budapest bratislava vienna prague trip

12 Day Itinerary for Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna & Prague

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For those wanting to explore more of Central / Eastern Europe, this itinerary will pack in a lot to do in four of the most fascinating capitals! First, begin your journey in Prague where you will be blown away with jaw-dropping architecture, colorful buildings and picturesque moments. 

Then head down to Vienna for more amazing architecture and palaces, traditional coffee and cake and lots of shopping! Next, head across the border to Bratislava filled with baroque buildings restored to their former glory, with unique bronze statues all over the city and a castle perched over the city.  Finally, end your journey in Budapest, straddling both sides of the Danube River, loaded with stunning architecture, thermal baths to unwind and great food. 

If you love to explore new cities, try new foods, enjoy the coffee culture and learning history along the way, then this is the perfect itinerary for you! PIN IT FOR LATER!!

How to AVOID Looking Like a Tourist in Europe

Road Trip Essentials

Day 1: Arrive in Prague, unwind with a Beer Spa

Day 2: Explore the Old Town ( Staré Město & Josefov)

Day 3: explore the castle quarter ( hradčany and malá strana), day 4: travel from prague to vienna via cesky krumlov.

Day 5: Explore Vienna City Center, Shopping, Coffee & Cake

Day 6: Visit the Hundertwasser-Haus, Ride the Riesenrad, Coffee & Cake

Day 7: visit the schönbrunn palace and the belvedere, day 8: arrive in bratislava, visit the bratislava castle, tour the city center, day 9: explore the city center, visit the church of st. elisabeth.

Day 10:  Arrive in Budapest, Explore the Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion & Parliament

Day 11:  Go to Széchenyi Thermal Bath & Explore Around Hero’s Square, Vajahunyad Castle

Day 12:   Gellért Hill, Mihály Vörösmarty Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica, State Opera House

Day 13:  Head Home

Day 1: Arrive in Prague

If you fly in and rent a car, then you will need to purchase a 10 day Vignette for around 12  € to be placed in your front windshield prior to driving on the highway. Directions are on the sticker where you need to place it! If you rent a car, then you will need to inform the rental car agency that you will be taking it out of the country to Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. More information on Vignettes for Europe here .

Depending on whether you’re flying into Prague, driving or taking a train, you’ll likely arrive mid-day or later. After you have checked into your hotel, I highly suggest having a relaxing evening to kick start your two week holiday by heading over to Spa Beerland and taking a soar in beer ingredients while indulging yourself with an hour’s unlimited beer at your disposal while snacking on beer bread! Make reservations ahead of time! Trust me, doing a beer spa is one of the best things to do in Prague! ( More here on Prague’s Beer Spa )

Website: Spa Beerland Prague

• Price: 130 € for two people, 1 tub

Where to stay in Prague: Hilton Prague Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Within walking distance from the Old Town and all the main attractions, the Hilton Hotel is incredibly comfy and luxurious! Great for those who have a car and need private parking!

Begin your sightseeing in Prague by getting up early to take advantage of the entire day. There are many, many things to do in Prague and you will want to see as much as possible! Head straight for the historic city center, where you’ll find the Old Town Hall & Astronomical Tower  – one of the top attractions in Prague. Prague is known as the “Golden City of a Hundred Spires”  and the best way to see them is to take the elevator up the tower for a view over Prague before the crowds arrive before visiting the Church of Our Lady before Tyn .

If you’re wondering where to eat in Prague or what to eat, stroll through the allies full of shops and restaurants, grab yourself a Trdelnik (Chimney Cake) and stroll in the direction of the Charles Bridge and climb the tower the Staré Město Tower for amazing views over the river, bridge & castle.

Then walk along the Vltava River heading in the direction of the Jewish Quarter and head over to the Jewish Quarter known as Josefov, where you’ll find the Old-New Synagogue , the Old Jewish Cemetery both of which a quick walk by is enough!

Begin your day 2 in Prague by exploring the Malá Strana quarter on the opposite side of the Vltava River. Immediately after passing the Malá Strana Tower on the bridge, you’ll find the most picturesque street in Prague. Then turn down first the alley on the left and follow along till you find the John Lennon Wall  – one of the main attractions in Prague and snap some peace loving pictures . Then explore some of the churches in this area, such as the Church of St. Nicholas . Walk over in the direction of the Franz Kafka Museum and admire a plethora of beautiful swans at the Cihelna Park .

Then walk up (or take the street cars) to the Prague Castle and explore the castle’s surrounding buildings. Try to get up there a little before noon to watch the Changing of the Guards procession and go inside the St. Vitus’s Cathedral . I highly suggest visiting Stahov Monastery for two glorious libraries. If you’re looking for something unique to do in Prague, then once done, continue walking up the hill to a mini version of the Eiffel Tower (Rozhledna) for amazing views over all of Prague! ( More here on Prague and here )

To break up the drive a bit from Prague to Vienna, make a stop in Cesky Krumlov for half a day, since it’s only a 2 hour drive. You won’t want to pass up this picture perfect medieval town that is still perfectly preserved and was almost forgotten about! Cesky Krumlov is honestly the best day trip from Prague!

