Hello all
I'm not new to Rick Steve's guides but i AM new to the forum. Just came across some cheap tickets to central europe for Winter break 2018. Flying into Prague 12/22 and returning from Budapest 1/4. Have never been to this area and super excited to plan a family trip, it's been on my list for a while. I know this is a cliche itinerary for these 3 cities but i'd love to see all 3 since i've never been. Main questions, i guess, are how much time to spend in each city and any issues with the dates? I'm really only tied to Prague and Budapest because of the flights, so the in between time (and places) is still completely flexible. i've heard christmas time is amazing in all 3 cities. Based on our flights, we would probably be in Prague through xmas. So initially i was thinking 4 nights in Prague, 4 nights in Vienna, and 4 nights in Budapest (including New Years). Looks like the national railway website for Austria is pretty decent for arranging transportation between cities. Any advice or redirection?? Is it worth trying to see any other places not too far out of the way (like Bratislava, eg). Or pick a different city in between instead of Vienna?? Any and all input is appreciated!!
Also any recommendations on local guides??
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20238 posts
Its a veey good cliche.
You don't really have enough time to do any side trips.
I am biased as hell, but four my interests 4 nights works in Prague, cause the first day is short.
For Vienna I would take an early train from Prague to get there, spend 3 nights and remain flexible on the train to Budapest. You could move on at sunrise or 8pm and still get to Budapest by 11pm.
Budapest is best served in 5 nights, especially because the last day is probably an early morning flight home.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
I agree with James. In summer, I'd consider more time in Vienna, but not in winter, when the gardens won't be an attraction. Be sure to check on opening dates and times, for the 24th, the 25th and the 26th as well as the 1st.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
ok great, so would you recommend Prague 5 nights, Vienna 3 nights, Budapest 5 nights then? Or 4-3-6??
Prague would be arriving 12/22 to 12/27 in that case, encompassing xmas eve and xmas.
From what i've read it looks like most stuff is open on the 25th in Prague (surprisingly) but not xmas eve. Not sure how accurate that is. I assume everything should be open in Vienna 12/27 to 12/30. Then Budapest we should have a day before and a couple days after New Years to sightsee, assuming everything is open those days.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20238 posts
Okay, normally i say end your trip in Budapest because its much more laid back than Prague, but given your dates, if its not too late i would run the other way. Budapest has some pretty excellent Christmas markets and the general feel in Budapest at Christmas is pretty outstanding. Not that there isnt good stuff in Prague at Christmas, but I would rather be in Prague for New Year. New Year just isnt a huge celebration in Budapest. Not terrible we spent this past New Year and few previous ones watching the amateur fireworks show over the Danube. But i think Prague does it up better.
But starting in Prague I would do this. If you get to Budapest by the 30th you will get the very tail end of the markets, so you wont miss them all together. On the 31st most of is taken down.
22-Dec Arrive Prague
23-Dec Prague
24-Dec Prague
25-Dec Prague
26-Dec Prague to Vienna on morning train
27-Dec Vienna
28-Dec Vienna
29-Dec Vienna to Budapest on early evening train
30-Dec Budapest
31-Dec Budapest
1-Jan Budapest
2-Jan Budapest
3-Jan Budapest
4-Jan Budapest home