11 nights in central Europe -itinerary

We did pretty much that itinerary in reverse a few years ago, by boat and bus instead of car and train, and we gave it more than two weeks. You'll move faster over the ground than we did, but you're not giving much time to Krakow or, apparently, any time to Vienna. Why go there if you're not going to stop and see anything except the train station? I guess it is pretty much on a straight line between CK and Budapest, but it seems a shame to be there so little time. We liked Prague and Budapest better than Vienna, though.

After much thought and research, this is our plan currently:
2 nights (1 and 1/2 days) in Krakow.
Will go to salt mines and market square.

Okay, hard to argue with that.

On 3rd day, will have a driver and head to Prague (5 hour drive) with a stop in Aushzwitz which is on the way).

So about 9 hours door to door including the stop at Aushzwitz. Rough day by my standards, but again, okay.

Then 4 nights and 3 full days in Prague
Then private driver from Prague to Cesky Krumlov (2 hours) for a short visit and raft/kayak down the river, then continue on to Vienna (2.5 hour drive),

Okay, here is where maybe I think you should reconsider. Cesky K. is more than a couple of hours in an otherwise long day. If I couldn't give it a night, I would skip it. Instead maybe stop at Karlštejn Castle on the way to Vienna.

then change to train to have that experience...to Budapest for 4 days and 5 nights (last night is compromised because we have a 6:00 am flight out of Budapest).

I do that (or similar) morning flight out of Budapest quite often. Never stops me from spending the night before at the Wine Bar down the street. 4 Days is a decent stay in Budapest.

Thanks Dick and James.

I appreciate your input.
I agree about everything you have both said....just trying to make it work with the time we have.

Would you recommend 3 days in Prague and 4 days in Budapest?
Or 4 days in Prague and 3 days in Budapest?

Thanks,
Diana

If you have 11 nights and a stop in Vienna is not planned then I would train from Linz.

Start in Krakow - 2 nights
Car w driver to Prague - 4 nights
Car w driver to Cesky Krumlov - 1 night
Car w driver to Linz. Train to Budapest - 4 nights

We really liked Krakow. We never made it to the salt mines, because there was much to see in the city. Plus, I imagine you’ll have jetlag after a long flight.

Prague is beautiful, but the main sites are all pretty compact. In Budapest the main site is the city as a whole and that just takes more time. So Budapest 4 and Prague 3. I'm trying to be objective here, as I would do 2 and 5.

I agree with James, more time in Budapest than in Prague. I also agree with the suggestion to take the train from Linz if you won't be stopping in Vienna for any other purpose.

Thank you all so much.
Very helpful.

I'm looking at the possibility of extending our trip 2-4 days if I can find flights that are less..so they even out the hefty cancellation fees.

In the meantime, how wonderful is Cesky Krumlov? Is it as special as it looks? Ant one been there?

Thanks again.

Cesky K. is indeed sort of magical; if you can time it to avoid the throngs of tourists. If i were to return i would do what i did last time which was arrive about mid afternoon after all of day tourists had left on the bus, spend the night, get the heck out before the buses return. You are going to spend 5 hours on the road to spend 2 hours in a town that will disappoint you because you didn't really get to see it. To be honest, if you cant do at least an overnight trip in Cesky K; skip it. If you skip it you can catch a $100 non-stop Czech Airlines flight from Prague to Budapest and be there in about an hour. A lot cheaper and more time in Budapest.

Thanks everyone. Very helpful!

I may be able to extend our days to 14.
May be able to get a more discounted tickets that covers our change fees.

If so, am thinking 3 nights Krakow (to recover a bit from jet lag), four nights in Prague, 1 night in Cesky Krumlov, 6 nights in Budapest.

Thoughts? 😃

Thanks everyone. Very helpful!

I may be able to extend our days to 14.
May be able to get a more discounted tickets that covers our change fees.

If so, am thinking 3 nights Krakow (to recover a bit from jet lag), four nights in Prague, 1 night in Cesky Krumlov, 6 nights in Budapest.

Thoughts? 😃

Now thats a good plan!

More time in Europe is always the best solution.

Hello Diana,

here are some thoughts from someone who lives in Central Europe and has travelled extensively there.

All of your destinations are Tourist Disneyland places. In Prague, Český Krumlov, Budapest and especially in Kraków you will see exactly the same shallow collection of Best Irish Pubs, Traditional Restaurants and cheesy pavement artists.

As for transport: for the price of having a private driver you could be going first class on the excellent rail services between Poland, Czechia and Hungary and still save money. You would also pass through magical scenery that you would miss if you go by car.

I don't know how fixed your plans are, but here is a route I would suggest that would help you experience a more authentic Central Europe in 14 days without compromising on great destinations.

