Prague to Budapest
 

I will be in Prague for a long weekend for the first time in November. I would like to venture out and see something else before leaving, rather than spending nearly a whole week there. Is Budapest too far for a two night visit before coming back to Prague to fly out? Looks like it's about a 7 hour train ride. That doesn't sound like fun.

Budapest is certainly an intersting city, but Vienna is an easier, shorter trip from Prague. Also, think about Karlovy Vary, the old resort town of Carlsbad. Very beautiful architecture, and quiet in November. It's about two hours from Prague; you can even take a taxi to the airport from there (or a bus).

Have you thought about seeing some other parts of the Czech Republic instead? The problem is that with the recent flooding, I'm not sure what would be the best to see (I heard Cesky Krumlov was damaged a lot by the flood, otherwise it would be a good idea). I agree that Budapest is pretty far away to make it a short trip, as is Krakow, unfortunately. Dresden would have been a good choice, also, except for the flooding. Munich is about the same distance as Budapest (7 hrs by train).<BR><BR>My best suggestion outside the CR is thus Vienna, if you haven't been there, as it is closer than Budapest (only 5 hrs by train) or Munich. I don't think Vienna was as badly damaged in the flood, but check on that.<BR><BR>From reading news on the flood, I know it affected Prague, Ceske Budejoovice, Cesky Krumlov, and to the west and SW of Cesky Krumlov. I did not read that it affected Moravia, however (the eastern area of southern CR, above Austria and bordering Poland). I suppose Karlovy Vary to the west of Prague might be an option, I haven't been there, but I would recommend Olomouc down in Moravia if you don't want to go far, as it's a direct train trip from Prague in about 3 hrs. I was there last May and enjoyed the town very much. It's got a few churches and monuments of interest to see, is walkable and is very cheap, and the people very friendly. <BR><BR>Here is a website on the place<BR>http://web.olomouc.com/<BR>I stayed in what seemed to be the nicest hotel in Town (a 4*, Hotel Gemo) which I recommend highly, and it was only about US$60-75 for a double (which was huge, like a suite, one of the nicest rooms in any hotel I've ever been in). The only drawback to that hotel was that there is a tram and taxi stand right in front, and a major street and streetlights, so for peace and quiet, request a room on the other side of the hotel, not the side facing the street. Here is the URL<BR>http://www.hotel-gemo.cz/<BR>This hotel was very well-located for tourism, also, you could walk to everything in the center city of interest, as well as many restaurants (which also were extremely cheap).<BR><BR>I just read the local Olomouc news and apparently that city flooded also (in fact, there was some funny articles about the mayor leaving town to go to Greek beaches during the floods, claiming his wife was sick), but it wasn't as bad as western Czech Republic or Prague, as far as I can tell. Their web page might whet your interest, but the tourist office in the train station has all kinds of maps and information for free. This town was good for a day or two, but you wouldn't want to stay there longer, probably.<BR><BR>

ttt

How about a day trip to Telc?

I don't know about Budapest but you could take overnight trains (get a couchette) to Krakow and back so you don't miss any site seeing time. Krakow is awesome.