Best options for week Christmas - New year, Prague and/ or Vienna?

You can do both or you can concentrate on one country, it's up to you. Do you want to see more countries or do you want to have deeper look into one country?

If you have 9 full days on the ground you can do Prague, Vienna, Budapest. A tiny bit rushed but not terribly so given the time of year.

I was thinking 4 days to do Prague and 3 in Vienna and maybe a day or 2 in Salzburg? Just want to make sure we have enough time to not feel rushed. Is 4 days adequate for Prague?

4 days could be adequate but don't count that first day; you will be quite jet laggy.

James E, I am beginning to like your idea of including Budapest since if we end up in Salzburg we have to fly out of Munich and we really are in a time bind and need to be back home no later than Jan 4, ideally the 3rd. Problem I am having is Vienna is where I would like us to be for New Year's. Meaning Prague to Budapest. Have you ever done an overnight train? I think that might be the best option, and regardless I am leery of 7 hrs on a train. It sounds like from what other people have said that 2 full days would be ok for Budapest? Not ideal but it's better than never getting to see it? I know I am overthinking this whole thing but I want to get this as right as possible. Then I go back to thinking how beautiful Salzburg is supposed to be and wonder if that's the way to go. My husband says I am going to make his head explode so I better make up my mind soon. Thanks!

I'm considering a similar option over Christmas/New Year's. We fly into Munich on the 19th but I can't decide if we want to spend Christmas in Salzburg and then go onto Vienna and Prague or if we should spending Christmas in Vienna and then go on to Budpest and Prague. From what I've read on other threads, it sounds like Salzburg is the place to be at Christmas (although I am sure Vienna is very nice as well) but I do really want to visit Budapest. I think trying to do more than 3 cities in your 8-9 days would be rushing it. I have heard the train from Budapest to Prague isn't bad at all. I would do the overnight option to maximize your time in both places.

I Would advise spending Christmas in Prague. Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest are nice, but they really celebrate the Christmas/Advent holiday and a lot of attractions are closed dec 24-26. Prague, not so much.

I Would advise spending Christmas in Prague. Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest are nice, but they really celebrate the Christmas/Advent holiday and a lot of attractions are closed dec 24-26. Prague, not so much.

Hi,

If you are sure that you have the nine full days, you can visit both Prague and Vienna. What you have is also the night train option, which still exists in Central Europe, direct between Prague and Vienna to get the extra day. No problem with choosing one place either if you ended doing that. I've stayed at a hotel and hostel in Vienna for eight days straight. Since I haven't traveled in the winter, only early summer or peak summer , I can't offer any personal recommendations for choosing which city to celebrate which event.

I don't think that overnight train between Prague and Vienna is a good idea. The cities are only about 4 hours apart by train.

Thanks for all the suggestions! We are starting in Prague, will be there for Christmas. Train to Vienna where we will be for New Years Eve, then train to Budapest for a few days.