Finalizing itinerary

I don't think your trip is too packed. And of course, if you feel you are getting tired and need to take it easy, then you can have some low-key sightseeing days. You don't have to rush around every day.

For context, my husband and I are in our 70's. Last May we spent 5 weeks in Italy, and we overnighted in 12 different destinations. We had four 4-night stays, five 3-night stays, one 2-night stay, and two 1-night stays. Since you are obviously younger than us, and very active, you should be able to handle this itinerary. You have some longer stays, such as the 6 nights in Paris, which is a great idea, some 4-night stays, and you only have one 1-night stay. You've done a great job planning.

I would stay overnight in Cesky Krumlov. We did that many years ago, and I really believe spending the night in CK is better than seeing it as a daytrip. The evening was beautiful with the illuminated castle. We sat outside with drinks and just soaked in this gorgeous view.

I have been to all the places on your itinerary except for Vienna. I am sure you could easily spend more time in Vienna but my philosophy is that if you really want to see CK, then you should, especially if you don't think you will be back to Czech Republic again.

Michael,
Your plan sounds great. You have organized it well. I might drop CK for another day in Vienna, but that is because Vienna is one of my favorite cities. You do what makes you happy. You might try to figure out laundry. We usually take socks, underwear and tops we can sink-wash and dry overnight in our rooms (over the tub if possible). Do the wash on the first night when you are in places for at least three nights to give stuff longer to dry. Or, if you have an afternoon free, try the laundromats in whatever town you're in. We've done that in Italy, France, England, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Turkey. We have spent a few hours visiting with the neighborhood people as we waited for our machines to do their magic! One of us would leave to find something for us to eat. It was always a pleasant interlude.
FYI, in 1974, when we were 30 and 31 and not beset by creaky old people bodies, we ordered a VW bug and spent 4 months in Europe, many times staying only one or two nights in a town, and we managed to survive just fine. (We even slept in the VW a couple of times.) You will do fine moving around. I would make a list of possibilities for sights to see in your locations in order of what is most important to you, just to have some structure and to be able to verify the days and hours places are open. That way you won't miss out on something you are counting on seeing. You don't have to follow it, but it will save you time figuring out your days.

Have fun! Amusez-vous bien!

I won’t say there is anything wrong with the plan. I would spend the night in Cesky Krumlov. You are doing all of these places for the first time. Better to get a broader experience than hope you love one place more than another on noting but a hunch. I personally enjoyed CK more than Vienna the first time. But I would put Salzburg before Vienna. Its as much about arrival time as travel time or cost.

Lets look at time and money. The key is you need to pick specific trains. Not too early a departure, direct if at all possible, arrive with some time left to see the city you are arriving in. It will impact prices. sometimes a lot.

CK to Vienna: The only train I would take leaves at 08:13 and arrives at 13:27. By the time you get to the hotel and get checked in and ready to go back out it will be 3:30. You lost more than half the day. So now your time in Vienna is 2.5 days, that’s a bit tight. But its cheap at about $22.00. Oh, and the train has two changes. One of them is about 10 minutes. Sort of tight for my taste. If the train is late and you miss it, you lose the whole day in Vienna.

THEN
Vienna to Salzburg: Since you lost a big part of the day getting to Vienna, why don’t you leave after lunch. That way you have the morning in Vienna. Departing at 14:28 gives you time for lunch and to pick up your luggage and to get to the station. It arrives 2.5 hours later at 16:53 and costs about $77 with a seat assignment. There is a cheaper one that leaves a bit earlier but takes 3 hours. You lose most of the day in Salzburg, but you do have the next full day and Salzburg isn’t that large.

THEN
Salzburg to Budapest: Well, that entails going back to Vienna. But the direct train that has a good start time departs at 09:07 and arrives at 14:19 (5.25 hours) which means you will be checked in and ready to stroll the streets at about 3:45. Sort of Vienna all over again. Half a day gone. The ticket is about $118 with a seat assignment (from OBB, I suspect its cheaper on MAV).

TIME: 4.25 + 2.5 + 5.25 = 12 hours of transport on trains. Plus the time from the station to your room. COST: $217 each, but you can probably save at least $50 to $100 on this when the time comes, especially on the Salzburg to Budapest leg it the MAV ticket site is working internationally again. But that’s not a sure thing.

OR

CK to Salzburg: 8:50 pick up at your hotel to your next hotel by noon with CK Shuttle for about $75 (but Bean is about $50). You have half the day left in Salzburg.

THEN
Salzburg to Vienna: Train departs at 09:07 and arrives at 11:32 (2.5 hours) and costs about $38 with a seat assignment. So you are out strolling by 1pm.

THEN
Vienna to Budapest: Train departs at 08:40 and arrives at 11:19 so you will be ready to wander the streets by 12:45. Cost is about $27.00.

TIME: 3 + 2.5 + 2.6 = 8.1 hours of transport on trains and shuttles. COST: $140 each.

Your pacing looks fine, and the long stays in Paris, Prague, and Budapest will help you recharge. I would put Salzburg before Vienna to avoid backtracking later and to keep the travel days cleaner. If you keep Český Krumlov, an overnight is worth it for the evening atmosphere, but the next morning train connections can feel tight. A shared shuttle from CK to Salzburg can save stress and give you more usable hours that day.

Excellent plan.