Krakow - High Tatras - Budapest

I gather Krakow isn't your first stop in Europe, so you won't be jetlagged upon arrival there. And Budapest is much larger. However, if you plan to visit Auschwitz, that will probably take more than half a day. The Schindler Factory Museum takes multiple hours. There are no two ways about it, you're going to be short on time, probably in both places. I would not stop off on the way to Budapest, because I think you'll need those hours in Budapest. Badly. In any case, I haven't been to either Kosice or Bratislava, so I have no basis for suggesting which way you should tilt.

You may get more targeted responses if you tell us why you chose to visit the two cities. Are you a museum person (what kind?) More interested in historical sights? Wine and/or food? Do you have a family/ethnic connection to one of the countries?

I suppose one thing you might consider is that Budapest will probably be easier to return to when you fall in love with it (as so many people do). On the other hand, Krakow is just one of many, many great destinations in Poland, so you may find yourself wanting to head back there soon.

I tnink we have at least a couple of people with experience in this area. It might help to post an inquiry in the Slovakia forum.

I havent been to Krakow. There, I said it. I am ashamed. I have been to 2/3 of Eastern Europe but not Poland. I have spent some time in Slovakia. I love the High Tatras. One of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in is the Grand Kempinski HIgh Tatras in Strbske Pleso, but there are a couple of nice cheaper hotels on the same lake. One of the most "average" hotels I have ever stayed in was this one http://www.grandcastle.sk/sk/uvod but its really near good fly fishing so ......

The couple of times I have been into Slovakia I just didnt want to waste time on public transportation; so i used a car service. One trip the hotel picked me up in Budapest and I know they will do the same for Krakow. On a second trip I hired a local (Budapest) driver - since out of business. On the third and fourth times I used these guys: https://transferbudapesthungary.com/budapest-to-krakow-transport-transfer-taxi.html The first trip was sightseeing and the hotel (Kempinski) provided a driver/guide. The next couple of trips were fishing trips so we really didnt need to get around much.

One other suggestion for the trip from where ever in Slovakia on into Budapest is to see what http://silverwings.hu/ will charge. This guy is a prince.

I can say that Slovakia is a beautiful country. Under rated and under visited. Do try and visit the two Banska towns.

I dont think I am supposed to be saying this, but if the trip through Slovakia gets too expensive or too complicated or too long, you can fly nonstop from Krakow to Budapest for under $150 and 5 days in Budapest isnt too much. Or visit Eger from Budapest for a night.

If you had a couple more days, I think you could do the overland route through Slovakia, but with the time you have, I can see why you’re having troubles getting this to work. I have not been to Slovakia, but it seems like you have 1-1/2 days of travel, leaving only half a day to enjoy the mountains.

The only solution I can think of is that you spend your Mountain time on the Polish side. We enjoyed our time in Zakopane. You can walk to the mountains right from town. There are a variety of easy walks. You can get to Zakopane easily from Krakow (very frequent buses). I would propose that you take the bus to Zakopane in the morning, enjoy your afternoon and evening there, and the following morning. Then take the bus back to Krakow and fly to Budapest in the evening.

But if you want to see Slovakia, this won’t work.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.