Prague - Vienna - Zagreb: Expertise Needed
Jan 31st, 2012, 09:38 AM
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Prague - Vienna - Zagreb: Expertise Needed
Hello,
A quick background: our 'original' plan was to fly into Prague - train to Vienna - train to Croatia. We decided to cut out Prague and fly into Vienna so that we could spend more time in Prague (we wanted one other country, which is why we chose Vienna to visit for a short time). It turns out one of our fellow travelers really wants to do Prague.
So after planning for 2 weeks, changing schedules around, I'm at a loss as to the best way to do this. Our dates are set: 7/17 to Prague. 7/28 fly out of Split (open jaw ticket).
I realize it's a crazy, fast trip, but that is the way it's going to have to be. So with that being said we are thinking of staying in prague for 2 nights, then training to Vienna for 2 nights and then onto Zagreb - hitting Castle area in nothern Zagreb and ending in Split. We will rent a car once leaving Zagreb. Does it make more sense to fly from Prague to Zagreb and cut-out the 2 nights in Vienna and taking the train?
Thank you!
A quick background: our 'original' plan was to fly into Prague - train to Vienna - train to Croatia. We decided to cut out Prague and fly into Vienna so that we could spend more time in Prague (we wanted one other country, which is why we chose Vienna to visit for a short time). It turns out one of our fellow travelers really wants to do Prague.
So after planning for 2 weeks, changing schedules around, I'm at a loss as to the best way to do this. Our dates are set: 7/17 to Prague. 7/28 fly out of Split (open jaw ticket).
I realize it's a crazy, fast trip, but that is the way it's going to have to be. So with that being said we are thinking of staying in prague for 2 nights, then training to Vienna for 2 nights and then onto Zagreb - hitting Castle area in nothern Zagreb and ending in Split. We will rent a car once leaving Zagreb. Does it make more sense to fly from Prague to Zagreb and cut-out the 2 nights in Vienna and taking the train?
Thank you!
Jan 31st, 2012, 10:52 AM
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I probably should have posted later tonight, which is when I typically post and when my 8 month old is in bed (more time to concentrate) ... but found out that Prague was back in the picture just a few hours ago so thought I would jump right in and post. Sorry for the confusion.
So as it stands we will be visiting Prague and Croatia for sure. I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to just forget Vienna and fly from Prague to Zagreb. I believe a train from Prague to Zagreb would be an all day affair. Or should we just train to Vienna, stay 2 nights and then train to Zagreb. We only have 10 days on the ground.
I have another post on Fodors with regards to the Austrian rail site. I certainly have time before I have to book rail tickets but I want to make sure since we are only on land for 10 days that we aren't tied up using one of those days traveling on a train all day (there is only one direct train from vienna to zagreb and the austrian rail site isn't working at the moment for that train and the other trains are essentially all day rides).
So as it stands we will be visiting Prague and Croatia for sure. I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to just forget Vienna and fly from Prague to Zagreb. I believe a train from Prague to Zagreb would be an all day affair. Or should we just train to Vienna, stay 2 nights and then train to Zagreb. We only have 10 days on the ground.
I have another post on Fodors with regards to the Austrian rail site. I certainly have time before I have to book rail tickets but I want to make sure since we are only on land for 10 days that we aren't tied up using one of those days traveling on a train all day (there is only one direct train from vienna to zagreb and the austrian rail site isn't working at the moment for that train and the other trains are essentially all day rides).
Jan 31st, 2012, 02:02 PM
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Skip Vienna - Prague's worth the extra time and it is set in stone with your flight plans. Consider looking into cheapo flights from Prague to Zagreb or Split - there are various Central European airlines that are run on a Ryanair model. The trip from Prague to Budapest is 7 hours by train and Zagreb is further from Prague.
Next time around, you can do Vienna-Budapest.
Next time around, you can do Vienna-Budapest.
Jan 31st, 2012, 02:23 PM
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Check whichbudget.com for budget airlines.
It could be useful to be flexible and check any airports in Croatia or next door Slovenia if there are no low cost flights for your first choice to Zagreb.
