Budapest
 

Thinking about a trip end of Feb beginning of March, is this too much time? Any suggestions would be appreciated. My wife and I are active senior citizens.

Budapest is a great city!
When visiting some of the thermal baths (which I strongly recommend during winter) you can spend a week in this city without regretting it!

How much time are you looking to spend in BUD?

I am flexible can spend entire week or divide it

Hmm... while I do not know what you like and your travel preferences, a week is probably a bit too much. I would consider dividing it between BUD and VIE.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ria-venice.cfm

is one of my favorite trip reports.

I spent 12 days in Budapest a couple years ago. Never did run out of things to do. A couple guide books - Lonely Planet, and I think Fodors. I'm an "active senior traveler" also. The public transport system served well. I ate far too many of their wonderful poppyseed and walnut filled pastries. Found Dreher locally brewed beer perfect with most any Hungarian food, but most especially with Doner kebab (hole-in-the-wall street vendors and ask for "everything" on it). Brought back a great stash of paprika. I'm getting hungry just remembering.

The weather will be chilly for your planned time, but that will just make those baths feel all the better. (Maybe pack some flip-flops for them, and remember to bring along a hotel towel to avoid towel rental charges.)

Romelle

Budapest is really nice! A great trip would include Budapest, downriver to Bratislava, and on to one of my favourite cities, Prague, by rail probably.

Eger (by bus or train) is also a rather nice side trip from Budapest, as is Szentendere on the Danube bend.

Not that there's any shortage of things to see and do in Budapest, of course. It's a lovely city to wander round and relax and bathe in.

Personally, I think one week in Budapest would be just fine.

If you're looking for a second destination think about Vienna.

There is a terrific deal between Budapest and Vienna. A round-trip rail ticket cost about $35, if you complete your journey within four days. For a few dollars more, the ticket will include free transportation on all of the subways, trams, and busses in Vienna.

Budapest is OK, Vienna is much better
 

If you must, spend the most 2-3 days in Budapest, but Vienna is lot more fun and interesting. In February the weather is brutally cold. If you have HH points, book the Hilton in the Castle district, very nice place. Be careful with taxis, they are notorious for ripping-off tourist. Also the restaurants have a nasty habit of overcharging tourists. I guess the communist habits are hard to break. I will spend more time in Vienna. Taking the Ralijet from Keleti is easy and very comfortable; in less than 3 hours u are in Vienna. If you book the ticket online http://www.oebb.at/en/ with few days ahead you, can get a ticket for as little as 19 euros.

The prices in EUR are €25 for the round-trip train ticket, or €31 with the Vienna public transport option. Note that the public transport is only included for the first 2 days of the 4-day validity of the ticket.

Funny... I'm the total opposite... Three days in Vienna, and I'm ready to head out, but put me in Budapest (and the surrounding area) for two weeks and I'm really a happy camper and can find so many things to do. Take the funicular up the side of the mountain and explore the castle area.. Visit Parliament - they have at least one English tour a day, go to the chapel in the mountain and do the baths. Take the train to Szentendre (and check out the overpriced shops), and on the way, stop and visit Obuda (Old Buda) - the oldest part of the city. Also, go to the Great Market Hall and explore all three levels. Eat in the restaurant in the corner on the 3rd floor (you won't miss it) and you can even sign up for a cooking class there one day in English... Visit the Great Synagogue and look at the tree of life, then come back in the evening and see the tree lit... It is breathtaking especially when you understand what the branches and leaves represent. I can spend hours exploring the little neighborhoods. My favorite is the old Turkish area. The food there is great and cheap. Also, if you are lucky enough to be there in October, the area around in the castle is set up for the wine festival or take a day trip to Eger and try some Bull's Blood wine...

+1

Love Budapest. Vienna is just OK.

To Each Its Own
 

Everything locallady mentioned can be easily done in 2 days, 3 days if you are very slow.

Vienna is a world class European capital with exquisite restaurants, famous music halls, grand architecture, unparalleled majesty, museums, parks, sopping, not to mention the best pastry I ever have; and these are just a few of my favorite things. Budapest, on the other hand, a cement-gray town full of old communist relics, graffiti, perfectly priced for people who want to experience the grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian empire but can afford only the Hungarian part.

Easy noob. :p

You are of course entitled to your opinion, as am I and locallady. If you prefer Vienna, then by all means go there. I've been there four times and I much prefer Budapest.

The only thing that really impressed me about Vienna was the architecture, which is indeed grand. But all of that can be seen in two days, even if you are very slow. ;)

Safe travels wherever you end up.