jgg

Heading to Brussels, Berlin and Budapest in early Oct. Before I click "buy" on the airfare just wanted to run the basic plan by here to make sure no glaring errors.

Leave US Sunday
Arrive Brussels Mon. 9:15am - 2 nights (so almost 2 full days)
Leave Brussels Wed. 9:45am flight arrive Berlin 11:05am - 6 nights in Berlin
Leave Berlin Tues fly to Budapest - 4 nights in Budapest
Fly back to US Sat morning

1. Does that all seem reasonable?
2. Can fly from Berlin - Budapest at either 8:35am or 5pm. Do you think better to spend the additional day in Berlin (leaving the city late afternoon) or spend in Budapest as we would arrive there at 10am on earlier flight
3. I'm inclined to buy the short haul tickets now as well, as I will want specific times. Any reason to wait? Brussels - Berlin(TXL) on Air Berlin $109 ($51 fare on easy jet but doesn't leave until 7:10pm and don't think I want to spend another full day in Brussels). Berlin(TXL) - Budapest on Air Berlin $153. But also flight Berlin (SXF) - Brussel on EasyJet for $53 but leaves Berlin at 3:20pm so cuts more into the whole day but will still consider.

Thanks for any thoughts, advice.

Christina

Love your subject emoji! Seems good, only you can know your desires for how long you want to spend in Berlin, for example. That seems a long time if you've never been there before, I've jsut heard some people aren't as entranced with the city as to want to spend that much time there. But if you know, and have plans, sure.

As for the flight, this is just personal, but I'd leave in the morning. First, I can't really get anything done a day I have to leave town, anyway, it's too much to worry about (checking out, packing, getting to the airport, etc) and plan. And you'll have to go back to your hotel to pick up your bags before leaving. Plus, you generally get the worst room in a hotel when you check in that late in that day, in the evening. Also, again personal, I don't like arriving in a city I don't know at night when it is dark (in addition to the odds of getting a bad room). Besides, you're in Berlin 6 days already!

thursdaysd

Looks more like a day and a half in Brussels by the time you leave the airport and check into your hotel. And the half will likely be jet lagged. But I don't really think Brussels deserves more time.

I love Budapest, so I would take the morning flight, plus Christina's points are well taken.

jgg

I have no idea how that emoji got there - but it got your attention so can't complain!! Thanks for the thoughts - I was leaning toward the morning flight for the same reasons you mentioned, so you confirmed my thoughts and I"ll go with the morning flight to Budapest. Have not been to Berlin yet, but in reading on here I have an incredible long list of things to see there, plus I promised hubby this trip we would not be constantly rush, rush, rush so the extra time will allow us to see a lot but in a slower manner, plus possibly a day trip outside of Berlin.

Southam

I highly recommend taking a half-day walking tour of Berlin as soon as you can after arrival. Several companies run them so the prices are quite economical. The tour will help your planning and your sense of place. Also it will pay to research the S-Bahn and U-Bahn systems of public transit because Berlin is quite sprawling. I've just come back from a sojourn there and got lost nearly every time I took one of those trains (well, turned around, at least.) The systems are not anywhere near as logical and clearly marked as Berlin's residents seem to think.