Austria 9 Days + 2 Days Budapest. Itinerary Help! Thank you

You have already received good advice for Budapest - and your choices will depend on what your particular interests are.

Thoughts: On Friday, I might choose Option 3 and head straight to Salzburg for more time. If you do this, you wouldn’t need to get a car till you are ready to leave Salzburg to head to St. Gilgen (or wherever you decide). It sounds like you are flying home from Vienna. If so, here’s an additional possibility : return the car to Salzburg and train back to Vienna a day early (taking a night from St Gilgen) and then day trip to the Wachau Valley (I am a know-nothing about this area). People talk about the boat one way and train the other - or renting bikes for some portion.

I like that you are settling in a gorgeous area for a few days. The first part of your trip is at a run - and you’ll find lots to do in the area. I really like Koenigsee not far from Bertchesgaden. There are also fun summer toboggans in the area.

I'm a fan of Innsbruck and the surrounding area. So much to see and do.

BUDAPEST

With just two days, I think you should stay at the Marriott or the Intercontinental. That works good for a night arrival too, as the evening view from the Corso across to Buda is pretty spectacular. You get that much for the first night. Both hotels have restaurants for a late meal or if you think you will reach the hotel by 9pm make a reservation at Duna Corso. If nothing else sit and have a few drinks and soak in the view. Take a taxi from the airport and figure 1:15 from arrival time on your ticket to the door of the hotel. if you dont have any checked luggage, then maybe one hour. https://www.dunacorso.hu/ Kitchen closes at 10pm but the place will stay open until 11pm.

From either hotel

Monday, the famous 2 Tram stops in front. Use it to do the Pest river front from Great Market hall to Parliament, then cross to Buda and do that waterfront from the Gellert to Margrit Island. Half way, take the Funicular up to the Castle Hill District for an hour or two. Maybe Hospital in the Rock and Fisherman’s Bastion.

Tuesday Take the 2 tram from your hotel to the Great Market hall where you will find the 47/49 Tram from Great Market Hall to Andrassy ut. Stop for the Dohany u Synagogue… do the tour. Walk up Andrassy ut, to Opera Hose, Heroes Square and then the Bath House (do the bath). Change into travel clothes in the bathhouse locker room. Pick up your bags and go to train station for 8pm train to Vienna. This will be easier than it sounds as the M1 Metro goes from the Bath House to within a 3 minute walk of your hotel (they are holding your luggage for you). Take a taxi to the train station (15 minutes tops + another 15 or 20 minutes early so you can find your platform wihtout stress.

But I suspect you will regret not spending Tuesday night in Budapest. There are early trains, its a short taxi ride and the station is easy to navigate. Think about it.

Having been in Budapest several times, here are some remarks you might find useful.

Public transport is quite as good as in Vienna (trams, subway, busses).

Subway line M1 is worth visiting, because it is the oldest subway line on the European continent, only preceded by the Tube in London. (Vienna was to be the first, being the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time, but the emperor vetoed it. He remarked, that his people of Vienna need not to crawl underground.)

Besides the usual sights, e.g. the parliament building, I would like to point out three places of interest which impressed me very much.

First was the so-called Hospital in the Rock located in the underground of Buda's castle hill. (Some stairs and a lift on the west side of the hill top lead down to the entrance.) During World War II this hospital was built within several caves of the hill, equipped with everything being state-of-the-art at that time. Later - during the communist era - the whole premises were declared "top secret" and modified to function as a shelter for high government officials in case of nuclear warfare. Now you can visit it with a guide; all the old equipment has been brought back and restored.
http://www.sziklakorhaz.eu/en

Second, already mentioned by Mr. É, was Europe's largest synagogue (second-largest in the world), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doh%C3%A1ny_Street_Synagogue, built by an Austrian architect who had only experience with churches. Therefore he equipped the synagogue with an organ, which is unique. Unfortunately this led to a schism of the Jewish community at that time, because the conservative and orthodox Jews refrained from entering the building. There are guided tours available: one through the synagogue and its premises, the other walking in the vicinity on the traces of Jewish history. The architecture is special by its light-weight appearance due to the usage of steel for supporting upper levels.

