Please sign in to post.

Croatia Travel Problems - Need Suggestions Please

Posted by (D.C.) on

Hello,

We were originally scheduled to go to Dubrovnik, Croatia (for 2 Days) from the Almalfi Coast via Bari Ferry with our next stop being Budapest Hungary for 2 days.

Little de we realize that after bus/train/train it will take at least 18 hours to get there from Dubrovnik, leaving us 1 day in Budapest. We considered training up the Italian Coast to Venice and taking a quick ferry over to Rovinj; however, from Rovinj, the train/bus takes just as long. We then considered a midnight train to Budapest from Venice after a day in Rovinj. I also considered training from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo then flying to Budapest but so far none of these seem to be ideal options.

Is it worth going to Croatia or should we cut Budapest or Croatia from the trip all together? We have strict timeline and do not love to fly, but i would love to see both cultures if possible. We will also scheduled to be in Budapest on Aug 20 which is a national holiday.

I would appreciate any suggestions or experiences. Thanks.

Posted by
632 posts

Just my opinion, but I'd do one or the other, but not both. I don't think you can do both and still do justice to each with the limited time you have planned. You didn't say from which European airport you would be departing, but that would certainly play into any decisions I would make.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks for your response. Thats what i was afraid of. With that much travel time, i do not think we would enjoy the experience once we got there anyways.

It seems croatia is incredibly hard to get to and it maybe more prudent to couple that with Greece at another time.

Fortunately for me, I am not "departing". I am moving to Paris from the States and will be making my way back to Paris from Budapest through Prague and Munich.

Thanks again for all your insight.

Posted by
26 posts

We went to both towns last year, Budapest and Dubrovnik. Both towns and cultures are really different. Dubronvik is an amazing city, a walled city with LOTS of hills and stairs to walk. Budapest has the best natural hot pools for relaxing. We flew between the two cities. If I had to pick between the two, I would go to Dubrovnik. :)

Posted by
525 posts

I remember this exact dilema when I was planning my last trip. We ended up cutting Budapest so that we could have time stop a couple places in Croatia.

Croatia does take a little more "effort" to get thru because it is so long and also it doesn't have the train system like a lot of other parts of Europe. You really have to use cars and buses to get around.

It is worth the effort though - so very very worth it.

Having said that though, you have the advantage of living there soon - so I would hold on Croatia for another time when you have more wiggle room. 2 days is not enough. Your travel time through Croatia is a major factor.

Posted by
82 posts

We visited both cities last summer and spent 3 days in each. Two days in each (including travel) would rob you of meaningful time in either city. I'd pick one or the other. You've got to have something left for your next trip.

Posted by
115 posts

I agree with most here that Croatia is fantastic and a DO NOT MISS. But it needs a few more day especially to travel up the coast, visit some of the islands and Dubrovnik. It definetely a trip in itself. Maybe next time you can do Croatia and Solvenia. One of our best trips.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks everyone for your honest responses.

I think we undertook a little more than we can handle. We decided to take the 6 hour train to Venice for the two days and then an overnight train to Budapest to maximize our travel time.

I will be in Europe for a couple years so plenty of time.

Thanks again and happy travels.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.