Budapest & Prague
 

I have about a week to spend in Prague and Budapest. I'm wondering which city deserves more time than the other from travelers who have experience with both? I know this is subjective but I'm just looking for personal opinions.

I would choose to spend more time in Prague. We were in Budapest last month for almost a week and were quite underwhelmed, with a few exceptions. We absolutely loved our two days in Bratislava, though.

Been to both several times and though I prefer Prague both cities IMO deserve about the same amount of time.

I felt Budapest seemed to be a much bigger city and more smoggy,etc.

3 days in each and one to go between them IMO.

What are you looking for?

Prague has more burgher buildings, the iconic Clock Tower and Charles Bridge. It's also more modern because it received a post-Commie western influx that created jobs, additional tourism and commerce before Hungary. Its Jewish Quarter holds the Maharal and it is the (alleged) location of the Golem.

Budapest has more Holocaust and Commie-era relevance - the Weeping Willow and Dohany Utca Synagogue; the Szoborpark, Terror Museum, etc. Magyars aren't Slavs, and Hungary had the first uprising against the Soviets (1956), so Hungary was the red-headed stepchild of the Warsaw Pact. Hungary also lost the second-most Jews to the Holocaust of any country even though the Nazis didn't begin deportations from it until 1944.

Not sure how either could leave you underwhelmed.

I would do 3 night in Prague, then take early train to Bratislava for the day. Either stay the night in Bratislava and then early train to Budapest or head to Budapest after the day in Bratislava and stay 4 nights there.

We weren't underwhelmed by the sights in Budapest. Not at all, except for Margrets Island and the waterfront, which both could have benefited a huge lot from some renovation and thoughtfulness about what visitors might expect. We were underwhelmed by the total "vibe" of the city. It left us with a forlorn feeling, a sense of lack of belonging, a certain bit of desperation, a weariness and lack of enthusiasm to perform to entrepreneurial standards, and echoes from WWII of sadness and soul-searching and distress. We do "get" how history affects a place, and we both read a lot about Hungary before we went there, as we always do, but we left with a definite sense of "heaviness" about the place. Not every place you visit can be all sunshine and roses, and that's fine, but it was not a place we'll pine to return to.

I would choose 4 days in Prauge, 3 days in Budapest. Budapest has some very interesting things such as the forts, the bridge and more, but that is plenty to see in 3 days and still have time to do other things. On the other hand, Prauge is a more enjoyable city and I would spend a little more time there then Budapest. Either way, both are great places to visit! I hope this helps!

I think there is still an overnight train between Prague and Budapest-ultimate daytime travel time saver and save on the cost of a hotel night.

While I love both cities I think there is more to see and do in Prague - as well as a very active music scene - all types of music in multiple venues at vey reasonable prices.

But really only you can decide. Have you looked at a substantial guide - perhaps Michelin green - to see what your must sees would be in each place.

I loved both and wanted 4 full days in each. Your call. I agree with the recommendation to consult some good guidebook to see what appeals to YOU.

Yes EN Euro Night train $477 leaves Prague nightly about 11om and rolls into Budapest around 8am- for more on night trains and booking - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

I enjoyed both cities so much. If food is a factor, Hungarian food is delicious and, in my opinion, tastier than Czech cuisine. There's another angle for you to ponder!

If food is a factor, Hungarian food is delicious and, in my opinion, tastier than Czech cuisine>

My Czech mother would dispute that! Dumplings though are not my bag.

I found Hungarian food to be uninspiring. Tasty? Sure, the first bowl of gulyash soup is delicious. After that, meh. We had a couple of very nice meals, and some of the restaurants themselves were very pleasant with good service, but overall I didn't see much variety in the food offerings.