Vienna / Bratislava
Discussion
It's closer than that, about an hour by bus from memory. Bratislava is nothing special to be honest, and i wouldn't sacrifice time in Vienna to see it. It used to be just another industrial city in Czechoslovakia but following the split was elevated to the capital of Slovakia. But from Bratislava you can get the train 3 hrs to Budapest, thus doing the 3 capitals in a day.
Centurion07 said:
Unfortunately they don't operate in either of the 2 cities I'm going to, thanks anyway!
Hot Rods definitely in Vienna as we saw them when we there! Prater Park is great fun if you like rollercoasters & rides, if culture is your thing take your pick from loads of museums/palaces etc, we liked the Belvedere for the Klimt works. Sausage stands for 'fast food', Billa supermarkets for snacks etc, Cafe Central for cake & coffee (or beer). Have a Schnitzel of course 
Their metro/underground system is easy to use, fast and cheap.
Their metro/underground system is easy to use, fast and cheap. 
I can assure you they operate there as I had a most amusing hour or so touring the city in one. 
As featured on Travel Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3s52oFaDsk#t=1m10...
In fact, if you can track that episode down somewhere, that will give you a host of ideas for Vienna. The Hot Rods are a must-do though!
ETA: just checked their website and there's no mention of Vienna in the dropdown booking menu. Might be worth emailing them to check?
As featured on Travel Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3s52oFaDsk#t=1m10...
In fact, if you can track that episode down somewhere, that will give you a host of ideas for Vienna. The Hot Rods are a must-do though!
ETA: just checked their website and there's no mention of Vienna in the dropdown booking menu. Might be worth emailing them to check?
Edited by Centurion07 on Thursday 19th January 11:55
Although they are not far apart, the train between the two can be surprisingly slow. Took over an hour.
There is also a fast catamaran along the Danube - enjoyed that ride - and it drops you right in the heart of Bratislava. The railway station in Bratislava is a bit out of town - though the number 1 tram is right outside and tickets can be bought from machines.
The old centre of Bratislava is nice enough, pleasant for an afternoon explore. There's a small (very cheap entry) transport museum just by the railway station. It's amusing for an hour, lots of eastern block stuff.
There is also a fast catamaran along the Danube - enjoyed that ride - and it drops you right in the heart of Bratislava. The railway station in Bratislava is a bit out of town - though the number 1 tram is right outside and tickets can be bought from machines.
The old centre of Bratislava is nice enough, pleasant for an afternoon explore. There's a small (very cheap entry) transport museum just by the railway station. It's amusing for an hour, lots of eastern block stuff.
My wife fancied Vienna, but I was open minded about going.
We went for four days 2nd week of December and I was completely won over as it is a truly fabulous city. We had the Christmas markets and lights, but they are not essential? Be advised, take plenty of warm things as when it is cold, there is a biting wind.
I would suggest you try to see the BBC4 3-part series before you go, unfortunately, it started the day after we got back. I am sure that understanding the history a little better would help to fill your days in an understandable chronological order than we did - there is so just much to see.
We used the City tour bus on the first day which gave a great perspective, and helped us decide that we would concentrate within the ring strasse.
We stayed four night and there was more we could have done. If we had been there as long as you plan, we would have been more inclined to drive to the Styrian mountains, rather than Bretislava.
The recent Rick Stein program pointed out that the food is not special, but if you like good old fashioned pub grub, you will be impressed. Vienna Schnitzel covers a large plate and delicious pork ribs come by 1/2-metre. The beer and wines were very enjoyable. There are plenty of good Italian restaurants, as you would expect. Coffee and Strudel at Central Cafe are a must.
We went for four days 2nd week of December and I was completely won over as it is a truly fabulous city. We had the Christmas markets and lights, but they are not essential? Be advised, take plenty of warm things as when it is cold, there is a biting wind.
I would suggest you try to see the BBC4 3-part series before you go, unfortunately, it started the day after we got back. I am sure that understanding the history a little better would help to fill your days in an understandable chronological order than we did - there is so just much to see.
We used the City tour bus on the first day which gave a great perspective, and helped us decide that we would concentrate within the ring strasse.
We stayed four night and there was more we could have done. If we had been there as long as you plan, we would have been more inclined to drive to the Styrian mountains, rather than Bretislava.
