Is Budapest Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Budapest generally offers a safe environment for solo female travelers. Traditional tourist areas are well-policed and have excellent public transportation options, including reputable taxi services. However, it's always crucial to follow classic safety measures like staying in well-lit, busy places, keeping an eye on your belongings, and avoiding isolated places after dark. Additionally, it's advisable to learn a few basic Hungarian phrases to navigate your stay.

Safety rating

4.9 /5

Based on 38 experiences

4.3 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

Budapest generally holds a reputation as a safe city for solo female travelers. At night, popular and well-lit areas such as the city center, landmarks, and the Danube promenade are generally secure to navigate alone, and public transportation continuously runs smoothly. However, as with any global city, it's always essential to remain vigilant and use common sense, especially when exploring less crowded neighborhoods or parts of the city outside the main areas.

Public transportation: Safe

Public transportation in Budapest is relatively safe as the metro, trams, buses, and trolleys are well-maintained and reliable. Most locals and tourists use public transport daily without incidences. It is very busy during peak hours, making it less favourable for pickpockets. However, as with any city, it's always wise to stay vigilant and watch out for your belongings, especially in crowded places. Also, while most people speak English in Budapest, language can sometimes be a barrier, so knowing a few basic phrases or having a translation app handy might be beneficial.

Street harassment: Low

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has relatively low levels of street harassment compared to other global tourist destinations. Nevertheless, as a solo female traveler, it’s always important to stay cautious and aware of your surroundings. For the most part, locals are welcoming and possess a friendly disposition towards tourists. However, just like in any major city, there may be instances of verbal harassment in crowded or less reputable areas. Exercising common safety measures should ensure a pleasant stay in this scenic city.

Petty crimes:Low

Budapest, is generally considered a safe city, although like any major city, some petty crime such as pickpocketing or bag snatching can occur, primarily in crowded places and on public transport. However, it's not rampant, and taking general precautions can help you avoid such situations. It's always recommended to be aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings close, and secure valuables out of sight.

Tap water:Very safe

Tap water in Budapest is completely safe for consumption. The water quality is regularly monitored and tested for any contamination. The local water supply company takes necessary steps to ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of the water. Filtering and disinfection procedures are adhered, providing potable, clean water straight from the tap. It's a practical and environmentally friendly solution, contributing to reducing plastic usage.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 38 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.9/5

Safety

4.9/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

4.1/5

Solo travel experience

I loved the various thermal baths (the glitzy ones and those used by locals), walking around the castle area, going to the Great Market Hall, the fairy light tram (I only visit Budapest during Xmas time), the almost vintage metro system, classical music street performers, affordability, walking up Gellert Hill during a misty morning, and a visit to the opera.

Posted: December 3, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Chara

Chara (20)

Greece

Couple travel experience

Budapest is one of the best places to visit as a student! Beautiful and very picturesque, with many historic monuments and beautiful castles to enjoy for free. Very cheap as well, with great accommodation options. I went with my girlfriend and felt very safe both in Buda and Pest, you can roam the streets at any time and not worry about weird people stalking you. Perfect!

Posted: November 23, 2023Experienced: September, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

The city is really pretty. I went to the most beautiful café in the world, saw the most beautiful Parliament building, visited the biggest baths in Europe, and walked across a bridge that connects Buda and Pest. The only tricky part was the language barrier since not many people spoke English. But overall, I really liked the city.

Posted: November 6, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I went solo in March this year to Budapest and loved it. I just kept walking around everywhere to take my mind off that I was there alone. I felt so safe there I didn’t feel unsafe once even when walking back to the hotel at 11 pm.

Posted: October 13, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I've been multiple times and I love Budapest. It's really safe and not very crowded, and you have a lot of things to do and see. What I saw/did: Lights Art Museum, Gellért Thermal Baths, Hungarian Parliament, The Magic - Harry Potter-themed restaurant, Zoo Cafe, Cat cafe, Heroes Square, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Zoo, Shoes on the Danube, Cookie Beacon for brunch, The Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge.

Posted: October 12, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I went in March for 4 days. Absolutely loved it. Felt safe and never questioned whether I was safe. Even walked back from a boat tour at 11 pm, and was absolutely fine. Everyone was very welcoming. This is everything I did: Monday: 1. Museum of Selfie and Sweets 2. Light Art Museum 3. Magic, Harry Potter–themed restaurant Tuesday - full day: 1. Hop on hop off bus 2. Central Market Hall 3. Hungarian Parliament Building 4. Cookie Beacon Brunch 5. St. Stephen's Basilica 6. Dinner at MANU+ Pizza 7. Ferris Wheel 8. Shoes on the River Danube Wednesday - full day: 1. Gellért Thermal Baths 9-7 2. Gellert Hill 3. Zoo 5 pm 4. Hero’s Square 5. Dinner at Bellozo 6. Buda Castle 7. Fisherman's Bastion 11 pm 8. Evening River Cruise Thursday - bus at 11 pm: 1. Lion's Locker for Breakfast 2. Shopping

Posted: October 9, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I just spent 8 days in Budapest with no plans, just wandered around to see what I could find. The city is full of gems. I took a boat ride down the Danube at night, did a free walking tour, walked across the chain bridge, explored the 7th district and Old Jewish Quarter, climbed to the top of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and toured the Parliament. Budapest is a great city for walking around and finding cool things on your own.

