judypudyva

Have 16 nights to spread over Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest--flying into Prague and out of Budapest-Sept 1-Sept 18th. Was also hoping to see Cesky Krumlov after leaving Prague on way to either Vienna or Salzburg.and to take a boat on the Danube to see Krems, Melk, and Durnstein. Is this a feasible trip with the time we have?
Not sure how to work out transportation from one place to another. We were thinking of taking the hydrofoil from Vienna to Budapest. Has anyone done that? I need advise and itinerary help. The idea of Salzburg was recently added to the itinerary. Already have 4 nights reserved in Prague. We are two couples traveling together.
Thanks for any suggestions- or thoughts.

BigRuss

Depends: what's your definition of feasible trip -- running about from city to city or actually trying to immerse yourself in the history and culture? There's a lot more "checkmarks in boxes" to your trip based upon your small description above than sit and enjoy.

What do you like? What does the other couple like? What is a major component of your trip (art, history, religion, music, just wanna see tons of castles; don't say food -- not in Czech Repub. or Austria)?

How are you getting from Prague to Vienna? What side trips have you considered? Answer these and you'll get more help.

molker

You attempt too many places in the short period. I wouild do more research with your companions regarding priorities.

Krems , Melk Durnstein - a full day in itself and most probably best done as a day trip from Vienna.

The hydrofoil Vienna and Budapest is a waste of time and money - scenery not very interesting, especially after seeing the Danube bewteen Melk and Krems.

Train transfer cheaper and much faster.

Cathinjoetown

The Danube river cruise including Melk, Krems, Durnstein is a great day out from Vienna. I did this with three others--we calculated public transport costs for 4 and opted for a driver who took us to Melk, we toured the abbey then boarded the boat and stopped in Durnstein for a late lunch. The driver met us there and drove us back to Vienna. Bit of a splurge but not over the top.

We did the reverse of your trip, flying into Budapest and out of Prague with trains in between. We had 14 or 15 days on the ground which was about right for the three cities, plus some day trips. I didn't miss having a car on this trip at all.

I had been to Salzburg twice before so did not include it with this trip. It's about 3 hours by train roughly west of Vienna. Whether you include it depends, as Russ said, on your interests. It's a charming town, much smaller than the other 3, but also has all the Mozart and Sound of Music connections that interest many people.

iris1745

Very doable. Consider four nights in Prague. One night in Cesky Krumlov. Take 'shuttle bus' from CK to Salzburg and spend three nights. Then train to Vienna and finally train to Budapest. Four nights in each city. Your plan, with an easy way between cities. Very good suggestions for day trips. See www.inyourpocket.com for a download of Prague. Richard www.shuttlebus.cz

bratsandbeer

Take the train between Vienna and Budapest. The train is cheaper. I have not taken the boat but have read it is not such a good idea.

There is a combo ticket available for the day trip to Melk at the train station in Vienna. It includes the train, Melk Abbey, boat ride.

We purchased the combo ticket and were not told that the last boat leaves Melk at 1 pm starting on Sept 24th - not sure about the exact date now but it is something to check out. We ended up having to purchase a return train ticket to Vienna and we could not have a refund.

My favorite is Budapest - we stayed at the Hotel Pest and found it to be a good location. We would stay there again.

molker

Information on the Kombi ticket for day trip Vienna - Melk boat trip can be found on
www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

The schedule of boat trips can be found on the site too so easy to find departure times .
The late boat is always discontinued at the end of September - this year after September 26 and this clearly shows on the schedule.
Boat leaves Melk at 13:50 ( 1 :50 PM ) daily allowing time for your Melk visit and also time for Dürnstein or Krems.

bratsandbeer

molker - thanks for giving that info. We didn't know this when we purchased the Kombi ticket and it was mid-morning so there was no way possible for us to get to Melk and leave by 1:30PM We were planning our return on the 4 or 4:30 boat.
The agent at the station never mentioned the fact that the last boat left at 1:30pm.

