Prague or Budapest
Jan 1st, 2018, 02:04 PM
#21
Megane - I’m from Montreal but now only visit for work and to visit family burial plots near Shawinigan and Quebec City. There’s an uplifting story.
I like your first plan though I will say we were in Prague last year and it was unbelievably crowded. Berlin has so many aspects to it. Depends what you’re interested in.
I like your first plan though I will say we were in Prague last year and it was unbelievably crowded. Berlin has so many aspects to it. Depends what you’re interested in.
Jan 1st, 2018, 02:19 PM
#22
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If I had to choose between Prague and Budapest, I'd choose Prague.
Prague is much more charming in my view - a lovely, compact walking city. But yes, it has also become quite touristy now, obnoxiously so in parts.
Budapest is much bigger and more spread out - very interesting but less charming in my view. It somehow felt, uhm, "darker" than Prague. I certainly didn't hate it, but I also didn't fall in love with Budapest like I did with Prague.
I visited Budapest once, in 2005, and it wasn't anywhere near as touristy as Prague then but not exactly without tourists - there seemed to be more than a few, just nothing like Prague, not to an unpleasant degree. That was more than twelve years ago as well. I would't mind returning to Budapest someday but I'm not burning to go back soon - I've already been to Prague twice.
I wouldn't try to sneak down to Croatia or Slovenia with only four days. Do it on another trip, and plan another trip to Croatia and Slovenia when you have more time - they deserve it.
Prague - Vienna - Budapest do go well together by train as someone else mentioned; that's how I first visited the area.
Prague is much more charming in my view - a lovely, compact walking city. But yes, it has also become quite touristy now, obnoxiously so in parts.
Budapest is much bigger and more spread out - very interesting but less charming in my view. It somehow felt, uhm, "darker" than Prague. I certainly didn't hate it, but I also didn't fall in love with Budapest like I did with Prague.
I visited Budapest once, in 2005, and it wasn't anywhere near as touristy as Prague then but not exactly without tourists - there seemed to be more than a few, just nothing like Prague, not to an unpleasant degree. That was more than twelve years ago as well. I would't mind returning to Budapest someday but I'm not burning to go back soon - I've already been to Prague twice.
I wouldn't try to sneak down to Croatia or Slovenia with only four days. Do it on another trip, and plan another trip to Croatia and Slovenia when you have more time - they deserve it.
Prague - Vienna - Budapest do go well together by train as someone else mentioned; that's how I first visited the area.
Jan 1st, 2018, 03:40 PM
#23
Our first trip to Prague we stayed at the Hotel Pariz, now the Hotel Paris.
Like Andrew suggested, the three cities by train, but we also did Salzburg with the three.
Then the other two times in Prague, we stayed at 'The Three Ostriches', just at the end of the Charles Bridge.
Oh, we love Montreal, having visited 5/6 times.
Now Quebec City we have visited 12/13 times. What's not to love.
Then Europe was calling.
Like Andrew suggested, the three cities by train, but we also did Salzburg with the three.
Then the other two times in Prague, we stayed at 'The Three Ostriches', just at the end of the Charles Bridge.
Oh, we love Montreal, having visited 5/6 times.
Now Quebec City we have visited 12/13 times. What's not to love.
Then Europe was calling.
Jan 1st, 2018, 04:18 PM
#24
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Caution in Prague!! I gave my credit card to our waitress after lunch and as she was walking away I remembered that was a BIG No-No! Always watch your card. I followed her inside and her associate said something to her after seeing me. She whirled around, looked at me, then ran my card in my view. I did not give her a big tip!!
Jan 1st, 2018, 04:55 PM
#25
Last year we visited Budapest, Prague, and Berlin and found that to be the perfect combination, especially for those who want to experience the aftermath of world war II.
In Budapest, we stayed at the Hilton next to the Castle. Because there is some confusion in the above posts as to where the Hilton is located, there are two, one on the Buda side, and one on the Pest side. I was a little concerned as to the location in the hilly castle district, but there is convenient bus service at practically all hours up there and down and across the river, so it was never an issue. Further, the rooms with views of the Danube, and Parliament are stunning!
We found more to do in Budapest than we did in Prague, especially with many memorials and the like, but I confess my best friend joined us for a few days, and she was born in Budapest (left as a toddler during the 1956 uprising with her parents), and has relatives there. So our experience may have been a little different since we were able to mingle with the locals and visit areas that tourists might not visit doing an independent tour of Budapest. I mean, we did do the usual touristy things as well.
