samejia

My daughter is studying abroad in Copenhagen and is finalizing her plans for her travel break. While the kids try to do way too much, I'm trying to help plan in order to maximize her time. The plan now is to fly from Copenhagen to Berlin for a weekend. Then, she'd take a train from Berlin to Prague and meet up with some friends. Spend 2 1/2 days in Prague and then the night train to Budapest giving her 2 full days there before flying back to Copenhagen. There's only 1 airline that flies back to CPH on a Friday or Saturday. I have a separate post on that!

Is there a more efficient way to handle this intinerary? She's going to be exhausted and when she arrives back in CPH, she'll be joining my family as we travel to Norway and Sweden. She'll be able to rest up with 3 nights in Bergen before heading up to the ice hotel for a couple of days.

Ingo

She won't get much sleep on the night train I guess, and she's gonna be very tired once in Budapest. Not reasonable IMO, but that's what the young folks/students are always doing, LOL. No, I don't think there's a more economical way to do *this*. I personally would scratch Budapest from the list, though. Too much.

Echnaton

The night train to Budapest departs at 0:37 and arrives at 8:32. She will be very exhausted after her arrival in Budapest. Night trains are extremely noisy and I agree that she won't get much sleep on the train, if any.

I would take the 15:39 train which arrives at 22:32 and get a sound sleep at the hotel after the train ride. But I am older..

samejia

Thanks for the train tips. If the girls actually try to do all 3 cities, are there certain things that 20 year olds shouldn't miss? I am researching all the major sites but maybe there's a cool thing for that age group.

adrienne

I've always slept extremely well on night trains so it's possible your daughter will get a good night's sleep. I assume she's booking a couchette (upper berth) and not trying to sleep sitting up in a seat (not recommended).

Tell her to bring bottled water on the train to brush her teeth with and bring snacks as the food on trains (if there is any food available) will be expensive. She should be very careful with her belongings and not leave her purse hanging on a hook or in any way accessible.

In Prague she might enjoy the mirror maze. I've not done this since I would probably freak but it sounds interesting.

samejia

Thanks for your reply, Andrienne. My daughter would probably like the mirror maze. Good tips on the overnight train!

yorkshire

I also sleep like a baby on overnight trains--although I would not do this in my 30s, for a "youngster" it'll be fine.
For things to do, have her check http://www.inyourpocket.com/hungary/budapest
and
http://www.inyourpocket.com/czech-republic/prague.

samejia

Yorksire, thanks for your reply. Liked the inyourpocket tips! My daughter will be going to Budpest by bus/van. One of the girls evidently has booked something. Still haven't gotten all the details but it's not a night train.

LakesideChick

I did 2 overnight trains last year, one in Russia and one from Switzerland to Berlin. The Russian one was in an open carriage and although it was a fun night, with the snoring and the train stopping and starting etc I didnt get alot of sleep. One the second train we started in a seat (no beds were available) and it was AWFUL, noisy, uncomfortable. Because of the beautiful conductor we were moved into a room that was designed for wheelchair users (but was vacant for this trip)... thten I had a great nights sleep. I guess the point I am making is that if your daughter can book a couchette in a 2 berth / 4 berth she has a chance of sleep, but open carriages and seats are awful for sleeping. Hope she has a great trip