How many nights

It is busier than I would feel comfortable doing, but it's your holiday. I guess the question is, can you take extra time overall, or alternatively would you consider dropping a city? Personally I'd drop Salzburg and distribute that time between the other cities. But there's no technical reason why you can't do what you're proposing.

When is your trip? If summer, you have the extra daylight hours compared with winter when it gets dark very early, limiting your opportunity to explore somewhat.

In terms of jetlag, flying from Sydney I normally find I'm fine to Europe, but suffer flying to Sydney from Europe. But you may react differently to jetlag.

Hi Simon

Thanks for your feedback.

The trip is proposed for October 2025.

So would you then suggest 4 nights per city is sufficient?

4 - Prague
4 - Budapest
4 - Vienna

I could possibly do some day trip from Vienna to see a smaller town?

I would still like to fly out of Munich as I wish to try Emirates First Class (subject to redemption seats availability).

thanks!

You could do a day trip from Vienna to Salzburg, but I really like Bratislava - a lovely little city that is a short train ride from Vienna. Obviously there's no correct answer and everyone will have their own perspective, so just my thoughts.

Prague - 4 nights >>> Fly to Budapest (only Ryan Air flies between the
two cities)

Normally I would say 4 nights is more than I would want, but it is your arrival city after a very long flight (I flew Sydney to Budapest a few months ago, I understand). So maybe the 4 nights makes sense. Your idea to fly to Budapest makes good sense and is exactly what I would do.

Budapest - 3 nights (but I have heard 3 nights is insufficient) >>>
Train to Vienna.

Yes, when you figure the first day is a half day at best, 3 nights does come up short. While its not what I would do, if its all the time you have then better to see it fast than not at all. But 4 nights would be much, much better and 5 would be ideal. If you click on my name it takes you to my information page where I have a few links on Budapest that might be useful. Watch this video and the one below about Vienna. Same guy, both pretty well done: https://youtu.be/1nd5AtZIrTk?si=EEZ6Kqo4D3VNHfvM

Vienna - 4 nights >>> Train to Salzburg

This comes down to what sort of things in life you enjoy. Those that love Budapest enjoy Vienna a lot less, and the reverse is true. So research the heck out of the two and make sure its Vienna that will most captivate you. If you have any doubts, then move one day to Budapest. Just my taste, my interests, but 3 nights in Vienna would be fine. But I would take a fairly early train out of Budapest to get the most out of the time in Vienna. Video: https://youtu.be/HhuP2_Cf-54?si=lBFbzlqjHxH-699Y

Salzburg - 2 nights (might have almost 2 full days if we catch an early train from Vienna)
I haven’t been to Salzburg yet. I go in September. From my research and knowing what I enjoy, I would spend the morning in Vienna and take a train after lunch, even midafternoon. Then the 2 nights would work well for me. Video: https://youtu.be/X6bGQ1OMk0U?si=Zz9BVrqD1-M7kCkl

Private Transfer from Salzburg to Munich Airport.

If you flight is late afternoon, then think about Daytrip.com and make a stop or two along the way so the day isnt all about transportation.

Okay now I see your update

So would you then suggest 4 nights per city is sufficient? 4 - Prague
4 - Budapest 4 - Vienna I could possibly do some day trip from Vienna
to see a smaller town?

So fly into Prague and do 4 nights
Then fly to Budapest for 4 nights
Then Vienna for for 4 nights and fly home from Vienna?

That’s better, but I would still only do 3 in Vienna and only 4 in Prague because it’s the arrival city.

For something smaller and interesting, you could stop in Gyor on the way to Vienna. I like it better than Bratislava and Bratislava is a detour while Gyor is on the train track from Budapest to Vienna. Another close easy small town out of Budapest is Szentendre.

And I think skipping Salzburg is wise until you have first seen and spent enough time with the big three.

@Mr É (economy, confused)

Thank you! So based on your feedback it appears do-able? Then I might just keep Salzburg for 2 nights.

Its a tad rushed for me, and I so much love other places on your list that I would still skip Salzburg. But there is no wrong in this. There is a reason I havent yet made it to Salzburg despite living so close. The city just hasnt had enough pull for me to spend the time when there are still other places in the area. But again, there is no wrong. I am going in September under duress (she is making me). .

We've only been to Prague, Vienna and Salzburg. We were on!y in Salzburg for two nights, so we are going back this fall for two more nights to see what we missed the first time.

I don't think your original plan is at all rushed. It is significantly more time in each city than offered by most packaged tours or cruises. But less than the time many of us slow travelers on 3-4 week trips enjoy.

For me the question of "how long" in each city is based upon what I like to do. I'm an impressionist art fan (or snob), so Vienna is the only city on your list with world-class impressionist art. I've enjoyed the other cities for what they offer, but I will always add a day or two in Vienna to revisit my favorite museums.

And, I like the downtime on the train. It's an opportunity to review my plans for the next city and review what I liked or disliked about the one I am leaving.

Regarding jetlag, Pargue is a great town for walking. One of the "cures" for jetlag.