I will be traveling to Budapest and Vienna mid-December. What suggestion/tips can you provide? I will be spending 3 days in Budapest and 4 in Vienna. I plan to take the train from Budapest, but am having some trouble securing tickets online. I will also be a single female traveling alone.

We liked this B&B in Budapest:

http://www.bellevuebudapest.com/inde...en&faz=1&aaz=0

I made the trip from Budapest to Vienna and returned, bought tickets on the day of travel, no problem. I suggest you just go to the station a day or 2 before you plan to travel and buy your ticket there.

My last 2 trips to Budapest I stayed at the Danube Guest House, friendly, central, immaculate and inexpensive:
http://danubeguesthouse.com/

The days are very short (and cold) in Vienna in mid-December. Plan your time accordingly.

Also, the Christmas Market in front of the City Hall (Rathaus) in Vienna should be on your list.

For a city it's size, I think Vienna is very safe. We were just there a few weeks ago and enjoyed our visit very much.

Thanks all! I have lodging. Does anyone have thoughts on itinerary ideas?

What are some thoughts on visiting a Bath? I am staying in downtown Pest.

In terms of weather Vienna and Budapest are similar to the NE US - a real winter - but not bitterly cold - like Russia.

I think you are perfectly safe in either one as long as you don;t wander down any dark alleys alone at 2 am.

As for what to do - what are your interests. They both have sights to interest most people, but not all the same ones.