Hi there,

My husband and I are flying into Prague and will also be staying a few days in Vienna. Our total trip is 12 days long and we're trying to divide and see a lot, yet not overwhelm ourselves by trying to pack in too much.

We'd like to stay in clean, economical places in central locations. Any thoughts?? We can get pretty basic with hotel accommodations and would rather spend money on doing things.

Once we went to New Zealand and Australia for 2 months. The front part of our stay was top notch and the last 5 weeks, we bought a car appropriately called "Rusty" and traveled the south island of NZ. When it was all said and done, the back end of our trip proved more adventurous and exciting, although I wouldn't discount the high end experience on the front end of the trip.

While in Vienna and Prague, we'd like to get the most experience and be in central locations! That is the main thing so I'm not sure how much money to budget for on hotels.

Any suggestions are very well appreciated!

Have not been to Prague, but went to Vienna twice and the first time we stayed at the Hotel Austria - Address: Fleischmarkt 20 . We loved it. It's a modest and a real old-fashioned hotel right in the old part of the city. On a quite street and yet just 3 blocks from the tram, underground and taxi stand. Get a room facing the courtyard and it'll be very quiet. Breakfast comes as part of the price.

Good price/deal for a friendly, clean hotel in the middle of Vienna. Would definitely go back.

Web site : www.hotelaustria-wien.at

How many days do you spend in Vienna? Hopefully 3 or more. If so, I can recommend an apartment which is much cheaper than a hotel. What are your interests while in Wien?

We just got back from Prague. Had a great stay at the pension www.dientzenhofer.cz, email [email protected]. They met us at the airport. Perfect location close to the Charles Bridge and some of the best restaurants, s. a David and Kampa Park.

To visit: All major concert halls are beautiful (interiors and exteriors) although the quality of performances is not top notch. Still worth a visit though.

The highlight for me was the Jewish Quarter and all of the phenomenally preserved sinagogues. I would recommend Whittman Tours. http://www.wittmann-tours.com/



-e

We will be in Vienna Sept 24, 25 and 26th. There is a chance that we might not arrive until the 25th though. We will be traveling from Berno in Czech Republic and I'm not sure how long it will take to travel to Vienna. We must be in Berno for Monday, no later than 5pm.

Thanks for all of the help. If apartment is more economical and can rent for 2-3 days, we'd be fine with that. I contacted the hotel that Kenav recommended and not only do they not have rooms available for that far in advance, the rate is 145 Euro. Is that what we should expect for basic accommodations in Vienna.......kind of pricey!

Hotel Austria pirce you quote is higher than I thought it would be.

I saw a different web site for it, try:
vienna.lodgingaustria.com/Austria/#prices

Price on this web site for the dates you want is 129 euros for double.

Oops - just looked again, and room is 136 euros. I'd e-mail them directly and ask them, rather than just looking at the web site. I've gotten better prices for other hotels when I've done this.

Whatever you do, have a great time.

Try the apartments Augarten:
http://tinyurl.com/2vf3g5
Beatrix Walkner and her family have 5 apartments which are about 15 min or less by walking from city center or you can catch a tram. Around 75 euro a night. Great place, they have a little restaurant on the ground floor as well. Look to our site for places to eat and drink, click on "Links"
http://austria.starkeconcepts.com/

We stayed at the Pension Pertschy in Vienna, right in the center, and loved being able to walk everywhere. It was reasonable, as I recall.

Pension Pertschy or Suzanne run close to 100 euro or more a night. The poster is looking for something less expensive, which is why I recommended an apartment. You can also cook in the apartments and further save money.

The OP said <i>&quot;we'd like to get the most experience and be in central locations! That is the main thing so I'm not sure how much money to budget for on hotels.&quot;</i>, which is why I answered as I did. She may want to opt for an apartment, but wanted to mention an alternative or two.

We stayed at Pension Suzanne last year. It is located just a block from the Opera House - really unbeatable location. If you're willing to stay in their double twin room (ie 2 twin beds), it's about &euro;100/night <b>including</b> breakfast.

My take is, if you're only going to be in Vienna for 2-3 days, my personal preference would be stay right in town. On our trip, we returned to Pension Suzanne each evening for a rest before going out for concerts/dinner. And because of its central location, we were able to walk to everywhere without taking public transportation.

noe847;
Wasn't putting down your suggestion. I have heard great things about these pensions on a variety of boards. In my opinion an apartment is an excellent experience, and is an option we use every time we go to Wien.

No, Operaman, I didn't think you were putting down my suggestion, I just didn't read ally01's question as limiting herself to something under 100euros. Seems she wants central, and checking a few 'reasonable' central options will give her an idea of how to budget. At least that's how I read it We've never done an apartment in Vienna (3 visits) but it does sound intriguing.

noe847;
Central location is good and I know of some good apartments right near the Staatsoper that are wonderful here is the site: http://tinyurl.com/ggc8a
You may want to consider this for your next visit. The Dushel family are great landlords and the apartments are fantastic. The apartments Augarten are also very good, just a bit out of city center, and a nice walk in to the Ring. We love to do a night or two of cooking in and it is great to shop at the local Billa or Spar...quite an experience as well. We have also stayed out in Floridsdorf (15 min by S-bahn from Wien Mitte) excellent apts at great prices and not a tourist in sight!

I'm going to agree with Operaman and say that the Duschel apartments are wonderful! We stayed there for 100 euro a night - no need for a car at all and the U takes you everywhere on the outer perimeters.

I would recommend staying at Arcadia in Prague.

I selected it based on postings from this board and it is rated #1 on trip advisor - It far exceeded my expectations!!

http://www.arcadiaresidence.com/

The rooms are very cute and include a small kitchen. They are located in VYŠEHRAD. Vysehrad is a beautiful area with very few tourists. Great sunsets overlooking the castle.

They also have apartments at the Castle and in the Old Town(no breakfast served at the apartments though).

The owner is amazing - very customer service oriented. He's from Italy. He provides rides to and from the airport, maps, tram tickets, tram schedules, has books on Prague (no Fodors but has Rick Steves and National Geographic), power converters, internet cables, etc, etc.

His mother is equally amazing (if not more amazing). She makes home cooked breakfast including an amazing tiramasu.

Laundry available for longer term stays. 5 minute tram ride/10 to 15 minute walk to the Charles Bridge. Internet in all rooms at no charge.

Rooms are very good size for Europe. No A/C but each room has a large fan. Great water pressure in the shower.

Linda, I read your review (and enjoyed it very much) but I seem to remember that you or someone said that it was a 200 steps up to the apartment. Did I dream that?

operaman. where have you been? It's been awhile since I have seen you here.

cigalechanta,
I'm still here. I have just moved from Oregon to Boulder, CO. We have just moved my 88 yr old mother in with us as well and she is making the transition from Southern California to this wonderful city. It has been a busy time, plus there has not been much for me to respond to in the Austria section. I also post quite a bit on Tripadvisor in the Vienna section under the name operettaman. I may be in Boulder, but my heart is still in Wien! Thanks for checking on me. How are things with you?