Itinerary Advice: Prague-Vienna-Budapest (and?)

When traveling, I prefer to go by the paths of least resistance. Bratislava is just 43 miles from Vienna, and is not really worth picking up and moving there for a day. It's different, but almost a suburb of Vienna. Cesky Krumlov is 110 miles due south from Prague, and somewhat off the direct train lines to Vienna. You might check the train schedules to see how convenient it is getting from Prague to C/K to Vienna. These are three absolutely great cities, and equal time is warranted between the cities.

I wouldn't plan any more overnights, but would look into day trips. That way, if you agree with David (and me) that you have plenty to do in your 3 main cities, you won't have to rush around; on the other hand, if you do want a change of venue, you can see something different. For Prague, look into Kutna Hora; I didn't get there, but my sister found it very nice and interesting. Olomouc is a bit far for a daytrip, but doable and quite interesting (I did it as an overnight). For Budapest, the most common daytrip is Szentendre, but I preferred Vac, which isn't in Rick's otherwise excellent book; I found it in Frommer's Budapest, which in general was a great supplement to Rick's information. I didn't take any daytrips from Vienna, but Bratislava is certainly a possibility. Sopron (just over the border, in Hungary) also sounds very interesting.

Not sure what "shuttle" means, but if it means a direct nonstop trip to Cesky Krumlov and then another to Vienna, it seems very doable. I liked Bratislava but would give Cesky a higher priority if I had to choose. Agree with David about day tripping to Bratislava. One less pack-unpack operation, and if you decide to spend more time in Vienna you can skip Bratislava on day 11. Or, if the train schedule works out, stop there for several hours on your way from Vienna to Budapest. Another Vienna-Budapest travel option might be the hydrofoil, which starts April 29, if that fits your timetable. The website is http://www.mahartpassnave.hu/webset32.cgi?MAHART@@EN@@38@@GOOGLEBOT. I haven't taken this but it seems like a good way to see the river and it passes Bratislava (without stopping though). I think you have enough time in each of the three big cities to see what you're likely to want to. If not, as RS says, "assume you will return."

Okay, here is my rework. If you are over 40 and/or are into food and wine in a big way then I might suggest you move one day from Prague to Budapest. But that's all very subjective. 3 days each is a good balanced approach. I don't know what shuttles you have to Cesky Krumlov but if it works then it's a great idea. I love Cesky Kurmlov. Stay at the Hotel Dvork and get the suite with the open balcony that faces the castle. Five years ago they called it the Presidential Suite and I think it cost 90 euro. Have no idea now. Otherwise a pretty forgettable hotel, but that view!!!! And the location was prime. The Hotel Ventana in Prague wasn't cheap but the location is very, very, very excellent and it is among the best managed hotels we have ever stayed at. In Vienna............ well to be honest I don't like Vienna. If you get really bored there then take a day trip to Melk. Still Vienna must be seen and three days is probably right with not specific interests or requirements. For Budapest many who have only stayed two days were not impressed; most who have stayed four days fall in love with the place. In other words you have to wear it to love it and once you love it you need to go back. Obviously Budapest is my favorite of your trip. 1. Travel 2. Arrive Prague 3. Prague 4. Prague 5. Prague 6. Shuttle to Cesky Krumlov 7. Shuttle to Vienna 8. Vienna 9. Vienna 10. Vienna 11. Morning train to Gyor (about 1.5 hours). Check into the Hotel Klastrom http://klastrom.hu/en/hotel.html , then take a cab to see the Archabbey at Pannonhalma. Spend the evening in the beautiful baroque old town center. 12. Continue on your train journey to Budapest (about 1.5 hours). 13. Budapest 14. Budapest
15. Budapest 16. AM Flight

Thanks, all. This is incredibly helpful. The "shuttle" I was looking at is the shared or private car/minibus service through ckshuttle.cz which seems well reviewed, and also seems like the fastest/least hassle method to get to CK from Prague and also to Vienna (unless we decide to bus from CK to Linz and then train, but I'm inclined to avoid extra transfers etc). Open to other suggestions as well. @James, thanks for the hotel recs. We are hoping to use Starwood Points for the majority of the trip which means Le Meridien in Vienna and Budapest, but the Sheraton in Prague which has questionable reviews. Any thoughts on all three are appreciated. The trip budget can include ditching the Sheraton if preferable. We average 40+ between us (though I'm not quite there yet), and food/wine are always a priority, so I think your advice is spot on. I was thinking Budapest might need another day. I wonder if we left Prague for CK in the late afternoon on Day 5 if we'd feel like we had enough time in Prague? If we did that we could gain the time on the other end in Budapest. Even with no adjustments, we've got just about 4 full days in Budapest which is slightly more than the other cities.

also. Day 6 for us is May 1 which is a holiday everywhere. Anyone know how this will/won't impact our plans?

I've been in the Budapest Le Meridian a few times but never stayed there. It has an outstanding reputation and is five star. The location is spot-on, you really can not do much better. I've got a little place I rent out not too far from the hotel and I put together a guide for my guests; mostly about the local area and some places to eat, maps, how to use the metro, etc. Since you will be in the same general location you might get some use out of it. Go to http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/fivedaysinbudapest and look on the right for a pdf download called "The Guide" I will get slammed for overly generalizing but Prague is a great party town for the young and its generally very crowded. I am an architect and the architecture in Prague is interesting but in the same way museum relics are. I enjoyed it. I had a couple of good meals in Prague but I had more bad meals. Also saw a very good ballet performance in Prague. Vienna is too germanic for my taste. Spent real time there once and passed through a few times. Probably didnt give it the time it deserves. Saw an excellent concert there on one visit. Look into the Melk and the Gyor side trips. Seeing two of the worlds great abbeys allows you to actually learn. They both have excellent tours. For the Gyor trip if you didnt want to spend the night then you could take the morning train out of Vienna and a late train out of Gyor. Gyor is on the line from Vienna to Budapest so it really isnt a detour.