Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Help needed/wanted to central/east Europe

Help needed/wanted to central/east Europe

Old Apr 24th, 2017, 07:28 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help needed/wanted to central/east Europe

Hello everyone,

My brother and I are planning our second trip this coming late September or early October. Well, it suppose to be both of us but his girlfriend decided to join us and I have as one of my good buddy to tag along. So, it will be four of us.

Last year, with the help of many of you, me and my had a wonderful trip to Italy, Amsterdam, Paris and London. This year, we are thinking to go central/east of Europe. We do not know where to start and where should we end. Could anyone please help us with the itinerary? I would be very grateful for your help, opinion and feedbac
This is how I figure out :

Kuala Lumpur - Berlin - Prague - Budapest - Vienna - Salzbury - Switzerland - Kuala Lumpur

My question are :
1) Is there a better way than the itinerary above?
2) Could you enlighten me which one should I use the train and which one should I use flight?
3) Which part of Switzerland should I visit? (because there is Zurich, Bern, Lucern, Basel and Gimmerwald?
4) How many days should we spend in each city? (Basically we have 18-21 days for our holiday)

My brother wanted to go to Germany in October because of the October Fest. I don't think Berlin is celebrating it, isn't it?

I can't think of any more questions right yet as this is just the preliminary brainstorming draft. We need your input to pen down an itinerary.

Thank you for your contribute.

Steven Chong
Kuala Lumpur
hits20 is offline  
Old Apr 24th, 2017, 09:43 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Steven, I would leave Switzerland out of this trip. Not enough time. Also - look at a map - it is too far out of the neat linear trajectory that you're aiming for, and there is much more to see and visit in Switzerland than the few names you have mentioned. Even Salzburg is questionable in the time you have.

About transportation: Trains will get you neatly from place to place in the order you list, except that going from Prague to Budapest takes you through Vienna, then you backtrack from Budapest to Vienna.

You could fly from Prague to Budapest, that would save a bit of time and save on the backtracking.

I suggest booking your flights from KL to Berlin and home from Vienna to KL.

Unless you fly from Prague to Budapest, after Prague, spend a few nights in Vienna, take the train to Budapest and back to Vienna, and if there is time left, go spend a night or two in Salzburg. The train from Vienna takes about 2 ½ hours.

Map out the nights and where you spend them, that's better than counting days in which places. It takes two nights to have one full day in a place..(but you knew that).

For good advice on trains in Europe look to www.seat61.com.

For timetables on your planned journey look at www.bahn.de, and -for the Austrian portion - at www.oebb.at

For flights from Prague to Budapest start with www.czechairlines.com/, www.smartwings.com/en, Bulgaria Air (https://www.air.bg/en), then it's www.skyscanner.net or www.whichbudget.com etc.
michelhuebeli is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2017, 02:26 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Come to think of it, look for flights home from Budapest and do your trip in this order: Berlin - Prague - Vienna (optional sidetrip Salzburg) - Budapest - KL

But if it turns out that flights from KL to Berlin and home from Budapest (or Vienna) to KL are way more expensive than a straight return ticket KL>European arrival/departure hub>KL, be aware that Europe is chock-full of budget airlines. The biggest expense of your transportation budget will be the flight from KL to Europe and back, so I suggest you look at the best fare to wherever - London or Paris or Frankfurt or Amsterdam or another one of the other really big international hubs.

Then look for a cheap flight from there to Berlin, or maybe (in the case Frankfurt or Amsterdam at least) a train ride to Berlin.

And if it is cheaper to have a return ticket into and from the same European hub, then look for cheap flights to get back there, from Vienna or from Budapest.

Google "budget airlines" and Low-Cost Airlines" for Europe, and look them up at www.skyscanner.net and www.whichbudget.com and other such search sites.

Good luck!
michelhuebeli is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2017, 02:51 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is there a better way than the itinerary above?
2) Could you enlighten me which one should I use the train and which one should I use flight?>

1-Yes that is a logical itinerary order.

Trains for sure -as quick as flying or quicker often- can take overnight trains on some segments like Prague to Budapest. For lots of great stuff on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2017, 02:54 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Berlin - Prague - Budapest - Vienna - Salzburg - Switzerland - say 18 days - need to drop something -like Switzerland or Budapest and Prague. Still ambitious- I'd say you'd want at least 3 days in Berlin and Vienna - 2 in Prague and Budapest - maybe drop Salzburg.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2017, 03:07 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi...

I want to thank both of you, @michelhuebeli and @PalenQ, for your input. I thou no one will answer my questions. Thank you.

After much consideration and a little homework, I have drafted a plan. Please tell me whether if this works because I will do full 21 days trip.

October 5th, Kuala Lumpur to Berlin
(We will arrive in Berlin on Oct 5th morning cos we will gain a day)

October 7th, Berlin to Prague (evening train)

October 11th, Prague to Budapest (night train)

October 15th, Budapest to Vienna (morning train)

October 17th, Vienna to Zurich (morning flight)

October 17th, Zurich to Lucerne (noon train)

October 20th, Lucerne back to Zurich (morning train)

October 22nd, Zurich to Rhine Fall and Lake Titisee for day trip.

October 22nd, Lake Titisee to Munich or Frankfurt.

October 24th, Munich/Frankfurt back to Kuala Lumpur.

I know we are a bit ambitious, hahaha..., but does this plan works. We have dropped Salzburg. I have to get in and out from Germany for a cheaper flight fare because if I leave from Zurich, my fare will increased 40% more.

Thanks again for your information. Waiting for your reply.

Cheers,
Steven
hits20 is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2017, 10:43 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Looks fine if Oct 22nd the first one is the 21st!

I'd go right from Lucerne to Rhine Falls.

BTW I have a Chinese college student from Malaysia living in my house -super nice!
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2017, 10:57 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi...

Thank you @PalenQ for the suggestion. One question, could we do Rhine Fall and Lake Titisee for a day trip?

Anyway, if you do come to Kuala Lumpur for a visit, I will bring you around to try our Malaysian food like nasi lemak, curry laksa, assam laksa, banana leaf indian rice, durian, cendol, air batu campur, chee cheung fun, fried kuew teow and a whole lot more.

Most Malaysian are nice people.


Cheers,
Steven
hits20 is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2017, 10:58 PM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi @SamuelMcollum,

Thanks for the tip. Will check on it.
hits20 is offline  
Old Apr 28th, 2017, 12:39 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you @PalenQ for the suggestion. One question, could we do Rhine Fall and Lake Titisee for a day trip?>

From Zurich? Not practical but if you will stay in Black Forest area fine.
PalenQ is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ccatone
Europe
5
Feb 20th, 2016 01:23 PM
Rthomson
Europe
27
Jan 26th, 2011 12:22 PM
anna74
Europe
5
Dec 13th, 2005 04:50 PM
h2babe
Europe
14
Dec 9th, 2004 09:22 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -