Itinerary Help! Germany, Austria, Czech Republic

The only places on your itinerary that I have visited are Prague and CK. I would say that 3 full days is a minimum for Prague. If you get to CK early enough to have even half a day, that plus another full day would be quite enough. As I recall, Prague is about 2 hours from CK, so you could travel in the evening and not take any day time away from Prague for traveling.
Just in general , I suggest you rethink your plan. In my opinion, there are too many 2 night stops.

I agree about the string of 2-nighters. Since you presumably won't be driving (the international drop charge would probably be $$$$), I think you'll find it a drag to be relocating every 2 days. I'm not sure what to suggest in terms of an itinerary tweak, because those are smallish places that most likely don't need more than two nights. I would be inclined to drop Innsbruck and distribute those two nights elsewhere. I found tons to do in Prague and would want at least a fourth night there, but that depends on your level of interest in the local sights (some of which are outside the super-crowded Old Town area). Perhaps some additional research will turn up a desirable side-trip that could be made from one of the remaining bases. I do a lot of that, because I don't like to spend fewer than 4 nights anywhere.

I haven't been to Cesky Krumlov, and I'm not sure about Hallstatt--if I've been there, it was a quick daytime stop 20+ years ago. From what I've read on the forum, both towns are (or were, pre-COVID) absolute madhouses during the day; that can happen when you have a small town that becomes hyper-popular. That's an argument for spending the night, of course, but I think you may regret doing those two back to back. And then you're off to Prague, which is stunning but whose Old Town is usually mobbed.

2 nights in Hallstatt is long, but if you arrive in the later afternoon/dinnertime of Day 1, sleep, one full day, and leave early the next morning, it's perfect. If you time it so you have almost 2 full days it might feel like too much. It is very crowded with bus tours during peak hours, so hire your photographer for earlier morning or evening if possible. You could make it one night by arriving as early as possible and leaving at lunchtime the next day. You still get an evening and a morning to enjoy (less crowds!) that way. Then take that night and add it to Salzburg or Prague.

I think you could easily do 3 nights in Salzburg, and 4 in Prague. I have not spent any real time in the other places so can't say, I was in Munich for a half-day layover and have not been to anywhere else on the list.

I would take the nights from Innsbruck and give them to
Garmisch -Partenkirchen.

Prague – 3 nights – Is this long enough?

It wasn't enough for me. I was there 3 full days during my first visit and saw my list of top sites: Old Town, Town Hall, the castle and grounds, changing of the guards, Mucha Museum, Prague City Museum (great model of the city,) a few street fairs and markets, and took in a show (classical music, 1 Czech opera, and dinner and folk dancing) each evening.

I returned for a 2nd visit of 3.5 days for the WWII and Jewish history including a day trip to Terezin.

I thought two nights in Hallstatt was great. A friend and I arrived early afternoon, wandered Hallstatt that day, caught the bus to Dachstein Krippenstein for the second day, and left after breakfast on morning #2

Seehotel Grüner Baum was our splurge lodging for that trip, with both of us getting a room with a balcony facing the lake. It was a great place to watch the sun come up!

Thank you for all the great advice! I am also a little concerned about all the 2-day stops. I am thinking of cutting out Innsbruck and just visiting it as a day trip from Mittenwald, and using Mittenwald as a home base to explore Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Zugsptize, and Innsbruck. Thoughts?

Munich - 4 nights (possible day trip to Bamberg, Nuremberg, or Regensburg?)
Mittenwald - 3 nights (Use Mittenwald as a home base: 1st day spent in Mittenwald, 2nd in Garmisch-Partenkirchen & Zugsptize, 3rd exploring Innsbruck?)
Salzburg - 3 nights
Hallstatt - 2 nights
Cesky Krumlov - 2 nights
Prague - 4 nights

I know travel from Austria tothe Czech Republic can be sketchy, but I've looked into CKShuttle and Regiojet. Does anyone have experience with either?

This itinerary is still one day more than we had planned, but I am not sure where we could cut a day. I suppose I could cut a one night from Hallstatt, but I was kind of thinking that would be a nice place to just chill out and relax (after the tour buses leave for the day), sort of a breather in the middle of the trip. What do you guys think?

Again, thank you for the fabulous advice!!

I have been to all of the places on your list multiple times with the exception of Cesky Krumlov. I have spent weeks exploring Munich, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Regensburg (i lived nearby for four years) and skiing out of G-P and Innsbruck. I've been several weeks in Salzburg and Prague also. So I like your plans, but can honestly say you're going to have to decide what you want to see and do.

Munich can easily use up 4 days just looking around. If you have to take a day trip I suggest Nuremberg over Bamberg or Regensburg. Not just because it's closer, but because you can walk right out of the main train station, across the plaza, and into the old city. It's a very easy city to walk around and there's plenty to do within the old walls.

