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Suggestions on 2 Week Tour - Sazburg/Vienna/Prague/Budapest

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Thank you for the advice that was provided under our prior thread - based on that, we wanted to get opinions on this itinerary. Since we are coming into Munich, Bavarian mountains would be nice, but hard to fit everything in.

Our itinerary is flexible except for May 7 in Prague (Elton John concert) and we need to return to USA by May 12 for graduation.

Thoughts/Suggestions? If you have used any local guides, restaurant suggestions, things to do off the beaten path please let us know - we do not do tour buses, hop-on/hop-off buses and prefer smaller tours by locals/docents or private tours. Always looking for good hotels and places to eat too.

26 April - 12 May (16 nights, 15 days of touring)

26 April 2019 - MIA-MUNICH, arrive 27 April 9am, train to Salzburg
27 April - 29 April - Salzburg (2 nights, 2 days)
29 April - 30 April - Hallstat in morning, stay overnight (1 Night, 1 day)
30 Apr - Day trip to Mathausen and Melk , end in Vienna
30 Apr - 3 May - Vienna (3 nights), train to Budapest
3 May - 7 May - Budapest (4 Nights), morning train to Prague
7 May - 10 May - Prague, concert 7 May (3 nights)
10 May - 11 May - noon to Brno (1 night)
11 May - 12 May - afternoon train to Vienna (1 night)
12 May - Depart/fly home

Thank you!

Posted by
6548 posts

I don't think I saw your earlier thread, so forgive me if I'm missing something relevant, but why the night in Brno, and why the final night in Vienna? Are you already locked into flying home from there? Otherwise, I'd give those two nights to Prague and fly from there. Cesky Krumlov would be a good day trip, or better an overnight during your Prague time.

Martina Cermakova guided our group for two days in Prague and did an excellent job. The link is to her listing through Viator, there may be better ways to sign up with her without going through that system, but my Google search was limited.

Posted by
18056 posts

BUDAPEST

If like music, Broadway shows and Opera I would suspect that the new fully renovated Hungarian State Opera will be reopened by then. Start watching for tickets in August/September. They sell out quickly. Tickes are very affordable so buy the best. I like the boxes myself. OR, the Budapest Operett. Beautiful old house, not as elaborate as the Opera House, but the productions (mostly Broadway style musicals) are really done well. If you can get a seat in the front of a box about 4 boxes right and left of center you will be in the VIP section and get an invite to the Parlor at intermission. Great way to meet locals. In both theaters the locals generally out number the tourists; especially in the better seats. You can find more progressive concerts, and about everything in Budapest at: https://www.jegy.hu/

For restaurants or things to do or places to visit, read through the Hungary forum, there is a ton of stuff posted. Send me a PM and i can also send you some lists that I have...

Posted by
11 posts

Thank you Dick and James!

Dick, we would like to go to both Brno and Cesky Krumlov, and we are trying to keep the path linear on the travel (not backtracking). Originally we looked flying into Budapest and out of Prague, and visiting Cesky and Bratislava - but decided to start over in Salzburg. Because we have the 7th as a hard date in Prague for the concert, we have to work around that.

And yes, Brno is closer to the Vienna so that is why we were staying there overnight, before catching a flight. If we could do both Brno and Cesky we would, but think it will be difficult.

We have not made flight arrangements yet, so are flexible.

Posted by
18056 posts

bdsklar, Budapest to Prague by train or plane?

Here are then numbers and its close enough to come down to personal preference (personally i cant sit still on long train trips)

There are two trains to consider.
07:41 Budapest-Nyugati 14:29 Praha-Holesovice 6:48 - -
09:41 Budapest-Nyugati 16:07 Praha hl. n. 6:26

But since you are going to the concert in Prague that night i suspect you will prefer the 7:41 Train. The train leaves from the Eiffel designed Nyugati Station. Still not the prettiest of the two major station.

You will be departing your hotel no later than 6:30 which in most cases, if you are close or take a taxi, will get you to the train station by 6:45. Any train station, the first time, can be a bit confusing. So getting there early might be a good thing. The station is also home to the world's most elaborate McDonalds Now that you are safely at your destination eat breakfast at the McDonalds.

The ride is 6:48 and it will take every bit of 30 minutes to get from the train platform (getting out of the train, finding a taxi, travel time) in Prague to any hotel in the tourist area. So, start at 06:30 and finish at 15:00 is 8.5 hours door to door.

Now the Flight

CSA has 2 or 3 flights a day and Ryan Air now makes the trip. CSA has a 9:20 flight that arrives at 10:45

So, have the taxi pick you up at 06:30 which will get you to the airport at 07:00 which is plenty early for a 9:30 flight. After check-in and Security you will see a little cafe directly in front of you. Breakfast time! Your flight arrives at 10:45, figure a full hour from plane seat to hotel in the tourist area. So 06:30 to 11:45 or 5:15 door to door.

The plan is 3 hours faster, and for me at least, i dont have to sit still for nearly 7 hours.

Price: CSA about 100 euro
Train, as low as 19 euro, but figure 49 euro.

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