Central Europe suggestion, 14 days

You will land in Zurich in 5/18. I would rather spend those days in Luzern than Zurich. In reality you have only 11 days and I am counting day of your landing. Your itinerary is not realistic. With so little time you will have to drop some of your destinations. You don't have to rent a car. Train takes too long to Prague, fly instead. Train from Prague to Vienna 4 hours from Vienna to Budapest over three hours. From P. to B. 7 hours. You will have to drop at least one destination. You won't have time for Salzburg.

Zurich is a business town--one that rolls up the sidewalks at dark.

Two weeks is just enough time to properly visit Budapest, Vienna and Prague. These are three absolutely great European cities worthy of your full trip.

We visited these cities and Bratislava last April, and it was a great time.

Before I say anything, do you have to go to Zurich??? Switzerland just doesn't fit the rest of the trip, but maybe you have a need to start there?

Hi James,

The reason we fly to Zurich is because we redeem the airline award ticket. Zurich is the only destination available on that day. We fly on the 16 evening and arrive in Zurich at 7am the 17th.

My opinion would be to leave out Salzburg in this case. There is more than enough to do in Vienna for 4 days. Salzburg was my least favourite place on our trip, but that may be because I didn't give it enough time, and most things closed early there, so I probably missed the best sights there. But, anyway, Salzburg is also a bit of an outlier as far as travel goes. I think you'd have to go back through Vienna and change trains there to get to Budapest, so it doesn't make sense. If you had more time, you could fit it in, but it doesn't make sense for the amount of time you have, in my opinion.

Train from Zurich airport to Luzern only takes one hour, making it easy to stay overnight in Luzern. There is a direct overnight train from Zurich to Prague (16 hours), but flying can be both cheaper and faster; see www.skyscanner.com. Vienna has lots to see, so I would choose it over Salzburg on this short trip. No need to drive.

How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.

We've lived in both Vienna and Salzburg and both are cities that deserve a visit. We've lived in Prague as well and yes, do give that city as much attention as you can. Lucerne is beautiful and a day trip will do it. I'd spend less time in Zurich and give two days to Salzburg.

As for needing a car, I wouldn't bother. Between the train system in Europe and the local public transportation (plus choosing hotels near what you want to see), a car isn't necessary and isn't as relaxing of leaving the driving to professionals and just enjoying the ride. Plus there is also congestion and parking issues in the cities. We have lived in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, and Beijing (China) and relied on public transport, walking, cabs and limos.

I guess if it were me I would get off the plane in Zurich and head straight for Lucerne.
17 Zurich to Lucerne
18 Lucerne
19 Lucerne
20 Lucerne to Salzburg (6.5 hours by train)
21 Salzburg
22 Salzburg to Vienna (2.5 hours by train)
23 Vienna
24 Vienna
25 Vienna to Budapest (3 hours by train)
26 Budapest
27 Budapest
28 Budapest
29 Budapest to home

Yes, if it were me I would skip Prague on this trip.

Is Prague not fun? or just because the timeline, I would enjoy more if I skip Prague?

Prague is a lot of fun. But you don't have time for everything listed. You already have your ticket to Zurich and from Budapest. Shorten your stay in Luzern. Skip Salzburg. Fly from Zurich to Prague, by train to Vienna and by train from V. to B. And you would not have to skip Prague. I myself would go with skipping Salzburg instead of Prague.