suprachiasmatic

I'm planning to take a trip through Central Europe in June, and it will be my first time as a young solo female traveler. I have traveled quite a bit before but never alone. I plan on using a combination of a Eurail pass and bus to get from place to place.

I'm interning in Geneva for the summer, so I start in Geneva and have to return to Geneva, which is a bit of a hassle.

My tentative itinerary (4 cities in 9 days) is:
Fly into Geneva
Take overnight train that night to Berlin (Will reserving a seat be difficult for a Friday night?)
2.5 days, 2 nights in Berlin
2 days, 1 night each in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and taking overnight bus to each
Train from Budapest back to Geneva (entire day)

I'm considering cutting Budapest (just because it's the farthest from Geneva) and adding a day to both Prague and Vienna. I really really really want to visit Budapest, but I don't want to be too overwhelmed and exhausted (especially with all the overnight buses) during my first solo trip and right before my internship. I realize that three days in each city is already really short as it is, but I know I'll be back in Europe again (possibly quite soon), so I just want to get a taste of the cities and go back to the ones I really like. Should I cut Budapest (or another city)?

Any general tips or suggestions about any of these places would be appreciated. I'll be on a budget, so anything free (already looking into the free walking tours) or cheap would be nice. I enjoy art, traditional food, museums (to some extent), flea markets, vintage shopping, cemeteries and just wandering around. Thanks!

rialtogrl

I think it is too much. Cut Budapest and save it for another day. It deserves more time, anyway...

Will you be in Berlin on a Sunday? The flea market at the Mauerpark is AWESOME.. it is huge.

adrienne

Definitely cut out one of your cities - probably Budapest. Four places in 9 days is a lot.

I stayed in Prague 6 at a pension that included a good breakfast for about $50 per night for a single room. If you're interested and if this meets your budget I'll look up the info for you. You take the tram from either the Charles Bridge or the next bridge (near the metro) and the tram lets you off right in front of the pension. It's about a 15 minute ride into the old quarter. The area is mostly residential and very safe. You get a key to the outside door so you can come and go as you like.

There are lots of young people hanging out in Old Town Square so you should be able to make some friends. Walk away from Old Town Square to buy food as it's very expensive there. There are plenty of sandwich/pizza options.

If you'll be staying in hostels I would recommend booking right away as June is only a few days away and these are popular cities.