Prague or Budapest??
Apr 29th 2003 | 4:06 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Prague or Budapest??
My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
trip to either Prague or Budapest.
1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Les Wright
trip to either Prague or Budapest.
1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Les Wright
Apr 29th 2003 | 5:02 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
Les Wright wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Les Wright
Train travel is probably the best way. Rail connections are very well
established.
Both are fantastic cities, although Prague is more touristy, and more
expensive. If you are taking your wife, Budapest seems to be one of the most
romantic cities in Europe (certainly in my experience), and almost everyone
I know that goes there falls under its spell. Take her up to Castle Hill at
sunset and gaze over the Danube.
Prague on the other hand is stunning in the old town, but mostly lacklustre
outside of that. Also, tourism levels are about on par with Paris (i.e.
bloody high) depending on the time of the year.
Either way, there are both great.
---
DFM
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Les Wright
Train travel is probably the best way. Rail connections are very well
established.
Both are fantastic cities, although Prague is more touristy, and more
expensive. If you are taking your wife, Budapest seems to be one of the most
romantic cities in Europe (certainly in my experience), and almost everyone
I know that goes there falls under its spell. Take her up to Castle Hill at
sunset and gaze over the Danube.
Prague on the other hand is stunning in the old town, but mostly lacklustre
outside of that. Also, tourism levels are about on par with Paris (i.e.
bloody high) depending on the time of the year.
Either way, there are both great.
---
DFM
Apr 29th 2003 | 10:27 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
As others have said, both cities have much to offer, but my personal vote
when in Vienna is Budapest. If you're short on time it can be done as a day
trip, although there is certainly enough there to warrant more time. Several
trains each day run directly to and from the center of each city, where you
can connect to local subways. (One warning on the subway, unlike most
European cities transfers between subway lines in the same station are NOT
free in Budapest, you must have a second ticket even though you just got off
a subway!) Customs procedures are handled on board by staff who enter the
train in each direction.
Depending on your interests, The Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, is often
underappreciated and contains a comprehensive world-class collection of art
(highlights of the painting collection include original works by Pieter
Bruegel the Elder, Velazquez, and two Raphaels, for example) in a striking
1906 building now in the last stages of a very sensitive interior
renovation. Among the many other cultural institutions in the City, the
Museum of Applied Arts is among the best in the world (along with Vienna's
and London's!) both for the building itself and the collection, especially
of late 19th century glass and furniture.
Budapest is a good city for walking, and you can easily cross by metro or
foot from Buda to Pest and walk along the Danube. There are many fine art
noveau buildings with decorative tile exteriors to be discovered. For lunch
or dinner I join those who recommend a meal at Gundel Restaurant (which is
right behind the fine art museum and next to the zoo--be sure to enjoy the
playful entrance even if you don't go in), see their website at
http://www.gundel.hu/angol/restaurant.html. As with many folks in Budapest,
you'll find it's bilingual and they do speak English should that be a
concern.
"Les Wright" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Les Wright
when in Vienna is Budapest. If you're short on time it can be done as a day
trip, although there is certainly enough there to warrant more time. Several
trains each day run directly to and from the center of each city, where you
can connect to local subways. (One warning on the subway, unlike most
European cities transfers between subway lines in the same station are NOT
free in Budapest, you must have a second ticket even though you just got off
a subway!) Customs procedures are handled on board by staff who enter the
train in each direction.
Depending on your interests, The Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, is often
underappreciated and contains a comprehensive world-class collection of art
(highlights of the painting collection include original works by Pieter
Bruegel the Elder, Velazquez, and two Raphaels, for example) in a striking
1906 building now in the last stages of a very sensitive interior
renovation. Among the many other cultural institutions in the City, the
Museum of Applied Arts is among the best in the world (along with Vienna's
and London's!) both for the building itself and the collection, especially
of late 19th century glass and furniture.
Budapest is a good city for walking, and you can easily cross by metro or
foot from Buda to Pest and walk along the Danube. There are many fine art
noveau buildings with decorative tile exteriors to be discovered. For lunch
or dinner I join those who recommend a meal at Gundel Restaurant (which is
right behind the fine art museum and next to the zoo--be sure to enjoy the
playful entrance even if you don't go in), see their website at
http://www.gundel.hu/angol/restaurant.html. As with many folks in Budapest,
you'll find it's bilingual and they do speak English should that be a
concern.
