twiggers

We're in the early stages of planning a Thanksgiving trip to this region. We would be able to fly out of the US on Monday and return home on Sunday, giving us a total of 6 days on the ground.

We'd like to fly in and out of Vienna (although it may be a possibility to do an open jaw and fly out of Budapest). In my limited research thus far we would just do a quick day trip to Bratislava from Vienna.

Just curious whether we could see a good chunk of Vienna & Budapest in 5 days?

The trip is planned with the purpose of seeing Christmas markets, Freud's museum (I am a psychologist), and possibly a few other museums/palaces.

Note - We are not outdoorsy people, wine drinkers, etc.

Which of the cities would you spend 3 days in and which 2 days? With the full understanding that I could not see "everything" and just want a quick getaway for Thanksgiving and get a "flavor" of a new region in Europe that I have not been to.

macksix

Twiggers - I am not sure about Budapest, as I have not been there, but you could probably do Vienna in three days. The Opera house has a great tour, and there are plenty of museums to suit your fancy. I was there in June, so I do not know the times/locations of the Christmas markets, but I assume you have already done that research. Salzburg is also gorgeous, and I am sure they have a wonderful Christmas market there. It is about a two and a half hour train ride though, so you may not be able to fit that in with your short time frame. Enjoy Vienna! I found it to be a very lovely and laid back city.

thursdaysd

You could easily spend all your time in one of those cities. I just spent five nights/four days in Budapest and it was my third visit (click on my name for my TR). I've visited Vienna twice and would love to go back. Given that you will be jet-lagged you first day, you should probably spend more time in Vienna, but Budapest makes better use of its river. And look into an open-jaw ticket, when I was pricing fares for my last trip it was cheaper to fly home from Budapest than Vienna even though Vienna was closer!

bilboburgler

I'd drop Bratislava ( a bit of a dump) and give three days to each of Vienna and Budapest. (take a train between)

While you are not a wine drinker I do recommend that you try Tokjai 5 puttonyos or better wine in Budapest, with a fine cake in one of their better coffee houses. Such a rich experience.

twiggers

Thanks Mack and Thursday. I did look into open jaw tickets and they were only slightly more expensive.

If I couldn't do open jaw, then a friend recommended flying into Vienna and heading straight to Bratislava, then to Budapest, and finally end up in Vienna.

Bilbo - I have to do Bratislava because it's Slovakia, which is a country I have not visited (I'm on a quest to visit all countries in the world).

Thursday - I do understand that I could stay in one city the entire time, but that's just not my travel style...I'd like to get a flavor of both cities and decide whether to return (we may do a Danube river cruise in the future).

bilboburgler

Pretty country, dump of a capital, think again.

SloJan2

I like Bratislava and find the old town quite charming. You could do 1/2 day there and not regret it.

thursdaysd

Agree with bilboburgler. The reason to go to Slovakia is to see the mountains

beergirl

taking the train from vienna to budapest is easy and you can certain just take the early train out spend the day in Bratislava... not much there... and continue onto Budapest, but watch yourself at the train stain.. lots of things going on, and not all good! In Vienna I suggest visiting Bellveder.. if you like Klimt you'll love it and the grounds are really pretty.
In Budapest you really should go to one of the mineral baths spas.. very nice!
oh, and by the way, there are about 4 different train stations in Vienna!

twiggers

Thanks Slo! Half day is about what I was thinking.

Thanks Beer

SloJan2

Twiggers, thought you might find this interesting.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/03/04...ef=global-home

nyse

And check this out too:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...been-there.cfm

Too bad re posters who waste your time advising you not to do something you clearly have decided upon - we <b>loved</b> our visit there!

twiggers

SloJan and nyse: Thank you SO much for the links!!!!