Once here, walk around the City Center by doing a free walking tour which meets every day at 10:30am and 2pm. Meeting in front of the Town Hall, they will show you around the Krumlov Castle , Church of St Vitus , the former brewery of Egon Schiele Centrum , the old quarter of Latrán and more. Be sure to tip your guide based on your experience! Then go find yourself the best medieval lunch ever at Krčma v Šatlavské ulici ! ( More here on Cesky Krumlov here )

Website: Wiseman Free Walking Tour

End the day by driving the rest of the almost 3 hour drive to Vienna and explore the town by night after checking into your hotel, which I highly recommend!

Where to stay in Vienna: Imperial Riding School Renaissance Vienna Hotel   ⭐⭐⭐⭐  – For a more luxurious stay in Vienna, consider staying in a 19th century building, complete with antique style furniture minutes from the city center. Enjoy an elegant stay and a fancy breakfast to start your day!

  Vienna SportHotel   ⭐⭐⭐⭐ For a more affordable stay and just a 7 minute walk from the nearest U-Bahn station and a 5 minute ride into the city center, the Vienna SportHotel provides comfortable rooms and affordable parking for those with a car! Before or after your sightseeing, come back and stay fit while traveling by playing tennis or working out in the gym. Perhaps you care to simply relax in the sauna or sit poolside!

Day 5: Arrive in Vienna: Explore the City Center, Shopping, Coffee & Cake

Just before you enter Austria, you will need to get a Vignette for 7 days (8,90  €), but there are no border controls so you won’t have to show your passport.

In order to visit as many coffeehouses as possible, I highly recommend enjoying breakfast at Café Central  – one of Vienna’s most popular coffeehouses! Stay and enjoy the cultural experience with a delicious cake for an early morning dessert, preferably the Central Surprise ! ( More here on Vienna’s Cafes )

Then work off those calories by walking around the Inner City, shopping here and there but heading in the direction of St. Stephan’s Cathedral . Be sure to check out the inside, as well as climb the tower for amazing views over the town. Take a gander inside St. Peter’s Church , stroll along the Graben .

Make your way towards the Hofburg Complex and take a self-guided tour through the Hofburg, the former Emperor’s residence by taking the Empress Elizabeth ‘Sisi’ tour . When done, head over to Josefplatz , a beautiful square named after Emperor Joseph II where you will find the entrance to the National Library , one of Austria’s most beautiful libraries, and visit one of Europe’s most beautiful libraries. ( More here on Vienna )

Related: Royal Novels to Read Before Visiting Europe

After all this walking, I’m sure you’ll want to sit down and enjoy another coffee and cake to recoup, so head on over to Demel , which is not technically part of the “coffeehouse” culture, but holds the title of “Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court”.

Then walk over to Vienna’s Parliament Building as well as the Rathaus (City Hall)  – one of the top attractions in Vienna. If you’re in town during the winter, why not make time for some ice skating? Across the street, you’ll find Cafe Landtmann for more coffee and cake!

Don’t Miss:

• Spanish Riding School – catch a performance of the of the circus-style training of the horses with their riders wearing traditional uniforms.
• Volksgarten – take a stroll through the gardens near the Hofburg Complex which were created after Napoleon destroyed the city walls in 1820.
• Parliament Building – Take a gander of the Austrian Parliament building which depicts the last Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I handing the constitution to the people of the Empire.

If you’re a fan of quirky and looking for unique things to do in Vienna , then head on over to the Hundertwasser-Haus , a block of apartments designed by the famous Viennese artist Friedrich Hundertwasser which combines an eclectic-style art form with Moorish elements and Venetian palaces bringing humanity and earth together as one. ( More here on Hundertwasser )

Since you’re this far out of the inner city, you might as well visit the Prater , a fun fair open to the public where you can take a ride on the Riesenrad , the historic Ferris wheel built in 1896.

After all that fun, as you’re heading back into town, stop at Caf é Schwarzenberg for more coffee and cake, if you’re not already hyper on goodies from the Prater. Then visit Karlskirche , a unique looking church with two minaret-like towers.

Praying that the weather is nice for you, spend the day between the two palaces. To avoid crowds, visit the Schönbrunn Palace first and take a self-guided audio tour and then stroll the palace grounds. Plan on spend a good couple of hours here perusing the castle and gardens. Schönbrunn Palace was once the imperial summer residence of the Hapsburg monarchy and is today one of the best things to see in Vienna.

Stop by the Belvedere – a summer residence with stunning gardens and the iconic portrait from Gustav Klimt of The Kiss which is an absolute must-see, as it’s one of the symbols of Vienna.

Prior to crossing the border, you’ll need to purchase a Vignette for Slovakia 10 days (10  €) and place it in your window, which allows you to drive on the highways. 

Bratislava is a hop, skip and a jump away from Vienna and it would be silly to leave this off your itinerary! You could easily see the entire Old Town in a day if you want to cut out a day. But it’s best explored in two days to break up all the walking you will be doing as there are many things to do in Bratislava.

