Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Safety and Security
Although Hungary is generally a safe place to visit, you should use caution and stay alert. Be especially careful in train stations, crowded tourist areas, and crowded buses, trams, and metros. In addition, you should avoid demonstrations and political rallies. In a few past instances where demonstrations have turned violent, authorities have used riot police and water cannons to control crowds.
In recent years, right-wing radical groups have gained popularity in Hungary due to their nationalist messages, which include intolerance towards Jews, Roma, and homosexuals. Although these groups are not explicitly anti-U.S., you should avoid public demonstrations and confrontations with their members. Be alert and aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to what the local news media have to say. In general, larger public demonstrations are announced on the Demonstration page on the U.S. Embassy Budapest website.