Three of us have booked for a trip to Budapest later this year. I am now a little concerned about the area after reading various reviews. This seem to be an area for prostitution and pick pockets. We are in our sixties and the safety aspect of the holiday is a bit worrying.
We will be arriving around 8pm and will of course need to go out for a meal. Are there restaurants near to where we are staying? My main concern is out and about in this area on an evening. We like to have a drink and mix with the locals as part of our holiday. Is the taxi company Fotaxi still the main taxi from the airport? I think read somewhere that they had lost the contract from the airport.
It is almost as easy to get lost in Budapest as Paris and worst of all, London. However, once you are lost, you are really lost. No English speakers, unreadable street signs, etc. I think John is a little naive about pickpockets and prostitutes. In fact, my experience is that they are more prevelent in NON-tourist areas. The tourist areas are heavily policed and the criminals are looking for the easy "mark".
If a lone tourist gets seperated from the herd they need to be especially careful. There is a tour company that specializes in walking tours in VIII. Maybe in June i go and learn a little more. However, I wouldn't recommend it for solo especially female travellers this area. So, it is not just about district 8 or not, there are some risky areas at night. These are nice and more or less safe areas of district 8. Sont: Thank you for the affirmation of my position.
I believe if you find yourself in any of the areas where you are feeling uncomfortable, this is a time when you should flag down and negotiate with a "street" cab, get the best deal you can and then get out of there! I guess i am not getting out to the right neighborhoods. Last time I saw a prostitute in Budapest it as in the bar at the hotel i was staying at in Buda. Rather nice hotel too. I can assure you that when oldies like you, John and me are not looking for them, the Travelling Companions will spot them in a heartbeat.