Begin your day by walking up to the Bratislava Castle and enjoying the views over the city and the Danube River as well as wander around the Baroque Gardens. When you head back into town, check out St. Martin’s Cathedral and climbing up St. Michael’s Gate for more views over the city. Then head up and check out the  Grassalkovich Palace . When you’re done, head back into town to grab lunch and some later enjoy some coffee and cake at Cafe Mayer . Finish the evening off by wandering around the Main Square where you’ll find several iconic statues which provide a plethora of fun! ( More on Bratislava here )

Where to Stay in Bratislava:   Hotel Devín ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Located in a prime location along the banks of the Danube River in the Old Town, rooms are incredibly luxurious and spacious while the beds are comfy-cozy for affordable prices! In the evening, we enjoyed the swimming pool and a relaxing massage after a full day of sightseeing! 

The next day, head early to the Church of St. Elisabeth “Blue Church” and you can visit the inside of this Gaudi-esque church. I promise it’s worth the 10-15 minute walk! If you’re looking for a unique experience in Bratislava, then once back in town, enjoy a coffee and cake at  Konditorei Kormuth , a beautifully restored cafe with antique chinaware, furniture and stunning artwork. Afterwards, walk it off by strolling through the alleys, checking out the Slovak National Theater and making your way across the Danube River to the Sad Janka  Kráľa Park  for a lovely view of the Old Town, SNP Bridge and the Bratislava Castle. End the evening by having dinner up at the Observation Deck UFO , a tower in the middle of the SNP Bridge which offers stunning panoramic views over Bratislava!

Day 10 : Arrive in Budapest, Explore the Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion & Parliament

You’ll also need to buy another Vignette for 10 days (15  €) in order to drive on the highways in Budapest. 

As Budapest is only a mere two hour drive from Bratislava, you’ll be able to take advantage of a full day of sightseeing. As Budapest is actually “a tale of two cities”, Buda and Pest, we’ll begin with Buda.

Hopefully you booked a room at the Hilton Budapest , a personal favorite as it’s in the heart of the Castle District and offers the best views over Budapest and the Fisherman’s Bastion is right there! I would hang out here early in the morning before the crowds arrive as this is a popular tourist destination in Budapest, as well as late at night for amazing night time views over Budapest and Parliament.

Next visit the Mátyás Church , just feet from the Fisherman’s Bastion and admire the colorful tiled roof. Then you can either walk around the Budapest Castle or consider visiting the Hungarian National Library . When done with the Castle District, take the historic Budapest Castle Hill Funicular down into the city.

Once down into the city, walk across the Chain Bridge into Pest, for views of the castle from a distance. Take a quick peak inside of the Gresham Palace , also known as the Four Seasons Hotel. Then continue walking along the Danube river toward the Hungarian Parliament Building , but before you get there, visit the “Shoes on the Danube” . A must-visit memorial to Jewish people who were shot and killed during WWII. ( More here on Budapest )

Where to stay in Budapest: Hilton Budapest ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Just inches from the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Hilton Budapest is in a PRIME location with views to kill for! Rooms are luxuriously and comfortably furnished and a portion of the Dominican cloister have been incorporated into the hotel!

Day 11: Go to Széchenyi Thermal Bath & Explore Around Hero’s Square, Vajahunyad Castle

Budapest is known for their beautiful thermal pools, so I highly suggest visiting Széchenyi Thermal Bath   which is one of the best thermal pools in Budapest   located in near Hero’s Square . You should visit first thing in the morning, otherwise you’ll have a hard time getting in. Don’t worry, you can completely get dressed and showered there before continuing your sightseeing. I highly recommend spending a good two hours here to really be able to enjoy the thermal pools.

Once dressed, head through the parks to visit the Millennium Monument which dominates Hero’s Square . The just a short distance from here, walk over to another major tourist attraction in Budapest, the Vajahunyad Castle , which is not a genuine castle, but a complex of buildings reflecting the different architectural styles in Budapest that was created for the 1896 Millennium Celebrations.

Don’t miss:

• Memento Park – a park dedicated to a collection of Socialist Realism sculptures from the 20th century that Hungarians preserved to the time that Communism was once the form of government here.
• Buda Hill – At the top of Janos Hill stands the Erzsebet Look-Out Tower.

Day 12: Gellért Hill, Mihály Vörösmarty Square , St. Stephen’s Basilica, State Opera House

Begin your day by visiting the Citadel , a place which once inspired terror, now offers restaurants, a wine bar and a splendid view over Budapest.  Then follow the trail to the Statue of St. Gellért who is the patron saint of Budapest.  If you’re feeling like another dip and relax your feet, then visiting another popular thermal pool, the Gellért Hotel & Bath Complex  is a must.

Once done, head into the city in the direction of St. Stephen’s Basilica via a detour to Mihály Vörösmarty Square where you’ll find the elegant Gerbeaud patisserie where you can stop for a coffee and cake which opened in 1858.

Then continue on to St. Stephen’s Basilica which is dedicated to the first Hungarian Christian King, designed in the Neo-Classical style. Not far from here is the State Opera House , which I highly recommend visiting the timeless Opera room which was built to rival those of Vienna , Paris and Dresden .

Day 13: Fly/Drive Home

Now that you’ve had a wonderful two weeks, I’m sure you’re excited to head home and lay your head on your familiar pillow, so I’ll wish you a safe journey home!

