Prague to Budapest
 

Does anyone have any information on traveling between these two cities by boat on the Danube. I know there are companies that offer cruises that go to a number of different places on the Danube, but we are looking to travel only between these two points.

Hi Karen, Prague is not on the Danube, it's on the Vatlava(sp) which is not very navagable.

Thanks, Art. I do feel dumb. Have you traveled between these two cities? I would imagine there is train service, and I guess you could drive. I would prefer not to fly as I imagine the fares would be high.

Hi Karen, yes I traveled between Budapest and Prague 2 years ago. I did fly because I had to use up some travel vouchers. It was nice and short 1 1/2 hours as opposed to the very long train ride (I think approx 10 hrs), but I would have taken the train otherwise. Both beautiful citys with Budapest being the most beautiful city in Europe and one of my favorates. You'll enjoy both. If you have any questions, email me and I'll be happy to try to answer them. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

The train ride is about 8 hours, but it didn't seem that long. You might want to train to Vienna and then take the boat to Budapest. Vienna is just a little over half-way between the two.

Linda took the words right out of my fingers:) <BR>Train to Vienna is about 5 hours -- spend a day or so there then take the boat to Budapest -- that's the best of both worlds:) Now maybe someone will post information about the boat options??

Art -- VLATAVA *grin*

Thanks Sally, I knew that I had the l misplaced, but couldn't remember where. <BR>Art <BR>

Karen, <BR> <BR>We did the trip in reverse and took an overnight train from Budapest to Prague. If you do something like that, I would recommend getting a private sleeping berth.

I would like to know about what boat service is available between Vienna and Budapest. Has anyone done this or does anyone know how to get info?

Karen, there is a Hydrafoil between Vienna and budapest. I'm not sure if there are any others. Maybe topping this will help. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

Art, thanks for the info about the hydrofoil. I managed to search out a company called Mahart in Hungary that operates this service. It does not seem posible to book directly with them, but in doing the search I found a tour company that could do this for me. I haven't contacted them yet, nor do I know the cost. I did learn there is daily service in low season in the morning and a second sailing leaving in the aftrernoon during high season. Trip takes 5 1/2 to 6 hours for the 282km one-way trip. There are hostess services and canteen services onboard. The internet is truly an amazing tool, and I appreciate your steering me in the right direction.

The boat is small,narrow and too fast to enjoy the wiew.Because of a damm in Slovakia the boat is very often 1-2 hours late.I'd suggest the train <BR>Eva

Eva, thanks for your input. Did you take the hydrofoil yourself? I'm disappointed to know that it wouldn't be scenic, but I guess I should have expected that since hydrofoils are speedy. Also I didn't know about the dam in Slovakia. I guess the train would be a better choice, although I imagine that it also would travel too fast to enjoy the scenery

Eva, as usual, has good local info -- Karen -- think about taking the train to Budapest, but them perhaps taking a daytrip to the Danube "bend" by hydrofoil or regular boat.

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. I am really enjoying this Fodor's site and am grateful to all the posters who take the time to try to help fellow travelers.

Hi Karen, <BR>We are traveling from Prague to Budapest in about 2 weeks. I don't know which way you are going. The train ride is about 8 plus hrs. We are leaving from Prague at night and arrive around 8 - 9 in the morning. My feeling is that if you/ve got to be on the train for that long, you might as well get a little shut eye. The train leaves Prague around 10 - 11PM, so you get an extra night in Prague. I think the train fare is $80 plus another $40 for a Sleeper? Not sure about the price. Hope this helps. <BR>Terry

Hi Karen <BR>I1m a guide in Hungary,had a lot of guests arriving by the hidrofoil,and NONE of them very enthusiastic.I1ve taken it once myself,it was 10 years ago,may be it's a bit changed ,but I don't thins so. <BR>The boat for Danube Bend is too slow.Budapest-Szentendre 1,5 h,Szentendre Visegrad 1,5 h,Visegrad-Esztergom1,5 h.Full of schoolchildren,You have to go early to take good seats.The relytively good solution is taking the boat from Szentendre to Bp, down the river,only 1h15min,no crowds,and arriving to Budapest on the danube is really great. <BR>The train is passing the Small Plain,not bad,but nothing special. <BR>If you have any question about Hungary feel free to ask.

