cambee

I am planning a 11 or 12 day trip to sample the highlights of Munich, Vienna & Budapest in May. This is what I am thinking of doing-- Day 1 arrive in Munich. Day 4 travel by rail to Vienna . Day 7 travel by rail to Budapest and leave on day 11 or 12. Is this too much in travel time from Munich to Budapest? I am planning an itinerary of sites to see in each city. I would appreciate any advice on schedule and sites to see . Thanks.

Cathinjoetown

I would add one day in Vienna and spend one less in Budapest, but that entirely depends on what interests you.

Vienna-Budapest is well under three hours by train so you lose only a 1/2 day in travel.

Great cities and wonderful time to be there.

BigRuss

I'd not short Budapest at all. If you describe WHY you picked these places, it would help.

jomagpie

There's also a bus available (2h50mins Vienna-Budapest): www.orangeways.com

I took it from Budapest to Krakow (7 hours!!) and it was quite alright. Only uncomfortable thing on the ride was the 12 teenage girls talking very loudly in Polish. They play movies on it too.

Don't short change Budapest! It may not be on top of everyone's list, but it has quite a few things to offer.

jomagpie

Oh also, here's a great guide to use: http://www.inyourpocket.com/
(all 3 cities are available online)

Michael

I think that Vienna deserves more time than Budapest. For one thing, it has more important fine arts museums, plus a couple of palaces and just roaming around the city.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622927111169/

jomagpie

Well that's 2 for Vienna and 2 for Budapest, haha.
I suggest reading up a little more on each city and see which one interests you more, then you can decide which you rather spend more time in.

As for Michael's comment "For one thing, it has more important fine arts museums, plus a couple of palaces and just roaming around the city" to each his own....Budapest was also past of the Austro-Hungarian Empire so they too have museums, palaces, parliament, and "just roaming around the city"; have you ever seen pictures of Budapest? It's buildings and streets are just as grand as Vienna's or even Paris.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest

BigRuss

And Budapest has far more important historical sites.

BigRuss

Budapest is called the "Paris of Eastern [sic] Europe."

Yeah, I know, it's in Central Europe, but the phrase originated during the Cold War so every place in Europe east of the Iron Curtain was "Eastern Europe."

cambee

Thanks so much for your postings. Here are some other details of my travel plans:
In Munich ,we are hoping to go to : Deutches Museum, Marienplatz, Frauenkirche,Alte Pinakothek and any other sites that we can fit in the 2 1/2 days there. In Vienna I am not sure what sites... any suggestions? And, in Budapest, Castle Hill, a trip down the Danube maybe and to see the Danube Bend , also if anyone has sugguestions on must see sites.
Also, I am thinking by train Munich to Vienna is maybe 2 hours and then another 2 or 2 1/2 to Budapest from all the postings thus far.
Does anyone have comments on whether starting from Munich and traveling to Budapest is a better travel plan ,or starting in Budapest and traveling to Munich is better?

Cathinjoetown

Munich-Vienna is about 5 hours by train.

I have been to and like both Budapest and Vienna very much but thought your schedule could use another day in Vienna.

While in Vienna you may want to see the Hofburg Palace complex, Schonbrunn Palace and grounds, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, St. Stephen's cathedral, Vienna River cruise, Melk Abbey to Durnstein, then there are the music and opera venues, incredible art and history museums....

Have a look at a guide book section on Vienna; you may decide to leave your itinerary as is but I think it needs more time.

jomagpie

Budapest -

Here's a "top 10" list: http://visitbudapest.travel/activities/budapest-top-10/

Here's another list of things to see and do, may be easier for you to go through this since you know what you're into: http://www.budapest.com/city_guide/attractions.en.html

If you get a chance to get out of the city, this charming little town called Szentendre is a 30min drive outside of the city: http://www.hungary-tourist-guide.com/szentendre.html

You'll want to try a langos (fried dough with cheese and sour cream!). Drink some Arany Aszok. Eat some goulash and paprikash krumpli. Get some real Hungarian salami at the Great Market Hall. Have drinks at a 'Ruin Pub'.

eluckhardt

I live in Munich, but I love Budapest!