It could be useful to be flexible and check any airports in Croatia or next door Slovenia if there are no low cost flights for your first choice to Zagreb.
Jan 31st, 2012, 04:29 PM
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Thank you BigRuss and Cowboy1968 ! I am also leaning towards skipping Vienna since it's easier to get to from other parts of Austria, Czech or Germany on a different trip.
I found an airline (Malev Hungarian) that flies from Prague to Split for $246 one way. The trip time is 4hrs and 20min with a short connection in Budapest (will enjoy that). Prague to Zagreb was the same price but the connection in Budapest was over 6 hrs making the trip time almost 9 hours.
RyanAir and EasyJet don't fly either from Prague or to Zagreb and so the only airline I found that was relatively cheap was Malev. Is $246 a cheap one way airfare? It's our only option so if we want to take this route we will pay it, but I was just curious as I haven' taken a short flight like this within Europe.
Train from Prague to Zagreb is around 11 to 12 hours - too long for us.
I found an airline (Malev Hungarian) that flies from Prague to Split for $246 one way. The trip time is 4hrs and 20min with a short connection in Budapest (will enjoy that). Prague to Zagreb was the same price but the connection in Budapest was over 6 hrs making the trip time almost 9 hours.
RyanAir and EasyJet don't fly either from Prague or to Zagreb and so the only airline I found that was relatively cheap was Malev. Is $246 a cheap one way airfare? It's our only option so if we want to take this route we will pay it, but I was just curious as I haven' taken a short flight like this within Europe.
Train from Prague to Zagreb is around 11 to 12 hours - too long for us.
Jan 31st, 2012, 06:45 PM
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Hi kja,
We are interested in history, architecture, gaining a feel for the culture for the place we are visiting, shopping (not malls), good food that the locals eat, and we like great baked goods.
We also like staying in charming, rustic places (hotels or B&Bs) more so than the more modern chain hotels.
My sister and I are taking our dad over - the last time he was in Croatia was in the 70's when it was Yugoslavia and he's never been to Prague. My great grandmother was born in Srpske Moravice (in Croatia) - and my great grandfather was born nearby although no one can remember the town - so it's a sort of going back to our roots trip.
We will be visiting Split, Trogir, Srpske Moravice, Samobor, Varazdin and the Zagorje region in Croatia and Prague, if you have any suggestions. We'd love to visit an island but with only 10 days on the ground, we will be going at a fast pace so not sure we will be able to squeeze in an island. We will be renting a car once we get to Croatia. I've been on viamichelin getting distances between places and the places we are interested in don't seem to be that far apart, especially in Northern Croatia.
I am curious as to whether most shops and some restaurants shut down on Sunday and Monday in Croatia as they do in some of the other European cities and villages?
We are interested in history, architecture, gaining a feel for the culture for the place we are visiting, shopping (not malls), good food that the locals eat, and we like great baked goods.
We also like staying in charming, rustic places (hotels or B&Bs) more so than the more modern chain hotels. My sister and I are taking our dad over - the last time he was in Croatia was in the 70's when it was Yugoslavia and he's never been to Prague. My great grandmother was born in Srpske Moravice (in Croatia) - and my great grandfather was born nearby although no one can remember the town - so it's a sort of going back to our roots trip.
We will be visiting Split, Trogir, Srpske Moravice, Samobor, Varazdin and the Zagorje region in Croatia and Prague, if you have any suggestions. We'd love to visit an island but with only 10 days on the ground, we will be going at a fast pace so not sure we will be able to squeeze in an island. We will be renting a car once we get to Croatia. I've been on viamichelin getting distances between places and the places we are interested in don't seem to be that far apart, especially in Northern Croatia.
I am curious as to whether most shops and some restaurants shut down on Sunday and Monday in Croatia as they do in some of the other European cities and villages?
Jan 31st, 2012, 09:49 PM
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> We will be visiting Split, Trogir, Srpske Moravice, Samobor, Varazdin and the Zagorje region in Croatia and Prague ... with only 10 days on the ground
That seems very ambitious to me, particularly if "We are interested in history, architecture, gaining a feel for the culture for the place we are visiting, shopping (not malls), good food that the locals eat."
