GranJan

Hi, We are planning a trip to Prague and Budapest this June, 2006. We are looking at the dates June 12 to June 23. We plan to try and make reservations at the InterContinental Hotel in Prague and the Hilton Budapest in Hungary.

Has anyone out there done this who could give me some tips they might have picked up in their travels there? I know I have to get my transfers before we fly to Europe. Any best suggestion on how to make the connection from Prague to Budapest. I am thinking by train with passes bought ahead of time. Thanks for your help.

nytraveler

Don;t kow what you mean by transfers - if you mean how to get from airport to hotel and reverse - a regular cab is just fine.

We flew from Prague to Budapest - since the train takes 7/8 hours - and I'm simply too impatient in limited vacation time. You can arrange the train on the spot - but should organize flights in advance if that's how you decide to go.

Both are great walking cities, with nice pedestrian areas. Sometimes food can be a little heavy - so if you're not used to goose, venison etc - stick with what you usually like. But food has improved tremendously (was in Prague first about 10 years ago and went back 3 years ago - food is much better overall - and much more sophisticated if you're looking for nice places for dinner.)

English is widely spoken in both places. Prague cab drivers can be difficult - if they try to cheat you - stand firm on what you'll pay.

Don;t know what other tips you need.

kjenn

We just took a trip to Prague/Budapest/Vienna/Cesky Krumlov and Bratislava for 10 nights last May. It was an amazing trip! Tips that I found helpful..

- If you haven't yet made plane arrangements, try and do an open jaw ticket so you don't have to backtrack.
-We never made train arrangements ahead of time, we just researched them and printed out the train schedules. www.Bahn.de is great for this-just go to international guests for ENglish.
-Go to Budapest first. While Budapest is very pretty, Prague is amazing and I think I would have been slightly disappointed if I had seen Prague first.
-Take a side trip to Cesky Krumlov and stay overnight if possible. I think it was a 3 hr. train ride. The town is perfectly preserved.
-Go to the baths in Budapest. I went to the Gellert Baths and it was incredibly relaxing and beautiful.
-If you can avoid being in Prague on Fri/Sat, I would. It was overrun with drunk guys on bachelor parties (mostly from the UK) and very, very crowded. It was a different city on the weekdays (quieter and less crowded)
-See the Charles Bridge (Prague) early in the morning or early in the evening. It is so pretty in the dim light, and not packed with people.
-We found the Good Morning Walk (Prague walks, I think) tour to be very interesting. We were the only ones on our tour, and our young guide offered so much insight into life in Prague.
-Prague was cheaper than I expected,and Budapest slightly more expensive
-Learn the names of the cities you will be traveling to in the language of each city. We had an issue with this at a train station in Budapest.

It will be a great trip. Have fun!

EHJackson

What an amazing trip! We honeymooned in Prague two years ago and spent this past December in Budapest. Both are gorgeous cities with tons to offer. Consider taking the night train (we bought tickets there, but you can purchase them over the internet for a little more). You board the train in the evening and wake up at a destination (all without having to waitin airports and be crammed into airline seats). The sleepers were fantastic. We made arrangements with our hotel for airport transfer in Prague and took the airport shuttle in Budapest (located in the airport next to the luggage claim). Budapest has a fantastic public transportation system (albeit old, but clean), so consider getting a multi-day pass if you plan to be there for any time. Both are walking cities, so bring a pair of good shoes (especially over uneven bricks and cobblestones). If you have any questions, feel free to email me at: [email protected]. Thanks!

basingstoke

In Prague have your hotel arrange airport or train station transfers. If you are spending a few nights you can often negotiate free transfer at least one way. Taxis can be "iffy" but if you must use a taxi look for either the City Taxi or AAA Taxi company. I am not sure of the location of the Intercontinental Hotel in Prague, but to get the most out of this great city, stay somewhere within easy walking distance of the sights. We found Kampa Island, located under the Charles Bridge to be ideal.

lincasanova

we stayed at the intercontinental hotel in prague many years ago. it was across from a convention center outside the city center, but very convenient to the train across the plaza.

we only went there because we got a fabulous rate, and i had no internet access then to do better research!

in budapest we stayed at the marriot exec. apts which were fantastic, and also VERY well priced and located.

the four seasons, if it is the one i am thinking of, is a GORGEOUS restored historic building just in front of the chain bridge, and certainly would be high on my list if money didn't matter.

Syl

Beware the tramway pickpockets in Prague.They work in 3s.2 block the exit door while the 3rd sticks his hand in your pocket. Happened to my husband & unfortunately left us with bad memories of our trip to Prague this past October even though all was taken was a pkg of gum.Prague is beautiful but too many bus tours crowding the sights.Best to go off season.

Syl

Budapest: The Chain Bridge to Buda.Walk up to hill or take funicular.Fisherman's Bastion, palace,etc. on Buda Hill.
Pest: Take evening boat ride along Danube.Walk up Andrassi to monuments & museums.Vaci Utca (no cars)promenade.Dohany Great Synagogue & holocaust museum in old Jewish triangle.Parliament Buildings tour.On walkway along Danube very close to the Parliament,bronzed shoes lined up in memory of those bound & thrown into the river in 1944 by the Iron Cross Militia.Budapest is gorgeous, especially at night.