"Les Wright" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Les Wright
Apr 30th 2003 | 12:06 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
New Yorker wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> can connect to local subways. (One warning on the subway, unlike most
> European cities transfers between subway lines in the same station are NOT
> free in Budapest, you must have a second ticket even though you just got
off
> a subway!)
...and this was how and where I paid my first bribe in Europe. I only needed
to go 3 stations, but had to change one line to get to it. Of course I asked
for a ticket for 3 stops, which I got. I changed trains, and exited 1
station on. Being the honest kinda guy I am, I waved my ticket at the
inspector who instantly looked at me like "yet another victim", and told me
I broke the rules and he had no choice but to call the police who would take
me away for this unforgivable offence! He then hinted in broken english that
15 Euros (not Forints!!!) might solve the problem. Unfortunately I had
little cash on me because I was heading out to Oradea in Romania, and had
already changed nearly all of my money. I offered him 20,000 Romanian Lei
and my remaining Forints (about 3 euros worth in total) which he snatched
off me. He then called some men over, who dragged me outside the station and
told me to "please **** off". I just stood there not knowing what to do!
They watched me for a while, and I eventually had to run around to a
different entrance to get back in so I could catch my train out of Hungary!
Looking back, I don't know how I could have known any differently. Even in
the Lonely Planet they make no mention of this unusual ticketing system!
---
DFM
news:[email protected]...
> can connect to local subways. (One warning on the subway, unlike most
> European cities transfers between subway lines in the same station are NOT
> free in Budapest, you must have a second ticket even though you just got
off
> a subway!)
...and this was how and where I paid my first bribe in Europe. I only needed
to go 3 stations, but had to change one line to get to it. Of course I asked
for a ticket for 3 stops, which I got. I changed trains, and exited 1
station on. Being the honest kinda guy I am, I waved my ticket at the
inspector who instantly looked at me like "yet another victim", and told me
I broke the rules and he had no choice but to call the police who would take
me away for this unforgivable offence! He then hinted in broken english that
15 Euros (not Forints!!!) might solve the problem. Unfortunately I had
little cash on me because I was heading out to Oradea in Romania, and had
already changed nearly all of my money. I offered him 20,000 Romanian Lei
and my remaining Forints (about 3 euros worth in total) which he snatched
off me. He then called some men over, who dragged me outside the station and
told me to "please **** off". I just stood there not knowing what to do!
They watched me for a while, and I eventually had to run around to a
different entrance to get back in so I could catch my train out of Hungary!
Looking back, I don't know how I could have known any differently. Even in
the Lonely Planet they make no mention of this unusual ticketing system!
---
DFM
May 1st 2003 | 12:53 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
New Yorker wrote:
> "Les Wright" wrote:
> > My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> > trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> > 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> > 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> As others have said, both cities have much to offer, but my personal vote
> when in Vienna is Budapest. If you're short on time it can be done as a day
> trip, although there is certainly enough there to warrant more time. Several
> trains each day run directly to and from the center of each city, where you
> can connect to local subways. (One warning on the subway, unlike most
> European cities transfers between subway lines in the same station are NOT
> free in Budapest, you must have a second ticket even though you just got off
> a subway!) Customs procedures are handled on board by staff who enter the
> train in each direction.
I suspect that you wouldn't be disappointed with either choice, though
the two cities are very different in "feel".
Prague has much more in the way of "sights", and seems to be much more
heavily "touristed". Outside the Vaci Utca area of Budapest, there seem
to be fewer tourists. I personally prefer Budapest to Prague -- but I
have friends who enjoyed Prague much more than Budapest, so... That
said, though I'm not familiar with Vienna, I've been told that Prague
is a lot like Vienna, while Budapest is rather different -- so if you
are coming from Vienna, Budapest might be a good choice.
Public transport is quite good in Budapest. For ticketing issues, I
recommend getting a pass for the period you are there. Passes are
cheap (~2000 Forints, less than EUR10 for a week, IIRC), and definitely
worth the cost for convenience, due to the complicated ticketing system.
Ticket controls are frequent (I was checked up to three times in one day
-- though I did use the system a lot), and traveling without a valid
ticket is not a good idea.
[...]
> As with many folks in Budapest,
> you'll find it's bilingual and they do speak English should that be a
> concern.
My experience is that, outside tourist areas, English is not common in
Budapest. That said, I had no real problems with no more Magyar than
'igem', 'nem', 'kerem', and 'kozonom'.
--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?