The recent Rick Stein program pointed out that the food is not special, but if you like good old fashioned pub grub, you will be impressed. Vienna Schnitzel covers a large plate and delicious pork ribs come by 1/2-metre. The beer and wines were very enjoyable. There are plenty of good Italian restaurants, as you would expect. Coffee and Strudel at Central Cafe are a must.
We did 4 nights in Vienna in late November 2016 and had a day in Bratislava, we went by train and it took about an hour - I like travelling by train anyway as you can see a bit more of the countryside (spoiler - it's green and flat) but maybe the bus is cheaper?
Bratislava is well worth a visit if you have the time but I can't see a reason to spend more than a few hours there if I'm honest. We walked down from the station into the centre of town and it does show you how poor they are/were as a lot of the shops and houses are quite run down (ie that part of the city is a bit of a dump).
Centre of town is a nice place to look around, the Christmas market was friendly and relaxed, Cathedral is pretty, we arrived at 10 and left at 5 and did pretty much everything that's on the list of things to do on TripAdvisor.
Apparently it's cheaper to fly to Bratislava and get the bus to Vienna rather than flying direct to Vienna.
Bratislava is well worth a visit if you have the time but I can't see a reason to spend more than a few hours there if I'm honest. We walked down from the station into the centre of town and it does show you how poor they are/were as a lot of the shops and houses are quite run down (ie that part of the city is a bit of a dump).
Centre of town is a nice place to look around, the Christmas market was friendly and relaxed, Cathedral is pretty, we arrived at 10 and left at 5 and did pretty much everything that's on the list of things to do on TripAdvisor.
Apparently it's cheaper to fly to Bratislava and get the bus to Vienna rather than flying direct to Vienna.
sly fox said:
If going to Vienna -
it's only 90 minutes to Budapest - another fabulous city. Two very close European capitals. Vienna is great but quite small so you could do a day trip to BP easily.
I looked at doing that, but it appeared to be about 3.5hrs by train so decided on Bratislava instead... have I got the timings wrong somehow?it's only 90 minutes to Budapest - another fabulous city. Two very close European capitals. Vienna is great but quite small so you could do a day trip to BP easily.
K50 DEL said:
I looked at doing that, but it appeared to be about 3.5hrs by train so decided on Bratislava instead... have I got the timings wrong somehow?
Actually this was suggested by hotel concierge ( Hotel Bristol Vienna). They gave me a daily rate for their hotel car (S500 merc) and drove us to Budapest and back. Great day out .
It was just under 2 hours drive each way with some traffic. About 150 miles.
I lived in Bratislava for a year, personaly i think its worth a day trip.
depending the time of year you go, if its summer take the boat, but it only runs april to october or somthing.
If not train or bus will take around an hour
Wwont take long to look around, couple hours at most in the old town, then a walk up the hill to (reconstructed) castle, and a trip to the top of the UFO( they say it as a word not as initials, ive had many an argument but gave up) is worth it, if only for the slightly side way motion of the lift as it goes up the arm of the tower. Beer at the top is good too.
Very cheap beer too.
Tick a box and go i say, whilst in the area.
depending the time of year you go, if its summer take the boat, but it only runs april to october or somthing.
If not train or bus will take around an hour
Wwont take long to look around, couple hours at most in the old town, then a walk up the hill to (reconstructed) castle, and a trip to the top of the UFO( they say it as a word not as initials, ive had many an argument but gave up) is worth it, if only for the slightly side way motion of the lift as it goes up the arm of the tower. Beer at the top is good too.
Very cheap beer too.
Tick a box and go i say, whilst in the area.
One thing I forgot to mention in Vienna - whatever you do don't buy a concert ticket from the men dressed in robes outside the opera house, it's this lot...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1...
Thanks all for the tips, just back from a cracking week, think we saw just about all there was to see in both cities though sadly the UFO tower was closed for a private function and the Danube river cruises in Vienna weren't running so we had to make do with the canal.
I loved Vienna on my previous visit (about 30hrs 5 years ago) and this trip has just reinforced my opinion.
A cracking city and well worth a visit.
I loved Vienna on my previous visit (about 30hrs 5 years ago) and this trip has just reinforced my opinion.
A cracking city and well worth a visit.
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