Prague is more compact, and certainly gorgeous, more architecturally interesting than Budapest, perhaps because of the war. I didn't find Budapest dirtier, not at all. To the contrary, Prague could use a little clean up of the buildings, and quite a few beggars in touristy areas, especially near the Charles Bridge. Because they lie down in what I'd call a prayer position on the ground, you sort of have to watch where you are walking. Prague is also divided by a river, but trams are plentiful and a great way to reach Prague Castle. We stayed in old town, just northeast of the Old Town Square.
Since you need to end up in Greece, I would suggest, this trip, take in Budapest and Prague and leave Berlin for another trip.
In Budapest, we stayed at the Hilton next to the Castle. Because there is some confusion in the above posts as to where the Hilton is located, there are two, one on the Buda side, and one on the Pest side. I was a little concerned as to the location in the hilly castle district, but there is convenient bus service at practically all hours up there and down and across the river, so it was never an issue. Further, the rooms with views of the Danube, and Parliament are stunning!
We found more to do in Budapest than we did in Prague, especially with many memorials and the like, but I confess my best friend joined us for a few days, and she was born in Budapest (left as a toddler during the 1956 uprising with her parents), and has relatives there. So our experience may have been a little different since we were able to mingle with the locals and visit areas that tourists might not visit doing an independent tour of Budapest. I mean, we did do the usual touristy things as well.
Prague is more compact, and certainly gorgeous, more architecturally interesting than Budapest, perhaps because of the war. I didn't find Budapest dirtier, not at all. To the contrary, Prague could use a little clean up of the buildings, and quite a few beggars in touristy areas, especially near the Charles Bridge. Because they lie down in what I'd call a prayer position on the ground, you sort of have to watch where you are walking. Prague is also divided by a river, but trams are plentiful and a great way to reach Prague Castle. We stayed in old town, just northeast of the Old Town Square.
Since you need to end up in Greece, I would suggest, this trip, take in Budapest and Prague and leave Berlin for another trip.
Jan 1st, 2018, 07:24 PM
#26
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@ mgebs2000: So, after YOU made an error (in your eyes) and basically accused your server of trying to do something nefarious (without evidence), you then shorted her tip? How does that make sense???
Jan 2nd, 2018, 05:50 AM
#27
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Hi,
Your best bet would be 4 days in Prague and 4 days in Budapest.
Even Being a private guide in Hungary I still would recommend Prague without any hesitations. Its stunningly gorgeous. I like it even after having visited it for dozens and dozens of times. Leave Berlin for another trip.
In general choosing between Prague and Budapest is something like a choice between a BMW or a Mercedes. One is definitely designed for driving, the other one is for being driven in. Which one would you choose?
Concerning Prague is overcrowded??? Well those who say that, probably have been to Prague long time ago or haven't been to Budapest recently, to say the least.
Budapest is, I would say has 3 times more visitors nowadays. We are sometimes almost suffocating under coach tour hordes and short city breakers. Budget airlines bring tons of stag/hen crowds and zillions of teenagers coming for the dirt cheap booze. Fortunately those ..... beer-wagons have been banned by a few central district's authorities. Oh, and I don't even mention the number of river-cruise boats. sometimes there are at least 20-30 of them docked all along the quays of the Danube.
I remember 20 something years ago we had mostly/only, how to say politely..., very distinguished customers in our 4-5 star hotels. Nowadays?
Just last week I had to take my customers from the Kempinsky downtown Budapest at 3:00 am. At that late (or rather early for some
) time the lobby was full of 20-25ish young guys, well accompanied of some "on duty" Budapest ladies. That would be totally unimaginable 20 years ago. Well times they are a changing you know.
All in all those who say that Budapest is not so well "discovered", probably have been here a long time ago or visited it during absolute off-season time like after January 13th (when the last "dozens of thousands" of Russian tourists leave the city after their holiday season is over). It is almost like the same "foolish" preaching of the western media about Croatia:
Come and see what the French Riviera looked like 40 years ago. The only time Croatia looked like that was in 1992-1995 during the civil war in Yugoslavia. Before that during communist times, Yugoslavian Adriatic coats has probably 3 times visitors than the riviera altogether. For the last 10 years they have more well over 5-6 millions of visitors annually, feeling like being in a can of sardines, to say the least.
