It's also a great place to visit.
With a friend in situ, I cannot imagine that he will have any difficulties.
With a friend in situ, I cannot imagine that he will have any difficulties.
Oct 1st, 2008, 09:25 AM
#3
Yes, the only thing I would say is to always make sure he has a valid train/tram ticket with him.
We bought a 3 day pass when we arrived, it covered all public transport and it meant we didn't have to buy a ticket each time we wanted to use the train and we didn't have to worry about having the wrong type of ticket. I think you can buy other tickets, such as 7 days, if the 3 day is not enough.
The sight of 5 burly ticket inspectors all standing shoulder to shoulder was quite intimidating and one we saw quite a bit over our 3 days.
That said, we did enjoy Budapest, especially the old-world cafes.
Kay
We bought a 3 day pass when we arrived, it covered all public transport and it meant we didn't have to buy a ticket each time we wanted to use the train and we didn't have to worry about having the wrong type of ticket. I think you can buy other tickets, such as 7 days, if the 3 day is not enough.
The sight of 5 burly ticket inspectors all standing shoulder to shoulder was quite intimidating and one we saw quite a bit over our 3 days.
That said, we did enjoy Budapest, especially the old-world cafes.
Kay
Oct 1st, 2008, 10:25 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jaya
Since you mention "college age" I would assume a night out with the guys is a given.
Tell him to be extremely careful of women trying to pick up men while walking on the street. It is a SCAM. What they do, they talk unsuspecting young men into buying them a drink. Turns out they are actually working for the establishment they go into. They all go in order some drinks, when the bill comes, it is some outrageous price. Don't have the money, they will "escort" them to the nearest ATM. I am talking of bills adding up to some crazy amount of hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Police are aware of this, but seem to do nothing about it.
Another tip... if traveling via tram. Mostly the 4 or 6 watch out for pickpockets. They are really good at what they do.
Other than the scamming and bus tickets, he should be fine. It is a very safe city, he should have a great time.
Since you mention "college age" I would assume a night out with the guys is a given.
Tell him to be extremely careful of women trying to pick up men while walking on the street. It is a SCAM. What they do, they talk unsuspecting young men into buying them a drink. Turns out they are actually working for the establishment they go into. They all go in order some drinks, when the bill comes, it is some outrageous price. Don't have the money, they will "escort" them to the nearest ATM. I am talking of bills adding up to some crazy amount of hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Police are aware of this, but seem to do nothing about it.
Another tip... if traveling via tram. Mostly the 4 or 6 watch out for pickpockets. They are really good at what they do.
Other than the scamming and bus tickets, he should be fine. It is a very safe city, he should have a great time.
Oct 1st, 2008, 12:03 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Shangrila, you bring up some good points. Living in quaint New England, it's easy to forget that these organized scams are bountiful in Europe.
We encountered it while in Paris. And you are right, they are very good at what they do. My purse got pickpocketed so fast on the Paris Metro and the little gang of theives were off the train before the doors closed!
We encountered it while in Paris. And you are right, they are very good at what they do. My purse got pickpocketed so fast on the Paris Metro and the little gang of theives were off the train before the doors closed!
