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Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, Slovenia, Budapest and Munich

After being a benched traveler since December 2019, I decided to go to Prague for my birthday in August 2021. Love Prague? in the process of planning my get away for December/January. I'm retired, so I'm planning to go for how ever long it takes or my money allows. LOL!

When I was in Belgium for my birthday a few years ago, I used Brussels as my base and took the train to Amsterdam for one day. I want to go back for a couple of days. I think I want to start there because it has more options from the airports I can fly from in America. The only thing I want to make sure is that I'm in Prague on 12/30 for New Year's Eve. I've done some research and know I can catch a train from Prague to Vienna. I want to only spend 2 nights in Vienna based on my research. On the way to Budapest, I'll take a train to Brastivala and spend 2 nights. From there I'll head to Budapest. I'm thinking I'll spend 2 or 3 nights in Budapest. I'll then fly to Munich for 3 or 4 nights. Has anyone done this itinerary? And if so, any suggestions. I'm good on the hotel choices in every location. I also am good on things to do in Prague--the things I didn't do in August because I was hanging out with locals.

I was thinking about starting in Budapest, then to Slovenia, Vienna, Munich, Prague and Amsterdam, as when I went to Prague in August, my layover coming and going was in Amsterdam. Any thoughts?

TIA.

Posted by
4254 posts

Been to every place you are visiting at least twice, except for Bratislava. One night there was plenty. Not much to see. Maybe add the other night to Budapest?

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks Barbara. Yeah, Slovenia was just to break up the train ride. That being said, a good friend went to Vienna and Budapest and knows me and suggested I only need one night in Vienna (LOL) and 2 nights in Budapest. I'll figure that out. But I think I'll stay in Slovenia for one night and hang with the locals and it will break up my train ride. Thanks again!

Posted by
3226 posts

It would be best to fly into Ljubljana to avoid backtracking that requires a connection if flying from the US, however, I don’t see any overnight trains nor direct trains from Ljubljana to Budapest on thetrainline.com. Since it would take a full day that involves multiple connections, I would remove it from the itinerary and visit Slovenia in the future if going to Croatia and possibly the eastern coast of IT.
I have never done this exact itinerary but have been to all the places you’re going over multiple trips. I don’t see a direct train from Budapest to Bratislava, but I have taken one in the past. There is a direct train to Vienna (2h 45m) so I would take a day trip to Bratislava from Vienna (1h 15m, direct).
To get to Munich from Vienna it will take 4h 15 but at least you don’t have to change trains. You can take a direct train from Munich to Prague (5h 45m) but I don’t see any overnight trains. I would then fly nonstop from Prague to Amsterdam since there are no direct trains from what I can see.

Posted by
4254 posts

We did the opposite route, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest. From Prague we went to Cesky Krumlov by driver, then same driver to Vienna, then hydrofoil from Vienna to Bratislava then bus to Budapest. I’m sure you will have a great trip. PS we love, love Amsterdam. Our last trip there we stayed 9 days and still missed places in our list. Munich was on a different trip.

Posted by
28062 posts

I believe there's some confusion here. Slovenia and Slovakia are separate countries. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia; it's true that no one seems to suggest spending a lot of time there. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia; many of us find that city delightful.

Two nights is only one full day and perhaps some random hours. I thik that's terribly short for Budapest. To my mind there's a lot more to see and do in Budapest than in Munich. However, it all comes down to your personal interests.

Posted by
4254 posts

Good catch Acraven. I saw Bratislava and went with that city and country.

Posted by
4 posts

Guys, it was my mistake. It’s definitely Bratislava.

I’m traveling solo, so I won’t be doing any night trains. I’m also an early riser, so I would rather catch the first train out.

I thought about a day trip to Vienna from Prague but that means I spend more time on the train than in Vienna.

While I’m in Europe, I like to visit many countries as possible as it’s cheaper to travel within Europe as opposed to going to one place. I think I’m going to drop Munich off and save when I tour Germany for my birthday in August 2022. I’m keeping Amsterdam as I decided I will start off there, then to Prague.

Thanks for all your advice.