Also while I understand you probable limitations for when to have or have not your summer holidays, but in case you have a chance, I would DEFINITELY recommend avoiding both cities in July altogether.
The best time to visit is end of march through mid June (before the family tourism arrives) and after mid September through beginning of November. May and October are by far the best.
July can be rather sticky over here in Budapest, temperatures maximizing in +37-39C/98-102F, however Prague has sometimes very unpredictable climate and it can be quite (comfortably) cool and rainy even in July.
Also if you decide to visit Prague, than save 2 of your days for some countryside trips, like a day trip Karlštejn, Konopiště or Orlik castles and a day trip to one of its absolutely charming medieval towns like Kroměříž, Olomouc, Telc, Usty Nad Labem just to name a few.
In case you will have a rental car, then the little towns along the border with Slovakia Lednice/Valtice area, are also a must!
Since Budapest has many times more to offer you can spend all your 4 days here, but just in case you can save a day for visiting one of our beautiful towns like Eger, Pécs, Győr/Pannonhalma, Vác/alternative Danube Bend etc.
Hope it helped a bit to clarify the Budapest/Prague question.
Feel free to ask for any particular details of the above mentioned.
Your best bet would be 4 days in Prague and 4 days in Budapest.
Even Being a private guide in Hungary I still would recommend Prague without any hesitations. Its stunningly gorgeous. I like it even after having visited it for dozens and dozens of times. Leave Berlin for another trip.
In general choosing between Prague and Budapest is something like a choice between a BMW or a Mercedes. One is definitely designed for driving, the other one is for being driven in. Which one would you choose?
Concerning Prague is overcrowded??? Well those who say that, probably have been to Prague long time ago or haven't been to Budapest recently, to say the least.
Budapest is, I would say has 3 times more visitors nowadays. We are sometimes almost suffocating under coach tour hordes and short city breakers. Budget airlines bring tons of stag/hen crowds and zillions of teenagers coming for the dirt cheap booze. Fortunately those ..... beer-wagons have been banned by a few central district's authorities. Oh, and I don't even mention the number of river-cruise boats. sometimes there are at least 20-30 of them docked all along the quays of the Danube.
I remember 20 something years ago we had mostly/only, how to say politely..., very distinguished customers in our 4-5 star hotels. Nowadays?
Just last week I had to take my customers from the Kempinsky downtown Budapest at 3:00 am. At that late (or rather early for some
) time the lobby was full of 20-25ish young guys, well accompanied of some "on duty" Budapest ladies. That would be totally unimaginable 20 years ago. Well times they are a changing you know.All in all those who say that Budapest is not so well "discovered", probably have been here a long time ago or visited it during absolute off-season time like after January 13th (when the last "dozens of thousands" of Russian tourists leave the city after their holiday season is over). It is almost like the same "foolish" preaching of the western media about Croatia:
Come and see what the French Riviera looked like 40 years ago. The only time Croatia looked like that was in 1992-1995 during the civil war in Yugoslavia. Before that during communist times, Yugoslavian Adriatic coats has probably 3 times visitors than the riviera altogether. For the last 10 years they have more well over 5-6 millions of visitors annually, feeling like being in a can of sardines, to say the least.
Also while I understand you probable limitations for when to have or have not your summer holidays, but in case you have a chance, I would DEFINITELY recommend avoiding both cities in July altogether.
The best time to visit is end of march through mid June (before the family tourism arrives) and after mid September through beginning of November. May and October are by far the best.
July can be rather sticky over here in Budapest, temperatures maximizing in +37-39C/98-102F, however Prague has sometimes very unpredictable climate and it can be quite (comfortably) cool and rainy even in July.
Also if you decide to visit Prague, than save 2 of your days for some countryside trips, like a day trip Karlštejn, Konopiště or Orlik castles and a day trip to one of its absolutely charming medieval towns like Kroměříž, Olomouc, Telc, Usty Nad Labem just to name a few.
In case you will have a rental car, then the little towns along the border with Slovakia Lednice/Valtice area, are also a must!
Since Budapest has many times more to offer you can spend all your 4 days here, but just in case you can save a day for visiting one of our beautiful towns like Eger, Pécs, Győr/Pannonhalma, Vác/alternative Danube Bend etc.
Hope it helped a bit to clarify the Budapest/Prague question.
Feel free to ask for any particular details of the above mentioned.
