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Prague - [Vienna] - Budapest | 6 days Itinerary help?

Posted by on

Hi all!

I'm planning a vacation for Thanksgiving weekend and I managed to get 6 days off. My intention is to leave on Tuesday afternoon (11/22), arriving in Europe the morning of the 23rd, and leaving early afternoon on the 29th (Monday). I could definitely finagle a sick day to make my departure on Tuesday, but only if it'd ultimately be worth it to do so.

I'm a 25 year old guy and will be traveling with my brother, 29. I have not been to any of these cities before but have traveled extensively in other parts of Europe, Asia, and South America, and am one to pack my itineraries full to the brim. I am looking to enjoy food, drink, nightlife, and photography opportunities as my primary goal. Museums and history are still appealing but will be riding in the passenger's seat. No car, all public transport, and probably staying in AirBnBs.

At first I was thinking of splitting it up 2 days Prague, 2 days Vienna, 2 days Budapest (cutting it short on either end for the flights), but on further consideration, I came up with the following:

Day 0 (T): Depart JFK

Day 1 (W): Arrive Prague

Day 2 (R): Prague

Day 3 (F): Prague morning, depart for Vienna in afternoon, arrive at night

Day 4 (S): Vienna

Day 5 (S): Earliest train to Budapest, Budapest

Day 6 (M): Budapest, flight out around noon

[Day 7 (T): Budapest extension? flight out around noon.]

Another option would be to focus on 3 days in Prague and 3 days in Budapest, cutting out Vienna entirely, but I kind of wanted to see a true Germanic Christmas Market as they'd be starting around that time and would make for some nice photo ops + wurst + Gluhwein[!]

I'm also a tiny bit bummed that I'll be spending Friday and Saturday night in Vienna, as the nightlife there seems to pale in comparison with Prague/Budapest. Not too huge of a deal, though.

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all so much for your insight!

Posted by
4637 posts

Your itinerary is too hectic for my taste. In that little time I would do just two cities and even that would be on run.

Posted by
19515 posts

If i were your age again i would split Prague and Budapest 50/50 with an overnight train or late night flight ( look at Czech Air) inbetween. Skip Vienna for when you are older and married.

Posted by
15768 posts

James's advice sounds good to me. Gluhwein isn't as good as Czech beer or Hungarian wines.

Posted by
4139 posts

Ditto that advice, in fact, I would just choose one city, relax and have a great time. I am sure you will have plenty of opportunities to visit the other city in the future. James' opinion about Vienna is the same as mine, a romantic city more suited for a couple.

Posted by
7118 posts

I agree with others that it's a bit too fast paced for me with too much travel time involved for such a short time. With only 6 days I would just go to Budapest and if you don't mind a long day and just want to see Vienna, then do it as a day trip from there. Plenty of nightlife in Budapest to keep you satisfied.

Posted by
19515 posts

Actually at 25 Prague would be my first choice ...... no. wait. Kyiv would be my first choice, Budapest would be a very, very close 3rd. Vienna not even in the top 20.

Posted by
14761 posts

Save Vienna for another trip, concentrate on Prague and Budapest for this trip. Your time constraint is too tight. Taking the EN night train between the two cities would give you another day if you would like that option...I would.

Posted by
650 posts

I haven't been to Budapest, that's on our spring 2018 list. We just spent a week each in Prague and Vienna and we would happily return for another week in either place. Three days each is more than I would try to do, but we I'm no longer under thirty and we were traveling as a family. I would choose one of the three cities and plan on doing a couple days trips.

Here's my take on the two cities. Vienna has very impressive architecture and fine food. We were very impressed by the art museums, and put the city on a par with Paris or London for art quality. The Schonbrunn rivals Versailles. But we didn't find it a great city to just wander. Romantic is not the word I'd use. Intellectual might be. Prague is simply a happy place to wander. There are art nouveau or mideveal details everywhere you look. There are spectacular views from a whole number places. The best thing to do is to wander. Besides the castle and the old town, there are some interesting small museums such as the Comunist Museum, The Mucha Museum, and so on but it isn't a great art city. It is a romantic place even if the food is rather less so than in Vienna.

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