We just spent 2 1/2 weeks in Budapest, Prague, and the Wachau Valley in Austria. We didn't go to Vienna because we had been there previously, but it is a wonderful city. We flew to Budapest for 5 days, then took a bus to the Vienna Airport to pick up a rental car for the week in Austria, 5 days of which we spent in Linz doing day trips. While in Linz we took an excursion to Cesky Krumlov because it actually is much closer to Linz than it is to Prague, and was a very easy day trip. After our week in Austria, we returned the car to the Vienna Airport, spent the night near the bus station, and then took a bus the next day to Prague, where we spent 4 days before flying home from there. I know most people talk about taking the train between major cities in Europe, but we decided to try to bus route, and it was quite wonderful. The buses were great! We are seniors so carting our luggage on and off the trains can be a little problematic at times. With the bus, the driver loads it in the luggage compartment, you climb up to your comfortable seats, and off you go (and they have restrooms on board.) Also it is very reasonable when compared with the trains, and the travel time is comparable. While we were in Budapest, we also took the time for an excursion to Esztergom, and in Prague we took the train to Kutna Hora. So we did get a chance to see some of both countries, even though this wasn't the kind of ambling driving trips we usually do in Europe. Good luck!
