Take a photo of the menu with a cell phone before you order. If, in response to your questions on the bill, the restaurant gives you a menu with higher prices after the meal, the photo will serve as evidence when you call them out on this,
Just got back to hotel tonight after going on Dinner Cruise - the Taxi from the hotel was about $7. US. The Taxi home was about $40. US. He drove in circles for 10 minutes and I was thankful just to get back to the Hotel. Budapest needs to do something about this - they need to regulate their Taxies.
“We only call taxis through the app in Hungary because many private taxis (not company ones) are not regulated by anything. Company taxis like Bolt or Főtaxi are always okay. Flagging down taxis doesn’t work.”
These tourist scam restaurants mostly closed probably forever because we are barely having any tourists nowadays and they went bankrupt. freelancer taxis are almost completely gone too. if you buy a 1-3-7 day all around pass for every public transportation it the best option, because they take you everywhere and dont have to validate a single ticket and very inexpensive. be aware if somebody approaches you and asking for money, just ignore him. beside these Budapest is 100% safe and excellent for every tourist.
One that happens to us locals as well in bars are: they put extra items onto the bill. Like the table has 4 beers ordered, they put 2 extra shots on there which was never ordered never served. Many ppl doesnt check the details. Whenever caught they just apologize and correct the bill, low risk for them. Happened to me too many times to be a coincidence. Once the waitress even got angry at me that I asked for the corrected bill, like she was entitled for it :)
Can you confirm what he says about not staying too close to the Parliament building?? I go in 2 weeks and my hotel is just 5 minutes walk from Parliament…..
@@flashgordon8792 the city is safe, just look out for scams. Other scam is getting a taxi from the street, likely will over charge. So get the taxi app "bolt", and order through there, it is controlled therefore no overcharge. The inner city like near the parlament is nice, and safe to stay, no worries. If u go party maybe order bottled drinks and dont let it unattended, but no crazy stuff
Anyone else wondering, there are ropes around the bits of parliament you can't get too close to and guards. So you easily know what bits not to get close to but you can get really close and even do a tour inside, which is where the stairs to the right of the parliament lead to.
Can you confirm what he said about not staying near Parliament?? I go to Budapest in 2 weeks and the hotel is just a 5 minute walk from the Parliament building.
@@flashgordon8792 I'm a year late for this, but probably he mentioned that because those hotels could be way more expensive than others just a little bit farther away. Or it can be noisy as well, I don't really know, not living in Budapest.
The place that sells langos in the central market hall is one to watch. They either dont give you change or give you less change. Its better to give them the exact amount.
I was there in 1994. They tried to hand me a bill with a grossly inflated total. I declined the bill and got one for much less. I would have gone further but my friends were OK with the revised bill. You need to have an idea what the total bill will be so that you can compare it to what they give you in the end. Taking a picture of the menu is a great idea.
All parts of Budapest are safe during the daytime. The western side of the Danube is completely safe. (District I, XI and XII are mainly home to the wealthy people.) Far from the eastern bank of the Danube there are some no go zone (there is no tourist attraction there). There are three islands - Óbuda Island, Margaret Island and Csepel Island. Óbuda Island is basically a huge park. Margaret Island the best island ever, extremely safe. Csepel Island is a no go zone, there are a lot of creepy people there.
I stay'd at the Queen's Court Hotel and Residence some years back not far from Parliament Street which was linked up with its own taxi service who were terrific but the one time I did use a cab off the street I did get took for a ride financially and paid way over the odds! Still a fantastic city though and really nice people in general! Awesome video buddy 👍
I have traveled to more than 30 countries in the world, I love to travel, but these scams against tourists have taken away my desire to continue visiting other countries. I have been cheated and robbed in many places, Buenos Aires, New York, Prague, etc. Today I prefer to stay in my comfortable home than to be a victim of criminals in foreign countries.
*Lost Friendly Girls* - Yes I was approached twice. “Do you speak English? We are trying to find XYZ which is near here. Can you help us?” I knew what was going on and said I’m not from Budapest sorry. They persisted so I pointed to a restaurant hostess and said “you should ask her since she lives here. Good luck.” But many people fall for this scam. A very famous RU-vidr posted a video where it happened to him. He was actually escorted by the bar bouncers to his hotel and then an ATM for a ridiculous amount of money.
