European Rail Travel - VIENNA to BUDAPEST - rail or boat?

searched the threads, but can't seem to find any opinions on this...

if i have the correct information, the train from Vienna to Budapest takes about 2.5 hours and the boat about 3 hours? i only need this one-way, since we are flying out of Budapest to Warsaw a few days after. so, which one should we take? any suggestions?

(also, if my travel companion gets sea-sick at times, should i be worried about the ferry on the Danube? i would assume it's smooth sailing, but maybe someone can give me some insight on this.) thank you!!! :D

First of all, when are you traveling?

If it's the summer time, and you got time to spare, sailing is a nice option to check out the scenery along the Danube. But if you are short on time, just take the OEBB railjet. Budapest is a beautiful city, and you will love it just by walking along the river on both sides.

thanks flyhen!! :)

we will be there mid-may. we only have three days in vienna and three days in budapest, so i'm not sure if the boat is worth it? have you taken both? do you have a link for the OEBB railjet?

never taken the boat, wifey get sea/river sick easily. but the railjet is pretty nice.

www.oebb.at

mid-may weather should be nice to take the boat though. 3 days in budapest is more then enough, but i must say 3 days in vienna is only almost enough.

enjoy your trip

from your comments, i think we're going to stick to the train and skip the boat! we actually have 4 nights in vienna, so three full days to tour, etc. do you have any favorite spots in vienna you'd like to share? ;)

thanks again!

and flyhen, if you have any favorites in budapest, i'd love to hear them as well.....thanks!

Budapest... hmmm, just don't eat/buy anything from the main shopping street Vaci Uca. I know ht's a very typical tourist trap, or so I think. But if you keep wander down south of that street, there are a few locals places there. Sorry but it's been years, and I have long forgot the names of the joint. As far as places to see, try to walk around the river and visit the roman spas. It will be a lot of walking for sure, but you will love it. I'd say from the south, you can start at the Elizabeth bridge and walk north towards margaret Island, and cross the river and make it a circle if you are interested in a 10km walk and get all the sights in.

of course, there's the beautiful andrassy avenue, the heros palace, and the winter palace that used to be the worlds fairs ground. In those cases, I'd advise you to take the metro to get there and shave some time off.

As for vienna, you should rent a bike (1 euro/hour) and ride it across the river into the new town. It's a drastic change, but you also get to ride pass the UN europe headquarters. Get on top of the A1 tower, never been there but I heard the view is nice! As far as old town goes, everything is within walking distance, so, just follow the map and you will be fine. Eating wise, definetly try the wienschnitzel, and the lean steak (dont remember the name), it's very different from the greasy meat you are used to in the States, oh, and try their potato salads.

Last, but not least, Demel cafe, and Sacher hotel. probably the two most well known bakeries there. Personally, I really love the black forest cake in Demel, and as for the famous Sacher Torte.. YMMV. I liked it the first time, but when I went back years later for 2nd, it was only ok... maybe my taste buds changed?

thanks again flyhen for all the tips! i know there's lots of info on some of the budapest & vienna forums, but thought i would ask you for your tips as well. both cities sound great, can't wait to get there! :D

... if i have the correct information, the train from Vienna to Budapest takes about 2.5 hours and the boat about 3 hours? i only need this one-way, since we are flying out of Budapest to Warsaw a few days after. so, which one should we take? any suggestions?

:D

I believe the boat is more like 6 hours… and that is on a hydrofoil:

http://vienna-hydrofoil.hotels-in-budapest-hungary.com/timetable.html

Although I have not done it, I think the Hydrofoil would be a bit tedious as you might be stuck inside without deck access.

i think that's another reason we didn't take the boat ride. too long!

3 days in budapest is more then enough.


This is a joke, right? I mean, apart from the "then."

I believe the boat is more like 6 hours… and that is on a hydrofoil:

http://vienna-hydrofoil.hotels-in-budapest-hungary.com/timetable.html

Although I have not done it, I think the Hydrofoil would be a bit tedious as you might be stuck inside without deck access.

thanks for the info schriste!! :)

This is a joke, right? I mean, apart from the "then."

;)

As others are writing too; If you got time I recommend the boat, it's a nice trip. It's been years since I took the boat but I do however believe it takes more than 3 hours though, but I might be wrong.

As others are writing too; If you got time I recommend the boat, it's a nice trip. It's been years since I took the boat but I do however believe it takes more than 3 hours though, but I might be wrong.

thanks for your input aulrik.... :)

How about renting a car and driving I am going next June and want to go the same route Vienna to Budapest to Warsaw

don't forgotten about the border. Its allowed to drive whit an reantal car outside the country (Insurance fees....) ?! And there are different currencies (EUR, HUF,...).

And the price for fuel is very hight.