Margie2

We have booked our flights and hotels, but do not know the best way to get from city to city. Our itinerary is:

Berlin - Aug 31 – Sep 4th
Prague – Sep 4th – Sep 8th
Vienna – Sep 8th – Sep 10th
Budapest – Sep 10th – Sep 13th

Other questions:
- If we go to Dresden should we spend the night and then continue onto Prague or see it as a day trip from Berlin?
- Any recommendations of 'must sees' in each city?

Thanks so much!

Margie

Dukey1

IMO, the best way to get there would be by rail: Berlin to Dresden (I would spend the night) to Prague to Vienna to Budapest.

adrienne

The best way between cities is the train.

Dresden is too far from Berlin for a day trip and it's on the way to Prague so the best thing is to take an early train and have most of the day in Dresden and stay overnight.

Or, take an evening train from Dresden to Prague. There's one at 7pm, getting in to Prague at 9:30.

<< Any recommendations of 'must sees' in each city? >>

Dozens and dozens of places that are must see. It's best if you do some initial research and then ask for advice rather than having people post long lists of sights that you can get from guide books.

PalenQ

Since the train time between Berlin and Prague is not that great now you could also get off a Dresden, put your bags in a station locker and spend a few hours looking over this wonderful town - just a few hours is better than none if hurried for time - if not stay overnight - but a day trip from Berlin is backtracking and meaning more time on the train and more in train fares.

The order you have the ducks lined up in is great - fly into Berlin and out of Budapest if reasonably priced - so-called open jaw ticket.

For lots of great info on trains in Eastern Europe check out these IMO fantastic sites: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

It will probably cost more to interrupt your Berlin-Prague trip at Dresden if buying saver tickets which are, I believe, often a flat fare - like from 29 euros so you would need two 29 euro tickets if I have it right - not positive but think it works that way - cannot stop off on a discounted ticket. Full fare is not that much on this route so maybe a fully flexible ticket with which you can interrupt your journey is worth it in that case (vs 2 discounted tickets).

Dukey1

Dresden is almost exactly half way, train-wise, between Berlin and Prague. Travel time from Berlin to Prague is about 2 hrs 20 minutes and likewise from Dresden to Prague.

ashwinb

Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest is easily possible by a bus, they are usually cheaper than trains,and are quite comfortable.
In Vienna, the National Library is a must see,in Prague, the towers and the views across the river, and schwarzenbersky palác in Prague. You can hav a look at my triplog here: ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com/my-travels-2/central-europe-austria-and-czech-republic/austria-and-prague/

PalenQ

Vienna to Budapest I believe is also possible by hydrofoil on the Danube - may cost more than a bus or train but a neat way to go.

PalenQ

Travel time from Berlin to Prague is about 2 hrs 20 minutes and likewise from Dresden to Prague.>

I do believe Dukey2 mean Berlin to Dresden is 2 hrs 20 min not Berlin to Prague, just to clear that.