If i could piggyback on this query...My wife & I also are planning to visit Vienna, Budapest & Prague. We've set aside 2 weeks. We tend to cover a lot of ground on our trips, but does this itinerary sound crazy? Fly into Vienna & spend 2 days three nights. Take train east, stop off for a night in Bratislava. Take train to Budapest. Spend around three days. Rent car & head for Prague, perhaps via High Tatras & Krakow (4 days?) Prague, for three days. Return to Vienna by train for flight home. Or fly out of Prague if not that much more expensive. Thanks. YJ

Budapest was my fav of the three, although I do love all three of them. Budapest requires the most time to really get the flavor and enjoyment of the city. I stayed in Budapest for 7 days and a year later for 2 more. I stayed with a local couple and really got a lot of information about the city.
With only 8 or 9 days, I would pick 5 days in Budapest and 4 days in Prague.
Have a great time.

Wish I were going with you. I have been to all three places and eager to go back. My favorite is Budapest. I was there for two weeks in Feb. 2002 and two weeks in April 2002 with my husband (he was on business). We stayed at the Hilton West End. The trams, buses and subways make it easy to get around and safe. So much to do and see. Art, theater, symphony, great pastries, baths,parks,etc. I did not want to leave. Great shopping for handmade tablecloths too. One weekend we did a train trip to Vienna (excursion ticket from Budapest gives you train ride to and from Vienna plus full use of the trams, subways and buses for the weekend....$27. dollars) Vienna is a beautiful and clean city.

We visited Prague in 1999 with another couple. Again we traveled by train but this time from Frankfort. We enjoyed our night in a sleeper car. Prague is set up well for tourists. Alot of entertainment. Great city too!! You do have a hard decision!

Are you sure you can't stay longer and do all three cities?

Just wanted to say a belated thanks to everyone for all your great suggestions and advice. We decided on 4 days each in Prague and Budapest (will definitely do Vienna another time). We leave in 2 and a half weeks, and I can't wait! In Prague we're staying at the Palace, and at the Kempinski Corvinus in Budapest. Nice to be staying in cities where nice hotels don't completely break the bank. We've already got dinner reservations at Bellevue in Prague and Gundel in Budapest. If anyone has other suggestions, I'm all ears!

Again, thanks to everyone - your input was so helpful and we can't wait to get over there!

CircleK, please post a trip report when you return. I'll be anxious to hear how your choices turned out for you. This was a helpful thread for others like me considering the same trip.

Bon voyage!

It is hard to pick 1 to leave out. Prague would be a must. you could fly into budapest 3 nights, fly or train to vienna 3nights, fly or train to prague 3 nights.I don't recommend a day trip to budapest.

CircleK: We loved the Mucha Museum in Prague (it is open on Monday when most museums aren't). Try to go to the Cafe Salvia, which is across the street from the National Theater. We went to an opera at the theater and Salvia afterwards for coffee and pancakes (actually like crepes with fresh fruit and whipped cream). We enjoyed a boat cruise on the Vltava. Was fun to see the Charles Bridge from both sides and got some nice photos. Just walking around is a joy in Prague.

In Budapest, go to the top of St. Stephen's Cathedral. We took the elevator and then walked the last short distance inside the dome. The view of the city is spectacular. If you like Roman ruins you might like to visit Aquincum. It's a small site with a small museum, but we enjoyed it. From there we went to Szentendre on the same local train we took from town to Aquincum, and then took a hydrofoil on the Danube back to Budapest. Made a pleasant day. We also took an evening boat trip on the Danube which was lovely. It was so relaxing and romantic floating down the Danube, with everything lit up so beautifully, sipping on complimentary champagne.

We envy you. Loved Prague and Budapest and hope to return some day, but there is SO MUCH TO SEE AND SO LITTLE TIME & $$$. Have a wonderful time!

Am starting to plan a trip with similar itinerary and am looking for feedback. My friend and I are 34 and pretty adventurous independent travelers. We're flying in and out of VIenna and will have 2 weeks. Definitely enough to do 3-5 days in Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Am wondering if people have suggestions on other smaller places to stop on the way overnight. Am thinking maybe Cesky Krumlov between Vienna and Prague? Between Prague and Budapest, it's a pretty long train trip so it would make sense to stop somewhere but I need some suggestions. And one final question, where are some good places to rent bikes for a day or two? Only place I've found so far is along the Danube (but am afraid that may be too flat and sedate for my taste). Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Jcohe2t: Unless you must fly in an out of Vienna you are much better off flying in to Prague, train or fly to vienna, train or fly to budapest then fly home or vice versa.

mgmargate: Thanks...but too late...we jumped at a great airfare and already bought tix to Vienna (only $649). Out of curiosity, how will this hurt us?

Jcohe2t: It will hurt because it will waste valuable vacation time getting back to vienna to get home instead of flying open jaws.