isabel

I'll be in Vienna and Budapest in July and not sure which deserves more time, or if I should plan on more day trips. I'll arrive in Vienna on Thursday the 10th in the afternoon (from Italy) and leave Budapest on Tuesday the 22nd in the morning. So I'm now looking for accommodations and need to decide how many nights in each. I was thinking 5 nights in Vienna with a day trip to Bratislavia (and maybe one other - maybe Melk), and 7 nights in Budapest with a day trip. Any thoughts? Any other day trips you would take? Any suggestions for hotels under 75 euro? Thanks

yk

hi isabel-

For hotels, you've already got lots of repsonses on your other thread when you asked for hotels for less than $100. Did you not like any of those suggestions?

I have never been to Budeapest, but for Vienna, it deserves more than 5 nights, esp if you're thinking of 2 daytrips.

isabel

yk - yes I did get good hotel suggestions on that other thread, I'm about to narrow it down to a few choices in each city but just thought it couldn't hurt to see if anyone else had ideas. I'm really looking for ideas as to how many days. It's interesting that you say 5 days in Vienna isn't too much, several trip reports I've read, not to mention guidebooks, seem to imply you only "need" about 3 days. But the more research I do the more days I think I need. Of course the same goes for Budapest. And I shaved two days off the whole trip to save money since of course the exchange rate is so bad. So you think 6 and 6 makes the most sense?

yk

As I've said, I haven't been to Budapest so I cannot advise you on how many days you'll need for Budapest.

I am a big art museum fan, and Vienna has plenty of high-quality museums. If you're not into art at all and not planning to visit the museums, then I guess 3 days would be enough.

Are you going to Schönbrunn Palace? That will take almost an entire day.

We spent 3 full days in Vienna (would have been 4, but I was sick one day) and barely scratched the surface. I would jump on the plane to go back if I could afford it!

Padraig

It depends on what you like to do. If you are into museums and fine art, Vienna offers a lot more than Budapest. For just about everything else (including value for money) I prefer Budapest.

I think the best accommodation deals in Budapest are apartments. One provider (of several) I have used is http://www.ohb.hu/alfa/index.en.html . The studios on Erkel utca are well located, fairly good quality, and not too expensive.

isabel

Padraig - those apartments look fantastic. Have you actually stayed in them? I'll be traveling alone on this trip and when I do I usually want a hotel because of the reception and all, not having to hassel with getting the key, etc. but their site says they have 24 hour reception. Do you know that to be so? Their site also didn't say anything about paying in advance which I know you need to do with alot of apartments. Any more information you could give me would be great, I'm ready to book it now, it looks so much better than everything else I've seen.

In terms of what I like to do - some museums but mostly walking around taking photos and soaking up atmosphere. I make up very detailed walking maps from a variety of sources and then just go on extensive walks. Not that I don't do some museums, but it's not my focus. In Vienna I'd probably do the Schönbrunn. If those apartments are as wonderful as they look I'm now leaning towards 7 nights in Budapest and only 5 in Vienna.

Padraig

Yes, I have stayed there. It's a fairly modern apartment block with mostly permanent residents (so far as I could judge). A couple named George and Sylvia have bought a number of apartments for short-term letting. There is a 24-hour concierge service for the block, but I had little dealing with them other than courtesy greetings as I went in and out, and one of them showing me where to find the bins. I don't know if any of them spoke much English.

It does seem a safe and secure building -- but that is the norm for Budapest. I booked a studio, but they actually gave me a two-room flat with no increase in rent. I don't know why, but I didn't complain.

The arrangement was that I pay in cash on arrival -- Euros or Forints as I preferred. I paid in Euros and, interestingly, George gave me a receipt in Forints (at about the going rate of exchange).

I suggested those apartments because I inferred you were travelling alone, and I think they are a good prospect for a solo female traveller.