Prague and Budapest are two of my most favourite cities in the world and two that everyone should visit. I wanted to talk a little more about these great places and a great way to travel between them. I hope you enjoy reading more about them and happy travels.
Getting there
Taking the train is by far the fastest and most efficient way to travel between both cities, especially because both cities are equipped with some good connections and the journey is only about 450 kilometres long. There are 6 trains each day from Prague to Budapest and the journey only takes a little under 7 hours on the train from Prague to Budapest. There is also an overnight option, which makes it ideal to pass the time by sleeping as if it would be a normal night. I really like this option because it is quick and easy to book and you simply get on the train and go. There is no going to the airport, waiting, the flight and then more waiting and traveling from the airport. I will definitely be using it again the next time I visit Prague.
Now onto a little bit more about each of these amazing destinations.
Prague
Prague is probably one of the most romantic and charming cities of Eastern Europe and many say that it could be compared to Paris for its beauty. The city is not huge, but that is exactly what makes it special. The city is filled with a maze of cobbled streets and alleyways, as well as courtyards that are hidden from view. One of my personal favourite things to do is to simply wander around and look at the buildings. Wandering also helps you to get away from the touristy areas and you will see great cafes, bars, restaurants and best of all, few tourists. It is definitely a great idea to head to the iconic castle that looms above the city and explore. It really has some interesting history and also offers stunning views of Prague itself.
Beer is definitely a highlight of prague and the best part is that it is extremely cheap here too. Brands like Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Staropramen and Kozel are everywhere and are absolutely delicious. There has also been an influx in recent times of craft beers and microbreweries in the area, so these are also a delicious option.
Budapest
After you have taken the train from Prague to Budapest it’s time to really start enjoying the Hungarian capital. What I love about Budapest is how well kept everything it is and the beauty of the city itself, in fact I would definitely say that it is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. There is so much more to it thought than just pure beauty and I will explain a little bit more below.
One of the best parts about the city is definitely visiting the city is the various baths that are scattered throughout the city due to the underwater springs that exist underneath the city. Széchenyi is perhaps my favourite in a stately old building that doesn’t look like any baths that you have ever seen before. Here you can experience
At night Budapest also comes alive and it has become very famous for its ruin bars. There were once buildings that had normal functions, but at some point became disused and were taken over as bars. They often feature interesting courtyards and architecture that is constantly deteriorating, which gives them a relaxed and rustic look. Here you will find more or less all kinds of people here from tourists to locals and the mix is something that is very nice about this, and it feels just right. The food is also a great part of Budapest and the classic Hungarian dish to try is, of course, goulash, which is meat and vegetables slow cooked in a rich tomato sauce. The stew is extremely tasty and perfect for a cold day or any day! It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and definitely an icon.
Budapest also has an incredibly interesting and moving history, especially during Hungary’s time as a disconnected Soviet state and during the second world war. There are a number of memorials and points of interest that are scattered throughout the city. In particular I love the World War II Jewish memorial, which is a number of pairs of shoes sitting on the banks of the Danube. These are a constant reminder of the Jews that lost their lives in the war and more specifically for those that were forced to take their shoes off and were shot into the Danube.
I hope you enjoyed reading about these two great places. All you need to is jump on a train and you can enjoy both of these wonderful places in one magnificent trip.