11 days - Munich/Prague/Vienna/Budapest. Which one to leave out

I have only been to Munich and Vienna, but between the two we definitely preferred Vienna. I think that would depend on your interests, but we felt that Munich was more crowded and Vienna had more charm. We much preferred the beautiful architecture of Vienna and it's lovely gardens. We spent a lot of time just wandering the streets there. I think others might have a different opinion, but that was my experience. Sounds like a wonderful trip! Enjoy!

I did that exact trip + Salzburg. I would leave out Munich. I wouldn't hesitate to return to Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Some of the coolest places. We flew into Munich, drove to Salzburg, then Vienna, then Prague. Did the day trip to Budapest and we regret not giving Budapest more time. Prague was our favorite.

I never know if the stated number of days includes departure day or not. This is sort of the standard Imperial Tour and it’s popular for a reason. Prague is medieval, small, compact, crowded and popular for night life. Vienna is Empire, sort of moderate in scope, very restored and full of museums. Budapest is 19th & 20th Century, very broad and is more reminiscent of Paris than any of the other cities. Cesky Krumlov is sort of a fairy tale town in the mornings and in the late afternoons when the throngs of day trippers are gone.

My personal taste on day 7 would be to move on to Budapest in the early evening. Budapest is larger and takes more time to experience. That, and I’m not a great museum fan and that’s what is best about Vienna is the museums.

1. Arrive Prague
2. Prague
3. Prague
4. Prague to Cesky Krumlov on morning Bean Shuttle Service (Option: If 11 Days includes the Day of Departure then skip Cesky Krumlov and head straight to Vienna)
5. Cesky Krumlov to Vienna on morning Shuttle Service
6. Vienna
7. Vienna (Option: Take day trip to Melk / Option: take early evening train to Budapest)
8. Vienna to Budapest by morning train
9. Budapest
10. Budapest
11. Budapest to home

I'm going to be different than everyone else and suggest you leave out Prague. While all are in reasonably close proximity to each other, Prague is also reasonably close to Dresden and Berlin, giving you another reason to go back for another trip!

Must do day trip? Dachau.

My favorite of the three is Budapest. Easily the best food in Central Europe.

I have not seen Budapest, but of the other three, Prague is my least favorite. The old city is quite stunning, but it just feels overwhelmed by the tourist industry. You know the way it seems like there's a souvenir shop around every corner in Disney World? Same thing with Prague.

Vienna is the most gorgeous city I have ever seen. Munich is a lot of fun, and has some great daytrip possibilities to the Alps. I've heard nothing but good things about Budapest.

I did all 4 last summer and loved them all for different reasons. With your amount of time you are correct that 3 cities will work much better than 4 which would short-change at least one of them. I tend to agree with Tom and Emily, with time constraints I would drop Prague. As much as I like Prague, I think it's the easiest one to eliminate.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. Looks like Vienna and Budapest are certain and its a toss up between Munich and Prague. Whatever I decide I will try to include Cesky Krumlov in the itinerary as a stopover. Definitely looks worth a visit in the pictures.

I would say Prague - not because it's not dreamy (it is!) but I think the other three have a totally different feel to them and are large enough cities not to feel like you're captive in a tourist bowl. There are many good substitutes for Prague in the Czech Republic which aren't overrun yet (hopefully not yet). I would say that Munich is one of the most green cities I've been to which makes it so pleasant to walk around in - plus the Munich airport is my favorite of all I've flown through. Honestly, it really depends what you want to do in each city - look on Tripadvisor and decide which cities have the most interesting attractions for you.

Prague-Vienna-Budapest sounds most exciting to me and travel times by train are quite convenient.

Hi,

If it should come to a decision on omitting one city, I say Prague. I was in Budapest last week, walking through some of the non-tourist and tourist streets, looking at the buildings in whatever state they were in, very interesting, culturally and historically to be sure. Ride the M-2 and M-4 subway...impressive and efficient. Keep Vienna, Munich and Budapest on the list to be visited..

We visited all 4 of those cities last spring, and, with James' help, had the perfect stay in Budapest...which turned out to be one of our all time favorite cities in all of Europe. James' itinerary is spot on...a perfect sampling of 3 beautiful, historic cities, plus Cesky Krumlov, which is a delight. Also loved our trip to Melk!! Munich didn't have the charm and beauty of the others..as far as I am concerned, the highlight of Munich was Dachau, (which, of course, was heart wrenching, but a "must see" for us) and I have no further desire to return to Munich. I would, on the other hand, love to return to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague!! Follow James' itinerary and you won't be sorry!!!

Just to add some more opinions and experiences (and that's all this is - there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to your question):

A friend recently went with her family to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest; they flew into and out of Munich, but did not see the city itself. They really liked Prague and Vienna and really did not like Budapest.

I myself really liked Prague and Budapest (would gladly return to either), and found neither Vienna nor Munich to my liking (not sorry I saw them by any means, but no need to return). I did not find any of the four to be similar to the others - at ALL. And while Prague was more touristed than the others, I was prepared for this and did not find it to be a problem (in September 2007). I used the same tourist-avoiding tricks that one uses in Venice, New York, etc. - stay off the main tourist drags at the main times of day.

My sister loved Prague. She did not warm to Budapest because she wanted it to be like Prague, and it wasn't (object lesson there). And she loathed Vienna, where she had continued problems with everyone treating her rudely (I had no difficulties of this sort at all - another reminder that we all have different experiences, despite going to the same places).

So there you are - flip a coin. Or, more realistically, omit the place where you might go easily on a future trip (as pointed out, Prague and Munich go well with Berlin, which I REALLY loved). Remember - it's all good, and what you miss this time, you will simply have to return to see.

If you do go to Budapest, I loved my day trip to Vac (not listed in Rick's book; I found out about it from Frommers). It's practically unvisited, and actually faster to get to than the more famous Szentendre (which is nice, but as touristy as Prague, and it's too small for you to evade the hordes). In Vac, the mummies found under the main square (you read that right) and the delicious ham and smoked cheese pizza (also not a typo) are reasons enough for the trip, in addition to the town being very pretty.

For the other cities, I was too busy in them to consider day trips; they all have LOTS to see. I did do overnights to Cesky Krumlov and Olomouc from Prague, and to Pécs and Eger from Budapest; all of these are 2-3 hours each way, and while some people do them as day trips, that's too far for me. I found Eger a disappointment, but recommend the other three. My sister also liked her trip to the silver mine in Kutna Hora, but warns that it's not suitable for anyone with even mild claustrophobia.