Help with travel itinerary - Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Munich

I would say a minimum of 3 nights in each of the 4 cities. Go to Dachau, outside of Munich, if getting to Auschwitz is going to be a problem. I would fly into Berlin, go to Prague, then to Vienna, and fly out of Munich. And doing it by train would be less of a strain, in my opinion.

kathy It is so hard to narrow a European trip to what is best for you. Europe is not only about sightseeing but experiencing some of the culture, food, and lifestyle in each area. RS guides will help to focus in some ways and in others will make you wish you had 3 months in Europe! Michael has given you one 10 day option for your itinerary. I would point out the 15 plus hours of travel time is eating into your trip. Too much time on the train for very little time in your destinations. And flights won't help either as the time to get to airports, wait at airports, etc is almost 5 hours anyway. My suggestion is to drop Vienna or your outlier city Prague and increase your trip at least 2 days. Rick Steves books will say the same thing regarding the length of time in each destination as will many on the Helpline. Keep us posted on your choices! PS. Double check to see if Frequent Flyer flights are still available as they go fast. Book them now. Bobbie

Thanks for the quick response. I failed to mention that I've been to Munich before so I don't need time in this trip to visit there but could use as an arrival or departure. You're right about frequent flyer points and since it was just decided today about this trip and is in May was one of the reasons I posted to find out suggestions while I do some initial research to determine the fly in and out locations and then can at least get the flight booked before the points disappear on me. I know next to nothing about the areas yet.

Kelly - Thanks for the comment about Dachau. That would definitely free up some time not going out as far as Auschwitz. I just read Rick Steve's information about concentration camps and also see there is one outside of Praque - Terezin. It seems very important to my daughter to see one of the camps so will investigate one of these locations further and eliminate the idea of Auschwitz.

My friend and I took this almost exact itinerary in December last year. And, I have been to Munich several times. My thoughts are this-if an experience at the camps is important-as it was to me, Dachau is very close to Munich and easily reached by a local train, then a bus. But if you go to Prague-one of my favorite cities-you might consider the Jewish Ghetto. It is eye opening, several Synagogues, and very humbling. It was to be Hitler's museum to a "lost race." That is, if you cannot make it to the concentration camp outside Prague. I found this to be one of the "best" experiences I have ever had, and one that left me
speechless. As far as Vienna is concerned, it is a lovely city, but requires time. I have seen Vienna in 2 days, as well as 5. But felt that time in this beauty-nighttime is important as the architecture is highlighted-was necessary. I always find flying out of Munich is quite easy. Enjoy your trip.

Kathy, I have a few comments to add..... I travelled much the same route a few months ago, and would suggest something along these lines. > Fly inbound to Berlin. It's a VERY vibrant city and there's lots to see and do. I'd suggest at least 3-4 days! While there you can tour Saschenhausen Concentration Camp, in addition to taking Walking Tours that cover the history. The Original Berlin Walks has some excellent tours, which I would recommend (including the trip to Saschenhausen and a "Valkyrie" tour). > Train to Prague. It's about 5-hours and a very pleasant journey. When you arrive in Prague, DO NOT use the Taxi's run by the "No Neck Thugs" at the station. The Guidebook has suggestions on the best way to travel from the station. There are significant WW-II historical sites there as well, including Terezin and one site right in Prague. > I'd skip Vienna this time, due to the short time frame. > Bus to Munich. Lee mentioned a new Bus route that goes directly from Prague to Munich (travel time ~4.5 hours). In Munich you could also tour Dachau, which was the first of the Camps. There are some interesting Walking Tours there also, as that's where the Nazi's originated. Of course, Neuschwanstein is nearby and the the Deutsches Museum there is incredible. Have a look at This Website for some of the local tours. > Fly outbound from Munich. The trip to the airport is easy via S-Bahn. If you're interested, I can provide information on Hotels that I've used in Berlin, Prague and Munich. The Guidebooks provide lots of good recommendations for Hotels and Restaurants. Happy travels!

