Budapest vs Prague - if you could only see one city - which one to choose?

Both are winners, but I'd opt for Prague. I loved the wide open, pedestrian feel of the Old Town Square, as well as the astronomical clock, the car-free Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral and Wenceslaus Square with a magnificent train station at one end.

They are both fabulous destinations; either should be a "wow" end to your trip. My thought is that 3 nights is seriously too short for either one, and 4 nights isn't exactly generous. Prague is a bit smaller than Budapest and can perhaps be seen pretty well in less time--though that obviously depends on what things interest you in each city.

Budapest has lots of gorgeous buildings, but Prague has a purer historic center, having avoided significant wartime destruction. On the other hand, Prague is more touristy--a lot more touristy. If one or more members of your party gets irritated by a crowd scene, that might be an argument to go with Budapest. In addition, I think you'll find lodging costs higher in Prague, and possibly also restaurant costs.

Both are great, but I would give the edge to Prague. I think the sites are a little more interesting to see. Although the cities of Buda and Pest are very picturesque. I guess it depends on what you want to do, see sites or just enjoy the cityscape.

I would also consider flying from Krakow instead of a train ride. It will add many, many hours to your enjoyment of either city. A train ride will waste a whole day.

my vote is for budapest. I have been to both and I thought Prague was too crowded and less interesting.

Of course you knew I would chime in. But you may be surprised by the answer.

On a time basis, its Budapest. 8 hours vs 10 hours to Prague. Either is a long trip. I haven't done the train from Zakopane, but I hear it goes through beautiful country on the way to Budapest. Might be the same to Prague, I just haven't heard. The other consideration other than time might be arrival time. Does one get you in early enough to see more the first day?

On pedestrian feel. Yes, Old Town is wonderful to walk for a day. Then for me at least it ended. Sure there is a lot more to see in Prague than Old Town, but the common tourist spots are somewhat limited in Prague so you will have to do some research to stay busy for three days if you are like me. If you just enjoy the stroll and exploring, it might work well for you. Budapest will require that you buy a Travel Card and tour the city. But as I mention below, with Budapest it isnt a tourist zone, its the city you go to. The trams are fun in both.

The history and the architecture. Prague has the wonderfully well preserved medieval Old Town; it is like an architectural museum, but it is a small area and it exists only for tourists for the most part. Yes, unaffected by the war. Budapest didn't much exist in medieval times so war or not there wouldn't be much to see if you are looking for medieval. Generally speaking 90% of the buildings were hit during the war, but 80% survived and were repaired. This is no museum. This is an occupied, fully working 1890's city. Museum or ongoing culture, you decide. Both valid.

Jewish history is big in both. Prague's Jewish quarter was preserved by Hitler to create a museum to a dead race. It is a pretty amazing neighborhood museum. Again, Budapest is no museum, it has a vibrant existing Jewish history that you step over on almost every street corner (a bit of an exaggeration).

Cold War History; alive and kicking in both.

Food: Budapest better x 5

Cost: Budapest probably a bit cheaper

Days on the ground: 3 is sort of a minimum in Budapest; Prague, maybe 2. If you only have 3 nights, its Prague.

Prague, more polished. Budapest at bit more "used".

Culture: I give Budapest a slight edge, just because there are more venues. But plenty in Prague for a short stay.

Drinking and Beer Halls: Prague x 3 (much more of a party town)

Age of tourists: Prague somewhat younger. The over 40 crowd I think enjoy Budapest more, the under 30 I bet will choose Prague (okay, gross over generalization).

Tourism crowds: Prague worse because the tourist zone is so small. But who knows with COVID.

Help planning on the RS forum: Budapest x 10 LOL

Seriously, you cant go wrong with either.

"Crémant vs Cava - if you could only have one glass - which one to choose?" It is a tough question to answer, you will have a great time not matter what city you choose. My vote would probably go to Prague as I think they have a small advantage, but others may have a different opinion.

And a train ride from Krakow to Prague will not waste a whole day if you take the overnight train between the cities. Leave Krakow in the evening and arrive in Prague next morning.

I forgot to tell everyone that we will have a car . It cuts down travel time down considerably and gives us a lot more flexibility. I realize we miss out on the fantastic train experience but this time around it seems more practical to have a car albeit more costly. Does that change anyone’s mind?

This leaves us a choice - should we make his last city Prague or Budapest.

Since you will have a car, I would pick the city closest to where the rest of the party will be going next. Either city will be a great ending to your friend's trip.

