We will be in Budapest for 4-5 nights and Vienna for 7 and would appreciate any apt or hotel recs. Central, near museums, restaurants, tourist attractions, some views. Also considering 5 days in Vienna and maybe 2 in Salzburg...not sure yet. $150-$250.

Could you also provide the correct link where I can buy the train tickets from Budapest to Vienna... any tips on this?

It will be our first time in both cities and will be in May. Any suggestions welcome! Thanks so much!

Have you tried this?

https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-an...l/austria.html

I've read that you may have to contact your credit card company to get them to allow transactions from SBB.

I highly recommend these apartments in Budapest: http://budapestvacationrentals.com/S...n_Rentals.html

In Vienna I quite liked the Opera Suites, right across from the Opera House.

Take a GOOD look at a map of Vienna; what might on the face of it seem "central" depends on the things you are interested in seeing the most and the availability of public transport, assuming you'd be using it.

We stayed at the Marriott Budapest which was a typical Marriott (not bad, but typical) with a great location and the rooms all have River views.

Hi tessietoes,

We have been to both Budapest and Vienna many times. In Budapest we really like this B&B, and love the owner Albert. He is a great "guide" to the city and his recommendations are excellent (both what to do and where to eat):
Kapital Inn
http://www.kapitalinn.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...l_Hungary.html

In Vienna, we stay at this B&B, which is right around the corner from the Opera House. If you get a room on the street, you can hear the opera in the evening as they simulcast it outside the opera house (you'll also get to hear the horses occasionally as the carriages go by, which we like too!):
Pension Suzanne
http://www.pension-suzanne.at/index.en.php
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ne-Vienna.html

Both cities are very good for opera, so that's my tip although I don't know if you like opera. In Budapest, go to the Szechenyi Baths. I was so dubious my first time, and now it's the thing I crave most in Budapest!

Regarding train tickets, we have always gotten them at the tourist info. office in Vienna (going to BUD), but that's in the opposite direction. We've never had trouble getting the tickets/seats we wanted (late-April). It may be just as easy for you to get them when you get there. If you end up staying at the Kapital Inn, you can email Albert and ask him. He'll help you make the right decision (his English is perfect, by the way).

Hope this is useful!

Happy travels,

LIsaG

Thank you Andrew, DebitNM & thursdaysd all for the links, apt, B&B & hotel suggestions.

After plotting it real GOOD on a map, you're right Dukey...central is not our central!

So in Budapest, our central would by the Chain bridge particularly the Sofitel but the showers look a bit low? The penthouse terrace river view at the Lanchid 19 hotel is incredible, especially for the price, but prefer to be on the other side for the sites.

http://translate.google.com/translat...ml&prev=search

http://www.lanchid19hotel.hu/rooms/ {$200+}


Lisa, I loved the Pension Suzanne & its location in Vienna but they are sold out. We enjoy opera and the singing and horse sounds you described sound sublime...and from your room! I too am a little dubious like you were about the pools, but when in Budapest...

I stayed at the full service Marriott in Budapest using redemption points, it was very nice with an excellent Exec Lounge. There were a lot of prostitutes hanging around the front entrance and bar and using the lobby ladies room when I was there, hopefully they have cleaned this up.

My room was great with a full balcony overlooking the Danube.

I've read of folks getting this hotel on Priceline for $65-75/night. Do your research.

In Vienna, I also stayed at Marriott on points, it was the Ringstrasse property which was very nice and well located.

You don't say when in May you will be in Vienna, but I will mention that the Eurovision song contest is being hosted from 19 May through the finals on 23 May, so if your travel dates fall around those you may want to secure lodging sooner rather than later. This is the 60th anniversary of the contest, and Austria's own Conchita Wurst is one of the hosts, so it is bound to be a spectacle.

Another May event, and one of our favorites, is the Genuss Festival at Stadtpark. "Genuss" translates to "Enjoyment," and for three days over the weekend of 8 to 10 May the park will be filled with the very best culinary treats from around the country with many opportunities to sample food and beverages. The event is free; food and wine samples are of moderate cost.

One other May event in Vienna is the "Long Night of the Churches." This event is toward the end of May and usually on a Saturday evening. Queues can be long at some of the more popular churches, but they are all worth exploring.

Happy Planning!

We have stayed several times at the Marriott in Vienna and bid on Priceline for a room. It was about 120 USD--breakfast not included. The hotel is very nice and popular with the OPEC people--their office is located on the same block.

We loved staying at the Gellert in Budapest several years ago. The thermal baths, pools, spa are great, as is the location right on the Danube.

Hungarian rail (MAV) in English: http://elvira.mav-start.hu/elvira.dl...dex?language=2

Step-by-step how to buy: http://europetrainsguide.com/Advice/...ngary-MAV.html

Very easy to buy in advance. Haven't started our Budapest trip yet but bought Budapest-Vienna tickets for the upcoming trip. You get a Reference number which you use to pick up your ticket when in Budapest.

If you know when you're going to travel you can get reduced fare 13€ tickets in advance. If you buy at the last minute the reduced fare may be sold out, but the fare is still reasonable at €19 per ticket. The car number and seats are assigned automatically

Le Meridian Budapest if u can afford it or have points - reasonable, central location and luxurious.

I love the König von Ungarn Hotel, just behind the cathedral. Unique atmosphere and given the current exchange rate, should be just within your price range:

http://www.kvu.at/en/rooms/

In Budapest, I've stayed twice at the Hilton in Buda, has a bit more character than a bog-standard Hilton. Worth a look, I didn't check prices.

Hi all, thanks so much for all the hotel recs ...really appreciate it. After looking at so many hotels & apts in Budapest, the Marriott and Le Meridian being serious contenders, we decided to super splurge and booked the Four Seasons!!

fourfortravel, we'll catch the tail end of the Eurovision contest. I have never even heard of it, thanks!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovis...g_Contest_2015

Rebecca it's official, you booked the train! Will you also be there in May? Thanks for the links.

Cath, thank you for all your tips here and the St Germain thread, so helpful.

Also finalized lodging in Vienna but will start a new thread on that to keep me organized. Thanks guys!