How many days would be ideal for a first visit to Budapest? It seems like other posts have said that 4 days wasn't enough. This would be combined with Krakow.

Well, whether four days is "enough" depends on your goals and parameters for a trip to Budapest as well as your personal travel style. Everyone's is different. Some people are happy getting a taste of a place in just a few days and see many places on one trip; others like to spend a week in each place and absorb it and see only a few destinations.

I did three nights in Budapest last fall on a trip that included Prague (four nights) and Vienna (two nights). To be honest I didn't take to Budapest in the way that I loved Prague. Three nights was just about right for me. If I had only four days total for a trip and Budapest was the primary destination, I would probably have combined that with a side trip somewhere else, perhaps a shorter trip than to Krakow.

If you are going to Krakow are you planning to use the overnight trains? Otherwise, if you have only four days total you will be wasting a lot of your prescious time on trains. Even so, four days total for both Krakow and Budapest (if that's what you mean) is not very much and may leave you weary with all the long train trips.

Andrew

Looking to take in the main sights, have one free day and not be rushed. This would be in addition to Krakow. I didn't take to Prague, and found we had too much time.

Budapest is quite a bit bigger than Prague and I think there is quite a bit more to do in Budapest. Obviously it depends on your interests though. I find it hard to compare the cities because they are very different. I like them both a lot but would probably return to Prague before Budapest.

I was in Budapest for three nights (and probably had the equivalent of three full days there) - I felt that gave me a good taste of the city (no side trips and we did things each day so no free day either).

I think if you have four days for this part of the trip and you want a free day in that then that sounds about right.

I just spent 4 days there and it was great; no museums, just walking about.

We were recently in Budapest for four nights on a trip that included four nights in each of Vienna and Prague as well. It seemed like a reasonable length of time in each place. Obviously we did not see everything so there are excuses to go back!

According to elvira.hu (the Hungarian train website) the only daily train I can find to Krakow departs from Keleti (eastern) station around 7 pm and arrives at Krakow at 5:36 am next day.

Not too appealing, IMO.

Stick with Budapest. Four days will not be wasted if you visit:
The castle district and its 3 or 4 major museums/ galleries
Parliament
Godollo
Szechenyi baths or Gellert baths or another famous hot spring
Aquincum
Margretsziget
The Opera
Heroes Square, with its 2 art museums, one of which contains 7 El Grecos, including a couple of the finest works by that master...

Etc etc

On the contrary, many people prefer a night train so would be happy to have a 7PM-5AM overnighter. I'm sure there are other day trains if you go to the German train website that everyone uses, but if you were there only four days the night train would be the only practical way to fit in a quick side trip Krakow. I wouldn't bother myself and just save Krakow for another trip.

Andrew

Thanks tedgale. The whole point of this trip is Krakow and I was looking for something else since it's a long trip to begin with (and I really want to see Budapest). I'm thinking of starting with Krakow - the night train is at 10:30 and gets in around 9:15am. I'll probably than plan on 4 nights, maybe 5.

Hello from Budapest!
I am reading with a big interest what you think about Budapest and I am pleased that most of you would spend 3-4 days here! Visit the countryside wonderful baroque towns too, the famous wine growing areas beside the cities! Budapest is really cultured, the whole European history, art is represented! So come and enjoy your trip! Any questions are welcome! Gabriella Török, private guide in Budapest and Hungary