Third was the Café Gerbeaud at Vörösmarty tér (tér means square). The interior is breathtaking. If you like sweets, then try this dessert: Somlói galuska. I love it and eat it whenever I am in Budapest. Although the cakes, pastries and sweets are nowhere better than in Vienna, this dessert is rather difficult to get there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Gerbeaud

Excellent Wmt1,

You will need the metro, so get a 72-hour Budapest-TravelCard (there isnt a 48 hour TravelCard). https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/ Since you are arriving late, not sure what time the airport BKK office closes so maybe better you download the BudapestGO App and use that for your TravelCard. https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/budapestgo/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw34qzBhBmEiwAOUQcF-NOrky1Me7doHzHDDAwi3iTOQLZE6VLC_8SxIOAlnYS1rd7QKh2wBoCYrAQAvD_BwE

The M1 Metro wmt1 talks about will be a necessity for your short stay as it runs under Andrassy ut connecting very near the hotels I recommended to the Opera, House of Terror, City Park, Bath House. (ut = avenue or boulevard). It and Andrassy ut are now UNESCO Historic Sites. Sort of an old video, more has been renovated since this, but a start https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_efdeWjVKBQ

I am with wmt1, the Hospital in the Rock is fascinating. But it will take several hours out of an already short stay. https://www.sziklakorhaz.eu/en In Buda the other locations worth the visit are the Fisherman’s Bastion https://fishermansbastion.com/ and Matthias Church https://matyas-templom.hu/en/ . Beyond that there is just too much construction going on to enjoy the castle district much.

The Dohány utca Synagogue, (aka Great Synagogue). For the tours https://jewishtourhungary.com/en/cart

wmt1’s favorite Café Gerbeaud is behind the hotels I recommended and near the entrance of the M1 metro. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Gerbeaud of course Gerbeauud is nothing compared to the NY Café. https://newyorkcafe.hu/en/ and dont forget the Central Cafe ....... https://dailynewshungary.com/the-iconic-restaurant-that-brings-not-only-food-but-also-poetry-to-your-table-photos/

Once you choose your hotel, if you would like, come back here and I suspect there are those that can help with getting organized to get the most enjoyment out of the short stay.

Wow thank you so much for the helpful info re Budapest.
(it's a shame I can't see your answers when replying!), but i have noted everything.
We will definitely visit the synagogue as members of Jewish faith, but it's nice to see it listed as a site of interest for all visitors!

I have found a place on booking on Karoly Krt (self catering place). Seems to be in good location?

I would also love more feedback on my Austria trip! Marc says go to Innsbruck but it really is a pretty big shift of plans from being based at Wolfgangsee

TexasTravelMom - some really good advice re not holding on to a car for longer than necessary...
also can you elaborate more about what you enjoyed about Koenigsee ? Would it be part of a day trip from St. Gilgen or a perhaps alternate base. Is that Austria or Germany?

Thanks All!

We stayed in this place already twice, it is on top of castle hill:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/hu/hapimag-apartments-budapest.html
Best is to call diectly for a reservation, maybe a better price then.

Did you know you can set your notifications to email you all replies?

First, all these places are interesting. It’s just that you have to decide which you want to do. Don’t value either mine nor Marc’s opinions higher than your own. Sometimes a particular sight is the deciding factor, sometimes it’s cost, and sometimes it’s logistics.

Koenigsee is in Germany about a 40 min drive from Salzburg or 1 hr from St Gilgen. There’s a lovely boat trip and hiking (if you want) there. https://maps.app.goo.gl/sfigaruQYgqmuuMZ6?g_st=ic Just another option for a day trip.

Innsbruck would be fine but unless you really prefer to be there, it seems to make more sense with a return from Munich, as opposed to Vienna.

I understand your constraints - but knowing where you fly home from would help. I am assuming Vienna - and therefore might suggest:
Spend Sun. -Tuesday nights in Budapest.
Tuesday: take a morning train to Vienna. Tues. & Wed. nights in Vienna.
Thursday: head on to Salzburg. Make this your leisurely drive and stop day.
Thursday- Sat. nights in Salzburg. This gives you 2 full days.
Sunday: drive to Wolfgangsee for 3 nights
Wednesday: drive back to Vienna for your final 2 nights. OR give Wolfgansee 4 nights and drive back to Vienna on Thursday (given your interests, this might be preferable).

Just thoughts. :)

Károly krt is one of several street names that makes up the inner loop road. Károly krt begins at Deak Ferenc ter which is where the M1, M2 and M3 metros come together and where the 47/48/49 Trams terminate. The other end of the piece of road called Károly krt is a metro stop called Astoria. So you are on the half kilometer stretch between the two. Smaller numbers Astoria, larger numbers closer to Deak Ferenc.

For getting around, a nice location. For aesthetics ………. Hmmmmmm ….. Károly krt feeds Kiraly utca and Dob utca which are the two big late night party streets. But good news Is that they are both entrances to the old Jewish Deportation Ghetto which means before it gets dark you are right where you want to be if Jewish history is an interest. Dob utca for instance is where the Great Synagogue is located. I have some info on Jewish Budapest that might interest you I will send a Private Message.

