Tips for Non-smokers and Smokers - Budapest, Hungary

Non-smokers beware: smoking allowed in many places in Budapest

Luckily for smokers, unluckily for non-smokers, there are still many public places where smoking is allowed. Although the EU is working on making Europe less nicotine-dependent, smoking is popular amongst Hungarians and seems to be a hard nut to crack.

Smoking is not allowed in Hungary e.g. in educational institutes, movie theatres, public transport vehicles, (soon in restaurants, cafes, buffets - where you can eat). These days, however, there are loads of restaurants, cafes in Budapest, where you can smoke, and as a non-smoker, you may be disturbed by the smoke (even if there are separate smoking sections and sophisticated apparatuses to suck away the puffs of smoke).

To be on the safe side, pick a Budapest restaurant with an open air, heated terrace. There are two 'restaurant streets' in Budapest, where you can surely find such a diner: one is Raday street, close to the Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid), and the other is Oktogon square (halfway between Deak square and Heroes square) - both restaurant streets are centrally located in Budapest.

Smokers in Budapest

Budapest favors smokers - so if you smoke, you do not have to feel a subhuman citizen, you do not have to sneak behind a building, and hope to be unnoticed. You can sit in a cafe, in a park, etc. and see the world go by puffing away your favorite cigarette, sipping your coffee and reading your paper, or website on your pda. What is more, most night life attractions, the best pubs and bars allow smoking too.

If you are a smoker, you can buy all kinds of cigarettes in Budapest, or even find some special cigar stores. You do not have to crave for your favorite make as most of the big brands are sold in Hungary (there are many 24/7 stores too, with about 20-30 types of different makes.)

In order to reduce the risks of second hand smoking affecting your fellow citizens, smokers are kindly asked to keep a fair distance from families, and not to smoke where kids are staying in a closed room. Thank you.

Definitely DO NOT DO: Further Budapest warnings

• Do not have valuables with you. Learn from general Budapest warnings.
• Do not travel unprepared. Save the Budapest crime emergency phone numbers just in case.
• Do not stay near the Parliament and the Heroes' Square on Hungarian national holidays
• Do not take marijuana, drugs in Budapest. What about alcohol?
• Do not go to dangerous night clubs in Budapest.
• Do not hail down a taxi in Budapest.
• Do not buy HUF / Forint from a street vendor in Budapest.
• Do not board Budapest public transport vehicles without a ticket.
• Do not cross the road without checking the traffic in Budapest.
• Do not expect some cultural conveniences in Budapest
• Do not take valuables with you to Baths in Budapest - or preferably in the city.
• Do not go to Budapest Airport unprepared - there are 2 Budapest terminals - approx. 5 min car travel from each other.
• Do not go to touristy restaurants in Budapest - to eat pricey food of lower quality.

Check out Budapest FAQ for more useful tips!

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