Prague vs. Budapest
Aug 18th, 2005, 12:36 PM
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Prague vs. Budapest
hi everyone. i'm a newbie to this site but from what i've seen (i've been reading all your posts/answers for the past 3hrs) you guys are the right people to ask this:
my friends and i are debating whether to go to Prague OR Budapest for our 5-day vacation in November(23rd-28th). we dont know much about the weather around that time, or how friendly the cities are to 4 twenty-something tourists. but, we have realized that we only have enough time to really enjoy one city and we dont have the budget to rent a car. so, in all your wisdom, can any one help us decide which city is better for first-timers like us?
MUCH APPRECIATED!!
my friends and i are debating whether to go to Prague OR Budapest for our 5-day vacation in November(23rd-28th). we dont know much about the weather around that time, or how friendly the cities are to 4 twenty-something tourists. but, we have realized that we only have enough time to really enjoy one city and we dont have the budget to rent a car. so, in all your wisdom, can any one help us decide which city is better for first-timers like us?
MUCH APPRECIATED!!
Aug 18th, 2005, 12:49 PM
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In my opinion, Prague has a lot more to offer -- from the point of view of interesting things to see.
I was in my twenties when I first went there, and there was a lively youth-oriented scene. Prague is the seat of what is probably the best university in the Czech Republic, and where there are students, there are bound to be places for them to gather.
But be careful taking cabs. I don't know whether it is an urban myth or not, but I have heard that the Mayor of Prague got ripped off by a Prague taxi driver...
I was in my twenties when I first went there, and there was a lively youth-oriented scene. Prague is the seat of what is probably the best university in the Czech Republic, and where there are students, there are bound to be places for them to gather.
But be careful taking cabs. I don't know whether it is an urban myth or not, but I have heard that the Mayor of Prague got ripped off by a Prague taxi driver...
Aug 18th, 2005, 01:05 PM
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Both are good for groups of 20-somethings in that both have lots of choice of nightlife and VERY cheap beer (Prague seems to have more stag parties, which may count against it).
I'd choose Budapest because, although Prague is prettier, I think Budapest has more to do to fill five days.
With regard to friendliness, I doubt there's much to choose between them.
Do you have any more specific criteria with regard to what you're looking for in this holiday?
Personally, given five days to fill I'd visit both.
I'd choose Budapest because, although Prague is prettier, I think Budapest has more to do to fill five days.
With regard to friendliness, I doubt there's much to choose between them.
Do you have any more specific criteria with regard to what you're looking for in this holiday?
Personally, given five days to fill I'd visit both.
Aug 18th, 2005, 01:55 PM
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In terms of filling your time, I think there is more variety of things to see/do in Budapest to fill 5 days than there is in Prague.
However, I do prefer Prague as a city for a short break and you have the advantage of going there when it's off season. I was in Prague one March and said to myself I would never go there when it would be busier than that. I found Prague quite a bit cheaper than Budapest. The downside to Prague is that it doesn't seem as authentic or as real somehow as Budapest - the swarms of visitors around the centre of the city can make you wonder if there are any Czech people around.
Depending on your actual travel times on 23/8 November, I'd seriously have a think about whether you can fit in both cities. I think you can get the train between the cities. Could you fly into one city and out of the other to save time?
www.inyourpocket.com will give you some good information on both cities.
However, I do prefer Prague as a city for a short break and you have the advantage of going there when it's off season. I was in Prague one March and said to myself I would never go there when it would be busier than that. I found Prague quite a bit cheaper than Budapest. The downside to Prague is that it doesn't seem as authentic or as real somehow as Budapest - the swarms of visitors around the centre of the city can make you wonder if there are any Czech people around.
Depending on your actual travel times on 23/8 November, I'd seriously have a think about whether you can fit in both cities. I think you can get the train between the cities. Could you fly into one city and out of the other to save time?
www.inyourpocket.com will give you some good information on both cities.
Aug 18th, 2005, 03:53 PM
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I would vote for Prague as having more to do - and being generally more friendly - or at least english-speaking. But then I'm not a 20-something looking for a lot of nightlife.
It doea have an incredibly rich music scene - of all types and prices - ranging from free (brilliant) concerts in churches to Grand Opera - and every other type you can think of. (We had dinner one night in a casuale cafe that had several performances of Elvis' music - by groups of varying ability. A real hoot.)
I think the weather in both places will be similar - late winter - early fall - with rain a defiite option. So have waterproof shoes, a jacket that's at least medium weight and a couple of sweaters.
It doea have an incredibly rich music scene - of all types and prices - ranging from free (brilliant) concerts in churches to Grand Opera - and every other type you can think of. (We had dinner one night in a casuale cafe that had several performances of Elvis' music - by groups of varying ability. A real hoot.)
I think the weather in both places will be similar - late winter - early fall - with rain a defiite option. So have waterproof shoes, a jacket that's at least medium weight and a couple of sweaters.
Aug 23rd, 2005, 12:32 AM
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thank you all so very much for the incredible advice. i'm bringing this up to my friends and hoping that we decide soon.
we're not much into the party-scene/night-life; on the contrary, we're big day-trippers and love a good tour around the countryside; good food; great scenery and even better conversations/meeting locals. i'll let you know what we decide, but until then, THANK YOU all for your gracious advice.
we're not much into the party-scene/night-life; on the contrary, we're big day-trippers and love a good tour around the countryside; good food; great scenery and even better conversations/meeting locals. i'll let you know what we decide, but until then, THANK YOU all for your gracious advice.
