My wife and I are planing a rail trip from Vienna <BR>to Prague in the first half of September. It appears <BR>that most people taking this trip also include Budapest. Would it be advisable to do the same? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Unequivocally YES! Budapest is very different from Vienna and Prague, but central to understanding the history and politics of central europe. I recommend the exhibit at the Hungarian National Museum hughly for gaining an understanding of this history. Paired with Hapsburg Vienna, Budapest becomes both more exotic and more familiar... If you like to read before you go I suggest John Lukacs' fine book "Budapest 1900" for a deeper understanding of Budapest. Prague was a lesser Hapsburg city, but the three together present a very interesting [and beautiful] trio to explore in one trip. If you need help on trains or hotels let me know.

It is an 8-hour train trip from Prague to Budapest and Vienna is about half-way between. We stayed with Dr. Walter Fleps in Budapest. He is a retired lawyer who speaks English & has a flat which overlooks the city. His address is Bogar utca 20b, 1022 Budapest, Hungary. For room & breakfast, it is $40/night for 2. He has another flat closer in but no breakfast. We stayed at Pension Balbin in Prague, through AVE Accommodations at [email protected] Close to most everywhere you want to go,very clean, shower & toilet in room, safe, serve-yourself breakfast, English-speaking helpful staff for $35/night for 2.

Richard, My husband and I just returned from a trip to Budapest, Prague and Vienna. We traveled by train from Budapest to Prague and then to Vienna and returned to Budapest. The Marriott by the Danube is a beautiful and reasonable place to stay. Wonderful view, great hotel. We love Budapest! It has old and new and relatively inexpensive compared to many cities, even Prague. Prague is pretty but the Hotels are very expensive!! The tourism boomed about two years ago and the prices went up but they didn't keep the hotels in great shape to keep up with the prices they are charging. It is beautiful but I would make it my shortest stay. Vienna is beautiful and expensive!! About 4 times more than the US. I have found that the Fodors "Affordable Europe" book is a great reference and it has good maps and lots of useful information. Enjoy your vacation, pattie

Richard, My wife and I took the very same trip last Spring with Graz, Austria thrown into the mix. Liked it so much we're going back to all of them next Spring.Budapest is well worth the visit as it appears to be the one city we have been to that hasn't been inundated by tourists. Vienna is absolutely wonderful. It appears that the whole city is a park. It is however, incredibly expensive. Prague is my favorite of all the cities we have visited in our Eurpean trips. The old city center is incredible and the prices for food and drink are so low you will wonder if they charged you the right amount. Budapest is an interesting city. We stayed at the Marriott, a wonderful hotel right on the Danube. The castle district and the area near the waterfront are very nice and do not miss the Synagogue.The first post suggested going to the National Museum, it is a must! The chicken paprika and the goulash, in all its varieties make the trip worth while.

From Prague, I will be visiting Vienna and Budapest <BR>(not sure what order yet) any info on rail travel between these cities?? cheapest preferrably.

My son is going to be studying in Budapest 8/23/98 - 12/18/98 at the Budapest University of Economic Sciences. Would you have any thoughts or ideas on apartment rentals for two college students? Cheap of course! Doesn't have to have all the anemities of home! Thanks! <BR>