Eva, thanks for all your suggestions. One last question, if I may. We're debating between the Hilton and the Kempinski Corvinus. Which side of the Danube do you think is preferable and why?. Also do you have a favorite special occasion restaurant to recommend?

Hi again Karen, several people will suggest that you stay on the Budda side, but you have a good uphill walk getting there or a crowded bus. <BR>Although there is a bit to see on the Budda side, there is much more on the Pest side and the subways and trolleys are fantistic. Buy a multi day pass whic is good on the Metro, Trolleys and buses. I don't know how much you want to spend on hotels, but 3 of the major ones are on the Pest side on the Danube. <BR>If you wish any paticulairs on places of interest (to mee anyway) feel free to email me. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

Forgot to add. The train from Prague to Budapest does make 2 stops at the border during the night and you will be woken up, if for no other reason than the noise. I met a young woman while I was in Budapest who had taken the train from Prague who mentioned that she had not gotten much sleep. You might want to check airfare prices, they may not be as bad as you think. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

Have to echo Art's comments about being awaken during the train travel. I believe they roused us as we entered Slovakia, passport control. We had thought the train attendants would keep our passports for the duration of the trip, but they did not. Also, the noise from people running to catch the trains as you drift into stations may wake you up. We kind of felt like we were in a war movie, moonlight shining in, foreign voices, people running. Idon't recall getting much sleep, which is why I recommend getting a private sleeper. We were in a compartment that could sleep six and I was worried that we would have company. <BR> <BR>We too had originally looked into arriving in Vienna by boat, but the timing did not work for us.Instead, we took a day trip to Melk and picked up a boat tour down the Danube from there.

Hi,Karen <BR>Definitely Pest,Kempinski.On the Castle Hill-Hilton-you have to take first the castle bus,then changign to an other bus,crossing the river...Castle District is wonderful,if I had muc money I'd by a flat there,but for tourist it is a bit inconvenient.Kempinski is 2 min from Vaci street,2 min from the main metro stop,10min from the Opera, and Synagog,3 min from St Stephen Cathedral,metro going to the Arts'Museum leaves in front of the hotel,same for the tram for Gellért Bath,Market Hall, National Museum,and same for the bus going up the castle hill.The normal (3 USD) airport-city center bus has terminal in front of the hotel's entrance,so you do not have to take a taxi( Check the threads about Budapest taxis) <BR>My favorite restaurant in the top quality is Fortuna ,opposite Hilton.Gundel is overcrowded at dinner time,dut more attentive service for lunch time.If you want to eat real good home made food try Kispipa or Fészek Klub,same management,both not far from Kempinski. <BR>Eva

Thanks Art, Eva, Nancy and everyone for your recommendations. I plan to investigate the airfare between Prague and Budapest and will probably take a train from Budapest back to Vienna since our current thinking is to fly into Prague and home from Vienna. There seems to be general agreement that the Pest side is most convient for touring. We'll be staying with friends in Prague so we won't need hotel space. As for Vienna, I posted another message asking if anyone had stayed at the Imperial or the Bristol, but so far no answer. Thanks again.

I stayed at the Hilton this summer. Looked out my window and saw the gargoles of St. Mathis Church as well as the Fisherman's Bastion and the Danube. I was in hog heaven and the staff was fabulous. Each day they posted the events in town for the evening. They got me tickets for the ballet in the Opera House on the aisle, 3rd row, or (my choice) a box near those seats. First rate all around. <BR> <BR>Some of the others in our group thought that the Pest side would be closer to the action. I liked the quiet. We got out early, and evening when the tourist were not on Castle Hill and spent the day in Pest. I thought it was perfect. We walked across the Chain Bridge and took the tram up the hill, or took a taxi. It was simple, can't wait to go back!