my wife and i are planning a trip from prague to budapest. we are wringing our hands over the advantages and disadvantages of a river cruise vs. using the train. preliminary research shows that it can be considerably cheaper to buy a eurailpass and then book hotels through hotels.com. but this may be an apples and oranges situation. the river cruise is all-inclusive. there are few additional expenses. but, it seems that we could save up to $ 5,000 by going independent. that would buy a lot of meals, tours and transfers. both have their advantages. but, for the moment, does anyone have an opinion on the relative cost of rail vs. cruise?
Posted by
Aptos, CA, USA
56 posts
You are always going to be better off with an independent trip -- HOWEVER, about a year ago we took a river cruise (Grand Circle Travel) from Basel to Antwerp with extras on each end (GCT at the start - independent on the end). This was a VERY nice trip with town tours each day and one charming town at each river bend. Very little planning except for our independent travel. As with any travel - you will remember the good times - never the cost.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
417 posts
I have done both. Being on a river cruise can be a great experience, very easy to get around, fun, small towns to explore, all inclusive. A cruise can't be beat for ease of travel, included tours, etc.
HOWEVER, if you have your heart set on seeing something particular, then beware. On our last trip the river was too high so we were bussed to a few destinations rather than taking the boat. Basically missed Vienna, save for a few hours in the city, and spent a lot of time on the bus.
Budapest and Prague are pretty easy to do on your own, especially if you have done Europe before. Read up, and have fun.
But don't let me put you off a river cruise- if the river is the right height, then it is a lot of fun. Probably not cheaper than doing it on your own, but different, apples to oranges, as you said.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
I agree with Steve. Check into the hotels that Rick Steves' suggest.
Train travel in Czech Republic and Hungary is very inexpensive you may not need a Rail Pass.
Decide where you want to go. Determine the cost of point-to-point tickets for each travel day. Then check the applicable Rail Passes and compare which is the less expensive.
With help from people here on the Travelers' Helpline you can probably see more on your trip at less cost.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
Link for the Hungarian Rail site:
http://elvira.mav-start.hu/elvira.dll/xslms/index?language=2
Czech Republic Rail Site: