A friend of mine invited me to go with him to Prague in May. I'm so excited, this is my first trip to Europe! We only need to be in Prague a few days, and I would really like to see Vienna and Venice too. Is this enough time- 14 days(really 12 days, when you subtract the travel time) to really enjoy each city? Or if there is another place in addition/instead to visit that is in reasonable travel time from Prague?

Reasonable travel distance by plane, train, or driving?
Within 1-2 hours of flying time, you have the whole of Europe.
Within reasonable train time, many people combine Budapest with Vienna and Prague.
Venice is a good 8 hours, I believe, by train from Prague, if not longer.
4 days in each of 3 cities is reasonable, not too rushed, not so long that you'd run out of things to do.

For me there's no such thing as too much time in Venice.

Elaine, thanks for response. I believe we will be renting a car. We were also thinking of heading to Lugano in Switzerland. Should we add a few more days?

Elain, thanks for response. I believe we will be renting a car. We were also thinking of heading to Lugano in Switzerland. Should we add a few more days?

I'm really not qualified to answer. I've been to Prague, Vienna, and Venice, but not to the others you mention, and I haven't done trips long-distance driving, just daytrips.

I think 4 days each is good for Prague, Vienna (my least favorite of the ones you mention, that I've been to) and Venice.
If you end your trip in Venice, you can fly home from there. If pushed, I'd agree you could make do with 3 days in Venice, but it wouldn't be long enough for me.

Elaine, what didn't you like about Vienna? What other place would you add to this itinerary instead? Thanks.

We visited Prague (which we absolutely fell in love with), Vienna (our least favorite too) and Budapest (another favorite) in two weeks and consider it one of our best trips to Europe. We traveled between cities by train.

While we consider Venice one of the most beautiful and unique cities we have ever visited, I honestly think Budapest would fit your itinerary much better for this trip, but of course that's up to you.

Disclaimer:
Vienna is a world-class capital with a rich history, impressive art museums, and great music venues.

Vienna and I
(actually, Vienna and my family) just didn't have much chemistry. I've been to other places where I loved the art, the architecture, the food, the history, the shopping, and the general ambience, much much more. I'm not sorry I went, and may very well go again some day, but the zing wasn't there. We've decided to remain 'just friends.'

I was in Vienna and Venice around this time last year; Budapest for a week in April 2004; am heading to Prague in 3 weeks.

Never visited Prague before but have researched endlessly for this trip. Sounds wonderful. Can give hotel/ apt. recommendations if you require.

Overall: You have picked the perfect sites. Forget all other options

The issue, as I see it, is whether you can fit all the above 3 (plus Budapest, as recommended above)

Like other posters I found Vienna awfully nice but not quite as exotic as the others.

Why rent a car, esp. if you are concentrating on central parts of those cities. Prague to Vienna is under 4 hours by train. Vienna to Budapest is under 3 hours. Vienna to Venice is 8 lovely stress-free hours through Alpine scenery.

You could fly Venice to Prague if need be -- I found flights Venice-Prague on Czech Airlines for $80 Cdn plus tax i.e. roughly $65 US plus tax (in March).

Krissy,

Sounds like a great trip. I don't want to knock Vienna -- it's worth a visit. If I had to choose, I would squeeze Vienna and definitely make room for Lugano.

If you're training, there's a 9:00 PM sleeper car (we took it) from Venice to Vienna. Don't forget to grab some Prosecco for the train.

Is there a train from Venice to Lugano?
About how long would this take? I have heard wonderful things of Lugano, maybe Vienna will be sqeezed.

I lived in Vienna for 8 months and also have visited all the other places you are going. IMHO Vienna is wonderful - very staid and proper but beautiful. The architecture and music are the highlights. I would recommend an overnight train from Vienna to Venice - save $$ by avoiding a night in a hotel - traveling in a couchette is a great experience in itself - and waking up in Venice can't be beat!

Dear Krissy,

I suggest that 2 weeks is perfect for a visit to Prague, Vienna and Venice.

Have you looked up the miniguides to these cities at www.fodors.com?

We greatly enjoyed 5 days in Vienna.

I suggest that you fly into Prague and out of Venice (save the best for last).

Train schedules are at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

The train ride across the Alps from Vienna to Venice is quite beautiful.

Krissy-
I agree with most, that I also loved Prague and Venice but wasn't crazy about Vienna. I suppose it depends on what you like to do. After 2 days in Vienna, we were ready to move on...although we did really love the food. The influence from having Italy as a neighbor is great - there seemed to be a Gellati stand/shop every few blocks.

A suggestion to help get your bearings on distances: Whenever I'm planning a trip to Europe, I always look up the point-to-point train schedules on RailEurope.com. I've never bought tickets with them (better to buy there, I think) but it gives you easy info on distances, time and schedules.

Lugano is five hours by train from Venice. Most connections go through Milan (one hour away), so there's a train every hour or so.

If you've already "done Venice," you could slip over to Bratislava from Vienna for an afternoon and fly Sky Europe to Bergamo (near Lugano) for very little money.

I want to go from Venice to Prague, does anyone know the best (or perhaps the cheapest way to get there?) Is there a way to stop in Vienna first? I heard there's a German rail or something, has anyone heard about it?
Hope you can help!

Attn:tedgale You're probably in Prague right now since you wrote you were leaving in 3 weeks. Would love suggestions on hotels and apts. Will be there for 3 nights 6/4-6-7. More confused than ever as where to stay--Old Town/New Town/ Mala Strana. Thanks and hope you're having a wonderful time; or did if you've returned.