Posted: October 3, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I just went to Budapest over the summer and loved it. Even the tourist traps like New York Café were charming. Some things I liked most were: the river boat tour at night to see the parliament lit up, the KIOSK restaurant by the river, and Széchenyi baths. I downloaded the Bolt app to call taxis to make sure I wasn't scammed on prices. I never felt unsafe walking around.

Posted: October 2, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Isabeau

Isabeau

Germany

Group travel experience

I really enjoyed my trip to Budapest. The architecture is nice and there are many special spots you should visit for a coffee or drink, especially the ruin bars or coffee in industrial style. You should also walk to the Fisherman‘s Bastion or Gellert Hill , you can have a great view over the city. I did not spent much but I had a friend who was living there, so I didn’t need to go to a hotel. But also food wasn’t expensive. We felt relatively safe, but you should be careful if you go outside alone at night as a woman. I think Budapest is worth a trip and I hope you enjoy it!

Posted: August 23, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Family travel experience

You can't skip visiting Buda Castle, the Ruin Bars and the Parliament. There's a plethora of budget-friendly restaurants (also veggie-friendly) everywhere! My family and I stayed at an Aparthotel;, it was cheap, clean and very well-located. Transport works wonders but we mostly walked everywhere because the path is completely flat. Overall one of the best cities I've been to, would definitely come back! Thank you Budapest :)

Posted: August 14, 2023Experienced: July, 2018
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Local experiences

In Budapest, go to Massolit café on nagy diofa utca. Go visiting the Kerepesi cemetery, for free and in fact a real museum with hundreds of sculptures. For lunch go to Araz restaurant or Kiosk or Monk's bistro and chose the napi menü (lunch formula) if you have no allergies and orthorexia. Don't go to the big synagogue but to the little one on Kazinczy utca. Much cheaper and much nicer. And go bathing at Dandár bath and not where all tourits go.

Posted: November 3, 2022
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I have some very personal recommendations. Must see: Szimpla kert is a type of romkocsma if you google "romkocsmák Budapest" you will find similar ones but Szimplakert is indeed one of the best but Instant is also nice or Gozsdu udvar!! Very unique kind of chill places are these. Margitsziget (very beautiful park) I really recommend Parlament! Night also! So pretty! Hike up to the liberty statue (15 min from Parlament) especially amazing at night. Easy hike 10 min. But beautiful view! Liberty Bridge. Also very cool! Belgrád rakpart! -very nice walk around the river with historical details If u like beer and wine its quite cheap in some places (not the tourist places) A good Tokaji wine worth to try! One of the best wines in Europe! Eat: Gulasch soup, kürtöskalács (chimney cake)

Posted: July 20, 2022
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Meet locals in Budapest

Evïem

Evïem

Speaking

About Me

www.mind-to-travel.com İ am huge fan of travelling mainly alone, therefore İ am more open to meet the locals, meet new people, understand their culture. As a student of psychology İ believe travelling is a way to expand our views, understand other point of views without a need to agree; accepting each others differences in a friendly manner and learning from it. Every ecounter teach us something new. İ am Hungarian living in Budapest, huge fan of my city, so anyone who would like to have a local guide for a day/afternoon, message me, İ am happy to show you around. Languages İ speak: English, Hungarian and Spanish is fluent, practicing Portuguese and Turkish

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇳 India, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇫🇷 France, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇲🇨 Monaco

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rukhsar

rukhsar

Speaking

About Me

Hey!, My name is rukhsar and I'm interested in books, culture, cinema, history, nature, sightseeing, backpacking, food & cuisine and hiking

Countries I’ve Visited

🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇳 India, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

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Aidana

Aidana

Speaking

About Me

Hi, ladies! I am Aidana who travelled to 20+ countries! I am 28 years old and I am doing a PhD in the oldest university of Hungary! My life motto “Carpe Diem”!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

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Stay with locals in Budapest

Sara

Sara

Speaking

You can stay for:

7 days

About me

I am Sara, i am 26 years old. I love nature and outdoors activities such as hiking or camping, i love animals and pets. i love art and i love a good coffee and good food. Oh, and i am a fun , loving person

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇲🇰 North Macedonia, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇽🇰 Kosovo, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇵🇱 Poland

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Eby

Eby

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

About me

Hey! I'm Eby a 23 year old. I really just want to see the world and share love with all.

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Karolina

Karolina

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Hi!, My name is Karolina and I'm interested in culture, cycling, art, books, cinema, dancing, food & cuisine, hiking, live music, languages, nature, sightseeing, solo travel, trekking, events & social and backpacking

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇰 North Macedonia, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇱 Poland

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Upcoming visitors to Budapest

Deniz

Deniz

Speaking

About Me

Hello, My name is Deniz and I live in Turkey. I’m 22 years old and I recently graduated from Maltepe University, English language teaching program. I would like to meet new people and just spend a great time!

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Ida

Ida

Speaking

About Me

Hi, My name is Ida and I'm interested in hiking, food & cuisine, events & social, live music, nightlife, photography, sightseeing, solo travel, sunbathing and swimming

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇦🇽 Åland, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇱🇻 Latvia

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Lina

Lina

Speaking

About Me

Hi my name is Lina, I’m someone who loves music and sunset with all my heart. Another thing that I love is meeting new people! 🤍✨🌷

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇹🇳 Tunisia

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Local discussions

Solo travelWhat are the best accommodation options for a solo traveller in Budapest for a 5-day trip?

Any recommendations for areas/properties to stay at during a 5-day trip to Budapest? Preferably near public transportation and not party hostels. Travelling solo and this will be my 1st trip to Hungary.

Posted: September 15, 2022
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Safety in Hungary