When should you go?:

During the Spring and Autumn months, you’re less likely to encounter hordes of tourists as compared to during Summer and the Christmas Market season. The weather is pleasant, give or take a few rainy days. The summer months are obviously the best time to go for better weather, but the cities are much more crowded.

Would I make many changes to the itinerary?:

Not really, however, if you have already been to Cesky Krumlov, then I would swap it out for České Budějovice , also near the former.Plus, you need less time here than at Cesky Krumlov, in case you’re running short on time. Before arriving in České Budějovice, I would stop at Hluboká Castle , about 10 minutes drive outside the city for an amazing Neo-Gothic style castle, modeled after Windsor Castle in London.

Once you arrive in the town, you’ll find the original Budweiser Brewery (Budvar Brewery) where you can take a tour of the brewery and try a sample of their beer at the end of the tour.

Then, head to the city center where you’ll find Europe’s largest square and some of the most colorful buildings and a unique looking city hall. ( More here on České Budějovice )

What do I recommend for this itinerary?:

While it is easy to get around by train, I highly recommend renting a car as it would be such a shame to miss the smaller towns of Cesky Krumlov or České Budějovice. Plus it gives you more freedom to come and go when you want, and the drive is incredibly beautiful and the highway is easy to navigate.

And eat lots of cake!

Where would I be without my trusty DK Travel Guides? Lost probably! With quick details, easy to follow suggested sightseeing routes, I can find my way through any city! 

Other Travel Guides:

You 7 Day Road Trip Through Austria

Your 10 Day Guide to Bavaria

10 Day Road Trip Through Croatia

A Delicious Guide to Coffee & Cake in Vienna

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Replies to 12 Day Itinerary for Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna & Prague

This is a great itinerary! We followed it almost to the letter a few years ago, although we skipped Bratislava, which I wish we didn’t. But we also had to get to Romania after Budapest, so had a little less time. Budapest is pretty much of a home-base for us usually, but it is always a great place to revisit. And we all loved both Prague and Vienna. You compiled a great travel guide for these cities! Thanks for the post, reminded me of some good times in them.

Oh awesome! Glad to take you down memory lane! If you get he chance, I highly recommend visiting Bratislava! I just published that last week!

How exciting to read this! This is my exact itinerary for my next trip. Thanks for the tips!

Awesome!! Have fun!

I love that in this part of Europe you can visit 4 capital cities that are so close to each other. I have never been to Budapest – it must have been on my wish list for about 20 years – the thermal baths look lovely, so I must get round to visiting #citytripping

You had me at beer spa! What a great itinerary thanks for putting this together x #citytripping

This is great! I loved Budapest, but still need to visit the other three – planning on going to Prague this summer! #citytripping

What a great itinerary. Sometimes it seems so difficult to actual plan a trip because there’s so much to see and do. Great to have this guide! #citytripping

What a fabulous itinerary. I would have to extend it quite a lot though as I would want to spend a lot more time in Vienna and Budapest as I love both of those cities especially! 😀 Bratislava is very sweet, and we found the people so friendly there! 🙂

What a wonderful itinerary through so many capital cities. We still need to visit them all! Really like the idea of bing able to see so many in a relatively short space of time #citytripping

I did a similar trip about a year and a half ago and it has been one of the best I have done. All the places in here left a huge impression on me. I hope to return and explore more of each country. We found pretty easy to move around on the train. We connected to Cesky Krumlov by using a private shuttle (the price was reasonable). We visited Krakow too on our trip. The only thing is that adding Poland to the itinerary complicates things a bit. It required a night train from Prague and a night bus back to Budapest (but it was worth the effort). #citytripping

Thanks – very useful tips. Love all the hot springs there too! #citytripping

I have done Prague, Vienna and Budapest (we were travelling around Europe by train) – we started in Rome with Prague the final destination. I haven’t been to Bratislava though it would have been good to add into the itinerary! Which did you like the best?

Oooh tough choice! Vienna is special bc my husband proposed there, but Prague is allllways amazing but so is Budapest but Bratislava is a little less touristy, so it’s hard to say which one I prefer best!

I just love how close these cities are, because they really are a great 4! I travelled between them by train and it was so easy, I love European train travel!

You definitely hit a lot of the places we did on our Christmas market adventure so I agree with your recs!! I’m definitely in agreement that driving seems to cover the distance more effectively.

What a great itinerary – I did a version of it years ago but by train and in a lot less style, so I love the idea of a capital-hopping road trip. I also love the fact that both days in Vienna have time set aside for coffee and cake, definitely essential. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

No trip to Vienna would be complete without some coffee and cake haha

Great itinerary! I want to go back to eastern Europe this year to check out Bulgaria and Romania. Haven’t been to Bratislava though and it looks nice. Good tip about renting a car. Did you go back to Prague to return the car? #wanderfulwednesday

We live in Germany so we drove everywhere anyways but many car rentals allow you to return the car at another location.

I’ve been to all of these cities, except for Bratislava, but would totally go back with this itinerary!

I came for the pictures & they’re gorgeous! I’m so glad you mentioned the baths in Budapest. They were my favorite part of that beautiful city. Plus the food. And the architecture. And the nightlife. lol.

Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava… I seriously want to go to all 4 of these cities! Prague looks so dreamy! One of my bridesmaids suggested Prague for my bachelorette party and I think she’s on to something! lol But Budapest looks awesome too! Too bad I probably can’t take off 12 days for it lol

Prague would be great for a bachelorette party but Bratislava is also popular for Stag parties!

This is quite the jam packed itinerary but what a great way to see so many places. I love this part of Europe, Budapest is one of my favourite destinations ever. I just loved the architecture – and the baths! I’ve never been to Bratislava but it looks fabulous. One day!

This sounds like a great itinerary for a two week trip. I have been to Vienna but not the other three. I’m pinning this for later since we’re hoping to do a lot more Europe travel in the next few years. #FarawayFiles

Mmmm cake!! Gosh you have been busy, creating this itinerary. Out of the four, I’ve only been to Vienna so I have a lot to catch up on some day! #FarawayFiles

Just incredible! You’ve really broken it down! I would definitely do this trip, but living in the USA, it’s so far from all the amazing that Europe has to offer. I’m living vicariously through you! #citytripping

Hope you can make it one day!

Such an interesting itinerary! I absolutely loved Prague. Stayed in Mala Strana just off the bridge, very close to those colourful houses. Thank you so much for taking me down memory lane 🙂 Hoping to cover Vienna this year!

Be sure to check out my Vienna post as well as my Guide for Coffee and Cake post for Vienna!

What a useful post this is! I’d love to revisit Vienna and Prague and you’ve completely convinced me to add Bratislava to my travel plans after last week’s post. Great travel inspiration for #FarawayFiles

So glad to hear that!!

Fantastic! Such a great idea. Followers don’t have to do a thing but book and go.

I loved reading this. I have always thought about visiting Prague and Budapest but haven’t yet. Your detail is great! P.S. I love your blog, its so pretty 😀

Since I live in Vienna’s I’ve been to all of those cities in seperate trips but absolutely looove your idea to combine all 4 cities. I’ll absolutely have to save this itinerary for when friends from overseas are coming over to visit me in Vienna. Perfect way to show them around a little!

What an incredible itinerary! I definitely need to explore this part of Europe. I’ve been hearing so much about Budapest lately and those thermal baths look so cool! #TheWeeklyPostcard

Great itinerary. I have been to Prague and Budapest but I still need to visit Vienna and Bratislava. I might try the middle part of your itinerary out when I do make it there. #TheWeeklyPostcard

You had me at beer spa. This is such a great itinerary, Lori. I’m saving it for when I eventually make it to those cities, none of which I’ve been to! Still can’t believe I haven’t been to Prague! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles

Beautiful itinerary! I’m going to be in Vienna in fall this year too. I’ve never been to a spa in Europe. It seems I’m missing a lot. My trips are always so rushed. I’d love to be able to relax a little when I travel, but with my husband that’s very difficult. He is always running around. Your post reminded me how Beautiful Budapest is.

Im that way too, always go, go, go but I always try to make time for something relaxing!

Such a feast of information and gorgeous photos… wow! #TheWeeklyPostcard

This is quite an ambitious itinerary, but looks like you hit all the good stuff! I’ve been to all these capital cities but didn’t get to do everything on your list. When I was in Vienna, the most important item for me was the Vienna Zoo :P. And I really enjoyed just hanging out in the grand cafes in Budapest!

This is a fabulous itinerary covering so much architecture and history. Love Cesky Krumlov, that really is pretty, the problem is, I don’t know if I would ever want to leave the beer spa in Prague! … and did you say I can eat lots of cake on this tour?? You really have covered something great sites here so pinned for later. #feetdotravel

Haha yes lots of cake!!

I really enjoyed reading this post! We did something similar three years ago and stayed at the Hotel Devin in Bratislava. #TheWeeklyPostcard

Wau what an itinerary. I think you included probably the most interesting cities in Central Europe. I guess I should visit Budapest again… Thanks for your post. #TheWeeklyPostcard

We are headed to some of these spots later this year, so this is really helpful! Saving this for later – thanks for the perfectly timed post!!

Eastern Europe is still on my list to go! And I love your itinerary cause it gives me great ideas on what to do in those beautiful cities.

I kinda went in the opposite direction from Budapest to Bratislava and then Vienna, but yeah you’ve definitely his the highlights and this post is making me so nostalgic 🙂

What an amazing 12-day Itinerary. I have been to most of these places but missed interesting places to stop and see. The SpaBeer looks fascinating, also the thermal pools in Budapest. I will definitely pin this for later use and would love to do this trip next time I am in Europe. #feetdotravel

Wow, this is really useful for those of us who come from Asia. We often trying to figure out how to make our money’s worth when travelling to Europe – how many countries/cities to visit over how many days. This is perfect for those of us who wish to explore Central & Eastern Europe. Thanks for this! #Citytripping

Wow, that’s quite an itinerary! I can’t wait to return to this part of Europe, there’s so much to see and such charming architecture. #Theweeklypostcard

Looks like a great itinerary! I’ve been to Prague many times, but not to Bratislava, Vienna or Budapest (and I really want to go!). I’m going to pin this for when we do decide to make that trip! #theweeklypostcard

Very interesting tour! I specially love the room in the Prague Spa. We’ve only been to Vienna (together) and Prague (Dídac only). Budapest and Bratislava are in our bucket list. Thanks for this useful post!

