We arrived by over night train from Prague. We had been warned about the taxi's. But we found an information office at the train station. They sold us a taxi voucher, and using that we got to our hotel. We stayed in the Charles Hotel. They were wonderful about letting us check in early. We had a wonderful breakfast in the breakfast room. Our room was large and very light. It was quiet and off the street. The hotel sold us the Budapest card and also a city/boat tour for less money than if we had bought it directly from the tour operator. They had an internet cafe in the hotel, and said we had internet in our room, however, it didn't really work. Our room was non smoking, and the bathroom was large with great water pressure in the shower.
We toured the city by tram and bus. Since we are both seniors, we were never stopped and asked to show our Budapest card...but others were. In Hungary, Seniors ride for free on public transportation. This is for EU nationals only. So if you have an EU passport do use it to travel free.
We splurged and had tea at the 4 Seasons Hotel. Its just a beautifully restored building. Worth checking out the lobby if nothing else. Our tea for two, and sharing a delicious pastry was $25.!!But the view and serenity of the room was worth it.
We found in many restaurants and shops, that even if they have Visa and Master Charge signs on the door, when you come to pay "there is a technical problem and its not working, please pay in cash". I guess that's to avoid paying the fee's. So do check before you order, if they actually accept your charge card.
On Castle Hill we visited the Hungarian National Art Gallery. The art work is very well hung, and there are lots of comfortable chairs to sit in in every room. The interior of the Mattias Church is beautiful and worth a visit, as is the Great Synagogue in the center of Budapest.
The opera is rather expensive, but you can get "standing room" tickets for very little. You will be standing or sitting with students and lovers of music who bring along the score and follow along. Interesting experience.

We also found we needed to pay cash for most things in Budapest, including our B&B.

Went to the Opera and saw the National Ballet perform their ballet "Gone with the Wind". No kidding. But, that 's another story.

Tickets were expenseive (in orchestra) but worth it for a once-in a-life-time experience.

hi, kleroux,

we liked budapest too - 3 nights 18 months ago between Xmas and New Year. we really like eastern europe in winter as they are properly geared up for snow unlike the UK which grinds to a halt at the first snow-flake.

we managed to get tickets for la boheme at the opera - excellent singing and staging, and afabulous building. I don't remember it being that expensive - dearer than prague, but cheaper than madrid or berlin, let alone covent garden.

Your trip sounds great.

I'm still working on getting to vienna!

regards, ann

I just realized that I goofed... we did see a ballet in Budapest..it was more folk ballet than classical. The place where we stood along with students and music lovers was Vienna. Sorry about that.

Thank you kleroux! We're doing a Habitat for Humanity build in Csurgo, Hungary for two weeks in July and after two more weeks of other travel will end our trip with 3 nights in Budapest, staying at Hotel Victoria. If you have other info/impressions, please share.

Thank you for the report. We are going to Prague and Budapest in September. Would you mind elaborating on the overnight train? Were you able to sleep? Did you need reservations? Thanks!

We had a lovely two person compartment. We booked first class...I think it was about the same fee, but in any case that part of the train was very nice (only 1 car). We were able to board at 10 but the train left at 11. We went to sleep easily, but you do get awakened at least twice in the night to show your passport. We didn't mind, and enjoyed the experience. I don't know if we missed much scenery. We usually took day trains for short hops between cities. We reserved in advance. Finding out where to go is a challenge in Budapest. Nothing has great signs. International train reservations are not in the same place as domestic, and no sign to indicate where the booth is. Do give yourself plenty of time to get to the station, and into the right car etc.