walkaroundgirl

Hello

I am planning a 2 week in Poland/Hungary ... I definitely want to visit Krakow for mainly the concentration camp, and salt mines. I am thinking 4 days should be enough? Another 3/4 days in Budapest, definitely wanna do the baths. ( sorry, I haven't really look into the major attractions)

But am sure there are other small towns that would be interesting to stop over. Can anyone suggest maybe 2 or 3 so that I can fit in my schedule? I intend to visit in Feb or March.

Re: safety issue in Hungary. I read some posts that raise that concern. I am not sure if this is true. I had been to other Eastern European countries, like Czech. I felt quite safe while there. I am wondering if Hungary and Poland are the same for single female traveler?

Also, any suggestion at a cheaper airport to fly into ...I check the cheapest flight from Sydney to Krakow will cost around AUD$2300, not much cheaper for Budapest. ( I know, Australia is far from everywhere ...) I am thinking about flying into somewhere, then I can reach either destination via train..? any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thank you!!

cdnyul

Are yow able or willing to rent a car for a day?

Mark

cdnyul

Sorry about the typo.
Mark

walkaroundgirl

Mark, I am holing a provisional licence here in Australia, which means am not a full licence. I don't know if with provisional licence, I will be able to hire a car?? If yes, definitely.

isabel

Have you considered flying in/out of London and they flying easyjet from there to Krakow (and Budabest). I was having trouble working Krakow into an itinerary due to cost of flights and length of train trips and I found very reasonable flights from Krakow to London. From the US flights to London are cheaper than many other places in Europe, don't know about Australia but something to consider.

Have not been to Krakow yet (it's this summer I am going) but I loved Budapest. I was there as a single female travelor and had no worries about safety. I spent a week there and was not bored. I can highly recommend the B&B I stayed at. http://www.budabab.com/

adrienne

Krakow - if you also plan to tour Wawel then I would extend your stay to 5 days. There is lots to do in Krakow and Auschwitz and the Salt Mine both take more than half a day. I recommend visiting them on different days and combining something in Krakow for the balance of the day. Wawel also takes a good amount of time.

Have you checked the fares to Warsaw? From the airport you can take a train to the main train station and then a fast train (about 3 hours) to Krakow.

walkaroundgirl

Isabel
thanks, I checked, its close to $800 cheaper to fly to London than Krakow/Budapest!! That is crazy...I might take your advice on this...
Have a great trip in Krakow, looking forward to reading your report at your return!!

Thanks, going to check out the B&B. To be honest, I am already excited

walkaroundgirl

Adrienne
Yes, I think it would be a full day for Auschwitz, and at least half day for the Salt Mine. I will check out Wawel too!! thanks!

Unfortunately, the fares to Warsaw is just a bit cheaper than Krakow. I might fly to London and then get budget airline to Krakow. Unless I snap some super super good deal!!

adrienne

Here's a link to my Polish trip report. I went to the Salt Mine and Wawel on a previous trip. Krakow is near the end.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-report.cfm?61

walkaroundgirl

Adrienne

Thanks heaps! really enjoyed reading your report on Poland!! Love the photos too, such a beautiful country!

cdnyul

This a 140km drive starting and ending in Krakow.
Krakow to Modlenica/ Jerzanowica/Olkusz/Rabsztyn/Pilica/Smolen /Wolbrom/ Glanow/Sciborzyce/Wysocice/Michalowice and Krakow.

Along the way you can see castle ruins, visit caves and old silver mines, pass though some of most breathtaking scenery in Poland, baroque and renaissance churches and monasteries.

You also get a chance to reflect on some of the more recent history.

http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhib...ctions/olkusz/

Mark