Great guide! Living in London, I tend to hop over for long weekends and almost forget how close these cities all are to each other. I haven’t been to Bratislava yet so I hope I will be able to put this part of the guide into practice soon 🙂

What a great itinerary, we did Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest a couple of years ago by boat, all great cities. #CityTripping

Amazing! I haven’t had the chance to visit any of these places (and trust me, they are all my list) so this is an ideal itinerary for someone like me who can probably only get away from work for about two weeks at a time. Thank you so much for sharing. Definitely pinning this one for later!

Hubby and I have never been to any part of Europe! However, I always dream of it. Though I’ve always wanted to go to the most popular places, lately I’m starting to wanderlust over places in Europe that seem much more authentic and enjoyable, like these one. The architecture of the buildings in your pictures are simply stunning and the reason I dream so much about Europe! We’d definitely go with the car option since it’s so much nicer to go anywhere with a car!

A car is really the best way to go!!

Some good solid tips and yes there’s so much to see in Europe its hard to fit it all into one trip! I love Bratislava Castle and wouldn’t mind returning there one day.

You’ve managed to put together a fantastic itinerary Lori, through 4 great cities. This is pretty much the ultimate central European road trip! Nice one 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard

Thanks David!

The Beer Spa looks so cool! From all of these capitals I haven´t been to Bratislava yet – loved the way you´ve put the itinerary!

12 days is a great length of time to explore these cities and have time left over to do some awesome day trips. Budapest and Prague would be my favourites – I loved the food and beer there! Haven’t tried the beer spa yet though – something for the next visit probably!

It’s a lot of fun with a group! You can have between 2-6 people!

Wow, what an amazing itinerary! I’ve only been to Prague, but I’ve been dying to go visit those other cities, so this might come in handy for me soon! Thanks for all of the great information. That beer spa in Prague really caught my eye, what a cool experience!

Highly recommended! The beer spa is fun for everyone!

Amazing cities and great advice. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! 🙂 I really want to go to Budapest this year, I might connect it like you described if I have enough days for it. Thank you for the idea! 🙂

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10 days itinerary for Central Europe – Budapest, Vienna, and more

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by gregor

If you’re looking to travel to Central Europe, but don’t know where to start, this 10-day itinerary is perfect for you! Visit beautiful world-class cities like Prague, Vienna , and Budapest , and experience the best views and best places that the region has to offer.

10 days Central Europe itinerary

Day 1: arrive in prague and explore the city center on foot..

After landing at Prague airport and collecting your luggage, it’s time to start exploring this beautiful city! Consider renting a car. The best way to do this is on foot, so head into the city center and start taking in the sights. Some of the must-sees include the Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge, and the Astronomical Clock. If you’re feeling up for it, you can even climb the tower of the Old Town Hall for some stunning views of the city. After a busy day of sightseeing, you can stroll around, and relax with a Czech Republic beer or some traditional Czech food.

More about Prague: 3 DAYS IN PRAGUE: THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Plan your 10 Days Central Europe Round-Trip?

• 🏨 Find the perfect accommodation on  Booking.com
• 🎡 Book the Best Guided Tour on  GetYourGuide
• 😍 Get more emotions from your trip with  Tripadvisor
• 🚘 Rent a car on  Rentalcars
• ✈️ Buy the cheapest flight tickets with  WayAway
• 🚂 🚌 ✈️ Best prices for Train, Buses, Cars, Ferries, and flights Omio

Day 2: Take a day trip to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Start your day with a delicious Czech breakfast of fresh bread, cheese, and fruit. Then, it’s off to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 2 hours south of Prague Castle. This charming town is set on the banks of the Vltava River and is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture. Take a walking tour of the old town and see the 13th-century castle, then enjoy some free time to explore independently. In the afternoon, take a scenic boat ride on the Vltava River. Return to Prague in the evening.

Read my complete visitor’s guide of Český Krumlov here (Best Things to Do, Travel Tips, and Best Tours) :

EXPLORE ČESKÝ KRUMLOV ON A DAY TRIP FROM VIENNA

Day 3: Head to Vienna and explore the city’s museums and palaces.

There are so many things to see and do in Vienna that it can be hard to know where to start. A good way to get your bearings is to head to the city center and explore some of the most famous sights. Start with a visit to the Hofburg Palace, the former imperial residence, then explore the museums and art galleries of the Museums Quartier. If you’re feeling hungry, stop for a bite to eat at one of the many great restaurants in the city. In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through the gardens of the Belvedere Palace or visit the Vienna Zoo. If you’re up for it, end your day with a concert at the Vienna State Opera House.

More about Vienna: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING VIENNA

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO VISIT VIENNA?

ONE DAY IN VIENNA I THE PERFECT 1 DAY ITINERARY

TWO DAYS IN VIENNA I THE PERFECT 2 DAY ITINERARY

Day 4: Visit the Hofburg Palace and the Belvedere Palace in Vienna.