I was going to mention visiting Sachsenhausen while you are in Berlin, but see that others have already done so. It has many original buildings left there as the communists used the camp after the war for many years. Some of the walking tour companies in Berlin do tours out to Sachsenhausen and can be well worth going on to get a full and intense history of the place.

So much to see, so little time and as always squeezing in more than I should. Thanks for the great ideas. It's helping me quickly form a tentative plan so those frequent flyer tickets can be booked. I will definitely fly into Berlin and thinking 3 nights there, then off to Prague for another 3 nights and take the train. Does anyone know if Dresden is worth stopping at along the way? I'm not sure from Prague to Munich yet. I would really like to visit Salzburg and Hallstatt area so wonder if I got to Munich and rent a car? Day trips? Stay in Salzburg 1-2 nights as base and then Munich? I'm assuming I can't rent a car in Prague and return it in Munich without ridiculous drop off fees being a different country? Last thought was Nuremburg. Whether I ended up there and fly out from there?

Ok: this is what I would do with your trip. Now it will be a bit of a whirlwind tour but maybe you are up for it. You really want to see alot in a small amount of time. But here we go: 1. Berlin: 3 nights, we did it in 2 nights and was fine with it but I was also with a sick miserable boyfriend having the worse cold in his life and we did not do much, so yes, 2 nights was adequate. I wouldn't mind going back to see what I missed...like all the museums and church interiors. 2. Prague: 3 nights, very deserving of 3 nights, we did it comfortable in 4 nights, so stress, no rush 3. Vienna: 3 nights, we arrived late from Munich so we really had 2 full days of touring and found those days jam packed. So 3 nights is a minimal in my opinion. 4. Salzburg: 1 night, leaving as early as possible from Vienna so you have a full day to hang out in Vienna 5. Munich: 2 nights, but one day to Dachau. If you have been to Munich before, then 1 or 2 nights in your final destination is not a bad thing, in my opinion.
***If you skip a concentration camp, then maybe another day can be added to the Salzburg portion. And get ready to need a vacation when you return!

Kathy, My wife and I did a similar trip in Nov. 2011. Here is the order we went; Fussen-2 days to see the castles. Train to Nurnberg 3.5 hours. Stayed 1 night is Nurnberg but wish we had stayed 2. Bus to Prague(3.5 hours) for 2 nights.
Berlin by train, 5.5 hours for 3 nights. We could have easily stayed another night. Berlin to Kracow by train,12 hours. I would not wish that ride on my worst enenmy. We fly next time. Loved Kracow, stayed 3 nights. Went to Auschwitz. Kracow to Vienna,6.5 hours by train. Vienna was ok. but we enjoyed the other cities more. If I had to eliminate one it would be Vienna.

All 4 cities have so much to offer. Prague is a beautiful city and you can easily spend 3 days just in Prague and not see it all. Munich is fun and easy daytrips from there are Fussen, Regensburg, and Auschwitz. From Munich you are 1-1/2 hrs from Salzburg. You could stop in Salzburg one night on your way to Vienna. Out of the 4 Berlin is my least favorite. The other three have more of a compact small town feeling and easy to walk around in. I would fly into Munich, train to Salzburg, Vienna, and then Prague. Flying home from Prague. Check www.flickr.com and see photos of the different cities you are interested in. Check the Salzburg photos too.

I really appreciate everyone's comments. After alot of discussion it seems we will have to get to Auschwitz therefore eliminating Vienna and Berlin. I'm thinking of flying into Krakow & out of Munich. No matter how I try it looks like a long haul from Krakow to Prague, so may consider a flight to Prague and then continue to Salzburg & Munich doing day trips from both locations. Itinerary could be: 2 nights Krakow / 3 nights Prague / 2 nights Salzburg / 3 nights Munich. I could do different day trips from Salzburg & Munich. I don't see how to easily keep in Berlin. I'm trying to stick to 11 nights but could stretch to 12. I was considering 1 night in Cesky Krumlov along the way to Strazburg.