What is the best way to buy the train ticket from Prague to Budapest?
In the train station? Is there any one know the ticket price?
I am going to take this train in May 2011.

Thanks

You can buy tickets on-line here, from (the CZK equivalent of) €19 per person.

Krakow
 

I don' know Budapest but I was in Krakow two years ago and I must say I was totally impressed! This city is crazy and amazing:) Thousands of people from all over the world, many languages and the food.... Really great (zapiekanka and sausages- yummy!) You can party all night long and you're not tired at all:) Wawel Castle is very mysterious....

When in Budapest I'd say be sure to visit the old Jewish Quarter. It's one of the most interesting if sometimes overlooked by tourists part of the Hungarian capital.

It was established at the turn of the 19th century when the community gathered in the 7th District along the road leading to the bridge. The center of this area became Király Street. In 1944 the Pest Ghetto was also built here crowding 70.000 people together.

In 2002 this historic neighborhood bordered by Király and Csányi Street, Klauzál Square, Kisdiófa and Dohány Street and Károly Boulevard was named the old Jewish Quarter of Pest and entered into the World Heritage Conservation Zone.

This area is home to most of the city's Jewish cultural heritage sites, including the famous „Synagogue Triangle.”

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e-Budapest.jpg



At Dohány Street 2. you will find the world's second largest and Europe's largest synagogue, the Dohány Street Synagogue. The site of this building is also the birthplace of Theodor Herzl, Father
of Zionism. In the garden is the Martyrs' Cemetery and the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial.

The second point of the Triangle is the synagogue on Rumbach Street, also known as „the little synagogue.”

The third point the Kazinczy Street Orthodox Synagogue. This area is home to kosher shops and Budapest's only mikveh (ritual bath).

This historic district, as a part of the city's rehabilitation strategy, started to to look towards youth culture and tourism in recent years: from 2002 some now very popular cafes, bars and summer
music venues opened in buildings that were earlier considered for demolition: the Szimpla-garden, the Gozsdu Mano Klub, or the Kőleves (Stone Soup) -garden to name a few. Since then the area,
especially Kazinczy Street is not only known for its rich cultural heritage, but for it's unique "ruin pubs," art and design shops and nightlife.

for more information on this historic area I recommend visiting this site: www.jewish.hu

Thank you
 

We were wondering how long to spend in Budapest while we head off to Asia. Looking forward to seeing Budapest with the kids!!

3 days is a good amount of time for Budapest with kids. Stay by one of the hotels overlooking the Danube (Marriott, Intercontinental, Hilton). The Danube at night is amazing!

Typing this while at the Budapest Marriott! :)

Where to stay in Budapest? Looking at IC and McGallery Collection. Any recommendations?

I've visited Budapest several times, but not stayed at either hotel. I normally stay at the Marriott which is right next to the IC. I would recommend the IC purely based on location. The IC is right on the Danube (which is the center of activity and nightlife in Budapest) and less than a 5 minute stroll from the Chain Bridge. The Danube at night is a beautiful sight.

McGallery is located about 15 minutes away by subway+a short walk.

Tripadvisor rates the IC significantly higher than the McGallery as well.

Where to stay (non-hotel) and other questions
 

Going to BUD in mid Oct and wondering what district would be best to stay in. Looking to stay in a flat, just two guys, seems District V is the best, but wanting to get other options as well. We will be looking to see the sites during the day, but definitely go out and enjoy the city at night and have a good time, so any good bars/pubs/clubs would be nice to hear about (as well as the ones to stay away from). Will be there during the week, so no weekend fun. Appreciate any advice.

you should go for it. forget abt worth visiting. It should be visited. It is so beautiful, that you cant afford to miss it.
you can have a look at few pics here:
http://www.budapest.com/city_guide/m...allery.en.html

On the first page someone mentioned a good tour guide - anyone have some info or could PM me? We have 4 nights in BUD and 2 nights in Vienna. Looking to get a private tour guide for four people.

Also - any comments on the Le Meridien - the SPG thread is sparse.

thanks!

I would suggest going with Rick Steves books and a hop-on hop-off bus ticket in both places. Makes it very easy to get around to the key tourist spots and see the city at your own pace. I believe Rick Steves also has suggestions for free walking tours in the cities.

Of course you might still prefer a private tour guide ... so ignore this if it's not your thing.

Just got back from three days in Budapest and I really liked it. I found it to be a cross between Paris and Prague with all the best features of both. Great city to eat in, perfect walking city, lots to see, very cultural and as a bonus, everyone spoke English. I left wishing I had more time there.

I am staying for 2 nights at the Hilton Budapest, but we will be driving in. The parking rates are fairly expensive at 34 Euros for valet and 44 Euros for self parking. In contrast, we paid 60 Euro/night for a room there. Is there a safe parking garage where I can park my car for two days at much better rates? We are planning on using mass transit only when we are in the city.

Are you at the Hilton Budapest City/WestEnd or Hilton Budapest Castle Hill? Parking will be much better around the former than the latter, and the former is also within shorter walking distance to transit.