I'll be in Budapest this April and plan to go to Prague for 8 days. It sounds like the train could take some hours to get to Prague. I've read to take the overnight train but to share with family or to get a car that locks. I've also heard that the intercountry flights are very reasonable and of course would save me time. I'm leanning towards flying. Any suggestions for train or which airline would be the most reasonable? Thank you in advance.
I understand you are asking for the train/plane prices. Please look at bus prices, these will be the most reasonable, are direct, reasonably comfortable, and not overnight. For example, Student Agency is 23 euro, 7hours, leaves at either 9:30 or 15:30, Orangeways even less, 16.5 euro if ordered in huf, but times are earlier.
Trains and buses take about the same length of time. I doubt you would save time by flying: you have to allow 2-3 hours for check-in/security at the airport, the airports are some distance from the city center, while the train stations are in the cities, and if you have checked luggage you have to wait to collect it. Flights within Europe generally have lower carry-on allowances. Also you are likely to spend a significant amount to get to/from the airport to the city center. I've taken the train but not the bus. I usually take a bike lock with me, to secure my suitcase to the luggage rack.
I also concur with the bus, Orangeways or Student Agency. My family of 4 with 2 kyoung kids use this bus system often and it is so awesome! You can even stop in Vienna for a couple of days en route or Brno. Great service, fast, cheap, comfortable seats. I would not hesitate to take the bus.
If you decided to fly these two web sites will give you discount EU travel: www.skyscanner.net
www.dohop.com I would take a couple of those Prague days and see Vienna. Go to www.flickr.com and see pictures of the cities you are interested in.
I traveled to Cesky Krumlov (CK)and Budapest by bus from Prague and highly recommend Student Agency. It was cheap. The trip to CK took approx. 3 hours and 7 hours to Budapest. The bus to/from CK had Wifi. I recommend one of the Prague days to CK. I spent the night there and it was lovely. I would also spend 3 or 4 (if you skip CK) to Vienna. Prague is a pretty compact city with excellent transportation to the major sites. If you take the bus keep in mine that domestic and international buses leave from different stations.