Travelling to Budapest, Lillafured and Bratislava

If you are going to do over night trips out of Budapest, dont know that it matters which order. Connecting the dots will always require you to return to Budapest (pretty certain) if you travel by train. I would add Gyor and the archabbey at Pannonhalma to your trip if you have time.

I just returned to Budapest from 3 nights in Bratislava. I took the train up and used DayTrip.com coming back so we could stop in Gyor and Pannonhalma on the way back. But to be honest, 1 hour in each, while it broke up the trip back I would have prefered 2 nights in Gyor/Pannonahlam and no more than a night in Bratislava. Lillafured by itssef, one night. Lillafured and some time during the day in Miskolc, then two nights. Early trains up and late trains back.

Hello,

I so appreciate your input, thank you. We had contemplated going to Gyor and I think your recommendation for doing so has "sealed" it for us. We visited the Miskolc caves in 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. So will likely just head to Lillafured for an overnight. To be frank, I've not spent a great deal of time researching at this juncture, but aim to do so in earnest next week. Any recommendations for Lillafured? Do you feel it worth a visit? Any recommendations for Gyor other than the abbey while there? Similarly for Bratislava. We will be traveling by train.

Budapest is always (in my humble opinion) a wonderful place to stay, but then again, I am biased! We plan on spending the majority of our 17 day trip there, but would also welcome recommendations on any day trips you feel worthy of embarking on.

Again, I appreciate your input. We will be looking at our ancestral country through a different lens this time around.

Budapest is always (in my humble opinion) a wonderful place to stay,
but then again, I am biased!

No, that’s not biased. That’s fact.

I have been to Győr three times now. Admittedly the last stop was only a bit more than an hour. But on the previous visits I stayed at https://klastrom.hu/ and will again when I return. It is a c.1700 church / monastery turned hotel. Well located and 7 years ago (my last real visit), it was lovely.

What is there to do in Győr other than the abbey in Pannonhalma? These guys put together the best list: https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-gyor-hungary/

My great confession: I have never been to Lillafured. For me it is cursed. Every time I plan a visit something horrible befalls me. Now I am afraid to plan a trip. I had plans about 2 months ago with some friends who were visiting from the States, boom, again. Anyway, they went without me and spent one night and had a glorious time. Naturally this is where you stay: https://www.hotelpalota.hu/ and you do the forest train ride and visit the caves. Here is a good plan for a day: https://onlyonce.today/lillafured-miskolc-hungary/

For Bratislava I have a brief trip report on the Slovakia forum. Interesting, when I was planning that trip I couldn’t get much input from the forum. To be honest, I like Kosice s much if you want to try another place in Slovakia.

And I will send you a PM with a little more on Budapest.

Wonderful! So appreciate your input! We're getting very excited about this upcoming trip. I look forward to spending time and exploring your recommendations next week. Additionally, I look forward to receiving your DM when time allows.

Sylvia, I’d be ever so grateful if you would report back on the Hotel Palota in Lillafured. I’m an aficionado of old “Grande Dame” Hotels and this one ranks high on my list to do. I had plans for a stay on my last trip to Hungary. Mr. E and I shared similar fates of bad luck visiting there. I had to zig instead of zag and missed out. I wish you the very best Bon voyage.

Re Hotel Palota

Absolutely! And appreciate your well wishes.