Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report First time Vienna/Budapest/Prague

I have always used fodors for most information to plan and enjoy my trips. Just wanted to write a quick list of things I enjoyed and liked in these cities to help anyone interested. Outside Indian languages we only speak English….and can only greet in foreign languages! This is not real a proper trip report but an attempt to share stuff that helped me.

Date of of visit: 17-27 June 2015
Members travelling: DH 41 DS 7 and my Dad 84 with me

Vienna

1. The euro conversion works! And people do speak English apart from German. So was easy.
2. We stayed in airbnb apartment and I highly recommend it. It was like having a dear friend staying I a posh well done house and she was away travelling ….and left the keys for you!Completely stocked, close to all places , next to a beautiful park, had a piano ( my son went crazy!) and very very tastefully done
https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/1114844
3. Naschmarkt : This market was a superb experience. Many different food options and most places open 11-1. Caution: Closed on Sunday!!
4. Almost everything is closed on Sunday including Supermarkets/tourist attractions etc. Indeed a day of rest….we walked around the city and saw the beautiful parks.
5. Outside the opera house, there will be someone selling different tickets. We had never seen Opera or Orchestra….so bought tickets without any research and loved it.

Budapest

1. The euro conversion rate varies from 265 to 310 ( currently) while you are getting it converted in the city. So walk around to look for cheaper rates….there’s always one around the corner.
2. The taxi rates are crazy….there’s no fixed rate and just jumping into a cab is asking for trouble. Fix it before you get in even if they say by meter ( all meters seemed to be working differently). The one taxi service which was the cheapest and the best ( we used many times) was Taxi 4 . They spoke English while booking and were very courteous. Call No. +3614444444
3. The cheapest transport was the 24 hour travel card. T is valid on metro/tram/bus/ferry is around 1650 HUF ( Euro 5-6). Its from the time you buy, available at all metro stations and more .
4. The free Budapest walking tour….was amazing. Informative, fun and not too long. We did the general one and wished we had the time to do the others. You can find them at http://www.unitedeuropefreetours.com
5. Our guide from the tour was kind enough to let us tag along for lunch to a canteen….its hidden near Hilton at Fisherman’s Bastion and has the simple canteen food ( no menu in English) It was less than Euro 5 for a dish of rice with veal stew, bowl of boiled veg and coke and one of my best Hungarian meals in the city. Its on Fortuna utca and up the stairs called Hess Andras Terem.
6. Not to miss in the city : 4 hours of thermal baths. ! Most get very crowded after 4pm….so early morning is better. They open around 6a.m. We went to Szechenyi and loved it. Do remember to carry swim wear , towels, head cover ( only required in the main swimming pool) and flip flops.And yes…you might want to protect the hair from getting effected by the various minerals by using a cap ( I didn't and my hair is still rough and yuck!)

The rest coming up soon.