Happened to me as well. I was a solo traveller and 2 girls worked me for half an hour. Ended up in a bar, but I finally realised what was going on when I saw the menu and before we ordered. Got up and walked out. I'm probably lucky I didn't get followed by some heavies.
@@michaelc8651 You’re one of the lucky ones. And those who think it can’t happen to us are naive. Solo travelers are always meeting other travelers. It’s natural. Again, glad your instincts kicked in.
@@Petko_98 Nah. He’s a great dude and I’m not one to disrespect him. Everyone knows him. But he did get a lot of grief for falling for this very well know scam. It was only a couple of years ago. I had an exchange with him and dude had excuses but still very embarrassing for one of the most well traveled guys on the Internet. Besides, I think he eventually took it down.
So accurate, I am from Budapest, I moved here many years ago as a hungarian speaker and even me had the same issues as you, so it's not just because you're from somewhere else it's not about that at all. I think last year with my coworkers we made a list about restaurants/bars where you need to check your bills twice (if you're a local or not it doesn't matter) or even more before you pay and it was places for locals not for tourist or at least not only for them.
@@tommyza just because once we had a bad experience I don't wanna ruin any of this place's business, maybe the owner changed trough the years or just simply the mindset is different, maybe if they had shady employees (I'm just saying it's not always represents the whole business) it doesn't matter, just simply be aware in every typical touristy place, check the menu carefully and the bill as well, make a list about your order so they can't fool you, be prepared I think that's the best advice.
Don't think anyone from around here even uses taxis. I walked home at night several times and several cities distances from job interviews when the traffic was dead. The prices taxi drivers would charge me just to drive me the distance of a single city is pure horror material.
Hi Walter, I have just come back from Budapest and found a scam you have not mentioned. In restaurants when the bill comes they automatically put on 12-13% marked as “Service Charge” and then the waiter says there is no tip included. As far as I am concerned a service charge IS the tip. They want you to tip twice. Did you not find this? The taxis are disgusting, we used a company called FO Taxi who were great. Thanks for all your advice Robert
I am from Budapest, Hungary. Hungarian law calls a tip as "service charge". All restaurants automatically put between 10 and 20% service charge (many pub and bar as well, about 5%), every Hungarian know this, but unfortunately many forigen do not. FO Taxi is actually Főtaxi which means Main Taxi, but the Bolt taxi is the best. (Bolt taxi has a great mobile app.)
Actually, this service charge thing is a new phenomenon here. I have encountered this abroad a few times and I was very surprised then. Recent years it become more and more common in Hungary and as far as I know it is not illegal if it is clearly marked on the menu to avoid misleading the customer. So we have to get used to it, although I do not like it at all.
That drink scam happened to me and a buddy. We were blocked from leaving the bar until we paid our tab of 2 beers... which totaled to 50,000 forint (175~ USD) !!!!!!
Only scam I encountered was the travel company I book with,booked with them and got a dreadful hotel so only stayed 1 night then booked another apartment in the city centre,loved the city thou,absolutely beautiful city👌🏻world recommend it all day long
There is a scam at the Airport's parking lot. At the exit, two gorgeous 19-year-old girls ask you to take them to the city centre . As they get in, they start kissing each other in the back seat and then after a while one asks you to pull it out and starts to pamper you completely. Meanwhile, the other is stealing your wallet! This is how my friend's wallet disappeared today and yesterday, and before that twice before and on Friday he goes to the Airport for his new wallet! !
Many thanks , just an update I arrived from Bratislava by train few days ago . Standing outside the Bureau De Change was a scam, chap offering better rates . However the notes in fact was offering showing 10,000 bills was the old Yugoslavia notes . Just for info ok be careful on your arrival .
@@armosa A Viking River Cruise starting in Budapest on the Danube River going to Slovak Republic, Austria and Germany with Christmas Markets in 5 cities.
I was on public transportation and a woman gets on and claims to be an official and told me I had the wrong ticket and would not leave me alone until I think she extracted $20 from me beware of that I know it was a scam but it was worth 20 bucks not to have to punch her in the face she was aggressive and would not let me be.
