Budapest Fovaros Travel Forum

hi ! can someone tell us where are the safest areas to visit at night in Pest,
as we read in the Independent newspaper today, that Budapest is a favourite of British stag party weekends who get pissed and cause trouble, and we dont want to get mixed up with these crowds. Also is it necessary (or desirable) to carry a passport at all times for identification, if asked. Is there any more risk of theft etc than in London?
Finally, we would like to visit Godollo Castle (former home of Empress Sissi).is there an organised tour there most days, and has anyone visited the place

All party areas are safe if you observe the same safety roules as in, let's say, London. There are no crowds of British 'staggers', but independent groups of them, mostly consisting of up to 10 people. You can't predict where they'd turn up - but you can quite freely keep away from them.

Visit Godollo Castle on your own, guided tours are surely available there. Take the Godollo HEV train (suburban train) from Ors vezer tere metro M2 terminal to in direction Godollo to stop Godollo-Szabadsag ter. Please note, that Budapest tickets are only valid as far as Ilonatelep stop, beyond this stop you'll need a supplementary ticket, which wouldn't cost much more than 1 EUR or so. At Godollo-Szabadsag ter, get off, cross the tracks and walk straight ahead about 5 minutes and you'll be standing right in front of the castle.

hi,

re. safest areas: Budapest is reputed to be much safer than London or any other big British cities, you should not worry about that. I believe stag parties have typical targets like table dancing clubs, if you avoid those and go for the well populated downtown clubs in district V, VI, VII (around Deák Ferenc tér or around Liszt Ferenc tér), you should not face any problems.

re. passport: it is better some sort of id with you by hand which displays your nationality. As far as I am concerned police is not harassing tourists, but apparently without an id there may be the need for some extra rounds if you run into some incidents, you never know.

re. theft: street robbing is absolutely not common (avoid dark alleys, etc, as in any other cities). Pickpockets are present, so beware on crowded trams/buses/metros and events attractinc masses. And do not gamble on the streets :)

cheers,
Glober

Right, have an ID at hand. Driving licence, student ID, insurance card etc. Officially only EU personal IDs and driving licences are accepted, but in most cases, other photo IDs are also applicable.