Budapest or Vienna

Definitely Vienna. The city offers several wonderful palaces, many beautiful churches, a big old town with buildings from all centuries, many museums, shops which already worked for the imperial family, a cuisine which is influenced by all territories of the former empire etc..

I think Ralph is being a little reactionary and unfair; but in general I do believe it comes down to interests and taste and his opinion is as valid as anyone's. This question comes up a lot so I thought it out and tried to be open minded with my opinions and put together something to share. So far the majority who have read it think its more or less accurate, but it is still opinion. You can find it here http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/fivedaysinbudapest Look on the right hand side for a PDF file called "Prague Vienna or Budapest". They are all beautiful in different ways, the people are good in all three places but totally differnet in attitude; and for rough cash conversions for an American either the Euro (add a third) or the Koruna (100 is $5) or the Forint (drop 2 zeros and divide by 2) is easy to figure out.

100% Vienna

100% Budapest. And I'm not just saying that to be a contrarian to the other posters. I really enjoyed Prague and Budapest more than Vienna (actually, quite a bit more, as to me, Vienna was just OK). Be aware that although the three are often spoken of as similar places, I found them as different as apples, oranges, and bananas. Also be aware that approaching one from the lens of another is a sure way to have a miserable time. For instance, my sister loved Prague, and so assumed she'd love Budapest in a similar way. She was quite upset when it turned out to be very different (Budapest is much larger, and much less of a jewelbox). Similarly, friends of mine who loved Vienna thought they'd love Budapest because it would be similar, and again, they were disappointed when it turned out to be different. So, approach each one on its own terms, and enjoy them for what the are; don't hate them for what they are not. For some reason, Ralph is very upset that Hungary uses the forint instead of the euro. I'm not sure why; when I went, the exchange rate was 200 forint to the dollar, which was quite easy to deal with. And I didn't have "wonderful customer service" at any of the three, but all were good enough. To paraphrase what I said in another post: do you like chocolate or vanilla? If chocolate, pick Budapest; if vanilla, pick Vienna. It really is like that - no way to know until you've seen both, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Lori, Given the choice between Vienna and Budapest, my vote goes wholeheartily to Vienna, one of my top four cities/capitals in Europe. It's a pity you haven't got the time for both, but for just one...Vienna.

Having lived in Vienna for 15 months and visited Budapest three times, there is no question that Vienna has much more to offer the traveler whatever one's interest (palaces, churches, museums, music, historical sites, etc.). The public transporation system is second to none in Europe, the city is bordered on one side by the Danube and two sides by the Vienna Woods (where you can take a hike and grab a meal at a wine tavern), and the pastries are incredible. I think a tougher decision would be choosing between Vienna and Prague.

I would say the answer depends on what kinds of things you like to see on vacation. I loved both for different reasons and would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. However, as a general observation, I'd pick Budapest if on a budget as money seemed to go a lot farther there than in Vienna.

Prague was my favorite big city until I visited Budapest. Have been to both a few times and opinion has not changed. I have been to Vienna once, and while it was beautiful and I had a nice time my remains the same... and that's all it is....my opinion. ( I don't mind the different currency...I just made myself a little cheat sheet and there are also off line currency converters, but I visited Europe when I had ziplock bags of 7 or 8 different currencies... all part of the experience. Either choice will be wonderful.

Have you asked yourself why the people of Paris call their city the Budapest of the west or why they constructed the Champ d'elysee to so closely (but not successfully ) imitate Andrassy ut? Or why they went through all the trouble to hire the architect of Budapest's train station to design an antenna tower for their town?

It depends on your taste and likes. World class museums, palaces, performance opera, and sim, royal history, antiquities, royal treasury then Vienna. for sure my vote. I was in both places in May. While I enjoyed Budapest it is not comparable to Vienna.
which ever you choose it will be wonderful.