Excellent advices all around. Truth be told a special division of the Budapest Metropolitan Police try to curb these scams, but they always seem to be falling behind, or rather the scammers are usually ahead.
Please don't ask hotels restaurants to order a taxi. (hotel taxis are pricey time to time they are working with strange people). Use the cheap public transport or order taxi for yourself with a bigger taxi company. Before you are sitting in the taxi confirm the fare with the driver.
Having gone back and forth for more than four years, and now living here, I would also say that one should watch out with exchange rate scams at gas stations. My father and I got scammed with the exchange rate by paying in cash - we only realized it when we looked at the receipt as we drove away. If you’re not sure how to pay, just do it by bank card, it’s the safest option (most of the time).
1:30 I am a local who is overly friendly and I never thought of robbing anyone foreigner rather helping them or giving their architectural tours for free if I am in the mood... I think in Wolter's interpretation it is quite hard to imagine because everything here in Budapest wants to kill you, harm you or take your precious American money... (like we needed it so much... I am an IT project manager making 5500 USD a month here in Budapest and I am not considered to be wealthy guy I am just an employee, it is not Cuba... it is the EU) As I listen more and more to this video I just start thinking Wolter is so paranoid. What he forgets to highlight is that if an American tourist wonders to Budapest then s/he will be at a much safer place than in any US city. With way lower crime rates of any type crime than in the US. A few months ago I went through some detailed crime statistics of all major US cities and compared it with Budapest, there was not a single type of crime which had a higher rate here than in the US. From pickpocketing to car theft not to mention violent crime, everything is just a fraction of the us per 100k people figures...
Love Budapest, I think I did encounter a scam which it's very clever. Obviously walking near the budapest basilika. Lovey beautiful place, couple of guys came up to us asking hi how are you being polite. Very good English and at the same time stopped a Chinese lady as well. They were like if we can have 10 mins of Ur time extra. I knew it was off but I went with it anyway. They took us in this small odd shop and they sell "skin cream" like putting it on my hand saying it's amazing etc etc. And asking price was £60 for a tub. I'm like nah no thanks but my hands feel really smooth. The Chinese lady saw us and obviously thought this felt off too so she went. I think that's a scam that's new which they try and drag u into their environment making it out they have this business even tho the place felt off.
The menu mix up was a big problem with NATO troops were in Hungary during the 90's during the breakups of Yugoslavia. It was still listed on the U.S. Embassy website in 2006 as a problem. The police were in on the scam to enforce it. Also in 2006 on the way to the airport in the wee hours of the morning the police were actively shaking down people. I don't think our van looked like a taxi so we got by unscathed. I hope things have gotten better in Hungary. Having said that, I would still like to get back there someday.
I work in tourism in Bp. for 20 years now an I would be happy to see half as many tourists on the streets today as I saw in this video. By the way the tourist scams in Budapest are nothing more than the general tourist scams just like anywhere else. Except maybe Switzerland if you have budget for that type of holiday. Great quality content from Walter anyways, as always!
I bought a fake Cartier watch just for traveling (years ago) and it was in Switzerland that a pickpocket took it off my wrist in a crowd only to be disappointed no doubt...😂
Awesome Mark a live and a video. Going to be a great day.I just wanted to say watched one of your videos when you drove to Jackson you turned in Rock Springs Wyoming i live 15 miles from there.Cant believe you was in my neck of the woods! I would of loved to meet you.Anyway hope you guys have a great memorial day. ✌😎👍🇺🇲
thanks for the video.I have a question though about the atm part. Could you please explain the difference between credit card and debit card when it comes to the atm withdrawal money or paying at a restaurant? Since I had an experience in denmark and sweden with credit card and they always charge 0,2% for exchange rate regardless what I chose (euro/korona) in the POS machine. If I chose korona the bank still tok comission! So if I understand right the same goes with atm in your video. If I had debit card and do it like ''convert to my home currency'' yes I would be ripped off, but If I had a credit card I think it does not matter right?so in your video which card you mean?Please leave comment since I want to go to Budapest this summer thanks.
