itinerary question- prague , krakow, budapest 3 nights each

3 nights is good enough for Prague. Because you're stopping at Auschwitz before heading to Krakow, 3 nights is more than enough for the city. But with the extra night, you could also take a daytrip to the nearby salt mine.

You'll have enough time. I spent 4 nights in Budapest and Prague and took a day trip as well and had plenty of time. I spent 3 nights in Krakow and saw Aushwitz and never felt rushed.

We haven't been to Krakow but for us three nights would be about right for Budapest and Prague.

Thanks very much fro your replies. My bro in law just returned from Prague and Budapest and enjoyed Budapest much more than Prague. The suggestion of the salt mine is good, too- will mark it.
Also, thanks for hotel suggestions/reports on other threads.

I lived in Krakow for four months, and so I'm a bit familiar with the things to do. I'd say that 3 days is definitely sufficient. The ideas of going to Auschwitz and the salt mine are good. You also may want to consider visiting the art museum inside the Sukiennice (it may still be closed for rennovation). Do visit the Basilica Mariacka on the main square and pay the exact change to go inside and take photos of the Veit Stoss altar. (They only open the altar at certain times of the day, so you'll have to check the latest schedule and plan ahead). The Wawel Castle is a real treat. It's free to walk the grounds, but if you can navigate all of the different prices for all of the different rooms, I recommend at least paying to see the state rooms. Take a walk through the Planty, see the Barbican and Florian Gate, and be sure to walk down Ulica Florianska and Grotska. For the best Polish ice-cream (lody), go to the Lody Cafe on the third floor of the mall Galeria Krakowska near the train station. Ulica Szewska and Karmelicka have some good coffee shops - our favorite was Coffee Heaven. Also try Wedel Chocolate and Cafe Pod Bialem Orlem on the Rynek. For authentic Polish cusine, pop into one of the many Bar Mleczny cantines (try Ulica Grotska). Don't forget to go to Kazimerz, the district where the Jewish population used to live. Supposedly, you can visit the Schindler factory, though we never did. Other things to try: Carrot Juice (Kubus)- buy this from a sklep, a little wooden hut along the street (like a tabac); Piwo sokiem (beer with juice) at one of the many underground pubs; sheep's cheese (you can buy it from the vendors seeling it in the underpass on the way to the mall), and pierogi with berries (try places on the south side of the Rynek).

The Polish tourist office has excellent brochures with self-guided walking tours. Also, have you considered a stop in Zakopane? The Tatry mountains are gorgeous - a night there is a great idea!

Thanks all. I'm now reconsidering the night in Eger. Even though it sounds beautiful, is it worth the drive for only one night? Looks like beautiful views exist all along the route, from reading other posts and RS.