outwest

We're planning a trip to Vienna at the beginning of April. We'll be in Vienna 5 nights and I was planning to add 3 nights in Prague but now I'm starting to wonder about Budapest. I've never been to either. Does anyone have an opinion on which would be best--we like history, art museums, culture--we're not big drinkers. And we're trying do this trip on a budget (we'd prefer to keep our hotels to no more than 80 Euro/night) etc.

Jean

You'd probably like both places.

How were you going to travel between cities? Budapest is geographically closer, but either journey will cost you a half day from your already rather short itinerary.

Will you fly directly home from the second city, and if so is there a difference is your flight options?

Does weather make a difference to you? I think it might be a little warmer (but wetter) in Budapest in April.

Have you read the Fodor's Destination Guides for each city?

outwest

Jean, we'll be taking the train to either city and I realize that it's slightly quicker (but not significantly) to get to Budapest. I also discovered that we can fly home from either Budapest or Prague without much difference so that's not a deciding factor. I'm just starting to read in-depth about both cities--to be honest I hadn't even considered Budapest until I realized that we could fly home from there easily/cheaply

wanttogo

I have been to both Prague and Budapest. I liked both of them and I
think that you would be pleased with either. I assume that you plan to stay five nights in Vienna and three nights in the second city. If you ment 5 nights total, then spend them all in Vienna.

You are fortunate, indeed, to be able to visit Vienna-wonderful city for history and culture.

Pat

outwest

Oops--I hit post before I finished my message--I meant to say that I hadn't considered Budapest until I realized we could fly home from there but I thought it might be slightly less touristy then Prague--any thoughts?

Padraig

I think there is no argument about Budapest being less touristy than Prague. I also like it far more, but people's tastes vary.

I also think it a bit easier to keep costs down in Budapest, but the difference might not be enough to swing the decision.

lucy_d

I love them both, and it would be a toss up for me. In your situation, I might choose Budapest, as someone else mentioned, because it is closer. It is such a wonderful and rich city; I've been twice, though not in April, and would love to return. You can certainly get your fair share of history, culture and art in Budapest.

Have a wonderful trip. Whatever you decide will be the right decision. You can't go wrong in either city.

gruezi

Dear outwest,

Just MHO...

I've been to both and for a return trip I would choose Prague well over Budapest. I am also not a drinker and enjoy culture, art, etc. We were there New Year's week and it did get crowded for a few days. It was not unbearable though, and I do hate crowds of tourists.

Prague has an incredible music culture if you love music - you can hear music all day and night if you choose. Plus, I found the architecture in Prague really beautiful and it was, for me, more of a city to just enjoy strolling through or stopping for coffee - I just didn't get the same feeling in Budapest. New Year's Eve we found ourselves belting out Czech folk songs in a charming little restaurant called Luka Lu in Mala Strana. We had no idea the meaning of the words, but the passion around us was palpable. I loved seeing groups of men get up and join in the singing with such beautiful voices.

In Budapest I enjoyed the food, and the bridge lit up at night, but somehow just didn't find as much "there" as I did in Prague and didn't fall in love at all if you know what I mean. I would go back, but only if my husband's company were paying and mostly for the amazing foie gras.

Prague OTOH is calling me and I know I'll return.

The history of Prague is fascinating and you will really feel it all around you. For fun, bring Kundera's <i>Unbearable Lightness of Being</i> along with you to read. I read a bit each night and started to feel like I had stepped into that book which just added to the wonder of Prague and it's people.

I will say in both cities I found the major art museums a bit inaccessible. No audio (or it was broken) no guides and no English... Definitely a letdown. And the National Gallery in Prague was just a really depressing building to my daughter and I although there is a pretty large and great collection of art there.

But you will get your art fix in Vienna anyway.

Also, we live in Europe and are great watchers of the dollar versus Swiss Frank versus Euro.... We found Prague very, very reasonable. Budapest is too....

Have a great time wherever you decide.

gruezi

nytraveler

Have been to all 3 several times and Prague IMHO is by far the most interesting and enjoyable. Can bre obbe idn summer - but April shouldn't be bad. It is the only major city in central europe not significantly damaged in WWII (all those buildings are really hundreds and hundreds of years old) and it has an incredible active, excellent and inexpensive music scene.

Budapest would also be a good choice, but to me Prague is more lively, has more to do and better dining options,

outwest

Thanks for all the input--this decision isn't getting any easier! I think we're going to watch the much-maligned Rick Steves episodes on Budapest and Prague tonight and see if that helps at all!

iris1745

Hi outwest; We loved both cities, but have been to Prague three times. Budapest only once. For us, Budapest is wonderfull. However, Prague is 'spectacular'. One cosideration might be, that Prague is as it was centuries ago, with little WW11 bombing. Budapest had thirty thousand buildings destroyed in WW11. The reconstruction was an incredible undertaking but done magnificently. A download for Prague, click on the city, then 'instant'. www.inyourpocket.com If this will be your only time in this area of Europe, do PRAGUE. ENJOY Iris

thursdaysd

I'm going to put in another vote for Budapest. Prague's old town is just too small for the number of tourists it's been attracting.

I've been to Budapest twice, but only once to Prague, and I'd revisit Budapest again before going back to Prague - other than in the really off-season months of Jan or Feb or Nov. Besides, if you're going to Vienna it makes historical sense to also go to Budapest, the other capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

There are a couple of day or half day trips from Budapest as well. And don't miss the evening cruise on the Danube.

orangetravel

Wow, tough choice! I loved both cities of course, but I found Budapest to be absolutely amazing. I liked that there were lots of different neighborhoods with different feels to them, I loved going to the traditional outdoor baths, and the locals were so friendly and nice. Several times people overheard us talking from the next table over and they would pipe in with their own recommendations. Found it quite a bit less touristy too. That said, either city will make for a great trip!