Budapest to Prague - Train or Fly

Even with taxi time to the airport, the flight will save you 2 to 3 hours. Is it scenic on the train? If you haven't heard of the beauty of the ttrip, it's probably not there. I've driven it, and it wasn't to die for.

Two other options. A shuttle to Cesky Krumlov, then another the next day to Prague. Or, Daytrip.com. I've used daytrip once on a shorter trip, and they were pretty okay. I've got another booked in September.

https://daytrip.com/configurator?additionalLuggage=0&adults=2&children=0&currency=0&departureAt=1722416400000&destinationLocationName=Prague&dropoffAddress=&isOtherDirection=false&luggage=2&originLocationName=Budapest&passengers=2&pickupAddress=&routeId=05194802-aa77-4b9c-aaba-7520b907867f&selectedDestinationId=4cf0e7a4-8443-40c9-bbf3-bfe253a3c631&selectedOriginId=c8cbd117-5793-4799-9958-68232c2fac55&vehicles=0

Oh, and the ruin Pub tour assumed you were staying somewhere near the Opera. Tell me where you are staying and I know other good wine bars LOL

I just checked the MAV site. 28 to 38 euro tomorrow.

Mr. E

I will check out Daytrips- think I checked them before and they were a lot more expensive than SideTrips.

We are actually going via RegioJet bus to Cesky Krumlov from Prague. Spending 2 nights in CK and then taking the CK Shuttle to Vienna.

I know our order of Budapest, Prague and Vienna is a bit off but needed to take into account flying from Belgium to Budapest and then flying to Venice from Vienna. ( that was why Vienna needed to be last since it was quick and cheap to fly to Venice from there).

We are staying on. Paulay Ede Street near the Opera House ( I believe). So your ruin bar crawl should work for us. Any other wine bars around there would be great.

If you are going to be in Budapest from Sept 27 to Oct 2 let me know. Would love to buy you a drink as thanks for all your help

Mary and Sue

Tom
Thanks for feedback about the trains. We were going to book 1st class if not a big price difference. My only train experience is in Spain, Belgium and Italy and they were lovely. This trip we are doing Eurostar from Paris to Belgium and a few trains in Italy.

I’ll take another look at the RegioJet and where the station is located. Eight or nine hours is longer than I want on a train.

I believe Regio Jet uses Budapest-Kelenföld which isn't terrible. The M4 metro reaches it, so you can be in̈ town in 30 min or less. I go almost that far out a few days a week on the M4 for pie and coffee.

Mary and Sue, l am pretty sure I will be in town. I get back from Austria on the 14th I think. Seeing how I live about 150 feet from Paulay Ede and about 400 feet from the Opera, I suspect we will be neighbors. Looking forward.

Mr E
Will try to touch base when it is closer. If you run across a skinny tall Australian (Sue ) and a short (not so skinny) American with grey hair that is me.

Mary

Ladies, I would be pleased to introduce you to a wine bar in town.

Maybe for a long haul to Prague the first class is worth it. Shorter trips, I dont think so. Really not a lot of difference than second. Regio Jet advertises a lot of ammenities on their trains, but at the same time they are a discount carrier so I wonder how well that works out and what the other travelers are like. Again on a short ride might be interesting to find out. Longer haul I really dont know.

Now that I know about where you are staying, here is an update for the ruin pubs https://maps.app.goo.gl/f4fJ3Aar5rPrFQAD9

One of the most beautiful places in the evening is the area in front of the Opera and the W Hotel across from the Opera. Just to see it is enough.

The W Hotel has a large veranda facing Andrassy ut wich is beautiful day or evening. The drinks are a bit pricy though. Still I do it once in a while just to take in the view.

On the street leading to Kadarka Wine Bar (Vasvari Pal utca) is a place called The Lions Locker. Nice for breakfast if you go early, but late morning sometimes there is a line. The owners are a very nice family and will talk your ear off if given the opportunity.

Also on that street is a very nice Spanish restaurant. Right now it’s closed for renovation, but the sign says it will be back open in September.

A little further down the same street is Ocean Laundry. Laundry and dry-cleaning service if you need it. For self service laundry there is one not far on O utca.

Behind the Opera on Hajos utca is a somewhat newly developed area with restaurants and a few nice places for a drink. The atmosphere is nice. Also a good place to spend part of an evening. If your feet hurt, you will find SKY Massage there too (on O utca). Clean, respectable, fair prices.

Many more things in the area that you can find in the link I will PM to you.

If your apartment is between Paulay Ede 20 and 35, then do know there is some construction going on. Not terrible, and the good location relative to what there is to see and do in Budapest more than makes up for it.

TexasTravelMom stays in the same general vicinity when she is in town, so maybe she will have other suggestions for relaxing and unwinding in the city.

Thanks for this post! I'm doing the reverse - Prague to Budapest. I thought the train would be nice, however, I'm leaning towards the plane. My only reason - my luggage is probably 45 pounds and not sure I want to think about my luggage on the train (after doing many trips from NJ to DC on Amtrak). So if you are a person like me (short, not too strong), and don't have anyone to assist, is the reason why I am leaning toward plane travel. I only see a few nonstops from Prague to Budapest, and will look into those. Happy trails!

You choose wisely Grasshopper

Mr. E
Thanks for the latest reply and update ruin bar. I like the suggestion of a drink at W Hitel- might be a nice splurge. Also ideas of other places nearby to go in evening.

We will check out massage place. We are spoiled by traveling in Vietnam and inexpensive massage places there but I have a feeling my legs will be sore from a lot of walking this trip.

We have washer in our apartment so as long as stuff can air dry we probably don’t need a laundromat
Glad to take you up on offer for a visit to a wine bar.

Meant to send last reply to Mr. E- stupid fat fingers. Lol

You obviously didnt look too closely at my typing. Its terrible. I will send you and email. "BUDAPEST" in the topic line.

Mary, you might want to edit your post and remove your email address (now that Mr. É has it). You probably don’t want it left out there for lots of random people to come across. Ha!

Maybe I will see you at the airport, since I arrive Sept 27 also.

Texas Mom
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ve removed the email address. Funny you are arriving same day. So if I hear a Texas accent - I should know it is you. lol

Mary

Hahaha! Don't blame all Texas accents on me! I try to keep mine under control when I am traveling!

And if you hear köszönöm y'all, you know I am near.