Jan 2nd, 2018, 06:17 AM
#28
"Concerning Prague is overcrowded??? Well those who say that, probably have been to Prague long time ago or haven't been to Budapest recently, to say the least. Budapest is, I would say has 3 times more visitors nowadays."
Prague has more overnight visitors than Budapest and its number of international tourists is growing more quickly than Budapest's:
https://www.europeancitiesmarketing....grow-3-6-2016/
Prague has more overnight visitors than Budapest and its number of international tourists is growing more quickly than Budapest's:
https://www.europeancitiesmarketing....grow-3-6-2016/
Jan 2nd, 2018, 09:00 AM
#29
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Sorry, but those articles mean ZERO! Just a product of one marketing company. There are at least 100 similar around the tourism industry. All have their goals, methods of doing research etc., etc.
I am guiding people here in Budapest in the real world and also go to Prague rather frequently, so I can compare from my eyes perspective
Concerning Budapest, their figures are rubbish. Tourism growth in 2016 was 7.2% foreign visitors and 11.2% domestic customers.
Since I personally know quite a few people involved in Airbnb or just simple "word of mouth" apartment providers and almost none of them is registered with Hungarian authorities.
So their clients are non-existent for our (you know European tourists arrive to Hungary mostly using their IDs, so most of them are non registered by the immigration authorities. Till July 2017, border control for EU members was just simple look at your ID card or even just waving you through.
That's the reason our government wants to shutdown AIrbnb's service in Budapest, just like they killed UBER.
Also DON'T forget, that we have THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of day-trip visitors from Vienna which is not a typical case for Prague (2.5 hours by train/car versus 4 hours by train/car. Only from Israel, Russia and Ukraine we have annually half a million visitors coming to Budapest that way and naturally they do add to the day time crowds in the city.
Also in Prague the number of tourist is spread more evenly all year long, while we have our distinct peak and dead seasons.
Sorry again, but I make my comparison from a real tourist professional's view and not based on an internet article
I am guiding people here in Budapest in the real world and also go to Prague rather frequently, so I can compare from my eyes perspective
Concerning Budapest, their figures are rubbish. Tourism growth in 2016 was 7.2% foreign visitors and 11.2% domestic customers.
Since I personally know quite a few people involved in Airbnb or just simple "word of mouth" apartment providers and almost none of them is registered with Hungarian authorities.
So their clients are non-existent for our (you know European tourists arrive to Hungary mostly using their IDs, so most of them are non registered by the immigration authorities. Till July 2017, border control for EU members was just simple look at your ID card or even just waving you through.
That's the reason our government wants to shutdown AIrbnb's service in Budapest, just like they killed UBER.
Also DON'T forget, that we have THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of day-trip visitors from Vienna which is not a typical case for Prague (2.5 hours by train/car versus 4 hours by train/car. Only from Israel, Russia and Ukraine we have annually half a million visitors coming to Budapest that way and naturally they do add to the day time crowds in the city.
Also in Prague the number of tourist is spread more evenly all year long, while we have our distinct peak and dead seasons.
Sorry again, but I make my comparison from a real tourist professional's view and not based on an internet article
Jan 2nd, 2018, 04:08 PM
#31
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I don't think I'd return to Prague after 4 nights there (for all the reasons cited above), but I have spent a total of 13 nights in Budapest in the last 2 years and could spend months more there without tiring of it.
Jan 3rd, 2018, 03:42 AM
#32
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Please don't yell, scream or insult me for my next question.
Should we forget Prague altogether and consider staying in Budapest for a few days then travelling through Romania to Bucharest, before flying to Greece?
After seeing pictures and reading about romantic, fairytale and gorgeous Romanian small towns scattered throughout the country, we would consider this plan as well.
What do you all think?
Merci
Should we forget Prague altogether and consider staying in Budapest for a few days then travelling through Romania to Bucharest, before flying to Greece?
After seeing pictures and reading about romantic, fairytale and gorgeous Romanian small towns scattered throughout the country, we would consider this plan as well.
What do you all think?
Merci
Jan 3rd, 2018, 05:10 AM
#33
I think that is an excellent idea, if you have the time. Don't miss Szeged on the way.
For my second visit to Romania (traveling in the other direction) see:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...a-take-two.cfm
For my second visit to Romania (traveling in the other direction) see:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...a-take-two.cfm
Jan 3rd, 2018, 05:55 AM
#34
Megane, that would be a good way to go with a then quick flight or train, Bucharest to Athens. Abut 1 hour and 35 minutes flight time on Agean Air, non-stop. Not sure about trains.