After spending time in both Prague and Budapest twice, it depends on when you go. I have been to both in Dec and summer. Prague was too cold with fewer tourists but Budapest’s plain trees that line Andrassy Ut were bare. When I visited both cities during the summer, Prague was jammed pack with tourists but I still enjoyed it and I couldn’t get enough of Budapest. After about four days in Prague, my sister and I were ready to move on as one usually is when dealing with crowds. The tree line boulevards in Budapest were in full bloom that gave this city more of a village feel.
With that said Prague is a fairy tale city and Budapest has plenty of wow moments too. You could easily spend more time in Budapest than in Prague so I would probably choose the latter since you only have three of four nights, especially since you’re driving and it’s two hours closer. You are aware it’s way more costly to drop off a car in a different country than where you picked it up right?

Beer drinkers - go to Prague.
Wine drinkers - go to Budapest.

The sightseeing is good in both. Either is a Wow experience. I visited both on one trip. At the time, I liked Prague significantly more (maybe because it was cloudy/rainy in Budapest and sunny when I got to Prague), but over time the vivid memories of Budapest stuck with me and those of Prague faded away. So I've been back to Budapest twice and plan to go again; I have no plans to return to Prague.

Hello from Wisconsin,
If you have a first-time-to-Europe traveler with you...go to Prague. It will be too bad to have them see the best preserved city of Europe right off the bat, but Budapest is for people who have already seen a good number of Hapsburg city centers. Prague is like Washington D.C., a museum to visit. Budapest is like New York City, (I used to tell my students I took there, it was like a zoo without cages, but things are milder now) Budapest is like New York City or Chicago, alive and not distracted by tourists. Prague...a nice cold beer. Budapest.... a refined wine.

The down side to Prague are the number of tourists. I have found that first timers don't see the tourists or think they are locals. So no harm done.

wayne iNWI

This is such an extremely hard choice, but for me I think that Budapest would just barely edge out. Besides the benefit of it being closer for you, Budapest is much less crowded than Prague and a bit cheaper. I think the baths are a great experience and I loved the food in Budapest as well. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with either cities. They are both are beautiful and offer a ton of things to do.

Tough question but I'll answer it this way. Having been to both, I would recommend Budapest - it was my favorite city in Europe after Paris. But, before I went to either of them my choice would have been Prague, which is what I ended up doing.

"Also, in asking some of my well travelled friend, it seems as though it leans towards Prague but others much prefer Budapest. "

Exactly. As you see from this thread, everyone has different experiences, and you won't know what yours are until you've seen them both. I will say that they are quite different, and Vienna, often included as though it were also similar to Prague and Budapest, is quite different again. I like to say (so I'll say it again) that the three cities are apples, oranges, and bananas.

However, given that you want your first time traveler to have a "Wow" experience, I'd say Prague. Budapest is many things, but its appeal is subtle and takes time to uncover. Other than the food, it doesn't wow, while Prague usually does (it's smaller and more of a jewel box, while Budapest is bigger and its attractions are more spread out and less visible just walking around). However when it comes to food, my personal take is that food in Prague is fine, but food in Budapest is fabulous. So, if you're dealing with a "foodie," pick Budapest; otherwise, pick Prague.

Apparently she chose Budapest

Yes, Budapest was the final choice due to the closer proximity. Also, in the end more people that I asked chose Budapest. I hope I haven’t made the wrong choice for the first time European traveller that we are bringing along but I figure we will probably make it back to Prague with him another time.

Thank you for all the advice . It was truly appreciated!!!

Buy a day pass for getting around on public transport otherwise you have to work out the zones and how many little paper tickets you have to stamp. Quaint metro system.

Budapest. It's a living city in the way the older parts of Prague just aren't. Prague is beautiful but subordinated to tourism. Budapest is beautiful and itself.

I have been to Budapest twice and Prague once. I much prefer Budapest. No one mentioned going to the Baths in Budapest. Also a downer in Prague is that a majority of the restaurants try to inflate your bill, things you didn't order, a cover charge when there isn't any etc.

Bruce

Prague is tops if you like centuries of historical architecture in a walkable city.

They are both good. Eliza Mondegreen (above) pretty much nailed the difference. One is to view, the other to experience. Both valid

Its one of those deals where every one is right ....... about what they enjoy and what speaks to them. And perception is everything, even if Budapest is larger than Prague in both population and in land area (not that it matters)

Re: historical architecture: Prague came through the war basically undamaged. Budapest was tenaciously fought over.. The last German offensive of the war was directed at Budapest.

Seeing only one? I would pick Budapest.

It looks like you already made your choice but I would pick Prague. Hope you enjoy your time in Budapest!

So, did you go?

EDIT: You are leaving 11 June and I am guessing by your posts you are traveling by car all over Europe. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.....