> "Les Wright" wrote:
> > My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> > trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> > 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> > 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> As others have said, both cities have much to offer, but my personal vote
> when in Vienna is Budapest. If you're short on time it can be done as a day
> trip, although there is certainly enough there to warrant more time. Several
> trains each day run directly to and from the center of each city, where you
> can connect to local subways. (One warning on the subway, unlike most
> European cities transfers between subway lines in the same station are NOT
> free in Budapest, you must have a second ticket even though you just got off
> a subway!) Customs procedures are handled on board by staff who enter the
> train in each direction.
I suspect that you wouldn't be disappointed with either choice, though
the two cities are very different in "feel".
Prague has much more in the way of "sights", and seems to be much more
heavily "touristed". Outside the Vaci Utca area of Budapest, there seem
to be fewer tourists. I personally prefer Budapest to Prague -- but I
have friends who enjoyed Prague much more than Budapest, so... That
said, though I'm not familiar with Vienna, I've been told that Prague
is a lot like Vienna, while Budapest is rather different -- so if you
are coming from Vienna, Budapest might be a good choice.
Public transport is quite good in Budapest. For ticketing issues, I
recommend getting a pass for the period you are there. Passes are
cheap (~2000 Forints, less than EUR10 for a week, IIRC), and definitely
worth the cost for convenience, due to the complicated ticketing system.
Ticket controls are frequent (I was checked up to three times in one day
-- though I did use the system a lot), and traveling without a valid
ticket is not a good idea.
[...]
> As with many folks in Budapest,
> you'll find it's bilingual and they do speak English should that be a
> concern.
My experience is that, outside tourist areas, English is not common in
Budapest. That said, I had no real problems with no more Magyar than
'igem', 'nem', 'kerem', and 'kozonom'.
--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?
May 1st 2003 | 10:49 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
On Wed, 30 Apr 2003 04:06:13 GMT, "Les Wright"
wrote:
>My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
>trip to either Prague or Budapest.
>1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
>2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
>Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
>Thanks,
>Les Wright
Personally, I would favour Prague. It's a great city.
Aaron
Chat about travel on http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat or
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wrote:
>My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
>trip to either Prague or Budapest.
>1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
>2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
>Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
>Thanks,
>Les Wright
Personally, I would favour Prague. It's a great city.
Aaron
Chat about travel on http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat or
submit your travel site to our travel search engine... FREE!!
( http://www.aardvarktravel.net and click on 'Add Your Site')
May 6th 2003 | 7:44 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
"Les Wright" wrote in message news:...
> My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> trip to either Prague or Budapest.
>
> 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
>
> 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
>
> Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Les Wright
Have a look on this website, it's in German. if you need further
infos, pls. contact my email adresse.
BUDAPEST: ***Pension Alfred for € 19,99
www.jfgweb.de
Joachim
> My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a side
> trip to either Prague or Budapest.
>
> 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
>
> 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
>
> Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Les Wright
Have a look on this website, it's in German. if you need further
infos, pls. contact my email adresse.
BUDAPEST: ***Pension Alfred for € 19,99
www.jfgweb.de
Joachim
May 6th 2003 | 8:48 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Prague or Budapest??
Hi, Joachim
Both cities are beautiful on its own way. Prague is smaller and it is easier
to see sights by walk. I visited Prague twice because it worth it. For
Budapest you have to use Metro. In Budapest take a Dunaube crusie, its vary
romantic.
You have to see both cities but if you have to chose, my vote goes for
Prague.
by
"Joachim Fritz" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Les Wright" wrote in message
news:...
> > My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a
side
> > trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> >
> > 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> >
> > 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> >
> > Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Les Wright
> Have a look on this website, it's in German. if you need further
> infos, pls. contact my email adresse.
> BUDAPEST: ***Pension Alfred for ? 19,99
> www.jfgweb.de
> Joachim
Both cities are beautiful on its own way. Prague is smaller and it is easier
to see sights by walk. I visited Prague twice because it worth it. For
Budapest you have to use Metro. In Budapest take a Dunaube crusie, its vary
romantic.
You have to see both cities but if you have to chose, my vote goes for
Prague.
by
"Joachim Fritz" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Les Wright" wrote in message
news:...
> > My wife and I will be in Vienna in July. We are considering taking a
side
> > trip to either Prague or Budapest.
> >
> > 1. Would train travel to these cities be advisable?
> >
> > 2. We are interested in getting your opinions on each city.
> >
> > Any thoughts about these side trips would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Les Wright
> Have a look on this website, it's in German. if you need further
> infos, pls. contact my email adresse.
> BUDAPEST: ***Pension Alfred for ? 19,99
> www.jfgweb.de
> Joachim
