littlehouse

Hello Everyone!
My hubby, best friend and I are planning a trip to Europe for next summer. We want to go to Salzburg, Vienna, Prague and possibly Budapest. Here is my time line:
May 25 Leave US
May 26 land in Munich & train to Salzburg
May 26-29 Salzburg and out laying towns (Hallstat)
May 30 Leave Salzburg & train to Vienna (how long a train ride is it?)
May 30-June 3 Vienna and out laying towns (Krems)
June 3 Leave Vienna & train to Prague (again how long on train?)
June 3-6 Prague
June 6 Leave Prague train to Budapest (train time?)
June 6-9 Budapest
June 9 Leave for US

We've never been to any of these countries but have traveled to Europe before. Our main interests are Austria and Prague. Budapest was just an afterthought.

Should we scratch Budapest and just spend time an extra day in Vienna and Prague? I know you can take a boat ride to Budapest from Vienna. Is Budapest closer to Vienna than Prgaue is? Sorry so many questions!

Thanks so much for any help you can give, everyone's always so helpful here!!
Amy

stardust

Hi Amy!

It looks like a good itinerary to me.

If you want to be more aware of geography and distances, check a site like www.mappy.com

Vienna lies more or less in the middle between Prague and Budapest. Vienna-Prague: 330 km by road, Vienna-Budapest: 250 km by road.

For train schedules, check www.bahn.de (click "English" in the left bar where you can look for train schedules).

Salzburg to Vienna: 2,5 to 3,5 hours, depending on the train. No changes

Vienna to Prague: 4,5 to 6,5 hours, depending on the train. 0 or 1 changes.

Prague to Budapest: 6,5 hours for the fast, direct train.

So as you can see these trains go quite slow. Perhaps it could be worth renting a car for (part of)your trip, as you're 3 people. Especially if you like to do side trips in the country side.

SAnParis

There is a bunch of posts on here regarding this area, & similar trips. I would spend more time in Munich & either daytrip to Salzburg or stop over on the way through. Lots of great places near Prague as well. W/only two full non-travel days, I would probably leave Budapest out. From Vienna it is also an easy to day trip to Bratislava. Linz is also a good stop en route.

JoeTro

Check whichbudget.com for flights ... I think there are budget flights from Prague to Budapest.

littlehouse

Thanks all! I do think we'll leave Budapest out and try some day trips from Prague and Vienna. I may do more research and spend a day or two in Munich. Would 2 days be enough time in Munich?
Thanks again!

littlehouse

Hey Paris! I'm guessing that Linz is in Austria as well. I don't have an atlas handy right now and where's Bratislava?

basingstoke1

The train Vienna to Prague was about 3.5 hours when I took it this past October. When you get to Prague, beware of the taxis. Rip offs are common. AAA and City Taxi are reliable. Better yet, have your hotel arrange a car to meet you. Could cost a bit more but worth it.

littlehouse

Thanks for the tip basingstoke1! Where did you stay in Prague? I noticed some of the hotels offered train or airport pickup!!

basingstoke1

I stayed at the Hotel Kampa Garden located on Kampa Island which is an ideal location. The hotel is a 3 star and IMHO an excellent value. It came out to about $100 in October dropping to $65 in November. See my previous postings regarding this hotel and/or the Trip Advisor reviews almost all of which are very positive (one negative review is actually for a different hotel with a similar name). The hotel arranged pick up at the train station. I not remember the cost, but it was acceptable. BTW, Linz is in Austria and there is a smaller Linz in Germany. Bratislava is in Slovakia.

SAnParis

Bratislava is right over the border in Slovakia (from Vienna), maybe an hour trip. Linz is on the River (en route) between Salzburg - Vienna. I use Best Westerns a lot in Europe. They are nothing like they are in the states & are typically in good locations & less expensive than many other options. eapoe

Giovanna

We visited Prague, Vienna and Budapest three years ago and it was one of our favorite European trips. I compiled a long file on each place when planning our trip and would be pleased to send it to you. If you're interested, please e-mail me.

By the way, don't be so quick to eliminate Budapest from your itinerary. We liked it better than Vienna!

littlehouse

Giovanna-You've been emailed!! Thanks so much in advance.

basingstoke1-will check out your hotel recommedation.

Paris-Will also look in the BW because based on the ones here, would never think of them there.

You guys are great!
Amy

basingstoke1

SAnParis makes a good point about BW hotels in Europe. Based on the chain here, one would tend to avoid them, but in Europe they are independent entities and tend to be quite nice. We enjoyed the BW in Amsterdam and particularly the 4* BW Tigra in Vienna. The Tigra is on a street that is nothing special to look at but in a good area in the center. The rooms were upscale as was the bath and the breakfast buffet was absolutely outstanding. For me, it was special that the building is one where Mozart lived on two occasions. First as a boy before his first Vienna concert, the concert hall is around the corner, and again as an adult.

littlehouse

Thanks basingstoke1! I'll check that BW out!!

basingstoke1

littlehouse - if you check out the BW Tigra, specify the main building. They also have an annex to which my recommendation of the hotel does not apply.

littlehouse

Thanks for the tip. Did you reserve it online or by phone?

basingstoke1

Neither, actually I just walked in about 6 AM after finding our B&B accross the street more than just a bit unsatisfactory. Rooms were available for both us and the couple we were traveling with and they gave us a great deal - it was about $145/night at the end of October.