8 days - 7 nights, Prague and Budapest

What time of year, and what are your interests?

With just 8 days I wouldn't plan any day trips out of either city, both have more than enough to keep you very entertained, lots to see and do. Having been to both--and being totally in love with Budapest this colors my opinion--I'd say 3 in Prague and 4 in Budapest would be enough to get a good feeling for each. I like to end my trips in Budapest as it has a pleasantly busy vibe, and Prague can be quite hectic and overwhelming--though you haven't mentioned what time of year you're going.

In Prague I loved The Iron Gate hotel on Michalska, steps from the main square and it included an excellent breakfast. I'm a solo traveler, and I was pleased to be upgraded to a spacious 2 room suite.

In Budapest you want to stay on the Pest side--I used to stay off Fovam ter at Residence Baron--great breakfast--but this year I decided to stay closer to mid-town and chose Hotel Medosz on a quiet square just off Andrassy ut. I had an enormous room with a panoramic view of the city and a terrace, excellent breakfast included. As long as you're close to a tram or metro stop you'll find getting around Budapest very easy.

Thank you Acravan and Christa for your reply. We will be there from 17th afternoon - 24th August afternoon.

We are not into museums much. But anything important definable wouldn’t want to miss. We like to see sites, nature, do activities, and love love love food. Our daughter (22 yrs) will also be accompanying us.

Any suggestions for trips, itinerary , things to do, see, accommodations and food are welcome.

Also is it advisable to rent a car or travel by local transport?

Thanks in advance.

A car will do you absolutely no good in either Prague or Budapest. Public transport is good in Prague and excellent in Budapest (i am biased).

For food

EXCELLENT HUNG / JEWISH ($$)
MACESZ HUSZÁR
District VII, Dob street 26.
+36 1 787 6164
www.maceszhuszar.hu

ALL YOU CAN EAT HUNGARIAN ($$$)
TRÓFEA GRILL
District VI, Kiraly utca. 30-32.
+36 1 878 0522
http://kiraly.trofeagrill.eu/

GOOD GYPSY MUSIC / FOOD ($$$)
RÉZKAKAS BISTRO
District V, Sas utca 3
+36 1 318-0038
http://www.rezkakasbistro.hu

LOCAL HUNGARIAN RESTAURANT ($$)
VAKVARJÚ ÉTTEREM
District VI, Paulay Ede utca 7
+ 36 1 268 08 88
www.vakvarju.com/

I NEED! A HAMBURGER . ($)
ZING BURGER
District VI, Kiraly Utca 60

OLD WORLD HUNGARIAN FOOD AND ATMOSPHERE ($$)
PAPRIKA ÉTTEREM
District VII, Dózsa György út 72
+36-20-294-79-44
http://www.paprikavendeglo.hu/

NEW IN-PLACE IN TOWN ($$)
HUNGARIKUM BISTRO
District V, Steindl Imre u. 13.
+36 30 661 6244
http://hungarikumbisztro.hu

GOOD HUNGARIAN FOOD ($$)
BELVÁROSI LUGAS
VENDÉGLŐ
District VI, Bajcsy Zsilinszky u.15
+36 1 302 5393
http://lugas-etterem.com/

MY FAVORITE WINE BAR HAS GREAT FOOD ($$)
KADARKA BÁR
District VI, Király utca 42
+36 1 266 5094

GOOD BREAKFAST ($$)
CAFÉ VIAN
District VII, Király u. 13
+36 1 878 1350

SWORD FIGHTS & BELLY
DANCERS & GREAT FOOD ($$)
SIR LANCELOT
District VI, Podmaniczky u. 14
www.sirlancelot.hu
+36 1 302 4456

GOOD CHEAP HUNGARIAN ($)
FRICI PAPA KIFŐZDÉJE
District VI, Király u. 55
http://www.fricipapa.hu
+36 1 351 0197

Awesome 😀👌🏻. That takes care of our full trip.

Would love to hear your suggestions on trips, itinerary , things to do, see and accommodations (max USD 150).

You might consider getting Rick's books for each city--I used both extensively when I visited. No longer need to take my Budapest one after 4 trips! They will give suggestions for maximizing your time in each city and plenty to do besides museums.

https://welovebudapest.com/en/ This website shows events happening while you're in Budapest--always plenty of outdoor activities.

I would say 3 nights in Prague and 4 in Budapest is fine. You will loose a lot of time moving from one city to the other. From Budapest you can do a day trip to Bratislava which is quite charming. Check out the following website for ideas of things to do: https://www.visitacity.com .

This is my favorite tour book for Budapest (and I own about a half dozen): https://www.amazon.com/DK-Eyewitness-Travel-Guide-Budapest/dp/1465457291 (Sorry Rick)

Get up at a decent time of the morning in Prague, have a nice breakfast (maybe in the square). Leave your hotel at 10am for the airport. CSA departs Prague about noon and arrives Budapest at about 1:30. By about 2:15 you should be standing at your hotel check in desk if you take a tax from the airport. So a half day lost to travel, but still have an afternoon and evening in Budapest.

Thanks James. We were also thinking about flying to Budapest. That will be better than driving.

Will try and buy the book online. Thanks for all the help. Might trouble you again as I am still in the process of finalising my itinerary. :)

Thanks Nestor. Will check that city you mentioned and will check the link you suggested. Will come back to you again if I need Any suggestions/ clarifications, hope you dont mind.

Seems,
Keep posting your questions and we will help where we can

Back again :)

What are the good areas/ neighbourhoods to stay in Prague?
Would like to be around restaurants, pubs, cafes and shopping, nice parts for waking would be icing on the cake.

All good hotels are booked on our dates hence, looking at airbnb. Would love to have your suggestions for the good areas to stay in.

I loved both Prague and Budapest. Prague is much busier and I like the vibe of Budapest more. I would suggest that you absolutely do both and split between the two probably Budapest 4 nights, Prague 3 nights. We liked our hotels in both. In Prague, we liked the very centrally located Hotel Hastal https://www.hotelhastalprague.com/en/ which others on this forum like as well. In Budapest, we really liked the Best Western Parlament Premier. www.parlament-hotel.hu, I will say it doesn't have local charm, but it is VERY clean, with a nice breakfast and helpful friendly staff. It is close to Parlament and St. Istavan, in a quieter area. We walked most places. You should absolutely visit the Budapest Parlament and the markets in both Buda and Pest.

All good hotels are booked on our dates hence, looking at airbnb.
Would love to have your suggestions for the good areas to stay in.

Prague or Budapest?

Have a look at praguestays.com apartments in Prague and Entre Amis apartments in Budapest. We haven't stayed yet as we'll be there at the end of July but both have wonderful reviews.