Begin your day with a visit to the Hofburg Palace, the former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty. Take a guided tour of the palace to see the opulent imperial apartments, the impressive State Rooms, and the beautiful Spanish Riding School. Then, head to the Belvedere Palace, one of Vienna’s most popular tourist attractions. Built in the 18th century, the palace is home to a world-renowned art collection, including works by Gustav Klimt. Spend the afternoon exploring the grounds of the palace, including the stunning Orangery Garden. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Austrian dinner at a local restaurant.

Hofburg Palace

The Hofburg Palace was once a royal residence and seat of government but is now a large palace complex that contains museums (such as the Sisi Museum and The Imperial Treasury), the Spanish Riding School, and other well-known landmarks in Vienna. How long you spend here will depend on your interests. You can explore the complex for free, or visit one or more museums.

If you do plan to visit some museums,  you can skip the lines by purchasing your tickets to the Imperial Treasury .

The  Vienna City Card  offers a 7% discount on tickets to the Sisi Museum and Imperial Treasury. The  Vienna Pass  allows you to visit them for free.

Read my complete visitor’s guide of the Hofburg Palace here (Best Things to Do, Travel Tips, and Best Tours) :

THE HOFBURG IMPERIAL PALACE COMPLEX IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

THE EMPRESS SISI MUSEUM IN THE HOFBURG IN VIENNA

The Spanish Riding School

You will absolutely adore the chance to see the breathtaking performances and stunning horses of the Spanish Riding School.

Top Tip:  However, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Vienna and can book up exceptionally quickly, so it’s definitely something you will want to book in advance.

Address:   Michaelerplatz 1, 1010 Wien, Austria

The school opens at 10 am, and can even watch teen boys take on rides, and on Sunday there is a service as well.

Book your tickets here:   Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School

Another option is to book the  Vienna Spanish Riding School Guided Tour.  You will enjoy a look behind the scenes of the Spanish Riding School on this guided tour. Admire the stunning architecture of the centuries-old institution.

Visit Website

SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL IN VIENNA – SIGHTSEEING INFO AND TIPS

Schönbrunn Palace and the Schönbrunn Gardens

The Schönbrunn Palace is a beautiful baroque royal residence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was not only a residence of emperors and empresses, but also hosted important events and conferences. Famous people like six-year-old Mozart and Napoleon have been its guests.

The palace is one of Vienna’s most visited attractions, so if you want to take a tour inside it, you can  book a guided tour in advance and skip the lines .

Touring the Schönbrunn Gardens is free of charge, and you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the gardens.

There are also  several other attractions  that you can visit ( for which there is an admission fee ):

• The historic Cafe Gloriette: Located on top of a hill, facing the beautiful gardens.
• The Imperial Carriage Museum ( you can get your ticket in advance here ).
• The Orangery Garden.
• The Maze Garden.
• The Palm House.
• The Privy Garden.

The  Vienna City Card  offers a 7%-20% discount on tickets to the palace, maze garden, Cafe Gloriette, Imperial Carriage Museum, and Palm House.

The  Vienna Pass  offers free entrance to the palace, maze garden, and Imperial Carriage Museum.

More about Schönbrunn Palace: A QUICK TRAVEL GUIDE TO VIENNA’S SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE, VIENNA AUSTRIA

Coffee & Cake – Viennese Café Houses

One of the best things to do in Vienna is to drink a cup of coffee and eat cake.

There are many  Viennese coffee houses  to choose from, making it difficult to decide which ones to visit (even if you have 4 days in Vienna and can go to multiple places).

I would, however, make sure to visit  Cafe Central (Herrengasse 14)  and K & K Hofzuckerbäkerei  Demel (Kohlmarkt 14) . It’s not just the amazing coffee and cakes but it’s the entire atmosphere that feels elegant, sophisticated, and inviting all at the same time.

For the Viennese cakes and pastries, I would advise the famous  Sacher Cake  at  Café Central  and the  Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian shredded pancake) at the Demel .

17 BEST DESSERTS IN VIENNA YOU MUST KNOW

Vienna State Opera

One of the finest operas in Europe, the  Vienna Opera House  is known for its first-class ballet and opera performances. Along with stunning Renaissance architecture that builds the perfect mood as you walk past some of the greatest artistic works in the world. 

If you want to see a concert, you can  purchase your tickets on the opera’s official website .

You can also  take a guided tour  and get to know the building’s history and how the opera house works behind the scenes.

Address:  Wiener Staatsoper GmbH, Opernring 2, 1010 Wien

T +43 1 514 44-2250

M  [email protected]

W  wiener-staatsoper.at

How to reach the Vienna State Opera by public transport?

Underground: U1, U2, U4 – Stop at KARLSPLATZ

Book your Ticket here :  Vienna State Opera Skip The Line Tour Ticket

I do have a full Visitors  Guide about the Vienna State Opera   so if you head over to my article you will get to know all the essentials, like Opening Hours, How to buy Tickets, and the Vienna Opera Ball which takes place once a year.

Day 5: Travel to Salzburg and explore the city’s baroque architecture.

