Prague, Vienna, Budapest
 

My husband and I are in our early 60's. Our son is 30. We had a wonderful trip to France this year - Normandy and Paris. We have been in Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Taiwan, Japan - so we are experienced travelers. I always plan my trips using Fodors excellent advice. This year I am planning early for next summer. We thinking about Prague, Vienna and Budapest. We will have about 13 days including travel times. The main question is - are these three cities manageable in that length of time? I looked at some of the professional itineraries and they made it seem plausible. We enjoy architecture, cathedrals, eating, some museums, walking and exploring. We normally rent a car. This year we flew into Paris and drove to Rouen and Normandy. When we returned to Paris we turned in the car and used subways, etc. What are your recommendations? I really appreciate anything you can give me. Thanks.

PVB are certainly doable in 13 days, allotting 5, 4, and 4 nights to each depending on which one you land in (only 1/2 day, jet lagged, available for exploring) and what time you leave one to travel to another (leaving early in the morning gives you most of the day in your new city, while leaving later provides some extra time in the city you are leaving).

Ultimately, how much time to spend in each should be something you decide after doing a little research and seeing which ones "speak to you" the most.

Ideally you should try and fly into either Prague or Budapest and fly out of the other. It will be prohibitively expensive to rent in either the Czech Republic or Hungary and drop the car in the other. Couple that with the fact that none of these cities requires or will offer an improved experience if you have a car with you and it makes sense to consider taking the train between each and considering a day-trip or two from them via train or bus.

Agree that this would be a great trip although you would be hard put to see all f the things you want in any of these cities. and also agree a car is not the best choice. Train - or plane from Prague to Budapest - is a better choice.

And this is from someone who has done - and loved - more than 20 road trips in europe. With this itinerary you just don't need a car. The most popular day trips can easily be done - and probably enjoyed more - by train or boat.

From Vienna do not miss Schoenbrunn (in the suburbs easily reachable by subway) and Melk (the boat trip is lovely).

"We will have about 13 days including travel times. The main question is - are these three cities manageable in that length of time?"

That really depends on your preferences, but I agree that it is probably manageable. If you haven't already done so, try marking your priorities on a calendar to see whether you would be able to see everything YOU want to see in that time.

BTW, "professional" itineraries almost always take less time than DIY -- they can move people along, if necessary; may arrange transportation in places where you would need a bit more time to get to places; and in some cases may "herd" you through meals, etc. When planning a trip, I sometimes consider such itineraries as a rough guide -- but only by adding at least a third or half the time. (And then ONLY as a starting point. I usually find that I add more time or cut some places, even with that additional leeway.)

"We normally rent a car." For this itinerary, I would not -- take advantage of the easy and comfortable public transportation options. (And OMG, I don't think I've EVER seen nytraveler argue against a rental car! ;-) )

Thanks so much. This is exactly the information I needed to start my planning.

Thanks so much. This is exactly the information I needed to start my planning.