As a very rough estimate of minimim times for the places on your itinerary that I've visited - NOT counting travel time - I'd think you are talking about 2 days for Split and Trogir, 1/2 day for Varazdin, 2.5 - 3 days for Prague, 1 day for the Plitvice Lakes (whatever you do, find a way to fit in the time for this park between Split and Zagreb - it is amazing!), and 1+ days in Zagreb (and maybe more given your interests). By my count, that's a minimum of 7 very busy, very full days, NOT counting travel time - and I'm not including Srpske Moravice, Samobor, or anywhere else in the Zagorje region. I'm not saying it's impossible - I'm sure it is! But I wonder what you'll miss in each of these lovely locations if you try to even just scratch the surface of a few more places.
> I am curious as to whether most shops and some restaurants shut down on Sunday and Monday in Croatia
In some cities in Croatia, I suspect you'll find that many things are closed on Sun. and Mon. Even Zagreb, which is otherwise quite lively, felt like a ghost town on Sunday. There were a few - VERY few - museums and cafes open, and those that were open were largely empty. And when I was there, museums were also closed on Monday. The main market (Dolac), lovely Miragoy Cemetery, and National Archives were open (and I was glad I saw them).
It sounds to me like you are doing something very, very special - taking your father to see some places that will be of tremendous interest to him. And places that are wonderful, even if one has no emotional tie to them! But I wonder if you a planning enough time on the ground - or enough down time - to meet the needs of your group.
Hope this hlep!
That seems very ambitious to me, particularly if "We are interested in history, architecture, gaining a feel for the culture for the place we are visiting, shopping (not malls), good food that the locals eat."
As a very rough estimate of minimim times for the places on your itinerary that I've visited - NOT counting travel time - I'd think you are talking about 2 days for Split and Trogir, 1/2 day for Varazdin, 2.5 - 3 days for Prague, 1 day for the Plitvice Lakes (whatever you do, find a way to fit in the time for this park between Split and Zagreb - it is amazing!), and 1+ days in Zagreb (and maybe more given your interests). By my count, that's a minimum of 7 very busy, very full days, NOT counting travel time - and I'm not including Srpske Moravice, Samobor, or anywhere else in the Zagorje region. I'm not saying it's impossible - I'm sure it is! But I wonder what you'll miss in each of these lovely locations if you try to even just scratch the surface of a few more places.
> I am curious as to whether most shops and some restaurants shut down on Sunday and Monday in Croatia
In some cities in Croatia, I suspect you'll find that many things are closed on Sun. and Mon. Even Zagreb, which is otherwise quite lively, felt like a ghost town on Sunday. There were a few - VERY few - museums and cafes open, and those that were open were largely empty. And when I was there, museums were also closed on Monday. The main market (Dolac), lovely Miragoy Cemetery, and National Archives were open (and I was glad I saw them).
It sounds to me like you are doing something very, very special - taking your father to see some places that will be of tremendous interest to him. And places that are wonderful, even if one has no emotional tie to them! But I wonder if you a planning enough time on the ground - or enough down time - to meet the needs of your group.
Hope this hlep!
Feb 1st, 2012, 05:59 AM
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Hi Kja,
Yes, I agree, our schedule is extremely ambitious. I have an 8 month old and a 4 year old so unfortunately am not able to be away any longer than the 10 days on land and 2 days air time. My plan was to cut-out Prague and focus on Croatia but my dad is insisting on Prague and he is aware of the fast pace. I told him to get his running shoes ready!
Your rough estimate of timing above is exactly what I have been thinking for the places mentioned. There are a few castles in the Zagorje region that we would like to visit as well as Kumrovec (for Tito's birthplace).
Thank you so much for posting!!
Yes, I agree, our schedule is extremely ambitious. I have an 8 month old and a 4 year old so unfortunately am not able to be away any longer than the 10 days on land and 2 days air time. My plan was to cut-out Prague and focus on Croatia but my dad is insisting on Prague and he is aware of the fast pace. I told him to get his running shoes ready!
