Help with Eastern Europe Itinerary

Good for you! Safety is always a up-to-the minute consideration, so check it out daily. Keep in mind that Prague is beautiful, and if you're that close, hopefully you do it. I'd also encourage you to consider spending extra days in and around Krakow and Budapest instead of going to Warsaw.

A day trip is adequate for Bratislava, but Warsaw is definitely worth a couple nights at least, if you can fit it into your itinerary. We were just there last month. We kind of expected it to be gray and dreary but it wasn't that way at all. The Old Town and the Castle areas are very charming and colorful. There are several beautiful parks and boulevards with interesting shops and restaurants. It's a dynamic city that has been rebuilding itself beautifully since the Russians left 15 years ago. English is widely spoken, we found the people very friendly, and it's one of the least expensive - and least touristy - cities we've found in Europe.

What about Budapest? I looked at some pictures and Rick's guidebook yesterday and I think I would really like Budapest.

This is what I'm thinking so far for an itinerary:
Budapest 4
Prague 3
Krakow 4
Warsaw 3

Prague is no less safe than Budapest. Even though I was with my boyfriend, I nonetheless never came across anyone or any situation that would make me feel unsafe. Just use common sense, i.e. don't wander around deserted alleys at 3am.

Budapest-Prague-Krakow-Warsaw would be an awesome trip. I've been to them all and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

It is humane nature to fear the unknown more than the familiar. I personally feel much safer walking European cities including Prague than American cities. It is not only my personal perception, statistics of crime show the same. You'll be safer in Prague than in Minneapolis. Also Prague Downtown is never as deserted as most downtowns of American cities at night.

There are significant travel times between some of those cities. You are likely to lose at least a 1/2 day between them when you factor in time to pack, check out, get to train/bus/airport, and then in reverse when you arrive. With 2 weeks total, and a longhaul flight + jetlag as you begin, I urge you to stick to 3 cities. At least, check the travel times (and schedules) between destinations before making up your mind.

So after researching travel options between the different cities, I think my itinerary will most likely be (travel times are in parentheses):

1. Start in Budapest for 4 nights, then bus (7 hr 15 min) to Krakow.
2. Stay in Krakow for 4 nights, fly on LOT to Warsaw (40 minutes)
3. Stay in Warsaw for 3 nights, fly on LOT to Prague (80 minutes).
4. Finish in Prague for 3 nights and then fly home.

The only one I'm not thrilled with is the bus from Budapest to Krakow, but the bus time is shorter than the train, and flights were $300 plus. The other 2 flights total $105 so I think it's worth the savings in both time and fatigue.

Just returned from Budapest, Vienna and Prague. We needed 4 nights in Budapest and Prague and 3 in Vienna.

Did you find Prague to be crowded this time of year? I'm hoping it won't be quite as crowded as I've heard it is in the summer.