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train or boat between budapest and vienna

Our family will be visiting Budapest between March 15th and 22nd. We are to spend two nights in Vienna mid-week. I thought it would be nice to take a train to Vienna and return by boat. I have read earlier posts about hydrofoils not allowing one to be outside admiring the scenery very well. Any recommendations?

Also, I have not been able to get any updates on the state of construction in Eger. Is the work on Dobo Square completed?

Posted by
5362 posts

This is not a particularly scenic portion of the Danube. I would take the train roundtrip.

Posted by
16893 posts

Rick also describes that boat ride as "less scenic and romantic than you might imagine." Our guidebook co-author reports that Eger's Dobo Square is completely back to normal and better than ever.

Posted by
17639 posts

Well, Rick isn't entirely correct. There are some scenic stretches. But its not a trip I would take to get from point A to point B. I have had a friend take the hydrofoil and he described it as long and bumpy and long and expensive.

But, entering Budapest by boat is a pretty special thing and the train up to Szentendre with the boat back to Budapest is really a worthwhile endeavor. UNFORTUNATELY it doesn't run until 29 April http://www.mahartpassnave.hu/webset32.cgi?MAHART@@EN@@115@@GOOGLEBOT

You might think about breaking up the trip if you have the time. Maybe spend a day in Gyor http://nobility.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Gyor24.jpg and at the Archabbey at Pannonhalma http://www.c2cn.eu/sites/default/files/Pannonhalma%20Monastery_Photo_Akos%20Pottyondy.JPG

Posted by
2081 posts

pcho,

i did the one way train from Vienna to Budapest.

however, taking a hydrofoil would be an new and interesting experience.

happy trails.

Posted by
7010 posts

I love boat rides long or short and will do them whenever I get a chance. If it was summer and I could sit outside on the deck I would probably spring for the cost of this ride. In March there's no way I would even consider it. Most likely you will be confined inside the boat and although there are some scenic parts of the ride, I think it would be long and boring and not worth the money. Just my personal opinion.

Posted by
2081 posts

Emily,

sometimes its not the cost that makes the difference, but the experience.

I worked for a naval architect one summer and i found out he was one of the principal engineers at Boeing that worked on the hydrofoil. During that summer, I had an opportunity to work on a Shallow Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) craft for Hawaii which is in use for a tour/restaurant boat.

happy trails.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all for your insights. I think we will pass on the boat ride until warmer weather or we have more time.