Your rough estimate of timing above is exactly what I have been thinking for the places mentioned. There are a few castles in the Zagorje region that we would like to visit as well as Kumrovec (for Tito's birthplace).
Thank you so much for posting!!
Feb 1st, 2012, 06:29 AM
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<<I found an airline (Malev Hungarian) that flies from Prague to Split for $246 one way>>
Hope you´re aware that Malev is having financial trouble - perhaps facing the Spanair fate.
http://worldairlinenews.wordpress.co...rian-airlines/
Hope you´re aware that Malev is having financial trouble - perhaps facing the Spanair fate.
http://worldairlinenews.wordpress.co...rian-airlines/
Feb 1st, 2012, 10:52 AM
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grrr, Yikes - this isn't good. This would really throw a wrench into our trip - and after I finally had a good plan in place. sigh. I'm wondering when a resolution can be expected since a liquidation process has been halted? I guess it's a somewhat good thing that the Government is on their side ...
I guess if this happens our only other option is to take the train which is not our first choice or bring Vienna back into the picture and stay their 2 nights. I don't believe there is another carrier for that route that is relatively cheap.
I'm not familiar with how long a 'liquidation process' takes so if Malev were to start this process - how long before Malev is done? Our trip is the 3rd week of July? Basically do I take the risk and purchase tickets or wait and see what happens? We are booking our open jaw ticket Washington, DC to Prague and then Zagreb to Washington, DC based on the Malev flight.
I guess if this happens our only other option is to take the train which is not our first choice or bring Vienna back into the picture and stay their 2 nights. I don't believe there is another carrier for that route that is relatively cheap.
I'm not familiar with how long a 'liquidation process' takes so if Malev were to start this process - how long before Malev is done? Our trip is the 3rd week of July? Basically do I take the risk and purchase tickets or wait and see what happens? We are booking our open jaw ticket Washington, DC to Prague and then Zagreb to Washington, DC based on the Malev flight.
Feb 1st, 2012, 10:56 AM
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In doing a bit more research, I found that Smart Wings flies from Prague to Split. Does anyone have any experience with this airline or head anything about it? Norwegian airlines also flies this route but only on Sundays, at least that is what I saw on their site. German Wings also flies this route but not on Saturday, July 21st. I found these on whichbudget.
grrr, thank you for the heads up on Malev!
grrr, thank you for the heads up on Malev!
Feb 1st, 2012, 11:07 AM
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Well, I read reviews on Smart Wings airline - and they have a reputation in the Czech for delays - long delays ... these were older posts 2005 - 2007. Is it too much to hope Malev stays in business?
Feb 3rd, 2012, 01:34 AM
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Feb 3rd, 2012, 04:59 AM
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Info on some of the cities/counries you will be visiting. www.inyourpocket.com
Feb 3rd, 2012, 06:51 AM
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Thanks Cowboy - I'd been following it up until last night ... 66 years and gone. Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizzair swooped right into Budapest creating new routes. Back to the drawing board for us - Smart Wings airline is an option - should probably do some research on their financial state before booking - anything can happen in 6 months. Thanks for the heads up!
iris1745 - thank you for the site - once I figure out our transportation issues, I will be diving into the cities/countries.. the fun part.
iris1745 - thank you for the site - once I figure out our transportation issues, I will be diving into the cities/countries.. the fun part.
Feb 3rd, 2012, 10:08 AM
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I guess my question is - how popular is the Prague to Split flight on Smart Wings in the summer (from a cancellation perspective)? The negative reviews heavily outweigh the positives for this airline. I don't mind a few hours delay but I've been reading 7 hour delays, cancelled flights, and flights merging with other flights. Marjority of these are from 2006 and 2007 but some are more recent 2010.
Has anyone flown Smart Wings and had a good experience? Unless we want to pay an arm and a leg, which at this point I just may be willing to do, it looks as though we may have to change our travel route once again as none of the smaller/cheap airlines seem to like Split and Zagreb.
Has anyone flown Smart Wings and had a good experience? Unless we want to pay an arm and a leg, which at this point I just may be willing to do, it looks as though we may have to change our travel route once again as none of the smaller/cheap airlines seem to like Split and Zagreb.