Also worth mentioning the tram scam. You cant buy a ticket on the trams, there is no clear indication on how to obtain tickets. Once you are on the tram you then get ambushed by an inspector who will fine you 12,000 for no ticket. Absolute scam, avoid the trams in Budapest if you don’t want to get caught in this trap
This isn’t a scam. Hungary is just a low context society. They don’t signpost things very well at all as it’s just expected that you should know. This is the same for Hungarians and foreigners in many regards. You need to buy and validate a ticket before getting on any public transport. If you’re unsure then ask someone for help. I agree that the method for buying a ticket isn’t well signposted but it’s a bit much to call it a scam. Surely you didn’t think that the transport system was free?
Take the Bus 100E. Back in September 2021 the ticket was about 3 Euros one way. Note: This Bus has its own dedicated tickets, they're not valid for any other public transport in BUD
Mandatory to put signs with conversion rates but not regulated so if they do a stamp sized something at the back of the bar thats fine. Look for it. Good game. Approx 20% worse as standard , it is a "tourist tip" included exchange rate and not only in restaurants. Everywhere. Solution use local currency.
Hi Mark, I really enjoyed watching this video and also the one on Venice. Thx! The one question I really like to know is the current entry status for ordinary American tourists. The government is saying that we can't fly into Budapest. However I have a friend and his family who just went and came back and he said there's not a problem as long you are vaccinated and show proof of test. Also my Airbnb host said there's a Utah couple staying at his unit right now. Is it a situation where the government is saying one thing and in reality on the ground is another? Can you please check into it and give us some advice. We have plans to go there in Sept. and time is running out if we need to make changes to our itenary. THX !
Surprised such a well-traveled guy still doesn't know that Euronet is ALWAYS a bad choice, even if you decline the conversion. Your account loses about 6% more on average vs the other ATMs according to a 2019-study that I can't find a link to right now. There are plenty of other ATMs, in almost every European city, including Budapest where it is 50-50. Just avoid them.
@@woltersworld Sure, but it should be "mandatory" to mention it I think. A lot of people will watch this video before going to Budapest, and without that warning, they are likely to think it doesn't matter as long as you decline conversion.
Thank you for all these great videos about Budapest. I am from Dubai and planning to go with the family in August for one week…do i expect some clouds and rain? We love cold weather so not sure how the weather will be beginning of August
Really good ATM tip -- even worse if your home currency isn't USD, because you get screwed multiple times on crappy exchange rates! Another tip might be to check with your home bank if they have any bank alliances overseas (mine gives me free transactions and better exchange rate with Barclays bank machines).
The currency conversion kiosk, in the central market hall, offered slightly better rates than I got converting in the UK. Only a few Forint but good enough that it makes sense to bring some home currency on the off chance the amount you brought doesn’t cut it. My bank exchange rate is poor comparatively 30-40 Forint less, lesson don’t be afraid to budget with some home currency as an overflow.
If you are reffering to the dish at 2:16 that is probably Halászlé. It is a kind of fish soup with huge amounts of paprika in it, that gives the red color, not tomatoes. It has many variations but basically there are two main versions. One of them has what might be called pasta in it. We call those matchstick noodles or matchstick pasta because the bits are about the size of a matchstick.
@@andrasszatmari7776 To me, that looked like some bolognese sauce diluted, with overcooked broken spaghetti, hehe... dude, i think i won't eat for dinner, italians are very sensible to food, it's kind of a religion here, LOL
Jeebus, dude .... you're really stretching it compared to my experience. Spent February 2019 in Budapest and saw NONE of this. Taxi driver from airport even said I didn't need to tip him after our great conversation into the city. Met no one who wasn't honest to a fault. This video is almost like you have a secret grudge against Hungary. Hungarians are fantastic!!!! .. even if I can't understand the damned language.
You sound like one of our TV commentators who claimed that New York City (with it's 22% increase in crime) was a very safe place. His proof? As he explained... "I went out last night and had a very nice dinner. No problems whatsoever." Uh... ok...
What is so striking about being approached by prostitutes when you are a single man walking around after dark? I am Hungarian and when I walk in these touristy areas they also approach me and I turn them down I tell them no thanks. Same thing happens to me in Geneva too where I currently live, or in Macau or Hong Kong or Las Vegas, Dubai, I was always approached by prostitutes when walked alone at night, when I am with my family then they live me alone. Actually I like walking alone a lot, but when I am in touristy areas anywhere on earth I prefer to be around my family because the prostitutes leave me alone...