For your first night, it is hard for me to suggest anything because I don’t know when you arrive. But if you can be free by 9pm I would still head to the restaurant on the river that I suggested before. You have one night, it is best to make it worth it and that place will. It is a lovely very direct 10-minute walk from the mid-point on Károly krt. Takes you through some lovely, if not sort of touristy, Budapest.

After 9pm I suggest snacks at a wine bar. Dobolo isn’t far (5 minutes). Want better snacks? Kadarka is better (10 minutes) or Cork Breakfast and Wine (12 minutes and with lovely atmosphere and a great view of the Basilica, but closes at 11pm). What you don’t want to do is stay on Károly krt as its sort of ……….. anyway ………..

Day two still works as I suggested but have to adjust the start point. If you are into antiques, old books, art prints, etc let me know because you are close to some interesting shops.

wmt1, thats a lovely place. Thank you. Great "destination" accommodation. Especially on return trips to Budapest. Right now, Orban is in the midst of rebuilding the structures of the EMPIRE and the Buda Castel District is a real mess. Still worth if the Hospital in the Rock is interesting to you and still worth for the Matyas and the Fishermans Bastion, but then .... go to Pest. But when the Empire building is complete, thats the sort of place I would enjoy for a staycation. Thank you sir.

ohhh, and its just a 2 minute walk from the Medieval synagogue that they re-discovered a few years back. What did you think of it?

.. the Medieval synagogue that they re-discovered a few years back. What did you think of it?

I had not been there, although I stayed only a few blocks away. Our last visits to Budapest were not about Jewish history, but dedicated to family research. So we spent most of the time in the National Archive (3rd city borough).

re budapest

wmti - the place you've stayed is fully booked on our dates! But it looks lovely

Mr E - what are your thoughts on this street instead? (ive found another potential option) - On Zrinyi u between Nador and Oktober 6
- and what is this medieval synagogue you mentioned? Worth visiting?

TexasTravelMom- i love your suggestions, i specifically had a flight returning from Vienna because i saw that having car rental drop off in another area added 500 euros, but i have since read on one of these forums, that if i were to drop off the car within Austria the cost would have been negligable (this was when i was trying to squeeze prague in my trip as well). Then i would have dropped off car in Salzburg, and taken a train to Munich and fly out of there (instead of driving back). But yes i am flying out of Vienna

I like giving space for Vienna on the end of the trip ... but there's now way we're gonna fit in all that we want to do, even with this much time in Austria. Will give me a good reason to come back with my husband to catch all we missed!

Also - i meant to add - RE BUDAPEST
for all your day 1 and day 2 recommendations, can we do this all by walking? I usually get around 20k steps walking european cities, so i'm not scared of walking!

It's nice to know there is public transport available... but I usually can't bother with figuring out how to pay for public transport, so we just walk

It's nice to know there is public transport available... but I usually can't bother with figuring out how to pay for public transport, so we just walk

Oh boy, don't fit the stereotype of the American tourist: it is either car or walk. (I am aware that most Americans cannot even imagine that something like an effective public transport system can exist.)

Using public transport is simple and easy in both Vienna and Budapest. Just buy a 72-hours-pass or a week ticket, and then just hop on and hop off.

https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/
https://www.wienerlinien.at/web/wl-en/travel-cards

In this travel forum you can find several posts about public transport in either city.

You are underestimating their size and the distances you would have to walk to (and the precious time you will waste).

wmti - the place you've stayed is fully booked on our dates! But it
looks lovely

AndreaMLY: nothing lost. For a first visit and right now for any visit and especially for a short visit, you could not do worse the staying in Buda.

Mr E - what are your thoughts on this street instead? (ive found
another potential option) - On Zrinyi u between Nador and Oktober 6

The first place you mentioned on Károly krt is probably better for walking to the sites and sights. It’s not a lovely street because of how central it is for tourism. Every tourist must walk down that street at least once. As a result it’s lined with cheap souvenir shops and crummy eateries.

But one block in any direction and things change for the better and quickly. Here is a street view https://www.google.com/maps/@47.4973233,19.055895,3a,75y,29.18h,85.5t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sGL6Q2cDgmXhLG4-5s3HOgg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DGL6Q2cDgmXhLG4-5s3HOgg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D29.179664779561563%26pitch%3D4.497541047822125%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&coh=205410&entry=ttu

Zrinyi u is the pedestrian road that stretches from the Four Seasons to the Basilica. In the evening there are few views that are more beautiful. This photo had to have been taken after 3 am because the area is generally full of tourists.