Don't forget to go to a thermal bath while in Budapest.

Go to a biergarten while in Munich

Michael

<i>Budapest was also past of the Austro-Hungarian Empire so they too have museums, palaces, parliament,</i>

In terms of museums, nothing compared to the Kunsthistoisches Museum, the Belvedere Art collection, the Leopold Collection and the Shatzkammer (I'm leaving out a few others). In terms of palaces, nothing compared to Schönbrunn. Vienna was the capital of the Empire, Budapest was the capital of a kingdom within the empire, and the respective art collections reflect that.

saige

We visited these three cities as part of a longer trip, but in the same order.

The Deutches Museum warrants a good bit of time to visit as does Alte Pinakothek. St. Peter's tower affords a good view of Munich and we also liked the food market and the Englisher Garten. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Hunting and Fishing Museum. The Glockenspiel is fun to see if you have time. Take time to enjoy a biergarten. Our Munich to Vienna train was five hours, not two.

Schonbrunn was the jewel in Vienna, but we also enjoyed performances at the Spanish Riding School and Stadts Opera. The Ring Road tram #2 gave us a good tour of Vienna and helped us get our bearings. The train to Budapest was a three hour trip.

There are lots of good recommendations above for Budapest. I would add that Fisherman's Bastion provides great views of the Danube and good photographic opportunities. Go inside the red tiled roof Matyas Church to see its incredible painted interior.

I loved just walking around in Budapest. We stumbled upon a folk fair and were the only English speaking people there. We bought wonderful hand painted dishes at Herend Pottery and had them shipped home and enjoyed lots of varied dining experiences, from Kadar Etkezde's veal paprika in the Jewish quarter to fine french cuisine at Le Jardin de Paris across from the Institut Francais to great goulash in small neighborhood spots. I fell in love with Budapest.

You have a great trip coming up. I hope you'll post a trip report! Happy travels, Saige

cambee

Thank you all for your postings. They are most informative.
Would anyone have advice for travelling by train between cities. I read somewhere that some trains do not have a dining or snack car, so one may need to pack a lunch. Also, with a 5 hour trip from Munich to Vienna would it be better to get a first class ticket? What would be the best way to book our tickets. Most likely we will not book them until we get to Munich.

crusty

We always include a cultural event when traveling. Purchase opera, ballet, etc, tickets in advance on-line. This what we did:

Le Bayadare @ Vienna Opera House.
Verdi Requiem @ St. Stephen's Basilica, Electra @ Budapest. Opera House.
Rusalka @ Munich Nationaltheater

saige

cambee, My travel journal shows that we took a picnic along on the train from Munich to Vienna. I don't recall if our tickets were first class but know that the train was comfortable and our trip was pleasant. Provisioned with food, beverages and books, we relaxed and enjoyed being off our feet after many long days of seeing the sights in Munchen.

cambee

Saige, did you visit any sites outside Munich? Did you have any favorite lodging in the cities you visited? Thanks again.

saige

We arrived in Munich from Wiesbaden by way of Frankfurt. We stayed at the Hotel Marienbad, a traditional German hotel recommended by a friend who travels there regularly on business for a university's German Department. I liked it because it was well located and not a tourist place. Our only day trip from Munich was a bus trip to Dachau.

In Vienna, we stayed at the hotel Dorint. It was convenient to the train station, very modern, clean comfortable and provided an impressive breakfast buffet.

Budapest's Hotel Victoria is located on the banks of the Danube and has quiet, spacious, modern rooms, and wonderful views of the beautiful Danube and bridges.

Caveat: Our trip was several years ago. You will want to do your own research for updates on lodgings.