Prague, Vienna, Budapest travel tips - Hallstatt/Cesky Krumlov worth it?

I can't say whether Hallstatt is worth it because I've never been there, it's awful pretty in the pictures but I guess, for me, it would be whether the travel there was worth it or not.

Personally I would do 3 nights in Prague, travel to Cesky Krumlov for 1 night (rather than doing a day trip from Prague as the travel time is long each way). Then go on to Vienna and then Budapest. I would not cut any nights out of Budapest. I loved all three - Prague, Vienna, Budapest - but I think my 3 nights in Prague were enough, at least for me, and my 1 night in CK was definitely worth it. As for Budapest, I loved it the best of the three cities and my 6 nights there could have been easily two weeks and I still would have wanted more.

As with any question like this you will surely get many personal opinions that will vary greatly.

** By the way, why 4 separate posts for the same question? Way too confusing for those responding and I think for you also to keep the responses straight. I would delete the other three and just leave this one in General Europe. This is just my opinion.**

May I suggest you post this in the Austria section of the forums?

To answer your question. We did this last fall. We did 5 nights in Vienna and made the trek to Hallstatt based on RS's recommendation. While it was beautiful,it was overrun by busloads of tourists. You couldn't move and we were there in October.Frankly,not worth it. We did 2 nights in CK. The town is charming,even more so at night when the day trippers have gone.Really though,one night would be fine. We spent 3 nights in Prague and loved it. From there we went on to Berlin so I can't comment on Budapest but from everyone says,it's definitely worth the time.

Thank you both for the feedback, very helpful!

Getting to Hallstatt is quite time consuming. Salzburg would be easier for a night, or even Cesky Krumlov. Three nights is adequate for Prague. Four nights is better for Budapest.

My preference would be:
Day 1 Depart US
2 Arrive Prague
3 Prague
4 Prague
5 Mid-day Bean Shuttle from Prague to Cesky Krumlov
6 Mid-day Bean Shuttle from Cesky Krumlov to Vienna
7 Vienna
8 Vienna
9 Morning Train to Budapest
10 Budapest
11 Budapest
12 Budapest
13 Home

This way you squeeze in Cesky K, but you have the late afternoon and early morning to enjoy when a substantial number of the tourists are gone (most are on day trips from Prague). Of course this is based on what I enjoy and Prague, Vienna and Budapest are very different places and speak to people differently. Obviously my favorite is Budapest.

I think you need at least three days for Prague, Vienna, Budapest each. Don't count the day you arrive. Especially from the USA when you will have jet lag.

It's pretty individual. For my taste Vienna is way to much like a giant museum and I don't much care for dead things under glass; but that's just a perception influenced by a personal bias. What Prague has is magnificent but the small size of the tourist zones created a Disneyland like environment. Again, not a truth as much as a personal perception. In fact they are both amazing and interesting places. I went, I saw, I learned, I experienced, I left. Budapest on the other hand did speak to me and each visit seems fresh. But I have associates that I respect that prefer Vienna or Prague, so, how much time in each? You won't know till you get there. One good reason to keep a flexible schedule.

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses!