We'd like to hit all three cities next fall, but are unsure about whether we should just book the whole thing ourselves, or go with a tour operator -- one that does the air and hotels for you (we'd still like to go around independently). If we do the latter, which tour operator is a good one?

Thanks!

It's perfectly simple to do this yourselves. These cities have very extensive tourist infrastructures that make travel there very easy. If you want to take a walking tour or two - there are some very interesting ones from the various town halls - usually small groups for a modest price. Or you can just use a good quality guidebook. I would not go for the large scale, least-common denominator tours - they are usually a waste of time and money.

Have been to all 3 cities several times - once to Prague and Budapest only a year after the wall fell. It was a little more adventurous then - but not a whole lot.

I'd go independently. Come to think of it, I already have. Easy peasy.

In Budapest we stayed here: http://www.bellevuebudapest.com/inde...en&faz=1&aaz=0

The host and family spoke English.

We had flown from Krakow to Budapest and then took the train to Prague and then to Vienna. In Budapest we did take a tour, but usually we just depend on a guidebook for advice as to what we might want to see. Then we use buses or taxis for longer distances.

Apparently the taxi drivers in Budapest are notorious crooks. Our hotel gave us the name of a reliable taxi company--City Taxi.

It's simple enough to do it independent, I do all my travel that way. Start off with purchasing a good guide book or two, then suppliment that information with online info via these forums, etc. As mentioned above, these cities have extensive tourist infrastructures...hard to go wrong doing it on your own (well you can, but that is part of the experience). Enjoy it all

I, too, did it on my own as a solo female traveler. Just get a couple of guide books and do some internet research.

- Flew into Prague for 5 nights with a day trip to Terezin

- Bus to Cesky Krumlov for 1 night (wish I had 2 nights!)

- Lobo Shuttle to Linz and train to Vienna

- 4 nights in Vienna with a day trip to Melk

- Day tour operator that Vienna hotel arranged to Budapest (it was a round trip day tour to Budapest from Vienna but I took my luggage with me and stayed in Budapest when the tour was ready to return to Vienna). Cost was about the same as taxi to train station in Vienna and the train from Vienna to Budapest... so I got a free Budapest tour thrown in and didn't have to schlep luggage on the train!

- 4 nights in Budapest with a day trip to ??? (that touristy shopping town! Don't remember the name). Should have gone to a wine town.

- Flew home from Budapest

Always self-guide these areas great rail connexions seat61.com
and city tips www.eurocheapo.com in fact have set up a cheap upscale trup for the spring in those areas recently,Got my
free TA flights on AA.com opening closing 2 AAdvantage CCs got
80000 miles booked the free flights closed the cards, ihg.com
and marriott.com Visa Cards got 60000 points on IHG and 70000
points on Marriott will book all my hotels free with them then close the cards B4 the end of the year so as not to incur a fee.So a great trip way cheaper than a tour.Might look at doing something like that you have time. affordabletours.com for more structure did Globus as a newbie ok not great too many early AM bus calls with folks I did not know.SO prefer to self-guide these daysfor freedom amd flexibility.ricksteves.com also good tips and tours.

Happy Planning!

Pegontheroad wrote: "Apparently the taxi drivers in Budapest are notorious crooks. Our hotel gave us the name of a reliable taxi company--City Taxi."

Not nearly as notorious as those in Prague!

It's not always a matter of their being dishonest: they are legally allowed charge fares that might be thought high, and if you hail a cab in the street you will likely be charged that rate. Many operators charge much less, so it is generally wise to call one of those. I have used City Cabs. They have English-speaking dispatchers.

Definitely go on your own. I spent about a month using Prague as my base. It is easy to get around and see everything. The trains are easy to navigate and inexpensive. I took numerous day trips to other towns in Czech Republic and also took a day trip to Dresden Germany.

I agree to definitely do this own your own. Just got back from the same trip this past November as a solo female traveler with an itinerary similar to joannyc.

Flew into Prague, spent 5 nights with day trip by bus to Terezin. I think Prague is doable in 4 days. Beautiful walking city.

Student Agency Bus to Cesky Krumlov - 3 hour comfortable trip with ticket costing between 7 and 8 EUR. Bus is far better than train to get there b/c it is direct and drops you off closer to city center. I highly recommend Cesky Krumlov -- it's a nice storybook looking town to walk around leisurely. You can fully enjoy it with two nights but it is doable in one night. I recommend 2 if you like leisure and scenery.

I then took a shuttle to Salzburg, but since that is not in your plan I recommend taking a shuttle to Linz and then to Vienna from Cesky Krumlov. Or if you are not interested in Cesky Krumlov, take train from Prague to Vienna. (But go to Cesky Krumlov).

Spent 6 nights in Vienna, but you can do it in 4-5 depending on your interests and if you add day trips, etc.

Took train from Vienna to Budapest - spent 5 nights in Budapest -- you can do it in 4.

Prague:
Metro and tram very easy to use. A lot of places are walkable. I stayed at Charles Bridge Residence which was a great hotel, great price compared to others in the area and located right off of the nice walking bridge. You can walk to most major sites from this hotel.

Cesky Krumlov - small town that you can walk through in 40 minutes or less. But so pretty with the cobblestone streets and castle views. I stayed at Pension Amadeus, which is right on the edge of town, a ten minute walk into the heart of town and very reasonably priced.

Vienna - Metro is extremely easy, lots of places within walking distance if you stay central. I highly, highly recommend Pension Suzanne. It has a great central location, right across the street from the Opera House and major metro station, great service and the best price hotel I could find in the center of all of the action.

Budapest - Metro and walking gets you everywhere. I stayed at Danube Guest House - great price and location, on the same street as the Great Synagogue. The guy who runs the hotel gives you a map and circles all of the sites when you get there.

I was very pleased with all of the hotels. Free Wi-Fi at all and friendly service with lots of privacy. With the hotels I had my own key to the front door and my room and came and went as I pleases. Loved it. I was there in October/November so hot weather was not an issue. Most places do not have air conditioning.

I navigated each town fairly easily on my own. For guide books I used Rick Steve's. You can get free maps and have your questions answered at the Tourist Info centers in each town -- so use that resource! You do not need much more than that. Do not waste your money paying for a tour. With a fair amount of research and advice from others you can do all of this by yourself. Don't use taxis unless absolutely necessary.