blh

iris1745, did you take this shuttlebus from CK to Salzburg? I have been researching different shuttle companies from Prague to CK and from CK to Salzburg. I want one that will be reliable and comfortable too. There are four of us traveling together. We had also looked at taking the shuttle (Lobo) to Linz and then the train from Linz to Salzburg. But taking the shuttle the whole way would be quicker obviously.

iris1745

Hi; Have not used the shuttle bus. But your party of four would probably take half the seats in the Mercedes Van. Plus it's only a bit over 2 1/2 hours. Runs every day. You could be with a few kids, as the price is reasonable.

blh

Thanks, iris. Can anyone else give information about this shuttle (www.shuttlebus.cz)from personal experience? I know several have used Mike's going from Prague to CK. He seems to get good reviews. We will probably use Mike's from Prague to CK, but are still looking from CK to Salzburg.

Narnya

While in Prague, consider visiting Kutna Hora to see The Bone Church (Costnice)! It's about a one-hour train ride and is well worth the trip.

joannyc

I used the Lobo Shuttle between CK and Linz (on my way to Vienna). They didn't offer all the routes that they now offer. They were fine and comfortable, it was a passenger van.

http://www.shuttlelobo.cz/1/en/trans...lstatt_Prague/

judypudyva

Thanks for all the info. I had no idea about a shuttle from CK to Salzburg. That helps alot.I will look into it. Also glad to know the hydrofoil is not a good idea--don't want to waste time or money on it. How is the biking on the Danube in the area of Melk, Krems-etc? Anyone done that yet? Where do I find info on that? Is that area worth only a day trip from vienna? Are there bike tours in Salzburg,Vienna,Prague or Budapset that anyone has taken? I did a bike tour in London with fat bike tous and enjoyed it.

joode

Just a word on buses - we took the Student Agency Bus to Cesky Krumlov from Prague and can recommend it. Cheap as! Very comfortable, free hot chocolate and you can book seats online http://www.studentagency.eu/ plus Czech movies you won't understand! Seriously, it was a good trip and took around 3hrs and it's not just for students, anyone can book a seat on it.
We were returning to Vienna so took the Lobo shuttle to Linz and found that very good too.
Also, we did the Melk/Krems trip but decided to splurge and took a coach tour which picked us up from our hotel. It included a boat trip on the Danube and was a great day out without the worry of having to get back to the station for a train etc.

joode

Sorry, also meant to mention that we took the train from Vienna to Budapest and it was OK, but slow. Supposed to take 6.5 hrs but ended up being 8 so allow a day for train travel. Cost was about 32 euros each (2nd class) from memory.

joannyc

Should have added.... I took a day tour from Vienna to Budapest. But, brought my luggage with me and put it in the back of the van. When the tour was over, I stayed in Budapest while the others returned to Vienna.

iris1745

Hi; Fast train from Vienna to Budapest should only take 3 hours. Someone confirm.

molker

Confirming the Vienna - Budapest train is less than 3 hours- actually 2hours and 40 or 50 minutes depending on the train.

Booking in advance for a fixed date and train produces a very inexpensive fare

www.oebb.at

Just for information Vienna - Salzburg is 2 hours 40 minutes.

The tour agency bus tour is a waste of extra money to most seasoned travelers as it is much more expensive than the Kombi ticket - do it yourself method and which allows much more time to do things allowing tourists much more flexibility.
Bus tour does not leave Vienna until about 10 in the morning- bus trip to Melk probably takes 1 1/2 hours .

If you have time - biking along the Danube is a great way to see the area.
Fine , paved , well marked bike paths on both sides of the river. You pass nice vineyards, old villages, castle ruins etc.
Great to stop for a glass of wine at one of the wineries.
The boats allow you to bring a bike on board . Several places to cross the River by small ferry.

one bike rental allows pick up and drop off as you wish 5 euro for the day

www.leihradl.at

joode

I must apologise for misinformation! The train trips have become muddled in my memory. I had said Vienna to Budapest was 6.5hrs but it was from Zagreb to Budapest. Sorry!!!