Holiday travel in Europe

Linda, you are looking at six cities in 12 days (12 nights?) Is your travel time to/from Amsterdam and Budapest separate from the 12 days/nights?

2 additional cities besides Amsterdam and Budapest.

For me the obvious route is via Bavaria. Vienna is a logical stop. A lot to do and see for all tastes. In southern Germany Nürnberg is interesting in itself, and a good base for a daytrip to something around such as Würzburg, Bamberg or Regensburg.

Thanks for the suggestions. However we have been to all the cities you mentioned. We thought perhaps Zurich and either Munich/ Salzburg. We've been to Salzburg but trying to find a mid point between Zurich and Budapest. What do you think?

Amsterdam >> Berlin >> Munich >> Vienna >> Budapest
or
Amsterdam >> Paris >> Zurich/Bern >> Salzburg >> Budapest
or
Amsterdam >> Cologne >> Munich >> Prague >> Budapest

Or Amsterdam - Berlin - Prague - Budapest.

My suggestion would be the same as Ilja posted. That provides four cities and an efficient travel route.

"...between Amsterdam and Budapest via train...." Dresden and Vienna.

If it is smaller towns you prefer, then I would say: Lüneburg (north of Hannover, south of Hamburg), and Meißen, accessible from Dresden Hbf on the S-Bahn.

I am sort of biased. I've spent a few Christmas' in Budapest and will do it again. BUT, if you only have 12 days I think Budapest is a bit of a stretch given the rest of the places you want to touch.

We hve been to Prague and would love to visit Zurich. How about:
Amsterdam-Zurich-either Munich or Salzburg -Budapest? How would the train work out for this itinerary? What type of pass should we get? How is Christmas in Zurich and New Years Eve in Budapest?

Amsterdam-Zurich-either Munich or Salzburg -Budapest

I didn't do a lot of research so I might be a little off, but:

Amsterdam to Zurich: EIGHT hours on a train. Better part of a day gone
Zurich to Munich: FOUR hours on a train. Not bad I guess
Munich to Budapest: Another EIGHT hours on a train.

You can fly the Amsterdam to Zurich direct I believe and I bet you can do it for under $200; same with the Munich to Budapest (I make that flight at least once a year)

If you want to go to Budapest why don't you live on the edge and do Budapest and parts further south? Bucharest, Sofia, Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Burgas, Istanbul, or head east like Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine.

And don't be afraid of discount airlines that will take you a lot of interesting places for 100 euro or less,

@ Linda...If you decide on going Amsterdam-Zürich, you can consider also the night train option, the CNL that's direct. That's one night route still in operation. in western Europe, as long with Amsterdam-Munich. With 12 days I would choose three cities max. It can be done 3 or 4 cities by discount carrier or night train, depending on your travel tempo and goals.

If Switzerland is important you might consider only using Zurich as a transfer point. Most on this site do not recommend it for visiting. Instead, take the train and head an hour south to Luzern. A beautiful city in a very beautiful location.

I second Lucerne over Zurich! That was the choice that I made when I went to Switzerland last March. It is smaller but absolutely beautiful, and they have a reputation for a very good Christmas market as well. Though if Christmas markets are what you are really after Basel has the largest.

Amsterdam - Zurich - Munich - Budapest

1A) ICE 105 Dep 08:05 AMSTERDAM CENTRAAL (Netherlands) Arr 12:23 MANNHEIM HBF (Germany)
1B) ICE 73 Dep 12:45 MANNHEIM HBF (Germany) Arr 16:00 ZUERICH HB (Switzerland)

2) EC 193 Dep 09:16 ZUERICH HB (Switzerland) Arr 13:28 MUENCHEN HBF (Germany)

3) RJ 63 Dep 09:34 MUENCHEN HBF (Germany) Arr 16:32 BUDAPEST-KELENFOELD (Hungary)

Amsterdam - Zurich - Salzburg - Budapest

1A) ICE 105 Dep 08:05 AMSTERDAM CENTRAAL (Netherlands) Arr 12:23 MANNHEIM HBF (Germany)
1B) ICE 73 Dep 12:45 MANNHEIM HBF (Germany) Arr 16:00 ZUERICH HB (Switzerland)

2) RJ 165 Dep 10:40 ZUERICH HB (Switzerland) Arr 16:03 SALZBURG HBF (Austria)

3) RJ 63 Dep 11:08 SALZBURG HBF (Austria) Arr 16:32 BUDAPEST-KELENFOELD (Hungary)

Wow, djp_syd, Thank you so much for your help. That schedule puts my mind at ease and it's doable.

The Salzburg option neatly divides the Zurich - Budapest journey exactly in two.
For Amsterdam - Zurich, you could consider flying or the night train as previously suggested.
I like the idea of adding Paris and taking Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris, then TGV from Paris to Zurich.

With just 3 planned journeys, the cheapest and most efficient booking means would be directly on German and Austrian rail sites. http://www.bahn.com/i/view/overseas/en/
https://www.oebb.at/en/

What would you like to see in Zurich? Luzern is an easy do and so much more to see and enjoy if this is a quick visit to experience Switzerland. The covered bridges over the river are exquisite. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains (not the high Alps) but the scenery is breathtaking. The Lion Monument is poignant. The Old Town with it's cobbled streets and painted buildings....ahhh. I think staying in Zurich and missing Luzern which is so close might leave some regrets. But that is only my opinion. Enjoy your trip no matter what you decide :)

I guess the OP has the itinerary set. Iam wondering if anyone else might ask about Zurich because I am not sure what the attractions are there. Am I missing something that should be seen?