Hi there,
I have decided to do some last-minute solo traveling to Prague at the end of January (for 3-4 days) and I am wondering if I should spend a couple of extra days in Vienna as well (considering how close they are to each other). After searching the forums, it seems like a lot of the feedback on Vienna is a bit lukewarm. Do you think it's worthwhile to go there? Or is there another destination that is close to Prague that a female, solo traveler like myself should go instead?

A couple of final details:

-I love museums and culture
-I love wandering
-I'm a huge nature/scenery lover (but considering the time of year, I don't know if that will really matter).
-I love old churches
-I don't want to waste a lot of time traveling between cities, and I will be traveling by train (no car).
-Oh- and I've already been to Budapest, so that's ruled out.

I would so greatly appreciate any tips you can provide, oh Great Advice Fairies!

f you have extra days that you can spend, might want to take them in Prague...
I've been to Vienna countless times in the past 10 years (relatives live on Landstrasse Haupstrasse), and love it. You might too. Doesn't have the bustle of pre-Christmas or Summer backpackers, but still a center for culture in the heart of Europe. Plenty old churches (Stephan's, et al), single lady traveller friendly...
Get out to the Prater for a beer and some swine-hax in a beer garden.

Gute Reise,
Craig

If you only have 4 days you should spend them in Prague. There is a lot to see and you can do it at a relaxed pace. We spend 6 days in Prague and didn't see everything. Vienna is wonderful, too- but, I'd do that if you had more time - 4 days in Prague and a few more days in Vienna. Vienna is beautiful, too (but Prague is a jewel).

Count me in as another Vienna fan. I've done 13 trips there since 2000 (lasting from a few days to over two weeks) and can always find new things to do and enjoy. I'm going again for two weeks in Feb/March (combined business/leisure). FYI, I find Vienna quite safe for a solo female traveler. I've never been hassled in any way, even late at night.
If you want to enjoy some nature, take the U-bahn out to Schonbrunn and walk in the park; or go to Semmering for a day trip in the snow and fresh air.

If your budget allows stay at:
a) one of the great palace hotels (Grand, Sacher, Imperial, Bristol)..special winter rates start at 220 euros per night
b) one of the leading edge trendy hotels (Style, Le Meridien): winter rates around 150 euros
c) one of the traditional, comfortable favorites (Kaiserin Elisabeth, Konig von Ungarn): winter single rates around 110 euros (inc. breakfast)

Hi A,

Considering your interests, I sugget that you split the time equally between Prague and Vienna.

My 2 cents - skip Vienna. Loved Budapest and Prague. Found Vienna to be overcrowded and a total rip-off. For a trip that short there is plenty to do in Prague, without wasting the travel time.

I did the Vienna and Prague combination a couple of years ago and recommend it, particularly based on what you say you are interested in. Vienna has incredible museums, while Prague is not really a museum town. As for cultute, Vienna of course also has wonderful music, but so does Prague and it's a lot cheaper to go to the opera there, so that's probably less relevant. The primary reason I liked doing them both in a single trip, though, was the real difference in feel between the two cities. Prague is the most beautiful city I have ever been to, and I am very glad I went there, but the historic central old town has become so entirely a tourist-oriented zone, that it is somewhat surreal in its distance from the places and ways in which (I have to assume) the great majority of the actual citizens of Prague live. Vienna is much more a modern, fully functioning city, if you know what I mean, even though it is a city where much of the past is preserved. You don't have the feeling that it is being offered up for your English-speaking amusement. Instead, you feel you are participating in and observing contemporary Viennese life. This was a welcome contrast to the faint discomfort Prague gave me, though let me reiterate, there was much incredibly wonderful about Prague.

Thank you everyone! I actually wouldn't be taking time off my Prague trip to spend time in Vienna; it would be in addition to the 3-4 days in Prague. That's why I was wondering if there was somewhere else I should go instead of Vienna?

I combined Prague/Vienna in a week-long tour a couple years ago. If I did it over again, I'd see Vienna first and then Prague. Prague felt quaint and relaxing to me, a nice place to wander and not feel hustled and bustled. Vienna looks and feels more big city and may not be relaxing to you after Prague. Vienna certainly has some of what you're looking for in its museums, palaces and castles as well as opera and arts offerings. I'm not sure of the train time between the two since I flew between them.

Good luck deciding, I don't think you can go wrong there.

On tour we were in Prague and Vienna, also Budapest and elsewhere in June. Yes, did lots of walking, enjoyed music concerts, museums, etc. We did add Vienna because we had never been there. This once capitol of the Austro-Hungarian Empire has a special elegance of its own, but is different from Prague which is a wonderful place to visit. In both cases you can likely walk or take public transportation everywhere with no fear.

ozarksbill
[email protected]

I must second the notion that Prague, while beautiful and full of very interesting things, really felt over-touristified to me. The Czechs are well aware of what sights in Prague are of most interest to visitors, and may be over-exploiting them at the moment. I was able to see (and enjoy) most of the highlights of the city in the 3.5 days I spent there. It may be different in the Winter, however, and if I ever return to Prague it won't be during the high season.

In my 2 days in Vienna, however, I realized I'd only scratched the surface. It is definitely not a "theme park" for visitors, though, so tourists are not catered to in the same way as they are in Prague. I hope to see Vienna again next year ('07), and I'll definitely plan at least a 3-4 day stay.

Fritzrl

I absolutely love Vienna. Its culture and music are superb. The old churches are amazing. It is an easy city to walk around in, but should you wish to go further afield, the public transport system is outstanding. The celebrations for Mozart's 250th birthday should present some great music for you to listen to. Many's the time I wish I had been born Austrian instead of Scottish.

Vienne is well worth a visit. As mentioned, it was the seat of the Austrio-Hungarian empire. As such, its architecture is designed to impress and it succeeds in a grand fashion. For me, this is reason enough to visit.
The museums are equally first rate.

If you do decide to go: I recommend taking in the Hofburg Palace. I really enjoyed the National Library -- the historic globes are amazing.
Also not to be missed Schoenbrunn Palace and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Good luck!
Carlene

If you haven't been to Vienna in the two years, try to visit the Liechtenstein Museum. IMHO, it's one of the city's finest museums. The building is stunning, the collections outstanding, even the onsite cafe and brasserie are impressive.
http://www.liechtensteinmuseum.at/en/pages/home.asp