I will be travelling solo to Prague for 5 days and Budapest for 2 in July. Is it worth it for me to hire a private tour guide? I've read wonderful reviews on Fodors, and have even jotted names down, but if I am not mistaken, the cost is about $24/hr. I heard that Prague is a pretty compact city that we can explore on feet, so that's what I was thinking of doing.

Can't imagine why you would need a private guide. Both cities are perfectly easy to negotiate on your own. If you want - you can pick up brief walking tours of certain areas (we did an architectural tour of the old town in Prague) that are very inexpensive. But its all very easy to do on your own.

Thanks for your input nytraveler. Anyone else?

Just returned from both cities. nytraveler is correct. No need for a private guide at all. I normally join a "3 hour tour" locally to get the local input and in some cases even go back after the tour to slowly take it in.
Have a great trip.

I'll have to disagree with everyone so far. I would highly recommend a guide for Prague. Yes, you can see it on your own. We took an all-day tour with Sarka Pelantova and learned so much more than if we would have done it on our own. She speaks perfect English and is just delightful. She can be reached at [email protected], her website is www.prague-guide.info . Her rates were very reasonable.

LLC- If you dont mind my asking, but how much did you pay for the guide? I will be alone, that's why I am debating whether it's worth it for me to pay $25/hr because I think the cost would have been the same for 1-2 people.