personally i didn't find either all that interesting...

Have you checked the tripadvisor forums? They have several 2011 posts on Bratislava and Bucharest:
http://goo.gl/MTR4f
http://goo.gl/OqtlE

Virtual Tourist forum (responses are on the far right):
http://goo.gl/mJDXZ
http://goo.gl/GHxXP

Thorntree Forum on Lonely Planet:
http://goo.gl/BtHTI
http://goo.gl/eOsfY

Thanks walkabout.
Hadn't checked TA, but I had checked the other two as I participate on them.

Bratislava and Bucharest aren't really the most interesting places in their respective countries.

For instance in Romania the old cities in southern Transylvania (Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara) are more popular destinations than Bucharest
Out of these three Brasov would be the main choice for a brief trip - it has a well preserved medieval quarter, it's large enough (plenty of accommodations, restaurants, clubs), it's right next to the mountains and has numerous tourist sites on the outskirts (the former royal palace Peles in Sinaia, Bran castle, Rasnov fortress, the medieval churches in Harman and Prejmer etc.)

There are several direct trains to it, departing from Budapest at 9.10AM, 5.40PM, 7.10PM and 10.40PM. The trip takes 12-15 hours, it's best to use the last three trains as they have sleeper cars.

The last two trains go on to Bucharest so there are direct trains between Budapest and Bucharest

Flat4 is right about more interesting places to visit in Romania.

Between bucharest and Bratislava, I think that Bucharest has more to offer. You plan to stay two days - you can fill them in Bucharest with a lot of things, like:
- a walk on Calea Victoriei , till Sosea
- walk in Cismigiu and / or Herestrau Park
- visit Ateneu
- visit Casa Poporului
- visit Art Museum
- visit Cotroceni Palace

What about a flight from Budapest to Bucharest? It will save a lot of time.

Thank you Flat4 and Valtor. You've both been very helpful in weighing the situation, and I appreciate the train time information very much as well.
I will research Brasov further and see how it looks. Perhaps it would be a better first time visit to Romania than Bucharest, and I wouldn't mind.

Valtor, I looked into discount flights between Budapest and Bucharest and there weren't any direct ones available for the dates I have in mind. It still ended up being a 6 hour journey with 1 stop and changeover, and the return flight times weren't convenient for me. I'm doing a lot of flying as part of the greater trip and so I though the train would be a welcome break and a different experience, and it would use night time hours for travel and not cut too much into the daytime which could be spent sight-seeing.

I'll post back what I find.

I visited both places last year.

There is lots to see in Bucharest and valtor gave you a brief list of places to see and walk to.

I do not know where you plan to stay.

I stayed at the Hilton ( room was cheap) right on Revolutionary Square and asked and got a room with a view to the Square.

From here you can walk to all the places valtor mentioned.

Also from here you can walk to the Parliamentary Palace ( second biggest government building in the world).

Walking down Victory Avenue ( Calle Victoriei) in either direction will take you to many lovely places, along this main avenue.

For lunch you really HAVE to go to Cara cu bere, which is along Victory Avenue right around the corner from the National Museum of Romain ( a gorgeous building).... BUT

the Caru cu bere restaurant is a MUST see inside, and since you have to have lunch anyway, it might as well be here !!

Brasov is nice and it is one of the many smaller quaint towns along the "Castle Loop" from Bucharest.....I do not think you will have time to do this trip.

I did this whole complete loop ,I started at 7:45 AM and got back to Bucharest at 10:10 PM

About Bratislava:

Don't fool yourself this is a nice place to walk about and see the old architectural buildings and squares.
You can do Bratislava Castle, it has nice views back to old town Bratislava.

There is the Old Town Square.

Slovakia National Museum and Monument

Esterhazy Palace and National Gallery
The Fisherman Square ( Rybne Square) with the Czech Embassy right beside it....very ornate building

The column in this square is the Pestilence Column ( for the Contagious Plague Disease)


Then there is the Hviesdoslav Square which is tree lined and 4 blocks long with the ornate National Theatre at one end.

You will see the US Embassy here as you walk along this lovely 4 block square.

Then there is the famous St.Michaels Street leading to St. Michaels Gate , which you have to pass through.

STOP right under the archway of St. Michaels Gate....look down on the cobbled stone street.... and you see this Bronze Circle pointing out North East West and South directions.... take a picture of this.

There are THREE bronze statues in and about the Main Town Hall Square that you can try to find

1. A Napolean Soldier........he is right in the Square

2.The Sewer Man...he is coming out of a manhole

3. A Paparazzi Man statue holding a long lens camera, he is just around the corner of a sidewalk cafe..

Take a picture of all three ..IF you find them all!!

We are not finished yet.

Look at that huge new bridge across the Danube.
You see that saucer like building on the top.

That is a revolving restaurant

Well you walk across the bridge...pay 2-3 euros and take the elevator to the top ....No it will not take you to the restaurant..BUT to the very very top, outside in the open air.

You are really on the very top, the restaurant is now below you.

Ahhh, nice views from here isn't it.

Take all the pictures you want in a 360 degree view.

So there is lots to do here, and I have not even mentioned some of the Government Palaces like:

Grasslkovich Palace
Freedom Square ..very lovely
Slovakia Radio Pyramid Building is something to see, so is

the National Bank across the street from the Pyramidal Radio Building.

Right below Bratislava Castle is the Parliament Building along the Danube.

If you have time you can take a short tour to Devin Castle Ruins...

it is 5 miles west of Bratislava right along the Danube and the views from here are terrific.

Which ever place you choose you will be okay.

Percy, I love your description!
Mathieu, where did you decide to go?

Thank You Kwoo

Yes, Mathieu, where did you wind up going ?

Percy: the "sewer man" is actually called "man-at-work". Like the band

Thank You ladybug33.

He looked like a hard working guy !!! with his hard hat!