Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic routing assistance

Question

Just posted a similar question on the TA Budapest forum but would love some advice from folks in Prague....

My husband and I (from the US) have open jaw airline tickets (arriving BUD, departing PRG) this Sept./Oct. and we just found out that we cannot (currently) fly into BUD regardless of vaccination status. Our original plan was to fly into BUD, hire a driver from Budapest to Vienna (via Danube Bend), and a driver from Vienna to Prague (via Cesky Krumlov), and fly home from PRG.

I am about to change our airline tickets and am looking for suggestions. It appears (currently) we can fly into VIE or PRG, but not BUD. We would like to keep our existing return flights from PRG to the US (California), if possible.

What entry point (VIE, PRG, other?) and routing (flight/driver/train combo) would you suggest?

Should we skip Budapest and choose a different 3rd location for this 15-night trip?  Places in the general area we have been previously include Salzburg, Munich, and Berlin so don't want to include those cities.  We are definitely open to traveling shorter distances and adding in picturesque towns in the Austrian and/or the Czech Republic countryside.

Things could change by our departure date but we would like to make our airline changes now as we are using frequent flyer miles (which will likely not be available at the same # of miles if we wait until closer to our departure date to make changes).

Thanks, in advance, for any recommendations!

Carole

tejashombre · Accepted Answer

If you can include Budapest, that would be nice.. one of my favorite places.

I am not sure of the status of the thermal spas at the moment but that is always on my to do list when I visit

Consider smaller towns.. esp in Moravia.. Brno, Olomouc for ex.

If things maintain through SEPT there are tons of harvest festivals to visit namely wine and beer.. Mikulov on the Austrian border.

While the Hungarian poster doesn't care for Cesky Krumlov. I love it. my favorite Czech place. That said, based on your time,cost energy level, logistics etc. CK can be skipped( logistic-wise).. a nice alternative is Kutna Hora closer Prague.

As mentioned, Brno.. 2nd biggest city.. slower, more calm pace than Prague.. in the area are Punka Caves

If you get to Budapest, check on reservations for Parliament Building ahead of time. and visit the shoe memorial on the riverbank Danube

Edited: 2 years ago

cawhite · Answer

Thanks, tejashombre, for all the detailed information.

We really do want to see Budapest. And I hope there are some harvest festivals going on while we are there.

We'll also make sure to get reservations for the Parliament Building in advance. I recall doing the same in other cities (e.g., Berlin) in the past.

I'm sure I'll have some additional questions so thanks in advance!

Carole

Edited: 2 years ago

PrahaBohemian · Answer

If yo fly in to Vienna you can then make your way to Wachau area betweem Krems and Melk, this pretty (Unesco ) Wine area , then continue to Cesky Krumlov and then bus to Prague.

PersonalPragueGuide · Answer

I agree It is a good idea to fly into Vienna you can then make your way to Wachau and Melk, then continue to Šumava forests and beautiful town of Cesky Krumlov, Hluboka castle and then to Prague. The best is to hire Czech English Speaking Driver - they will be cheaper than Austrian drivers :-) ... And in Prague you can meet me as your PersonalPragueGuide. :-) ... wishing you great traveling!

cawhite · Answer

Thanks, PrahaBohemian and PersonalPragueGuide.

I have contacted Mike's Chauffeur Service out of Prague (https://mike-chauffeur.cz) for transport services. I am pretty sure we will get an English speaking driver, but I will confirm.

We are now considering a Viking Danube river cruise from Budapest to Regensburg (the schedule fits nicely with our already booked flights). We could visit Budapest for a few nights before the cruise and visit Prague for a few nights after the cruise. The cruise, itself, visits Vienna for 2 nights.

If anyone has recommendations on a river cruise vs. traveling via car / train, I'd greatly appreciate it. Trying to decide!

Thanks, again.

Carole

Edited: 2 years ago

PrahaBohemian · Answer

I never done it but would like to, the views from the river should be nice most of the time, you will go through wachau of course.

PersonalPragueGuide · Answer

Mike's Chauffeur Service is a great choice. Very friendly local people.

alsace1 · Answer

We arrive Prague from US, will spend a few days there, travel to Budapest( trying to decide train or a driver) spend a few days in Budapest and do Viking River Cruise to Regensberg. Train to Munich and home. , The Viking Cruise offers all the places we want to visit, although we may book tours on our own..

cawhite · Answer

Hi alsace1,

We were considering a similar itinerary. We thought about spending a few days in Prague and then traveling to Passau for the Viking Danube Waltz river cruise which ends in Budapest, and then spending a few days there. We would like more time in Vienna, however, so I think we will likely do the Danube cruise another time. A difficult deision!

Carole

r c · Answer

welcome,

just my 0.02.

Some disclosures...

>older solo male traveler herre.

> dont do cruizes. But my do so later on but it will depend.

> dont do frequent flyer miles or bonuses ect....

some thoughts...

> if you dont consider travel as a "DO OVER", you may want to.

> My geography sucks, so i look at a map. Since you know where you will be, have you looked at a map and then look at whats close by or what may work with open jaw/cruises? Even though you will fly out, i always look at the logisitcs on how to get from A to B. If its "worth it" or if its "expensive" than i may opt for a different place. While also keeping in mind - travel is a do over - and i may catch those places on a different trip.

> I also think and plan like i will come back too.

> I also try to think and plan to travel in a smaller area, if at all possible. That way im doing/seeiing more than warming a seat on some plane/train unless thats my goal.

> last comment. I dont see travel as "IF", but "WHEN".

good luck

Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic routing assistance - Prague Forum

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