Munich and Prague
 

Hi!
I am planning a trip to Munich during Oktoberfest 2015 then to Prague (or vice versa). I've never been to either location so don't know which to visit first, what to see while there, best way to get from city to city...anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. Some of my party is staying 8 nights but I am considering 14 nights. What other locations would you recommend? Thank you!

You can get from Munich to Prague by train from just 19 euros, booked at www.cd.cz/eshop - you print your own ticket, booking opens 60 days ahead.

There are 4 direct ALEX trains every day from Munich Hbf to Prague Hlavni, two with a bistro car, see http://www.seat61.com/munich-to-prague-by-train.htm for times.

There are also buses, they actually cost more, even though they take slightly less time thanks to an ugly new motorway, if you don't mind slumming it in a long-distance bus. Personally, I'd stick to a proper train every time.

I would tend to agree that using the train to get between Munich and Prague is as good a way as any.

Not sure if you might also be interested in visiting Nurnberg and as to Munich, will you be doing any days out trips to the castle/palaces, etc? Those can also be done by rail.

Re Oktoberfest. If you want to stay in a hotel in town be aware that as you might expect, prices will be higher but more importantly be prepared to book early as <B>in even now</B> (better to book and be able to cancel than to not find a decent accommodation).

If you are staying 14 days I would add Vienna after Prague - very close and tons to see/do - but not sure if you have already been there.

Direct buses take nearly an hour less than the train - I normally am a rail nut like Man in Seat 61 but cannot be blind to the fact that one less hour on a train or bus is worth the less comfy buses - but several folks here have taken the bus and said it was comfy.

For lots on German and Czech trains check out Man in Seat 61's commercial site www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

and except for a very few direct ALEX trains all other rail links include a bus from Prague to Nurnberg where you have to Schlepp your bags from the bus to the train station - a few-minute walk - I'd take the direct bus anyday over that.

Or a direct ALEX train yet there seem to be very few of these. Yet these run with big gaps in their schedules so the departure time may not suit your own schedule.

ALEX trains are regional trains I believe and perhaps not even as comfy as the bus? (regional trains I've been on are much less comfy that proper long-distance ICE trains in Germany.

I've done Munich to Prague via train and via bus. I prefer
trains, but the bus ride to Prague was fine. A host on the bus
serves refreshments, and I found it somewhat more comfortable
than a train compartment.

One rail possibility, with stops, (open jaw; fly into Munich, fly out of Prague) is;

Munich-----------> Salzburg-----------> Vienna---------> Prague
----------1 1/2 hrs--------------2 1/2 hrs------------5 hrs


There are various day trip possibilities from each of these places.

On a good day in Munich, you can see the Alps.

In Vienna, a nice day trip is to ride down the Danube in the morning for a day in Bratislava, and back up to Vienna in the evening.

Dresden is an easy two hour train ride from Prague. It is well worth two or three days. But, for a nice day trip, take an early train up, and a late train back to Prague.

In both Munich & Prague I used http://www.neweuropetours.eu/
-free tours; just tip guide at end

In Munich stayed at 1 of their 4 hotels:
www.motel-one.com

Thank you everyone - keep suggestions for sights in and around both cities coming.

Dukey1 - Yes, I would like to get outside of Munich for a day or two and a castle is definitely on my list of things to do! You recommend Nuremburg??

nytraveler - Vienna is definitely on the 14 day list. Was also considering Budapest - thoughts??

Close to munich I would recommend Salzburg and Berchtesgaden(for the mountains). Do have a look at my trip report, last year, covering Austria,Prague and Munich.
https://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com...ia-and-prague/

Nuremberg IMO is a great day trip in general and especially if you are interested in the largest intqact collection of Third Reich relics in Germany - in the old Nazi Parade Grounds a few kms south of the town center (S-Bahns go right there).

I found it fascinating - like the balcony from which Hitler famously and pompously reviewd goose-stepping Nazi troops on the long parade alley is still there as is the stadium and other edifices in what was the epicenter of Nazi exuberance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_party_rally_grounds

We day-tripped from Munich to Salzburg one day, and Neuschwanstein (sp?) castle another day. It is very easy via train.

In Munich, I can highly recommend the Hotel Uhland, which is about one block from the Oktoberfest park. It will book up quickly, as it's a small boutique hotel. Very nice people, good rates, free bikes to borrow, free parking, breakfast included.

From Munich we took the train to Prague. We had arrived in Munich by train from Vienna.