Tarnów 2 nights

Have a look at Tarnów on Google. It has one of the most exquisite city centres I've ever seen. Everything is walking distance. Spend two nights there recuperating from your flight. Enjoy the renaissance architecture and discover its Jewish heritage. This is the small town to replace Český Krumlov on your itinerary.

1st day: arrive Kraków Airport and get yourself to Tarnów, which is 50 miles east of Kraków.

2nd day: Tarnów. Sleep in Tarnów, then rise early to travel to Kraków.

Kraków 2 nights but 3 days thanks to overnight train to Prague

Kraków is lovely. Non-touristy but interesting places would be the Tadeusz Kościuszko burial mound: the Pole Kościuszko was a hero of the American War of Independence. Another interesting thing to see is the district of Nowa Huta, a communist model city gifted to Poland by the USSR in the 1950s. It is one of two socialist model cities in the world.

3rd day: Rise early in Tarnów, get train to Kraków. See market place, Wawel etc.

4th day: Kraków. Day trip to Auschwitz. Evening: Kazimierz.

5th day: Kraków. Day trip to Wieliczka salt mines. In the evening, overnight train to Prague. You can book a compartment for yourself.

Prague 3 nights

Prague speaks for itself. There is more to do here than you can manage in two weeks, but Vyšehrad is lovely, and all the Art Nouveau stuff. I'm sure you already know what you want to see.

6th day: arrive Prague early morning.

7th day: Prague

8th day: Prague. Sleep in Prague and in the morning get train to Brno. Is 2 1/2 hour train journey.

Brno: 2 nights

Brno is Czechia's second city and very beautiful, but much less touristy. It is the capital of Moravia and famous for its wine. Also you are well on your way to Budapest here, with direct trains to Budapest passing through. After Prague this will be more restful.

8th day: Brno. See the cathedral

9th day: Brno. Sleep in Brno and rise early to get train to Budapest. Is four-hour train journey.

Budapest: 4 nights

10th day: Budapest

11th day: Budapest

12th day: Budapest

13th day: Budapest

14th day: fly.

I hope this helps you. I do hope you have a great time, and do check back if you've got any questions.

I would have gone to Tarnow from Krakow in 2001. At the Krakow station I saw the sign indicating the next destination was Tarnow....missed a good chance to see this historical place. At the time I didn't realise Tarnow was so close. When I am in Krakow again, a day trip to Tarnow is guaranteed.

Thank you for your input and suggestions Edward.

As a practical person, the night train between Cracow and Prague is appealing. But I cannot risk a sleep challenged night...as it will impact more days on our trip.

Since we will probably drive from Cracow and Prague...any suggestions for a company that offers drivers in nice cars, speaking English, that are knowledgable about the area?
Will take the train along the other routes.

Thank you.

Diana

Hello again,
Am still researching and trying to decide best itinerary for us.

Please share your thoughts on these options:
Since we've never been to central Europe before:

Krakow (late night arrival then 2 full days and nights)
Driver from Krakow to Aushzwitz and then to Prague

4 nights and three full days.
Train to Cesky Krumlov overnight stay
Drive and train to Budapest for 5 nights and 4 full days.

Or

Krakow (late night arrival then 2 full days and nights)
Driver from Krakow to Aushzwitz and then to Prague

4 nights and three full days.
Train to Vienna for 2 night stay
Train to Budapest for 4 nights and 3 full days.

I know it's basic and we'd miss the charm of smaller places/villages....

Love to hear thoughts and opinions.
Thank you.

Hello again,
Am still researching and trying to decide best itinerary for us.

Please share your thoughts on these options:
Since we've never been to central Europe before:

Krakow (late night arrival then 2 full days and nights)
Driver from Krakow to Aushzwitz and then to Prague

4 nights and three full days.
Train to Cesky Krumlov overnight stay
Drive and train to Budapest for 5 nights and 4 full days.

Or

Krakow (late night arrival then 2 full days and nights)
Driver from Krakow to Aushzwitz and then to Prague

4 nights and three full days.
Train to Vienna for 2 night stay
Train to Budapest for 4 nights and 3 full days.

I know it's basic and we'd miss the charm of smaller places/villages....

Love to hear thoughts and opinions.
Thank you.

PS. And should we try to squeeze in saltzburg?

I like the first choice because it gives you enough time in Budapest.

From Prague to Cesky K. there are two (MORE?) shuttle companies that i think are faster and easier than the train last time I looked One is CK Shuttle the Bean Shuttle. They also go from Cesky K to Vienna where you can catch the train to Budapest or they may even have vans all the way to Budapest. Just for grins look at taking the shuttle back to Prague and then flying to Budapest. Czech Air is cheap, non stop and a bit more than an hour.