Cesky Krumlov

A few yrs back we went from Vienna to Prague via Cesky Kumlov by hired car
It was a little pricey but we split it with others. One day for about 6 hrs to see sights and have a meal was just right. We arrived in prague about 8 pm.
It is lovely and fairytale like. If u are on the fence then ck weather forecast if it will rain while there ,skip it. The fun is mostly the walking around and views.

Spend the night and then go to Vienna. Crowds disappear at night and then it's like fairy tale.

Yes, It's worth a detour and spending the night. Be sure not to miss the gardens at the castle.

I agree with those who've said to spend a night. It's a couple of hours from Prague, so going just for the day won't leave enough time there. It isn't "unbearably touristy." We did a walking tour, which was very interesting.

Shuttle services based in Cesky Krumlov are very popular taking you from Prague to C/K and throughout the region to Salzburg, Linz, Vienna and even all the way to Budapest. I find their rates to be very reasonable. See:
http://www.ckrumlov.info/php/katalog/kpr/sestava_taxi.php?&lang=en

Hi Roberta,

It is unbearably touristy if you're there during the day; over a million tourists are inflicted on Krumlov a year. Staying overnight is a good option, if you would like to enjoy the town minus the crowds of daytrippers.

Alternatively hire a boat and paddle downstream from Krumlov to Zlata Koruna. You'll see hundreds of Czechs happily paddling downstream, stopping in riverside bars and grills along the way. The boats are inexpensive and fun and the scenery is magnificent. Also, the boat hire people will collect you from the end point and shuttle you back to Krumlov, so it is hassle free.

I hope this helps.

Marcus

Actually I have just noticed that you'll be there in October. Too cold for the river and the tourist volume will be much abated.

I agree that in October the crowds of tourists won't be horrible. I was there in August and yes, they were bad during the day but luckily I chose to spend the night and that was wonderful. I spent the evening and the following morning exploring with hardly any other tourists (except those that like me had spent the night). I would definitely recommend the detour and spend the night there between Prague and either Vienna or Budapest. I thought it was very beautiful and agree with the other poster about the castle gardens, although in October they may not be as wonderful as they were in summer. The castle itself and the rest of the town is like a fairy tale place.

Thank you all for your comments. In response to your recommendations we have booked a studio apartment at the Castle View Apartments in CK.
Roberta

You did well. The night stay really works. I was going to suggest the room with a balcony at the Dovark. . Spending the night is worth it for the view.

We visited Oct. 2015 taking a large student bus and spending the night. The evening was cool and crisp, trees were changing, it was beautiful. The restaurants are not amazing and many were not open late. We were there about 20 hours and it was enough, we saw it all. Then a taxi van to Salzburg.

It's a specialty visit, but for me, the main reason to go to CK was the Baroque Theater. There are only three left in Europe - i.e. that did not burn down since being built. But it's not for everyone. The English tour books up quickly, so get a ticket as early in the day as possible, then be at the theater at tour time. It's actually better than the Drottningholm Court Theater outside Stockholm.

Roberta, several years ago I was in Prague in early July, and took a day-long guided bus tour to CK. Yes, it was very old, quaint, and heavily touristy, but not overwhelmingly so, even in July. I asked the guide how many people lived in the old town of CK, and his answer was something like: "I don't think anyone actually lives there anymore, they just arrive every morning to open their businesses for the tourists." If you stay there for a night, you'll probably find out if he was right. For me, the real highlight of the day was the trip through the Czech countryside, passing various smaller towns and modern factories and big box stores, a general impression of prosperity.