Tourist advisory for Hungary

U.S. citizens planning to travel to Hungary should acquaint themselves with common tourist scams and areas with a high incidence of theft. Since we would like you to have an enjoyable trip to Hungary, this advisory has been issued in the hope that with advance warning, you can avoid potential theft situations. Keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of Americans have had pleasant, incident-free stays in Hungary.

Clubs and Restaurants:

The vast majority of clubs and restaurants in Budapest are legitimate businesses that offer good value and service. However, there are clubs and restaurants in Budapest about which the U.S. Embassy has received numerous complaints from U.S. citizens for engaging in unethical business practices. Victims have filed reports with the Embassy describing the following practices: excessive billing of customers, physical intimidation to force customers to pay exorbitant bills (including holding a member of a party while others in the group pay the bill at ATMs, 24-hour cash facilities), and assault by club/restaurant employees for non-payment of excessive bills. There have been incidents, albeit rare, where U.S. citizens unknowingly have been drugged.

Further, Do NOT let seemingly helpful taxi drivers or local women lure you to an establishment they recommend - they may receive a commission for bringing victims to the club/restaurant. It is also advised that you not patronize clubs/restaurants that do not list prices or provide a menu with prices. Always verify the cost prior to purchase. Be aware that a menu switch may occur at the time of a billing complaint/dispute, for you may be handed a menu that lists higher prices and other hidden charges.

American citizens are strongly urged to avoid these clubs and restaurants due to multiple reports of victimization received by the Embassy:

This list is not all-encompassing, so please use common sense and take note when/where one or more local women approach U.S. citizens in the guise of friendship. Please note that most of these places are located in Budapest's fifth district, on/near the main tourist street, the Váci utca.

Városközpont (accessible by outside elevator)
Budapest V district, Váci utca 16.

La Dolce Vita
Budapest V district, Október 6. utca 8.

Nirvana Night Club
Budapest V district, Szent István krt.13.

Ti'Amo Bar
Budapest IX district, Ferenc körút 19-21.

Lastly, the Embassy has received reports of attacks in the Chain Bridge area on both sides of the Danube, and on the bridge itself. American citizens are advised to take note of their surroundings as they tour the city.

If you have been the victim of any incident, scam or theft, you should file a police report and report the incident to the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy is located at Szabadság tér 12; 1054 Budapest and our telephone is: 475-4636; fax: 475-4113; and e-mail: acs.budapest@state.gov. Incident Report forms also can be found on our website: www.usembassy.hu/conseng/incidentrpt.doc (Word document.).

Some U.S. citizens have reported that the police appear to be ineffective and unmotivated to deal with tourist scams and similar crimes. The Hungarian Ministry of Economic Affairs has a special, 24-hour telephone number for tourists to use if one becomes a victim of personal crime while in Hungary. Police personnel with foreign language capability, including English, are on duty seven days a week. Victims of personal crimes, such as thefts, scams, overcharges, abuses or molestations while in Hungary are strongly encouraged to report all such incidents. This telephone number is: 438-8080.

There is also a 24-hour Police Tourinform office that provides service in English and in German and is located in one of Budapest's busiest tourist areas: Vigadó utca 6, 1051, Budapest.

Source: www.usembassy.hu




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