My wife and I are traveling to Prague for 3days the first of July. We are looking for lodging in the Old Town (Stare Mesto) (high mid to low top price range). We would also like to go to Cresky Krumlov and stay a night before heading to Vienna. Any sugestions on how best to accomplish this. (car, bus, train?)

I would suggest by car as there are no direct connections. Not saying it can't be done with public transport as many do, just my preference.

See "the turnips excessively long trip report" for info on both.

Cheers, the turnip

we are doing apartments in Prague and Vienna....I suspect you are doing our trip a few months earlier. Hope you post a trip report!

http://www.apartment.at/index_eng.php3/app/12

http://www.arcadiaoldtown.com/

We used www.mike-chauffeur.cz to drive us from Prague to Cesky Krumlov and were very pleased with their service.I think he will also drive you to Vienna if you would like to email him. There is another option for CK to Vienna that would be less expensive, check out www.pensionlobo.cz for the shuttle bus (link at bottom on right)
It leaves CK every day at 9 for the 3 hour journey to Vienna.The train is not a good option in that area-takes forever and too many changes. We stayed at Hotel Rott, great location in Prague Old Town and at Hotel Old Inn in CK on the square. Have a good trip.

Reread your message-You are probably doing this already, but be sure you have air conditioning in your hotel for July.

I stayed in the Old Town last March. I won't begin to go on and on about how glorious Prague is, but I will tell you that the Ibis Hotel in the Old Town is a great deal. It was new, and the staff was terrific. (Though, I'd also have to add that it's hard to find an unhappy Czech.) There's a grocery within a 2 minute walk, incredible art deco and nouveau buildings, and it's a stone's throw from Wenceslas Square and the Charles Bridge. You will love it! And, I highly recommend getting up early one morning to walk through the town before the hoards of tourists hit the cobbles. The only negative comment I can make about Prague is the importation of Lad culture from the UK.

We used Mike also, (he is mentioned in the Rick Steves book). He picked us up at our Prague hotel, drove us to Cesky Krumlov (we walked around for a few hours) and then he proceeded to drive us to Vienna. He is such a great guy. Cesky Krumlov is very small, a quick tour and you can be on your way the same day. Vienna has a lot more to offer. In any event, enjoy your trip.

We took a bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov. If you buy your bus ticket from the ticket window inside you are guaranteed a seat. There is a small charge for luggage. We bought our ticket the day before just to be sure we would get a seat. It was a short walk from where the bus stops in CK to the town square. It was a wonderful place to stroll around and we would definitely recommend adding to your itinerary. We stayed at Pension Lobo and took the shuttle to Linz the next day. It was a spectacular drive and they dropped us off at the train station.

We are staying in the Vlasska Apartments starting May 2nd! Will give you a report upon our return.

Thanks everyone for your help. We have decided to stay at K+K Hotel in Prague and Hotel Leonardo in CK. We are having Mike drive us from Prague to CK and Lobo shuttle from CK to Vienna. I will let you know how it goes.

Glad to see you have your journey all worked out. Sounds good. Have a great trip!!!!!

We just returned from Prague. Stayed with Arcadia Residence in one of their small apartments in Mala Strana. We were on Vlasska Street about 5 doors up from the American Embassy and 5 doors down from the German Embassy. It was quiet and for us perfect. The apartment had a small fridge, microwave and hot plate for us to fix coffee on. There was a small grocery directly across the street. Pasquale, the owner has several apartments around Prague. He was more than helpful in caring for our every need. I highly recommend any of his apartment.