Itinerary Input Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Germany

Itinerary seems OK. 5 days if it is only for Dresden is more than enough. From Dresden to Berlin better than car would be train. I got feeling that you want to travel between Dresden and Berlin to some other places that's why car and 5 days for Dresden, right?

Your description is a little confusing, and I think you have miscalculated your nights ...

Apr 21 - Arrive in Budapest - 4 nights
Apr 25 - Train to Vienna - 4 nights
Apr 29 - Train to Prague - 4 nights
May 3 - Train to Dresden - 5 nights
May 8 - Drive to Berlin - 3 or 4 nights (??)
May 11 or 12 (??) - Depart from Berlin

Curious to know of your plans from Dresden (with 5 days), and the drive to Berlin.
Cheers.

Good that you have the days reserved for Dresden. I would use three to see the classic sights in Dresden and also visit Dresden-Neustadt. If you're into classical music, especially German Romanticism, see the house/museum of Beethoven's contemporary Carl Maria von Weber. The other two days use them to do day trips r/t. From Dresden Hbf there is a good choice historically and culturally....Leipzig, Bautzten. Meißen, Weimar, Halle an der Saale, Naumburg, all very doable time wise

Like Ilja, I am at a loss about the 5 nights in Dresden with a car. 4 nights gives you 3 full days in a place. You'll use about 1/2 day going from one to another. That's not much for Budapest - especially as you arrive jetlagged and sleep-deprived. It's not enough in Vienna or Prague for any day trips.

For what it's worth, those are my thoughts :-)

Most people probably don't know this, but Dresden is the best base fo day trips on this tour:
Saxon Switzerland and Königstein fortress
Meissen
Radebeul (Altkötzschenbroda (wine village) and Moritzburg castle)
Ore mountains (Germanys Chrismas country where you can shop all year round)
Freiberg
Bautzen
Görlitz
Kriebstein castle
Pillnitz
Weesenstein and Glashütte (centre of German watchmaking industry)
and so on...

Hi,

If you do get a rental car in Dresden, going to Schloß Pillnitz requires a car and you can see Bautzen too time wise. It makes it a lot easier. I saw that historical Schloß on the Elbe as part of a tour from Berlin.

We have family originally from Görlitz that lived in a very prominent section of Dresden. They got out on the last U.S. ship, the SS Manhatten, leaving for Ellis Island--with the SS physically chasing them from Dresden to Hamburg.
My sister went to Dresden before the breakdown of the Iron Curtain and once since.
It's just shame that the most beautiful city in Europe was "out of business" for tourism for over 50 years. Now it's time to go back and see their treasures.

This is based on your direction of travel, but to be honest I would do it in the opposite direction. Also, if you can change the dates so you end up in Budapest on the weekend of 1 May you can see one of the world’s great airshows (over the Danube).

I added a few more stops so you can see a wider range of places. If you were to add one more day to Budapest, then I would suggest you replace Szentendre with an overnight trip to Eger or Pecs. Either would be a great side trip.

By stretching out the stays apartments become great options.

April 21 Arrive Budapest

April 22 Budapest / Buda

April 23 Budapest / Pest District V & VI

April 24 Budapest / Szentendre

April 25 Budapest / District VII & VIII

April 26 Morning Train to Gyor and Archabbey at Pannonhalma

April 27 Afternoon Train to Vienna

April 28 Vienna / City

April 29 Vienna / Melk

April 30 Vienna / Schönbrunn Palace

May 1 Vienna / City

May 2 Morning Bean Shuttle to Cesky Krumlov

May 3 Afternoon Bean Shuttle to Prague

May 4 Prague / Castle

May 5 Prague / Old Town

May 6 Prague / Old Town and Beyond

May 7 off to Germany

May 12 Berlin to Home

David, the reconstruction of Dresden is nothing short of amazing: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EorngjMUVSg/U8SOie45JRI/AAAAAAAAJlM/-epZtQ4O3pI/s1600/The+ruins+of+Dresden,+1945+2.jpg

Sorry that I wasn't a bit more clear in my itinerary. From Prague I'm thinking of going to Dresden and stay a couple of days before driving to Berlin with stops along the way. I want to stay in Berlin for at least 2 days to catch up on some things that I missed the last time I was there.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. It's much appreciated!

Hi,

That changes the time reserved for Dresden. With a couple of days , at least two full days, you can devote them entirely to Dresden without doing any day trips. Should you have a third day, take the train to Leipzig, or, if you prefer a smaller place, then take the S-Bahn from Dresden Hbf to Meißen. I liked Meißen, one of the towns that escaped the war damage and destruction. saw it twice as day trips r/t.

Where are you staying in Berlin? When I'm there I stay min 5-6 nights at a Pension, as I did in June 2015.

Hi Fred,
The last time I was in Berlin I rented an apartment on Friedrichstrasse, around the corner from Checkpoint Charlie. We may or may not stay there again depending on how much time we stay in Berlin.

Thanks for your input.

@ Gonzy...You're welcome. In case you decide on a Pension this time since you plan on 3 nights, some very nice Pensionen are located on the western side, ie, Berlin-Charlottenburg, off of Kantstrasse, near Mommsenstrasse, Wielandstrasse, Grolmannstrasse, Bleibtreustrasse, Fasanenstrasse, etc. The closest S-Bahn station is Savignyplatz, which is 4-5 stops from Bahnhof Friedrichstrassse. I don't know of any Pensionen near Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse...good food court eateries!