Logistically, works well--perfect.
Thurs could tell you if you need a Visa in Romania.
Prague could then be combined with Berlin for a future trip.
www.inyourpocket.com/Bucharest
www.inyourpocket.com/romania
P.S. Being flexible is a good thing.
Logistically, works well--perfect.
Thurs could tell you if you need a Visa in Romania.
Prague could then be combined with Berlin for a future trip.
www.inyourpocket.com/Bucharest
www.inyourpocket.com/romania
P.S. Being flexible is a good thing.
Jan 3rd, 2018, 06:12 AM
#35
Romania is a member of the EU although not part of the Schengen area. I don't know the OP's nationality but would be surprised if a visa were necessary. S/he can find out by checking the Romanian embassy web page for the relevant country.
Jan 3rd, 2018, 07:53 AM
#37
I found Romania very interesting, with some good mountain scenery and unusual buildings (although more in the north than the south). It is also a great budget destination, and not (yet) overrun with tourists. If you make it to the northwest it looked medieval when I was there, with horse-drawn transport, although that was in 2006, but it sounds like you will be concentrating on Transylvania.
There are a few other posters here who enjoy Romania, you might start a separate thread.
There are a few other posters here who enjoy Romania, you might start a separate thread.
Jan 4th, 2018, 04:26 AM
#38
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Hi,
Romania is an excellent option. While its an EU country it is completely different from Hungary or the Czech republic. Well at least in quite a few ways.
The only setback is that train or other public means of travel are relatively slow over there, so you definitely need a rent a car or higher a guide with his own car (that's probably the best thing, cause their driving manners are a "bit different from what you might get used to in Montreal )
All in all it would be a perfect choice. Despite serious modernization in the post Ceausescu period (the great Dictator) you'll still have tons of chances of experiencing life/style like it was in Europe 50-80 years ago!!!
Having a car or a driver/guide you can easily visit villages like Buzescu or Huedin:
https://index.hu/nagykep/2017/10/30/..._banffyhunyad/
Just have a look at some pictures! I have a very strong feeling, some Hollywood mansions would pale in comparison
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...ma/oneill-text
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inp...553190668.html
Hunedoara (the site of the Corvinus castle)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...vities-up.html
Tandarei
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ayer-cash.html
I am sure those will be the highlights of your Romanian trip
Also like it was suggested to combine Prague with Berlin for a future trip, I would better recommend it combining with Dresden (one of the most beautiful German cities) and the Saxon Switzerland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_Switzerland
Both are within a couple of hours by car from Prague.
Visa FREE travel for Canadians anywhere in Europe, including non EU member countries like Ukraine or Albania etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_r...quirements_map
Romania is an excellent option. While its an EU country it is completely different from Hungary or the Czech republic. Well at least in quite a few ways.
The only setback is that train or other public means of travel are relatively slow over there, so you definitely need a rent a car or higher a guide with his own car (that's probably the best thing, cause their driving manners are a "bit different from what you might get used to in Montreal
)All in all it would be a perfect choice. Despite serious modernization in the post Ceausescu period (the great Dictator) you'll still have tons of chances of experiencing life/style like it was in Europe 50-80 years ago!!!
Having a car or a driver/guide you can easily visit villages like Buzescu or Huedin:
https://index.hu/nagykep/2017/10/30/..._banffyhunyad/
Just have a look at some pictures! I have a very strong feeling, some Hollywood mansions would pale in comparison
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...ma/oneill-text
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inp...553190668.html
Hunedoara (the site of the Corvinus castle)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...vities-up.html
Tandarei
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ayer-cash.html
I am sure those will be the highlights of your Romanian trip
Also like it was suggested to combine Prague with Berlin for a future trip, I would better recommend it combining with Dresden (one of the most beautiful German cities) and the Saxon Switzerland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_Switzerland
Both are within a couple of hours by car from Prague.
Visa FREE travel for Canadians anywhere in Europe, including non EU member countries like Ukraine or Albania etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_r...quirements_map
Jan 4th, 2018, 06:17 AM
#40
You do NOT need to rent a car or hire a guide in southern Romania. If you read the TR I linked above you will see that I had no problems traveling by train and bus, with just a couple of car hires. You might well want a car or car and driver for the northwest (Maramures), although it has been over ten years since I was there and the situation may have changed.
