Prague/Vienna/Budapest in late Nov-early Dec
 

We're planning to spend last week of Nov and first week in Dec in Prague, Vienna and Budapest. We know it will be quite chilly but would like to see some of the Christmas markets (I read they start in late November).

1) Is there a preference for starting in Prague versus Budapest? We can fly in/out of either airport.
2) Are there more Christmas activities/decorations in one city over the other?
3) Is Europe Rail the preferred way to book train tickets between cities? We plan to use the train between cities.

Assuming you have either way Vienna as a stop in between, book your tickets at the Austrian railways: http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
Advance booking will set you back the enormous sum of EUR 19 for each trip. Per person, that is.
I can't advise you on Budapest versus Prague, other than I find Prague a much more interesting city. But that's just my taste.

3) Is Europe Rail the preferred way to book train tickets between cities? We plan to use the train between cities.>

there is no Europe Rail but each of those countries has a national rail system - such as Austria's which tonfromleiden mentions. Discounted tickets are sold in limited numbers and thus should be booked ASAP - but discounted tickets are usually non-changeable non-refundable so be sure of your dates and time but you can save a lot over walk-up fares. For lots of info on European trains and those in central Europe check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

In or out of Budapest or Prague - do whichever one gives you the best air fare. IME first class is well worth the extra money and discounted tickets I believe come in first class as well.

We flew into Prague...spent 5 days there; train (3 hours) to Vienna for 3 days; and then by train to Budapest. Flew back to the states from Budapest.
Personally, I didn't care for Vienna - too modern and "stiff". Prague was fabulous, with a couple of days trips to nearby towns. However, Budapest was enchanting! Understated elegance, less tourists, and too much to see in only a few days.
Definitely recommend train reservations if you are sure of your itinerary. Would have been standing the entire way if not for the reserved seats.

You talk to three different strangers and you may get one loving one of those three cities and not the other - the next may have a completely different take and on and on...

Having been to all three multiple times I'd be hard pressed to prefer one over the other - I'd spend more time in Viena to take the IMO fantastic Wachau Valley boat trip through the Wachau - a vineyard-strewn stretch of river featuring neat old wine villges like Durnstein - take a train to Melk - tour the world-famous Melk Abbey - boat the boats for Durnstein or other towns and end up in Krems for trains bakc to Vienna - buy an all-inclusive ticket in Vienna before setting out - one day in the lovely countryside can be a big relief from tourist meccas where there is always one more site to see...

Wachau Valley:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Wach...=1600&bih=1099

i personally would find it hard to chose between Prague and Budapest at Christmas time as we have been to them both between Christmas and New year and loved them both.

as for Vienna, I've been but not in Winter - everything I read suggests that I'd love that too. our one disappointment there was that it seemed harder to find concerts to go to when we were there - ok you can book for the opera and other famous venues, but in Prague and Budapest we were able to buy tickets when we were there [ditto Krakow] whereas in Vienna that didn't seem to be the case.

anyway, I don't see how you can fail to have a good time.

"Is there a preference for starting in Prague versus Budapest?"

You might want to check the opening / closing days of any places you hope to visit and route accordingly.

Enjoy!

I live in Vienna and travel to Budapest and Prague regularly, sometimes by train rather than personal vehicle. The advanced booking tickets on ÖBB at €19 are few in number and require signifiant advance purchase (as in, purchase them within the next week or so) and are limited to specific trains.

For train tickets between Prague and Vienna, use the Ceske Drahy site rather than ÖBB; the tickets are substantially less expensive for the same trains over purchasing them via the Austria site.

As for Christmas markets, by late November all three cities will have their major markets open. You'll have no shortage of beautiful holiday scenes to enjoy no matter the order of your trip.

Happy Planning!

Oh going in winter - missed that - scratch the Wachau Valley - boats probably not even running. Sorry.

Wow - planning a rail trip into Budapest sounds iffy right now and for the foreseable future - all trains to Austria were suspended the other day and still not running perhaps. May want to reconsider Budapest unless going by car.