I am thinking about spend a few days in Budapest in late September. It would be my first time and I will be travelling on my own. I realize that my question could make me sound silly or naif but after reading the warnings in several websites including this one I prefer to ask it anyway.
I read about the scams occurring to men in Budapest and I was wondering how annoying they could be. I am not used to follow women I do not know to bars I do not know and I hate strip or erotic bars. Still, it seems that even women asking for directions or to take a pictures of them could "dangerous". I know that Budapest is just an amazing city and, as I have Hungarian friends, I know that the Hungarian are friendly and welcoming people. I am just worried about needing to suspect of anyone approaching me and how annoying or frequent these scams could be I usually like strolling in the evening to admire the illuminated sights after it is dark.
I would stay away from Vaci utca. Is Andrassy ut interesting for a evening stroll? Where else could I go? Hungarians have a distinct way of pronuncing things in English and other foreign languages unless they've lived abroad. She'll expect you to approach her. Vaci Utca is boring to stroll at night Nagymezo Utca right off of Andrassy Ut might be interesting for you if you like partying.
In a nutshell, Andrassy Ut is kind of a ghost town at night and empty. The area around Oktogon is alive and well Vaci Utca is fine during the day, you'll be safe though watch out for the gypsies selling fake iPhone and other petty scams. No, don't avoid Vaci utca, it's definitely worth a visit, both day and night. Just be careful. Don't visit a restaurant in Vaci utca, there are much better ones everywhere else. That's the main scam you have to avoid, and you will be fine.
Andrassy ut is OK for strolling, or Dunacorso between Erzsebet hid and Lanchid Change bridge , or you can go further to Margit hid, and you will see the Parliament, it's wonderful at night. Or if long walking is no problem for you, you can start at Szabadsag hid, it's a nice walk in the evening. Don't worry about either the prostitutes or the scammers. You might run into maximum over the course of a night even if you are spending your time in the hotspots Danube Promenade and Vaci St.
