Europe - Central Europe

Thinking of planning a trip with some friends to Central Europe. I'm thinking either Budapest/Vienna/Prague or Berlin/Vienna/Prague. Any suggestions? Thoughts on Budapest vs Berlin? Thoughts any highlights to these cities? Your input is much appreciated:)

I like both cities but Berlin has much more to explore. Budapest can be done in one day. For Berlin you will need at least 2 or 3 to see majority sights.

Please follow the discussion as the thread moves to the Destinations->Europe forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator TravelBuzz

Interesting. Any other thoughts on Budapest vs Berlin? Or Vienna and Prague?

Prague is also a city where you will have to spend 2-3 days to see majority of the highlights.
As for Vienna I can't give you advice. That's the only country (Austria) where I haven't been in Europe :)

It all depends what your travel style is. I've spent years in Prague and there are still things I find interesting. If you're talking about knocking out the major guidebook sights, I guess you could do almost any city in a day or two, depending on how fast you moved..

Budapest can be done in one day.

Can't agree with this. One day? Heck, half of your day would be taken up by a visit to a bath. :) Then you're going to do the rest of the city in a half-day? No way. Budapest has a lot to offer. One of my favorite cities in Europe.

I've done:

Budapest 3 days
Vienna 3 days
Prague 4 days

Which I though was perfect.

If less time, I've also done:

Budapest 3 days
Vienna 2 days
Prague 3 days

Enjoy.

I loved Budapest and would definitely give it a few days. The food is incredible. I gorged on steak tartare.

Prague also needs a couple of days.

Vienna, meh. Didn't excite me

Berlin, also a day or two

I loved Budapest and would definitely give it a few days. The food is incredible. I gorged on steak tartare.

Same. Also foie gras; Hungarians love it I think more than the French. :D

Vienna, meh. Didn't excite me

Agree. It's OK, but I enjoyed Budapest and Prague much more.

Can't agree with this. One day? Heck, half of your day would be taken up by a visit to a bath. :) Then you're going to do the rest of the city in a half-day? No way. Budapest has a lot to offer. One of my favorite cities in Europe.

I've done:

Budapest 3 days
Vienna 3 days
Prague 4 days

Which I though was perfect.

If less time, I've also done:

Budapest 3 days
Vienna 2 days
Prague 3 days

Enjoy.

Totally agree about Budapest.....

Many do a Central Europe itinerary of Budapest, Prague and Krakow. If you decided to do Vienna/Budapest there is a great rail deal between the two cities which also includes the city public transportation for about 30 euros/rt.

Totally agree about Budapest.....

Many do a Central Europe itinerary of Budapest, Prague and Krakow. If you decided to do Vienna/Budapest there is a great rail deal between the two cities which also includes the city public transportation for about 30 euros/rt.

How do I find this rail deal? Thanks for the info!!

Same. Also foie gras; Hungarians love it I think more than the French. :D

Agree. It's OK, but I enjoyed Budapest and Prague much more.


Any restaurant recommendations you can make? I'm a wannabe foodie and totally psyched for Budapest now!!

How do I find this rail deal? Thanks for the info!!

Here's a good Flyertalk discussion on the SparSchiene‘ ticket.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/european-rail-travel/1195970-advice-needed-budapest-vienna-route.html

This site should also be helpful.

http://budapestblog.luxuryhotelsbudapest.com/trains-from-budapest-to-vienna-how-to-travel-cheap-by-train/

If you're not aware of the German "Happy Weekend Ticket", a group of five can travel together from Berlin to Salzberg for about 35-40 euros (Saturday/Sunday). There are also "county" rail tickets (i.e. Bavaria) where groups can inexpensively travel together. This can really keep your costs down. German rail is not cheap.

You should post any questions on the "European Rail Travel" thread. Some of those guys are incredibly knowledgeable.

Any restaurant recommendations you can make? I'm a wannabe foodie and totally psyched for Budapest now!!

In Pest:

Menza—Liszt Ferenc tér 2, Opera metro
Has a great wine selection. Mix of locals and tourists.

Café Kor—cash only

Gresham Kavehaz—In Four Seasons Hotel
Nice place for lunch and you can check out the great architecture of the hotel.

In Buda/Castle Hill:

Café Pierrot—Hungarian/Intl.

21 Magyar Vendeglo, across street from Café Pierrot—Hungarian/Intl.

Or Vienna and Prague?
I'd say there is much more to see in Vienna. There is a lot to see in Prague, of course, but (to me) its chief attraction is its sheer beauty. It is just how one would imagine a fairy-tale central European city to be. Vienna, while more beautiful than most cities have a right to be, has its chief attractions in the remnants of its great history, and of course in its music. If you're any sort of lover or classical music and/or opera you want to see if you can book a performance in advance if you go to Vienna.

In summary, I would certainly allow more time in Vienna than Prague and if I could go to only one of the two it would be Vienna. Others don't agree with me, obviously, so in the end it comes down to subjective preference. (Both are worth visiting, though, so you can't really lose.)

That's interesting...I feel like Vienna is a museum where everyone is overdressed all the time. Expensive, somewhat stuffy. Prague feels more like a real city to me...but yes, the cultural opportunities (and food) will be better in Vienna. I think the stuff to look at is more interesting in Prague.

I recommend Prague and Berlin. Prague is really good and has quite a bit to do. It's also cheaper than Berlin and Vienna. I've never been to Budapest and kind of regret that. Vienna is quite pricy and Prague has just as nice cultural opportunities if you know where to look. Vienna is the city in Europe where I have paid the most for what I'd consider pretty mediocre food. Plus, Prague is a much more interesting city to stroll around in than Vienna (with the exception of Museum Quartier and during Christmas, the Christmas markets).

Prague is tops. Yes, it has masses of tourists all year round but that is the way it is with any place that is just so breathtakingly beautiful. Food is excellent and Czech beer the best in Europe (except for Guinness on draught but that is another story).

Vienna is not so stuffy anymore and food is also excellent.

Personally I found Budapest hugely disappointing - except for the baths -and the food unremarkable. Maybe I was expecting too much after all the rave reviews I'd read.

Vienna is definitely worth 2-3 days.

Could even do a day trip to Bratislava in Slovakia which is about 40-60 minutes away by train.

Heading to Prague next week and Budapest in October, but from what I've been told you'd need at least 2-3 days for BUD and a similar amount for PRG.

Vienna is definitely worth 2-3 days.

Could even do a day trip to Bratislava in Slovakia which is about 40-60 minutes away by train.

Heading to Prague next week and Budapest in October, but from what I've been told you'd need at least 2-3 days for BUD and a similar amount for PRG.

You can go from Vienna to Bratislava by catamaran on the Danube. It is 75 minutes trip and quite pleasant. The boat departs from Schwedenplatz, right in the city centre and there are several daily runs. A nice day trip seeing that Bratislava is quite compact and you don't need a lot of time to do the rounds.