Trying to decide between the two. Here’s our two options for now. Thoughts and feedback? Thinking Cesky for a break between big cities.
Option 1
All by train until Slovenia
option2 -train except 2 day car rental
Having visited both Cesky Krumlov and Bratislava, I would recommend Cesky Krumlov. We stopped over in Bratislava between Prague and Budapest and found a few hours there was enough to see its very small old town and castle.
With five nights in Prague, you could do train daytrips to towns such as Kutna Hora, Olomouc and Tabor.
I have visited both. While we had a great visit in Bratislava (despite the rain). Still,I would personally choose Cesky Krumlov. It is smaller, has good sites and experiences to explore, and will be a different experience then the other towns you are visiting. While Bratislava is small for a country capitol, it is still a major city. We had a good day there, but what we did will be very similar to what you have already done or will do in Prague and Budapest. (Krakow holds a special place in my heart). If you told me I could only re-visit one, it would be Cesky Krumlov. (For the record, we spent almost a week in Slovakia and feel it gets a bit of a bad rap from Rick Steves. We enjoyed our visit, particularly the days we spent up in the High Tatras).
Option 1
All by train until Slovenia. So, Option One has you taking a train from Krakow to Prague, then from Prague to Bratislava, then to Budapest and then back to Vienna and then to Slovenia.
Since your plan is a train from Vienna to I am guessing Ljubljana I am curious why you don’t just take the train from Budapest to Ljubljana so you don’t have to backtrack to Vienna?
But I suspect you have a reason to do with timing. So, moving on, Bratislava isn’t much of a visit in a day trip. Generally, I think time spent in Vienna or Budapest is better spent, but at least you are willing to give it some additional time, that’s good because It does become a better place when you get beyond the tourist shtick of the old town.
The logical order, if nothing else is going on that influences it, is Krakow, Prague, Bratislava, Vienna (or Vienna then Bratislava – doesn’t matter), Budapest, Ljubljana. All by train.
Option Two
The way you propose it requires renting a car. I wouldn’t do Cesky Krumlov with a rental. Take the train.
Then again, the question of why first to Budapest and back to Vienna? With the shuttle service you can go on to Vienna (Budapest too actually). The logical order, if nothing else is going on that influences it, is Krakow, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana.
Also look at Regiojet trains for this trip. Less expensive and nicer trains.
Thanks for the feedback, we’ve decided on Cesky after we arrive by train from krakow .
Mr. E, thanks for your feedback back. I double checked trains again, travel time and connections. Both options by train are about 15 1/2 hours total. If I put my husband on a long bus or shuttle, and a train was an option, we are talking divorce. He travels fine on trains, but buses not so much (depending roads, curves, stops and starts and where he sits)
But the main reason I did Vienna after Budapest is the direct train from Vienna puts us in Ljubljana by 2pm. The direct train from Budapest is overnight, and the other trains are almost 9 hours with 2 connections, and arrive by 5 pm. Since we are renting a car at station (counter closes at 6) then driving to Bled, arriving earlier without connections is better for us. And since we are spending last night in Ljubljana before our journey home, I didn’t want a second night there upon arrival.
For any train going to or from Hungary i suggest you check the MAV site as there is a direct Ljub train other than the overnight.
But sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!
