I am planning a 4-5 day break towards the end of March. I am tryng to decide between Budapest and Krakow--both sound appealing but I must make a decision soon! Can anyone recommend one over the other? I want to be sure to choose a city where there is plenty to do--(just returned from four days in Bilbao and felt I could have done it in 2).
I am on a budget and feel the hotels in Budapest look a bit expensive--is this so?
Budapest is much bigger so there is also more to do there. Hotels in Budapest are generally more expensive than in Krakow but less than in Vienna or Prague. I believe it's possible to find one which will fit the budget.
I've been to both Budapest and Krakow in the last two years. It would be impossible to say if there is more to do in one place than the other. I personally found the history in Krakow more interesting than in Budapest; however, Budapest seems more trendy than Krakow. In Krakow you'll meet lots of tourists from the UK. Budapest is probably more spectacular while Krakow is probably easier on the budget. I say, "Toss a coin."
Depending on your itenerary Krakow is probably a longer distance. If you are hopping around by plane, it won't matter much. If you are riding in a car or train, be sure to factor in travel time.
I've been exploring an Eastern Swing beginning in Berlin traveling through Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, the Balkins along the Adriatic, Trieste, and home out of Venice. I'm almost settled on skipping Krakow because it's a big jog to get there.
Both are great places to see. My sugestion is to visit one now with plans for the other later. The difference to me is Krakow is a walking, slower city; Budapest is a public trasportation city with a big city feel. It's the Paris of the East for a reason and costs were higher in Budapest.To see all of Budapest, you need a city tour or lots of time.
If your main concern is running out of sights to see during a 4-5 day visit, then Budapest is probably your better choice. I love Krakow (one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visitied), but about 3 days including a trip to Auschwitz would cover it. I found a special online rate at the Ibis hotel on Raday u. in Pest last July - EUR 66 per night (breakfast extra). Price might be even better in March. Not much charm, but clean and great location on a trendy street about 5 minutes walk from the central market. The nearby Kalvin-Haz (Kalvin House) is more charming and about the same price (includes breakfast). If you decide on Budapest, buy the transit pass. It's a great deal since the city is big and you'll use public transit a lot. Keep it with you at all times as there are ticket inspectors everywhere.
Krakow. It's one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Your UK buddies know that.
Hello Kate,
Having been on the Rick Steves "Best of Eastern Europe" tour in May 2007, I visited both of these cities. Both are great. My favorite three cities on the trip were, in order, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest (with Dubrovnik and Split following close behind). Buda and Pest are much larger than Krakow, and feel more like a big, metropolitan city while Krakow has more Olde World charm and scenic beauty. Communication is a bit easier in Poland, since Hungarian is impenetrable for all save Hungarians. You'll find in the tourist (central) areas of both cities, English is spoken (at least to the level of "we can communicate"). We stayed at the Hotel Multanski(sic) in Krakow, which is beautiful and well located (if not exactly cheap)
