Prague-Krakow-Vienna-Munich
 

Hello,<BR><BR>I am planning a trip to Europe in May and the original plan was to visit Prague, Vienna, and Munich. I'm now debating on whether to add Krakow since I will be nearby and I would really like to visit Auschwitz. We will have 2 weeks in Europe and my question is whether this is all doable. Prague and Vienna are a must, should I forego Munich for the other three cities? Also, does anyone have recommendations on how to travel between cities (car, train, plane)? Original plan was to fly into Munich, drive to Vienna, Prague and back to Munich. Does it make any sense to drive to Krakow from maybe Prague? Or, what about flying through Munich to Prague and catching another plane to Krakow for a few days, fly back to Prague and then drive to Vienna and end up in Munich to fly home. Sorry for the long message. I really appreciate any advice anyone can give me!! Thanks in advance! Kristine

Of course it is doable. That being said, the trains from Vienna to Krakow were about 7 hours and I don't think Prague is much closer timewise. I took the train and enjoyed seeing the scenery but I was tempted to fly back. Auschwitz/Birkenau is very interesting. You might spend a day in Zakopane, small resort town in the Tatras and about a 2-hour bus ride from Krakow.

With so much to see in so little time, you can cut your travel time right down by sleeping away the hours. There are night trains with 1, 2 and 3 berth sleepers from Prague to Munich, Prague, Munich and Vienna to Krakow. Munich to Vienna needs a day train. There is a note on getting the best from sleepers and couchettes at http://www.twenj.com/tipsnighttrains.htm. I can tell you times and agencies if you ask me, and ay where you are now.<BR><BR>Welcome to Europe<BR><BR><BR>[email protected]

We're planning a very similar trip in May. Here's an item that might help you with your decision about Auschwitz:<BR><BR>http://query.nytimes.com/search/article-printpage.html?res=9B0CE1DD103AF93BA2575BC0A9649C8 B63<BR><BR>For Prague, I trust that you already know about www.jasoncholt.com - - I'll also recommend http://query.nytimes.com/search/article-printpage.html?pagewanted=2&amp;res=9B07EFDF113AF9 3AA15754C0A9679C8B63<BR><BR>And here are four others I have put in my collection as pre-trip reading for Vienna:<BR><BR>ONE STREET AT A TIME; Vienna's Berggasse <BR><BR>http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...52C1A9649C8B63 <BR><BR>Riches the Hapsburgs Sent to the Attic (The Imperial Furniture Collection) <BR><BR>http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...53C1A9669C8B63 <BR><BR>Vienna's Haunting 'Third Man' Theme <BR><BR>http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...53C1A9669C8B63 <BR><BR>CHOICE TABLES; Vienna, Where Ethereal Strudels Meet Savory Schnitzels <BR><BR>http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...53C1A9669C8B63 <BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm going to check out the web sites you suggested and may have a few more questions. Thanks again! Kristine

Last May my husband and I flew into Vienna, took a train to Prague, days later an overnight train to Krakow, then continued on from there by train. We received a lot of excellent advice from Mr. Haines and others on this site about the merits and advantages of train travel. It seems that there's a train to get you to any size city, and the overnight sleeping experience is a must. To us, traveling by train was stress free and provided time to read, relax and enjoy some new scenery without the hassle of map reading or driving in an unfamilar area. We highly recommend this method of travel between cities.

Kristine, if you are still looking for advice. The train ride from Prague to Vienna is not bad at all, and we quite enjoyed sharing our compartment with a student traveling from Prague to study in Vienna. We flew open jaw into Prague and out of Vienna. Took a short trip to Zagreb, Croatia using their national airline out of Vienna. Rented a car in Vienna for a day trip to the countryside. I like combining modes of travel. Very doable for us in 2 weeks. Sandy

I'd do Prague, Vienna, and Krakow using trains.

Thanks everyone!