Eastern Europe for 14 days -- input needed!

Hi KD, some beautiful weather we're having here, no? To answer your question about having enough time: the answer is it depends. For example, I think Bratislava can be covered in an afternoon away from Vienna but Berlin needs at least 3 days. I'd also follow a direct line of transportation. If you are flying into Budapest, taking a fairly quick train (3 hrs) to Vienna makes sense. From Vienna, you can take a day trip to Bratislava and then either go on to Munich or Prague-both are less than 5 hours by train. Getting to Berlin from Munich is easier by plane, from Prague it can be done by train but an overnight in Dresden can be nice to break the trip up. If you go to Prague, leave out Munich and vice-versa. Backtracking doesn't make a whole lot of sense. FWIW, I like Munich more, but everybody's different.

Must see in Budapest: the thermal baths, the Great Synagogue, the food scene on Raday utca/Liszt ter, marveling at the incredible architecture.
Must see in Berlin: The German History Museum, Third Reich sites, partying.

PM me with any questions.

Emily

I would drop Bratislava, not because it's not a worthy destination, but it doesn't compare to the other cities and you have short time. If you had more time, Bratislava can be seen as a day trip from Vienna.

To me, Munich pales in comparison to the others, but I understand that's a controversial view. That leaves you with 4 cities that could be done in 14 days, but you'd probably have a more meaningful experience with 3. Berlin is the heavy hitter and should not be missed. Vienna and Budapest are my other favorites. I have issues with Prague, but everyone should see it at least once. Have fun.

Forgot to mention, be open to looking at discount airlines as well as trains. You may save time on these routes and will likely save money.

For a group of people in their mid 20's, I would go for Budapest, Prague and Berlin. Vienna i found to be a bit boring, more for older people, but then again i was only there for a full day and it is very convenient on you route, so you might as well include it.

Glad to see that you have an "open-jaw" flight plan with no backtracking. I prefer route B for reasons already mentioned. Train tickets are pretty affordable for this route, even without advance purchase discounts. Rick’s Train Travel Time & cost Map gives you an overview of faster train travel times in hours, as well as regular (full-price) 2nd-class fares.

Rick's newest edition of the Eastern Europe guidebook will be in stock in June and I recommend that at least one of your party get that book. The Germany 2015 edition is already out or there's a Snapshot book (chapter excerpt) on just Berlin, published a year ago.

Of the cities you list, the highlights for me are Berlin, Budapest, and Prague. I was cooler to Vienna and Munich, and haven't been to Bratislava. Obviously, everyone will have different opinions and experiences.

Given how much there is to see and do in these places, and since it seems you want to have some time to kick back and not just be "sightseeing" all the time, I'd pick three places rather than four. Remember that two nights in a place equals one full day, and three nights is only two full days, etc. And remember that you lose a half day to a full day when you change cities, by the time you check out, get to the station or airport, take the train or plane, get from the station or airport to the hotel, get acclimated to the new city, etc. Four cities in fourteen days will give you only 2.5-3 days in each city - fine for a taste, if you really can't narrow it down.

One thing that may not be obvious: these places are REALLY different. For instance, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are often spoken of as triplets, and they have geographic proximity and shared history. But they're as different as apples, oranges, and bananas. Similarly, Munich and Berlin are as different as New York and Los Angeles. So, whatever you see from you're list, you'll have a lot of variety.

To find train times, use the Bahn website following Rick's tutorial: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/online-schedules

I agree that a flight might be better than the train to connect some cities. To find flights, use Skyscanner: http://www.skyscanner.com/

For a group in their mid 20s Budapest - Prague - Berlin is the best itinerary. Vienna is great and really underrated on this board, but it's a very traditional city and not really a place for young people. Bratislava is a mix of Vienna and Prague and IMHO nothing special (at least if you see either Vienna or Prague anyway), and Munich is out of the way. Concentrating on just 3 cities also gives you the chance to "truly experience" them. IMHO the minimum for Berlin are 5 days, for Prague 3-4 days, and for Budapest 4-5 days.

I disagree with Vienna "not being a place for young people." True, it's no Berlin, but it's a large city with plenty of fun neighborhoods like the Mariahilf or Neubaugasse for entertainment. It's also more diverse by Central European standards than other cities. Not everything there is cake and coffee. There's plenty of beer and music too, especially in the warmer months.

Again, follow your interests, but I'm not much older than you (less than 10 years) and I like Vienna much, much more than Prague.

Hi,

Given your choice set up, I would suggest "D" Ordinarily, I would recommend Berlin to be sure for all the reasons given above and more, but with your time limit of 14 days and your desire to see at least 3 places, I would say save Berlin for next time, when you can devote a week to the city. .

