Has anyone been on a hydrofoil when traveling from Vienna to Budapest? I saw it mentioned on one tour co's website and I thought it might be an alternative to train travel but I don't know anything about them. Any thoughts?

I did the hydrofoil before the chunnel (SP). Not sure if this crossing is different, but the link between France and England was very nausiating.

I think its actualy the English Channel that is nauseating (very rough water) not the hydrofoil. Doubt you would have the same problem on a river.

I've never been on a hydrofoil on the Danube, but I can't see the point. You'll sit in a seat and look out of a window through spray. If you want to travel quickly, the train is better; if you want to see the scenery of the river, do a boat trip from one of the towns along the river. Try www.mahartpassnave.hu, www.lod.sk or www.ddsg-blue-danube.at.

Hydrofoil on the Danube? I couldn't believe it, but you are right, there is one:

http://vienna-hydrofoil.hotels-in-bu...com/index.html

Hey, I learned something about my hometown through Fodor's!

One year from England to France. I was so disappointed in the whites cliffs of Dover.(That's what happens when you are a child hearing songs like..."there'll be blue birds over..."" )

I know. We have no bluebirds in Britain, never have had. As I was so often told in my childhood "What do you want - jam on it?"

Were there hydrofoils across the English Channel? I only knew about the hovercrafts, which is a different type of vessel.

rrkwan may be right. In that case no worries for you about sea sickness jbon

I guess is was the Hovercraft? It raises above the water when we landed.
Patrick: bluebirds with jam, is as bad as Jeremy fisher and his butterfly sandwich

Some of the faster ferries out there:

Hovercrafts - Fan beneath the vessel and "float" the whole thing above water. Propellers on top of the vessel (like planes). They can hover above ground too, and landed on dry land.

Hoverferries - Another English vessel with fan beneath, but don't completely lift out of water. Propellers under waterline. Berth at regular piers.

Hydrofoils - Adjustable "fins" underneath, which can lift the vessel above water due to the shape of the fins. Propellers that stick down, and remain in the water.

Jetfoils - Similar to hydrofoils, but with jet propulsion.

Catamarans - Vessels with two hulls. The newer and faster ones are usually jet-propelled.

Foilcat - Catamarans with fins that can lift the twin hulls out of the water.

I used to live in Hong Kong, so I pay attention to the fast ferries there, most of them run the 40-mile route between Hong Kong and Macau. All the above were used or are used, except for the true hovercrafts.

And the hydrofoils can be pretty bumpy, especially the smaller/lighter vessel, in open seas. Many people avoid them except when the sea is totally calm, and parents usually avoid taking young kids on hydrofoils as they usually get seasick.

rkkwan.
I was on the hovercraft. not bumpy nor nauseating and was thrilled by my first experience, except the train from there to France was so dirty.

Take note of Geoff Hamers comments re hydrofoil. If you want to enjoy the scenery go by boat.

Take the train! The Danube , for the most part Vienna to Budapest is not that scenic. The train is faster.
You can take short cruise on the danube in Budapest that will show the sights.Cheaper, faster, more interesting.

Message Viennese:
It leaves daily about 8:00 from DDSG Terminal at the Reichsbrücke.They are russian -built and often docked near Handelskai and Floridsdorferbrücke between trips.