I'm considering round trip Houston to Milan, train to Lakes and Venice, driving Venice to Budapest (love Budapest!) and flying back to Milan. I have NO knowledge of what the trip would be like renting a car and driving from Venice to Budapest. Is there anyone out there that could help? Thanks in advance.

Why drive back to Milan? Why not fly out of Budapest?

We can't fly into or out of Budapest because we're using Continental free miles and they don't fly to Budapest. It would have been nice.

- <BR>Bruce: <BR> <BR>Have you asked Continental if one of the European carriers who does fly into Budapest have a partnership agreement with them? For instance, does Alitalia fly to Budapest & would they allow you to use Continental miles?

took a 2 week driving Europe trip in May (3rd time). Germany, Austria, Italy. could not drive to Budapest because of rental car restrictions. I'll have to go back as I really wanted to see Budapest, but will make sure the car co. will allow the trip. My sister went 6 mos. earlier, using the same car co. and was able to drive there. <BR>Enjoy!

Fodors <BR> <BR>I'm no motorist, but the road through Austrria might well be the better choice, as this gives you only one frontier stop, Austria - Hungary, whereas the way through Zagreb gives you three frontiers. Both routes include good mountain scenery, and the Zagreb route can include the attractive northern shore of Lake Balaton.. If you sleep on trains you can have a berth in a 3-berth compartment, with full bedding, and a washbasin in the compartment . In January the return fare with sleeper supplements Venice, Budapest, Venice was 232 US dollars. Times are these: leave Venice Santa Lucia 2122, arrive Budapest 1208: leave Budapest 1735, change and breakfast at Venice Mestre 0909 to 1012, Milan Central 1255. I'm afraid you'll need packed meals, as the night train has no restaurant car. <BR> <BR>For 306 dollars return trip including sleepers you can travel via Vienna, with a restaurant car each way between Vienna and Budapest, Venice Santa Lucia 2045, change at Vienna South 0626 to 0646, Budapest 0918. And westbound Budapest Keleti 1854, Vienna 2125 to 2234, Venice Mestre 0836 to 0854, Milan 1155. This may be the better route for avoiding visas and midnight frontier checks for Slovenia and Croatia: it is certainly the faster. <BR> <BR>Your trip makes a long day journey via Slovenia and Croatia, though this time the trains have restaurant cars. Venice Santa Lucia 0814, Budapest Keleti 2143: Budapest 0750 Venice Mestre 2135 to 2217, Milan Lambrate 0127. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome back to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>