@@armosa why should they speak Hungarian? In Budapest I guess they do. Elsewhere they speak other languages. What I wanna highlight is that if you are a man walking alone in a big city in most countries prostitutes will approach you. It is not specific to Hungary.
I used a taxi in Budapest this evening , and I believe he started the meter with a big amount, then he get his hand on gear covering the meter from the begging of the trip ... and when he removed his hand I could see the amount is higher than usual... I have no choice but to pay but even my wife has realized the same ..
They even try this with locals. If you see something suspicious ask them to stop the car and call them out on the scam, it works most of the time. The safest though is to use a taxi service from applications like Bolt Taxi
This GUY is NUTS, a lot of made up stories !! Taxis are regulated in Budapest and always controlled by the authorities not like UBER !! Never heard to be screwed at exchange stations, it says clearly the exchange rate on the board. Never heard about pick pocketing either.
5:20 the guys says: Do not book a hotel around the Parliament because at night it is not going to be so cool? What does he mean? The streets are empty but probably the biggest risk for your safety is that a meteorite hits yoi in the head in the middle of an empty street, or a lightning strikes at you, but definitely not crime... That area is the safest in the city center, but a bit boring, however If you like to take a walk around the Parliament and nice city squares at night, without drunk people yelling around you then the area around the parliament is the best place for you.
Street car and subway are the best for getting around and cheaper if you get a pass. If not your thing use Bolt taxi. Limit what you carry in pockets. I really don’t know why people bring backpacks to the streets. You’re asking for it. Also if you are there with the “bros” and very attractive women approach you, don’t fall for it. You are not that good and they have no interest in you. You will be rolled. It also helps to not dress like a tourist as well if you can avoid it.
Can anybody else confirm what was said about staying near Parliament?? We’re going to Budapest in 2 weeks and our hotel is a 5 minute walk from Parliament.
If you don’t trust that much, the easiest way is to go into any bank in front of you and, in most cases, withdraw money at an ATM in the bank. Do not exchange forints in currency exchange !! As in other countries / cities, these money changers maintain themselves at a different exchange rate than the current one. But these are so basic in every country that I don’t even understand the problem..
Hi Walter Im planning to visit Budapest with my family next jan. Do i pay for meals etc using HUF or use debit cards? We are from Malaysia. Pls advice also on how to get a taxi from the airport.
Not all freelancer taxies are scammers. Most of those freelancers work for hotels so they know the prices if you want to go to famous places. For example if you choose a Bolt taxi, it can be more expensive than the claculated price. I know these things because I worked in a hotel and I had to cooperate with taxi drivers.
Please pronounce the name of the city correctly. The letter S in Hungarian is pronounce like SH in English. So, pronounce it as BudapeSHt. The English S sound is written as SZ. Thank you.
They mean well. 😅 Budapest has become more popular in movies over the past few years and yet, the Americans filming it always pronounce it the way they would read it in English. They mean well, but yeah it's painful to the ears. I can't imagine how Germany feels when they hear tourists not pronounce their real name correctly.
How do you do when the credit card reader in a store/restaurant only offer the converted or pay local currency in the country's language. Even if i ask for help, people like to select wrong alternative and you stsnds there as a fool, happened me twice two years ago. Great topic 👍 sadly thousands of bad things happening in this area when the world is digitalised but not translated.
I got ripped off using bolt in Budapest. The driver didn't end my ride after dropping me off at the airport until 30 minutes after. Uber actually owns Bolt FYI. Of course I contested it and won (since I used the same exact route during my arrival and nearly the same time/weekday). Just watch out for things like that. Great video by the way. Hungary is a wonderful country, I definitely plan to visit again.
Just been to Budapest last week and got ripped off at the Christmas market. We order 1 sausage , 1 hotdog, 1 chicken kabab and salmon with potato it costed us £68!!! the chicken kabab smelt like it was gone off and it was dried and extremely hard I couldn't bite into it so had to throw it away. Salmon wasn't much better it was microwaved and extremely dried and didn't taste nice so my mother in law thrown it away too.
The taxi drivers of Budapest are the worst Ive ever encountered in the world. Only way to get a deal with them is to have your hotel call for a cab, then you get the regular reasonable rate.