Mittenwald is great, but weather dependent. If it's raining or cloudy you may want to give it a pass. But if it's clear definitely go up the Zugspitz. Plan on sunbathing on the broad spaces designed for just that.

Innsbruck is another good town just to walk around. It gets passed by a lot of tourists headed to Salzburg, but I actually prefer walking there at night to Salzburg (although Prague and Nuremberg are even better for after dark rambles).

Salzburg is best in the mornings. I don't know why, it just is. Two nights is only enough time to do your tour and maybe see the castle. (Take the train up, walk down.)

I don't like crowds, so I haven't been to Hallstadt in years. It's pretty, but I think there are much less crowded options. I like the Oztal.

I don't think I've ever just spent 3 nights in Prague, it's such a neat place to visit. Much more touristy then it was a couple years after the wall fell, but still one of my favorites.

You're going to have fun. Enjoy.

CKShuttle and Regiojet. Does anyone have experience with either?

I took CK Shuttle from Cesky Krumlov to Vienna. They were very efficient in their pre-travel responses; the driver was precisely on time and very polite; the trip was pleasant through the countryside, though not as comfortable as a train because you are not able to move around. I would avoid the front middle seat (next to the driver) as it was less comfortable than an airline middle seat, though the view out the front window was enjoyable. We stopped midway along the journey for a snack and comfort break at a roadside McDonald's.

CK Shuttle has an office in Cesky Krumlov that you can stop in, if needed. Though their email communications were so effective, it was not necessary.

Cesky Krumlov is not nearly as crowded on a Monday, when many sights are closed. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon in time for a tour of the Baroque Theater, which was delightful: you get to see the backstage workings of the theater. On Monday, with fewer tour groups, it was pleasant to wander the castle grounds (those are still open on Monday) and along the river.

What time of year are you planning to go?
We used CK Shuttle going from Prague to Cesky Krumlov [about 3 hours], and then from Cesky Krumlov to Hallstatt [about 3+ hours.] The door-door service was great, and the drivers were fluent in English, prompt, courteous, and professional. The RS Steves Guidebook recommended the service, with a side note that public transportation to these areas was difficult to figure out and use.
Altho we usually don't do "one-night stands" , one night in Cesky Krumlov worked well, following with one night in Hallstatt. [Before and after that, we had multi-night stays.] If I had to choose, I'd stay two nights in Cesky Krumlov, and one in Hallstatt, as the latter is very small. I do highly recommend the Hallstatt Salt Mine tour.

We did not get to go to Melk [ day trip from Salzburg] because we were too early in the season, but that area is usually highly recommended.

Congrats on your 25th! I hope by then we are all safe from covid.

We were in Prague and Cesky Krumlov last September. Like others we would also recommend the CK Shuttle. We took it from Vienna to Cesky K and Cesky K to Prague. We stayed 2 nights in CK and the second morning took an 0800 private tour with Krumlov Tours. We felt we had Cesky to ourselves. We also toured the Baroque Theater following our tour. I think 4 nights in Prague should be fine. We were there 6 nights and loved it. We highly recommend a day tour to visit Terezin with with Pavel Batel. He was the best guide we've ever hired. We also took a Jewish walking tour of Prague with his colleague Yvonne. Excellent tour.

And both places have GOOD FOOD!

We have not been to Mittenwald or Innsbruck, so I can not speak to those locations. I too, would suggest that you rethink the two night stays. We were not fans of Cesky Krumlov. IMO the best part was taking a picture from the bridge. Far too many souvenir shops, mobs of tourists and subpar restaurants. We spent two nights there after being told that it was better when the day trippers left, however we were still not impressed. I would bypass it and add those days to Prague. We spent 5 nights there and never ran out of things to see and do. As mentioned previously, you may want to check out Pavel Batel's website. https://terezin-private-tours.com/terezin-tour.html He is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable guides you will find. His small group tour to Terezin is fabulous and will give you a very different perspective from your visit to Dachau. He does book up, so reservations are a must. We also took the Prague Jewish Quarter Tour with one of his associates. Again, very worthwhile. While you are in Prague, be sure to look for the Stolpersteine brass plaques in the pavement. You will also find lots of them in Salzburg.

Two nights in Hallstatt were just right for us. It was very peaceful in the evening, and we visited Dachstein Krippenstein in Obertraun in the morning. Pension Gruner Anger was a short walk to town, and it provided a large room, excellent breakfast and a friendly owner. Three nights in Salzburg will give you plenty of time and if you want a different Sound of Music experience, then take a look at Fraulein Maria's Bicycle Tours. Great way to see the sights without being in a van or bus and it's a very easy ride.

We had a car during our stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, so we were able to drive to Reutte, walk the Highline 179 and explore the ruins of the Ehrenberg Castle. If you do choose to rent a car, be sure you have a vignette in order to avoid the possibility of a hefty fine. We did use CK Shuttle during part of that trip and found them to be prompt, courteous and a good choice for transportation. Enjoy your anniversary trip!