My other suggestion if you do want to see Berlin this time, then choose Berlin and one other city, ie, 2 places in 14 days. Luckily, what you have listed is still served by the night train, which are direct connections, ie, Berlin to Budapest, Berlin to Vienna, Munich to Budapest. That will add a day too. In "D" you'll sense the mood, atmosphere, and all the other subjective factors in a capital are different. Both Vienna and Budapest are keenly interesting if you're into tracking down historical sites and museums, plus the food is another incentive. Budapest has numerous, numerous hostels to choose from.

B) Budapest --> Vienna --> Prague --> Berlin

I vote for either B, as I think you have enough time for it. But for my taste it would be a more diversified mix of big and small with shorter hauls between sights.

1 Arrive Budapest
2 Budapest
3 Budapest
4 Budapest
5 Budapest to Gyor / Pannonhalma Archabbey / Winery(1.6 hours - Train)
6 Gyor to Vienna (1.6 hours - Train)
7 Vienna
8 Vienna
9 Vienna to Cesky Krumlov (2.8 hours - Bean Shuttle)
10 Cesky Krumlov to Prague (2 hours - Bean Shuttle)
11 Prague
12 Prague
13 Prague
14 Prague to Home

I would say Budapest, Prague, Berlin and as a second option Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin. I would say Budapest is vibrant, with wide boulevards, gorgeous views across the river and the most exotic of the mentioned cities (it was occupied by Turks for one hundred years and influences of that are everywhere). Vienna is grandiose, you can say that it used to be the capital of the great empire. Vienna is also somewhat formal. Service is great. However Vienna lacks the magnificent views across the river like Budapest and Prague. The river Danube is on the edge of the downtown. Prague is the most beautiful eye candy of the mentioned cities with stunning views from the Old Town across the river toward the castle Hradcany. People noticed and the Charles Bridge (finished 1348) is most of the day very crowded. If you want to see it almost empty go there early morning. Prague has also very medieval look in the Old Town and Mala Strana (Little Quarters). Service is informal and sometimes not to American standard. Beer is excellent, only Munich can compete but not price wise. Berlin is a huge city, vibrant, mostly modern, not an eye candy comparing to your other cities but with a lot to see, architectonically mishmash but somehow charming. Munich center was completely restored after WWII but it strikes me little artificial (like Disney?). For people interested in it - a lot of Nazi history. Great parks - especially English Garten, great beer, great beer halls, great beer gardens (bier garten). Bratislava has the feel of a small town (despite almost half million inhabitants), cute little old town with cafes with a lot of outdoor seating (in season), wine bars and wine cellars. And you can see a lot of pretty girls in Bratislava.

What ever you do, I would end in Budapest. Its a great place to unwind before heading home. At least for me.

Thanks for all of your input back in March.

We decided on Vienna --> Budapest --> Prague --> Berlin. This was a function of wanting to see a variety of cities, and needing to structure in this manner in order to cash in on 60,000 miles for free airfare to and from the States -- so many restrictions on routes.

I've browsed trip advisor, many other pages, and the forums pertaining to these cities... but this general board seems to be an excellent resource, as well. Right now our group (4 or so young guys - mid 20's) is not set on any dates aside from having to land in Vienna, and fly back out of Berlin two 2 weeks later to head home.

Our interests are diverse... we enjoy culture, museums, outdoor activities... but also partying (Bars / clubs). I'm thinking this will make for a great trip.

That considered, and I know this question is asked all the time (But I value the input of unique folks who may see this thread!), what are your particular must-do's with respect to the 4 cities mentioned above?

Would you recommend a tour as an initial activity to get acclimated?
Do train tickets get much more expensive just a few days out? (i.e. saw on OBB that Vienna to Budapest on Sunday, June 21 starts at only 19 Euro right now)
Transportation w/in each city -- Public transit recommended? Pretty easy to figure out in each of the aforementioned destinations?
Incredible sights? Incredible eats / drink spots?
Cities that should have the most time dedicated to them of the 4 -- I keep seeing Berlin and Buda.

I'll leave the questions at that for now -- generally just looking for any and all input you seasoned travelers may feel is relevant for this upcoming 2 week excursion (in just about 2 weeks from now).

Thank you all very much!!

Just to clarify... you are leaving about two weeks from now? That will greatly impact the answers, as you really have little time to look for hotels and the chance of cheaper train tickets is probably long past.

Now that I have a better understanding I suggest you reconsider doing Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague. I think it's better suited for you.

Yeah, 2 weeks from now we leave. Train ticket prices actually haven't gone up that much since I first started looking a few months ago.

Any suggested areas to stay? Or specific hotels? Looking for a good downtown, heart of the center of the action type vibe.

Thanks all!

Budapest - Vienna - Prague - Berlin seems like a more logical route. You can take the Railjet Budapest - Vienna - Prague with out any back tracking. Have a great time!!!