Health and Safety
While medical care in Budapest is sufficient for routine troubles the same cannot be said if you find yourself in complicated situations. First aid and ambulance services are only provided if you have suffered an accident and/or require immediate medical attention – all follow up treatment, including medicines, must be paid for. If you visit an outpatient clinic (rendelo intezet) the treatment is usually inexpensive however if the doctors work privately you will be charged a lot more. A doctor’s consultation roughly equates to 6000 Ft (a home visit could range from 8000Ft to 10,000Ft). Therefore it is advised that you select a travel health insurance that you consider a policy that covers you for the worst possibilities, e.g. an accident that requires an emergency flight. Notable clinics in Budapest are:
FirstMed Centres
Tel: +361 224 9090
Location: I Hattyu utca 14
Opening Times: 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm Sat, 24hr urgent care
A modern, private clinic that is expensive (10/20min consultations can cost upwards of 15,000Ft) but does offer 24hr emergency care and treatment.
SOS Dent
Tel: +361 269 6010
Opening Times: VI Kiraly utca 14
A 24hr dental surgery that has free consultation but any dental work you get done will cost upwards of 7000Ft.
Every district in Budapest has a 24hr pharmacy; some of the more conveniently located ones are:
Csillag Gyogyszertar
Tel: +361 314 3695
Location: VIII Rakoczi ut 39
Opening Times: 7:30am – 9pm Mon-Fri, 7:30am-2pm Sat
Terez Patika
Tel: +361 311 4439
Location: VI Terez korut 41
Opening Times: 8am – 8pm Mon-Fri, to 2pm Sat
Budapest is as safe a city as any other European capital; no areas are off limits to tourist but be aware that even the locals do not go to Margaret Island after dark and the 8th and 9th districts (the noted areas where prostitution is operated within) are given a wide berth. Pick pocketing is a common problem; especially in the Castle district, Vaci utca and Hosok tere, the major hotels and on buses and trams (2, 4, 6, 47 and 49 are noted targets). Taxis are second to Prague in terms of expense and unpleasantness. Don’t hail a cab on the street, rather call one from your phone – private, mobile or public – and give the number posted near the phone box to the dispatcher; alternatively get your hotel to organise a cab for you. Should you leave something in a cab call the BKV Lost and Found Office (+361 258 4636). Another problem is scams involving male travellers which unfold with them being targeted by attractive women to buy them drinks at the nightclubs, only to be saddled with an expensive bill by the end of the night and the bouncers making sure you pay! Be warned guys: it is always too good to be true!