Where are we? (... and other useless labels): To Americans of my generation all that was behind the Iron Curtain is EASTERN Europe. To the people living there, at least since "The Change", they tend to be more selective in how they identify themselves. I offer this only because I am sympathetic to the American causation for the marker while others, when they hear you refer to Hungary for instance as Eastern European will be somewhat hard on you, and some locals may be offended; but not many, they are good people and understand our reference point. Disclaimer aside; get a map and follow along, but remember while I did a lot of research to figure this out, this is all in fun; So, see the next post.

WESTERN EUROPE always contains France and Belgium and the Netherlands; and that's about all that isn't contested. Then England, Spain, Austria and Switzerland are sometimes added. EASTERN EUROPE without much debate includes: Russia (parts of), Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Kazakhstan. However, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are also Eastern European but they escape the label at times by using the term "the Caucasus". Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would be thought of as Eastern Europe but they avoid the label by using the term "Baltic States". On the other hand if you grew up in the Cold War era you might define any European Warsaw Pact country as "Eastern Europe" and despite the fact that Albania and Yugoslavia were not in the Warsaw Pact you would throw them into the mix as well; just for being communist states. CENTRAL EUROPE without much debate includes: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. While Austria, Switzerland and Germany are either Central or Western Europe depending on definition and Slovenia is either Central or South East Europe depending the definition. Croatia, Serbia and Romania belong either in Southeastern Europe or Central Europe depending on the definition (definitions from UN, CIA, EU)

SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE is composed of the old Balkan States and without much debate includes Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and part of Turkey. Cyprus is called either Southwest ASIA or Southeastern Europe, again depending on who you talk to and their motives. Greece has been catalogued as either Southeastern Europe or Southern Europe (which can include Spain). Northern Europe always includes Norway, Sweden and Denmark. To that we often throw in England. Clear as mud yet? The EU has only two regions for this part of the world. The first is called Central/Eastern Europe and the Second is called Southern Europe which lumps Greece and Cyprus in with Spain and Italy. For me it's as clear as ordering pita bread at an Asian restaurant.

Both are great places. I slightly preferred Budapest, but only by a hair. It all depends on what you like.

The score is Vienna - 6, Budapest -5 and one objective person. What is most telling is that the passion for one or the other. That indicates that the two cities share very few attributes in common so its all about what floats your boat. Too often they get lumped together into the "Imperial Cities Tour" or some other such nonsense. The truth is it's like going to London, Paris and St. Petersburg and expecting there to be similarities.

Which I preferred doesn't really matter. I did like them both, and Prague too. Vienna is closer by a couple of hours. The train to Budapest goes through Vienna. Vienna is Western Europe - never mind where it is geographically. It has a beautiful opera, grand buildings and palaces, all reminiscent of Paris. I found it the most expensive of the 3 cities. Budapest is definitely Eastern Europe. It is "gritty" where
Prague is "picturesque." There are many beautiful buildings, lovely squares, but there's graffiti too. I found it the cheapest of the 3 cities. Hungarian wines are excellent - and not expensive either. I liked the museums in Budapest best. In Vienna, there is a lot of 18th-19th century art (not my personal fave). Also I was frustrated that entire sections of displays in the museums were labeled only in German. They are both great choices. If you really can't decide, then flip a coin. Seriously.

Thank you everyone for your posts. With the help of your posts and recommendations, as well as other inputs, we have decided on Vienna. I hope we will have the opportunity to make another trip in the near future to Budapest. Thank you all again! Well wishes to you on your future travels.

I put Hungary, Slovak Rep. and CZ under the label of East-Central Europe, if we are going to engage in labeling.

Naaaaa, i don't like labels. I thought that was apparent by the silliness i uncovered when researching it.

Have fun in Vienna. I really enjoyed my time there. It does have unbelieveable museums and palaces.

Budapest !! Not only is Budapest absolutely beautiful, the Hungarians are the friendliest people in Europe (let's just say, the Austrians are not and leave it at that :) Budapest also gives you a great bang for your buck. Even the high ticket areas (Vaci Utca and Andrassy Blvd) are reasonably priced by Washington DC standards. Vienna is beautiful, no doubt about it, but its also VERY VERY expensive. At the end of 5 days my wallet was crying for mercy.

Keith, our new convert. So where did you go on this two month odyssey?