Advice for Vienna-Budapest-Prague-Brussels itinerary

Vienna is worth maybe 3 nights.

I've never been to Belgium. I like the other cities quite a bit. I would want to take a day from Budapest and give it to Vienna. Otherwise, I feel you would be really short in Vienna especially since that is your arrival city, when you will be tired, jetlagged, maybe late, etc.

I took a night train from budapest to Prague. It wasn't a great night of sleep, but it was ok and we arrived to Prague at about 6am. It did stop in Bratislava and it was quite disruptive to sleep--people getting off and on.

I also vote for more time in Vienna. And- Based on my own experience and that of folks on this Forum, you just can't count on getting to your destination on that first day of travel. Additionally- flights inside Europe could be erratic. Plan for problems, and be ready with a plan B.
Have a wonderful adventure.

Just my opinion, but I think you are vastly short- changing Vienna. The first time we visited, we had 5 days. We liked it so much, we returned the very next year for a week. The city is replete with things that interest us; art, architecture, and history. There are beautiful gardens, and many opportunities to hear live music.

Day 1 (Fri): Vienna 1 (overnight Vienna)

I am guessing this is your arrival day so you might get in a bit late
and or be pooped. So it may not be much of a day.

Day 2 (Sat): Vienna 2 (overnight Vienna)
Day 3 (Sun): Train to Budapest; day trip in Bratislava en route (sleep in Budapest)

I haven't been to Bratislava, but the reports I have heard is that
while some find it charming, I dont think many would sacrifice time in
Vienna or Budapest for it; especially on a tight schedule like yours.
Maybe you stay in Vienna and go to Budapest the next day, as many have
suggested Vienna requires more time.

Day 4 (Mon): Budapest 1 (overnight Budapest)

Take the morning train Vienna to Budapest

Day 5 (Tue): Budapest 2 (overnight Budapest)
Day 6 (Wed) Budapest 3 (overnight Budapest)
Day 7 (Thurs): Budapest - Prague (overnight Prague)

I am a heretic, I would fly. Problem is the only direct flights right
now are daily except Tuesday and Thursday. Ryan Air with prices
starting at $25. So I am going to say, make up for the lost day in
Budapest (given to Vienna) and spend another night in Budapest. Its
easily a 4 to 6 night stop.

Day 8 (Fri): Prague 1 (overnight Prague)

Ryan Air 6:45 am departure Budapest and a 8:00 am arrival Prague. $52
with small carry-on, checked bag and seat assignment. $106 with all
that and a full size carry-on. You really dont loose any time in
Prague vs an overnight the night prior.

Day 9 (Sat): Prague 2 (overnight Prague)
Day 10 (Sun): Prague to Brussels (overnight Brussels)

You might want to spend more time in Prague so spend the night. Then
fly out the next day (another RS heretic suggestion)

Day 11 (Mon): Bruges (overnight in Bruges)

Fly to Brussels. There are a couple of choices Ryan or Brussels
Airline. Both for about $100.

Day 12 (Tue): Bruges (overnight in Brussels)

Sorry, my plan you miss Burges. I think to squeeze that in and still
give the others what they deserve you need to skip something. You
only gave Vienna a couple of nights so maybe you choose Vienna or
Burges. Personally I would go for Burges.

Day 13 (Wed): Brussels (work) (overnight Brussels)
Day 14 (Thurs): Brussels (work) (overnight Brussels)
Day 15 (Fri): Brussels (work) (overnight Brussels)
Day 16 (Sat): Depart Brussels - take train to Amsterdam city (spend a few hours in the city), and catch flight in Amsterdam Schiphol airport

Questions:

Concerts/festivals: Any special events taking place in the cities in Nov (1st-3rd weeks) that I should join?

Here is the most unfortunate part of your journey. If you did it in such a way that you go straight to work, then do your tour you will be able to see the Christmas Markets. The one in Budapest opens on the 18th of November and I suspect the others the same day (but check, since I am guessing on that).

Hi all! Thanks for all your tips!

I am trying to change my itinerary to add one more day to Vienna and figure out how I can visit the Christmas markets.

Questions:

1. If I really have to skip one city, would you suggest Vienna, Prague, or Budapest?
2. Which christmas markets would you recommend if there's time to visit 1 or 2?
3. I am trying to change my trip/flight dates but I can't seem to find accurate information about the dates. Do you know which websites provide updated information about the dates?

Here's what I found so far:

Vienna
November 10th: Spittelberg
November 11th: Stephansplatz, Altes AKH, Am Hof
November 16th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz
November 18th: Belvedere; Karlsplatz
November 19th: Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (the big one); Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz; Schönbrunn Christmas market

Prague
• The Prague Christmas Markets are open daily from 26th November 2022 to 6th January 2023, including on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• Opening hours are 10:00-22:00. Entry is free.
• The main Christmas markets are held at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, in the heart of the city. The two squares are 5 minutes walk from each other.
• Smaller markets are held at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky), on Kampa Island, and at Havel's Market.

Budpaest
18th November 2022 to 1st January 2023

Without your travel dates and the date you need to be in Brussels, it’s not possible to give you anything exact but based on the order the markets open and the dates they close, I would say start in Vienna, train to Budapest and fly to Prague. Which is a logical order for travel too believe it or not (the flight is about 90 min which beats trains).

I would really try to reach all three. Four Full Days at a minimum in Budapest, 3 Full Days minimum in each Prague or Vienna (another day? Give it to Vienna since we are talking about markets). If you have to skip one, then maybe Prague. I like Prague better, but Germans do Christmas better.

The main markets “in” Budapest are:

Vorosmarty tér market opens 19 November and closes 31 December https://budapestikaracsony.hu/
Szent István tér Market opens 19 November and closes 1 January https://adventbazilika.hu/en

I think the start date is actually the 18th, but there is some conflicting information so I am using the later date. Traditionally the food stalls have closed on Christmas eve.

The Obuda one at Fő tér opens 26 November and closes on Christmas Eve https://www.adventobudan.hu/

The Szentendre also opens 27 November but stays open until 10 January (there is some orthodox tradition in the town and that may explain the late closing date)

Again, I am getting some conflicting information on if Szentendre begins the 26th or 27th

Hi thanks!

I have to be in Brussels from 21-25 Nov 2022 for work.

How are the Christmas markers in Brussels or Amsterdam? Are the festivities + atmosphere same as the markets in Vienna, Prague, and Budapest?

Thanks!

And when are your flights and to and from where?

Hi James!

I have not decided which date / airport I will fly in from Amsterdam (I plan to take a bus from Brussels to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport as it seems to have more connecting flights to Eastern Europe) on 26 or 27 Nov.

I will have about 1 week for Eastern Europe cities.

If I just do Vienna and Budapest, I may fly into Budapest and take train up to Vienna and fly out from Vienna.

If I try to do all Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, I may fly into Prague, then fly to Budapest, train to Vienna and fly out from Vienna.

I am quite tied with flight options as there are no direct flights between- Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Brussels- and Singapore (my home). So I am looking at Air Etihad at the moment with transit at Abu Dhabi, Thanks so much for your help!

Best,
Wendy

My preference would be Vienna and Budapest. You get two great experiences just a a few train hours apart.

Look at Turkish Air flights. They generally have good Open Jaw prices and IST is a good airport to change in ... easy.