Would you work a trip to Budapest into this itinerary?
 

Hi there!

My husband and I are headed off to Europe again this Fall. We will once again be getting a rail pass and touring around for 15 days. We love to go places with character and are usually more interested in scenery and architecture than we are in shopping or visiting museums and galleries (with some exceptions, of course...)

We will be going in mid October and staying until just about the end of the month.

Currently, our plan is to go to Prague, Vienna, and Venice. We will likely work in a couple of day trips and such. A friend was telling us that we really should go to Budapest for a couple of days as part of this trip. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Yes absolutely. Budapest is one of my favorite cities in Europe. You can see the opera house, the parliament, the Great Synagogue, The House of Terror and the new holocaust museum which is really extraordinary. Be sure to walk along the river both during the day and at night to appreciate the views and the bridges. And if you are there in October, you should get to enjoy the fall colors as well.

Yes to Budapest! Only 2 hrs away from Vienna. Great city and cheap!

Definitely go to Budapest. If you're into architecture, especially. (For some of its Art Nouveau see http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...u-in-budapest/ )

Vienna-Budapest is 2+ hour to drive, 2:40 by train and about 4 by hovercraft down the Danube.

Budapest is well worth the visit.

Hi V,

Are you really, really sure that a Railpass will be more conveninet and less expensive than point-to-point tickets?

Check your itinerary at www.railsaver.com change the default from "always railpasses" to "less expensive".

((I))

I think Budapest is a great idea - but to me it would make the trip too rushed - unless you have been to some of these places before and give then a cursory revisit.

Budapest is a very good idea: check the UNESCO Buda Castle and the old historical town (http://in-luxembourg.blogspot.de/201...ry-part-2.html), take a boat trip on the Danube (try directly from Vienna), or go to the renowned thermal baths - you have enough for 2 days.

> more interested in scenery and architecture than we are in shopping or visiting museums and galleries
> Prague, Vienna, and Venice

Why add Budapest then? Better add something with scenery! Spend a few days between Vienna and Venice in the Austrian Alps. Honestly, I am not exactly a fan of Budapest and think it will pale in comparison to the other cities that you plan to see.

Thanks, everybody, for the replies. Lots of food for thought. =) Great suggestions for places to visit.

Thanks for the thoughts on the railpass, as well. I suppose we had that idea stuck in our minds because that's what we did the last time. Perhaps we'll see if there are other alternatives that make sense for our active travel style. =)

It seems that most of you enjoy Budapest. That's great to know. Valid point about the Alps, Ingo. We spent time in the Austrian Alps on our last visit and had a great time. This time we thought we'd do something a little different.