Edinburgh vs Budapest 2 days from now?

Sorry to hear that your current location isn’t working for you. I haven’t been to Edinburgh but I’ve heard good things about it. It’s on my list. I have been to Budapest and really like it. What are your interests?

Interests are: seeing beautiful architecture, museums, history, hiking. I loved Istanbul a lot because of the beautiful architecture and Ottoman/Byzantine history.

I was leaning towards Edinburgh because when will I ever travel to Scotland during this special time. But also it might be insanely crowded and I’m not sure what the experience of festivals is like.

I think if the festival wasn’t going on I would 100% go to Budapest. But the festival sounds really cool! I’ve never been to an arts festival before

Been to both cities and they are quite different. I feel though that you would have more options in Budapest.

Yeah I do realize it was a strange question. Since they aren’t very similar.

I was also considering Berlin and Krakow as well and those are probably more similar to Budapest.

Hmm. I’m partial to Budapest. Really enjoyed it the one time I was there. I’m looking forward to returning one day.

Have you had a look at Rick’s videos? Both are older but should give you an idea of what they are like.

Budapest

Edinbugh

Hhhmmmm. No bad answer on that one. They are just different and both good to see. I haven’t yet been to the Fringe Festival (but will be there about the time you would leave), so I don’t know how crowded it gets - but it IS just beginning. Only given your timing, and if the Fringe sounds interesting, I might lean to Edinburgh. Otherwise I might lean to Budapest. Lol.

A few words about Edinburgh in August…

The Edinburgh Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, and that’s only one of the festivals that run concurrently. There’s also the International Festival, with classical music and drama (note: this was the original one, and the Fringe grew as a sort of protest/add-on to this) and the Book Festival. Plus of course the Edinburgh Tattoo, which I know is very popular in this forum.

It’s very easy to see Fringe shows without buying advance tickets - in fact, you’ll be assailed on every street by performers and flyerers trying to encourage you to visit their show. Many are free (donation requested at the end). It’s a lot of fun but it’s also an absolute onslaught. Even walking down the street can take much longer than usual.

Edinburgh is incredibly busy during August and hotel & accommodation prices tend to be three times as much as they are at other times. It’s an experience like no other. For some people it’s the best month to visit Edinburgh. But if you’re not particularly interested in the festivals, or if you’re not prepared for them, it’s the worst time.

The fringe gets underway properly on 4th/5th August but performers are arriving now and accommodation prices are hitting the heights. However if you’re literally talking about going tomorrow, that’s too early for the events and craziness.

If you’ve already found accommodation, go for it - but do double-check the accommodation. Every year there are horror stories about people who’ve booked Airbnbs or similar and find that their booking has been cancelled or rebooked to someone else for more money - that’s how crazy it can be.

However, it can be possible to find a hotel or hostel room for a few days.

Hi GoldenGirl,

Would it be worth going if I’m leaving on the 6th? I have to come back to the states on the 6th. I would have the 4th and 5th as full days and would be arriving the 3rd in the early morning. So was planning on doing the 3rd and the 4th as mainly tourist stuff and the 5th to see Fringe stuff. I don’t know if 1 (I guess 2 with the preview) is enough for the festival?

You’d get a good taster. There are literally thousands of shows, and it’s possible to see four or five or more in a day. You would see the city as it gears up for the madness, and get to sample a few shows while it’s still (relatively) calm. You also find some slightly cheaper tix to some events on the first day or two as they’re billed as “previews” (acts might be fixing a few things about the script ie performance).

So definitely go for it. Details of everything are here: https://www.edfringe.com/

You’ll note it says the Fringe officially starts on the 5th but there are definitely shows on the 4th, particularly those organised by the Free Festival and the Free Fringe. You can filter by date to check. I always did the free shows as a performer and usually did my first show on the Thursday to get a nice small audience performance in before the big weekend craziness.

you can always go to any of the other cities later in life.

You won't always have another chance to see the Fringe as it winds up the mainspring ready for a mad run.

I agree with Golden Girl.

I do wonder how you will get back to Athens for your flight home. It is Athens you have to get back to for the flight isn't it?

Hi Nigel,

I can change my flight to return from EDI for a small fee of 50 US dollars.

The opening night of the International Festival is usually a pretty grand display- I don't recall if that was ticketed or free.

At Fringe I HIGHLY recommend Circa, the Australian nouveau circe troupe.

I've only been to Edinburgh during festival time. It's busy and lively, but I didn't find it uncomfortable or problematic.

I like both cities, Edinburgh is more compact than Budapest so it's easier to move between the main sights. The food is good in both cities, the beer better in Edinburgh (not to mention the whisky). Edinburgh will be cooler than Budapest (temperature wise).

The deciding factor for me would be the Fringe Festival, I would hate it as I can't handle crowds but if it's something that really appeals to you then it may be the answer.

BTW, Berlin is nothing like Budapest, it very much has its own style and really couldn't be considered as an alternative city in the same manner as Budapest or Krakow.

JC, after looking at all the cities I’ve narrowed it down to Kraków or Edinburgh or Budapest. I really don’t know much about if I would find the crowds a bit much, so I’m going to research what fringe is like on YouTube.

If I find that it’s too much, then I’ll probably book Kraków since it’s still pretty underrated as a destination and as Jew it’s an important place to visit Auschwitz.

Please let us know where you ended up traveling. Many of us are curious. And yes to Krakow. Even though Poland is primarily a Catholic country, as a Jew you will find the history interesting, uplifting, and sad.

I did Edinburgh. I absolutely LOVED Edinburgh. I love hearing the Scottish accents and the city is just so beautiful. Also Fringe was so much fun went to a few shows.

I absolutely loved London so I knew I would like Edinburgh. Very happy I got to experience Fringe. I love the United Kingdom, reminds me a lot of Seattle, Washington where I live. It was really cold like 15 degrees (usually around high 50s low 60s in Fahrenheit).

I have spent a lot of time in Budapest. It's a quasi-interesting place and there are a handful of things to see and do. But I think it's somewhat overrated. It certainly is not as interesting as Istambul. Given a choice of Budapest and Vienna, I would pick Vienna. Given a choice of Edinburg and Budapest, Edinberg.
Budapest has a bit of soviet bloc feel that it can't seem to outgrow. Despite its beautiful location, its appeal is (to me) skin deep. If you go, two days should suffice.

"Budapest has a ... soviet bloc feel that it can't seem to outgrow ... . If you go, two days should suffice."

"I totally agree with that assessment, and I think that's the allure for many a tourist !"

Understood. I have friends who raved about their experiences in what was East Berlin. It leaves me cold. I experienced Soviet Germany firsthand. I visited family there often. I watched the wire fence and mine fields being installed, then the concrete mauer and gun towers. We heard the shots at night when people attempted escape. Our family stood on opposite sides of the wall to wave at each other. I remember my aunts nearly 10 year wait to get what was a luxury, a cardboard car. I saw firsthand what happens when someone from your family became an informant to advance themselves. My aunt and her daughter have not spoken in 40 years.
I do understand that there is a touristy attraction to some of this but looking at dirty ugly buildings and taking rides in antique junk cars is hardly doing justice to the experience of living through of Soviet influence....and if that is indeed a reason for the interest, go to Berlin.