Hello! My mom (75) and I (46) are going on a bucket list trip to the Christmas Markets over Thanksgiving/early December. The river cruise starts in Budapest and ends in Regensburg, and we are going to Munich after to visit her childhood friend. I'm trying to figure out what the best transit options are in terms of flights and trains, without multiple layovers and not spending more than a few hours on trains, if possible. We'd be flying in from Chicago a few days before, and then flying out after we visit her friend in Munich. Is it better to try and find somewhere midway between Budapest (where the tour starts) and Munich (where we'll end the trip)? Thank you!
Posted by
Green Bay
21140 posts
Fly Lufthansa (or partner United) to Budapest, then home from Munich on a nonstop. The flight to Budapest will change in either Frankfurt or Munich. You can do this easily by specifying a multi-city ticket. Should cost the same as a r/t ticket.
PS. Seeing about $765 to $799 for this.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8963 posts
What Sam said: multi-city ticketing, Chicago>Budapest: Munich>Chicago. Since you're in Chicago, I'd start with United website since that will include codeshares with Lufthansa. I believe multi-city fares are under the "Advanced Search" link on the flight booking page.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
11 posts
Wonderful - thank you! Much appreciated!
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1060 posts
Agree, book MultiCity tickets. We did this same trip in 2016 on Uniworld and used Delta. The train from Regensburg to Munich is about 1hr,30minutes - very easy. There are also three great Xmas Markets in the Marienplatz area worth visiting if you have time - the main one at Marienplatz, the one at the Residenz, and the Medieval one - all very close to each other. If you have extra time, the one in Nuremberg was our favorite. If they take you to the Private market at the Thurn & Taxis Palace in Regensburg= that is our favorite market in all of Europe (we go over every other year for the Xmas Markets).
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20166 posts
Just be sure to arrive in Budapest at least 3 full days prior to sailing.
Posted by
Bavaria
2480 posts
The train from Regensburg to Munich is about 30minutes - very easy.
You probably wanted to say one hour 30 minutes.