But it is a lovely area: https://m.blog.hu/mr/mrfoster/image/mrfoster-szentistvan-bazilika-st-stephens-basilica-10.jpg It is taken from just about where you described the rental you are looking at.

My choice would be Károly krt. You will be so close to so much by foot and by ….

There was a gentleman in town a week ago that seemed a tad uncertain on the public transportation, so we did a sort of orientation ride his first day and he left a public transportation-pro. The trams are actually fun. If you want to give it a try, just let me know.

I mapped out Károly krt to to the Dob utca synagogue to the Great Market Hall to the Parliament and looping back around to the Basilica and back to Károly krt and it was about 8km (or 10.000 steps). Throw in a walk up Andrassy ut and you got your 20.000 steps. All doable in a day.

• and what is this medieval synagogue you mentioned? Worth visiting?

Not a tremendous lot to see and its up in Buda. They were renovating an old building and when they began pealing back the plaster they found it had once been a synagogue. One of the two oldest in town. A shame you will not be in town on a Saturday or I would suggest a nice Synagogue for service.

Oh boy, don't fit the stereotype of the American tourist: it is either
car or walk. (I am aware that most Americans cannot even imagine that
something like an effective public transport system can exist

That comment is totally unnecessary. I don’t criticize or belittle your culture or life experience. Most Americans have never been on public transportation. It was maybe my 7th or 8th trip before I took the plunge.

I had not been there, although I stayed only a few blocks away.

Stange to be one minute from something and ….

So we spent most of the time in the National Archive (3rd city
borough).

Kerület is most often (always) translated in English as “District” and Roman numbers are most often used (always in Hungarian). Kerület III would be most commonly (always) translated to District III in English. Sort of important if you are communicating in English with Hungarians. But quite a few speak German too. Maybe Borough is an old Swabian way of saying it? But not too many Swabians left since the end of the war.

That's funny to be called an American for avoiding public transport. Yes I'm American, but i haven't lived there in 30 years! I meant to sound more like a walker :)

I love to walk. I love to walk european cities. I love to drag my sons on my walks with me, and see our daily step counts exceed 20,000!

I spend hours and hours crawling through sites and forums (like this), to discover the best way to experience each location. To start spending time on figuring out public transport (when i'm in a walkable city), is only done when necessary... hence my question of whether i can walk to most destinations.

Thanks for the links... is the same ticket good for both Vienna and budapest, or the instructions are the same?

... is the same ticket good for both Vienna and budapest, ...

Although the public transport systems of Vienna and Budapest are similar, but we have here two different cities in two different countries having two different currencies. So you will have to deal with two different tickets.

Budapest: If you are handy with your cell phone you can download BudapestGo and buy a 72 hour travelcard and do it all electronically. Then again if you stay on Károly krt the stairs to the metro at the upper end of the street lead straight to the BKK office where you can buy a paper pass. The rules are (for both), show it if and when asked. If by chance you are over 65 then you need nothing in Budapest but any old ID with your birthdate and photo on it.

I think that I need to tip the balance now for some Austria info, Vienna and Wachau Valley in particular.

I gather that you have about 2ish days in Vienna in August. Some things we like to do with our older boys:

1. Rent boats on the Alte Donau from Marina Hofbauer, bring a picnic, swimsuits and toodle around the islands, swim, etc.
2. Go to the Food and Films Festival at the Rathaus, which runs the entire months of July and August. Food of all variety plus a huge screening each night of a classic performance. Quite the scene.
3. Take the 38a bus up to Kahlenberg and hike down the hill/mountain for gorgeous views through vineyards. Follow stadtwanderweg 1 signs to Nussdorf and then head back to the center on Tram D.
4. Visit Schonbrunn. You kinda have to.
5. For museums, we really like the Leopold and Belvedere, but it depends on your taste/interest.

On the Wachau, I would stop. Since you have a car, I recommend going to the Burgruine Aggstein instead of the ruin on top of Duernstein. Aggstein is much more spectacular and has better facilities. It is worth having lunch at Mang in Weissenkirchen or Alte Presshaus in Duernstein. My favorite thing to do it to rent bikes from NextBike and ride from town to town, if you have time. Better than the ferry.

Basing in St. Gilgen is a good call. My older son works there in the summer at an English language camp, so we visit (and have been there at all seasons). Lots to do in that area.

As you like to walk so much, here is a little flyer, especially made for short-time visitors. On pages 2 and 3 it gives you a good overview of the main sights in Vienna, suggesting two walks in the city center. If you can manage to do both in one day you will likely accomplish your 20,000 steps.
(Ignore page 4 which is not up to date, as this folder has not been reprinted since 2020 due to Corona times without tourists in Vienna.)