Depart for Salzburg, Austria. This baroque city is located on the Salzach River and is known for its picturesque setting and musical history. Spend the day exploring the city’s many sights, including the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the DOM Cathedral, and Mirabell Palace. Be sure to sample some local cuisine, including the city’s famous Mozartkugeln chocolates. In the evening, enjoy a performance of classical music or opera in one of Salzburg’s historic venues.

Read more: ONE DAY IN SALZBURG ITINERARY, WHAT TO DO IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – A PERFECT DAY AND TOP SIGHTS

Day 6: Take a day road trip to the Hallstatt

On the sixth day of your Central European vacation, take a day trip to Hallstatt, the most beautiful village in the world. The Hallstatt village is located in the Austrian Alps,

To get to Hallstatt Village, you will take a 60-minute ride from Salzburg.

More Information: TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HALLSTATT IN 2022, AUSTRIA

Day 7: Explore Innsbruck in Tyrol

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and board your private transfer for the approximately 2-hour journey to Innsbruck. 

Innsbruck is the capital city of the Austrian state of Tyrol and is located in the Inn Valley at the junction of the Wipptal (which it shares with the Italian province of South Tyrol) and the Stubai Valley. The city is an internationally renowned winter sports center and hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, as well as the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics.

Upon arrival in Innsbruck, meet your local guide and begin your walking tour of the city center. Admire the baroque architecture of the Golden Roof, the symbol of Innsbruck and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Continue to the Imperial Palace, a former residence of the Habsburg Dynasty, before heading to the Maria-Theresien Strasse, the main shopping street in Innsbruck.

Later, enjoy some free time to explore Innsbruck at your own pace before returning to your hotel for the night.

Read my complete visitor’s guide of the Innsbruck here (Best Things to Do, Travel Tips, and Best Tours) :

16 BEST THINGS TO DO IN INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA – TOP INNSBRUCK ATTRACTIONS

Day 8: Explore Munich, including the city’s Hofbräuhaus brewery.

Munich is a city rich in culture and history, with plenty to explore. Start your day at the Hofbräuhaus, one of the city’s most famous breweries. Afterward, wander around the city and explore some of the many historical landmarks. Be sure to visit the Marienplatz, the city’s main square, and see the Glockenspiel, a large clock with figures that perform a dance. You can also visit the Frauenkirche, a large Gothic church, and the Residenz, a former royal palace. If you’re interested in art, be sure to check out the Alte Pinakothek, one of the oldest art museums in the world. In the evening, grab a bite to eat at one of the city’s many restaurants, or enjoy a beer or glass of wine at a local bar.

More Info: Official Munich Tourism Portal

3 DAYS IN MUNICH – BEST MUNICH ITINERARY

Day 9: Drive to Budapest and explore the city

After breakfast, depart for Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Upon arrival, explore the city with a local guide. Visit the Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. In the afternoon, enjoy a cruise on the Danube River. The evening is free to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Budapest.

Did you know Budapest is actually a blend of two cities – Buda (hilly side) and Pest (flat side)?

Buda and Pest were two separate cities until 1873 when they were united to form the city of Budapest. Although they are now one city, they still maintain their own distinct personalities. Buda is on the hilly side of the city and is home to many of the city’s historic landmarks. Pest is the flat side of the city and is the more modern and cosmopolitan side.

More on Budapest Travel Information:

BUDAPEST – TOP THINGS TO DO AND SEE FOR A MAGNIFICENT CITY TRIP TO HUNGARY (VIDEO GUIDES)

3 DAYS IN BUDAPEST – COMPLETE BUDAPEST ITINERARY

15 BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN BUDAPEST, 50+ PHOTOS! HIDDEN GEMS! VIDEO!

Enjoy a Sightseeing City Tour in Budapest

Budapest Tuk Tuk Sightseeing City Tour.  Budapest Tuk Tuk is unique because it offers a totally private experience, only two people can ride the Tuk Tuk. You can choose where to go or you can change the planned route according to your individual taste. During the ride, the driver (who is also a professional tour guide)  tells all about the city including beautiful hidden spots.

More Information: BUDAPEST PRIVATE SIGHTSEEING CITY TOUR, TRAVEL GUIDE TUK TUK, HUNGARY

Day 10: Depart Central Europe.

After a final breakfast in Central Europe, it’s time to say goodbye and begin your journey home. If you’re departing from Prague, be sure to leave plenty of time to catch your flight. We hope you’ve enjoyed your time in this beautiful and historic part of the world!

How Long to Spend in Central Europe?

Assuming you would like to stick to the more central countries of Europe, we recommend spending at least 10 days in the region . This gives you enough time to explore the major cities and some of the smaller towns without feeling rushed. A suggested itinerary could include spending a few days in Prague to see the Old Town Square and other attractions, followed by stops in Vienna, Budapest, and Kraków. You could also add on other destinations such as Dresden or Munich if you have the time.

What cities should I visit in Central Europe?

If you’re planning a trip to Central Europe, there are a few cities you definitely won’t want to miss. Vienna , Austria is a great place to start – it’s full of culture and history, and there’s plenty to see and do. A day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic is also a must-see – be sure to check out the astronomical clock in the city center and the old town hall. And of course, no trip to Central Europe would be complete without a stop in Budapest, Hungary. The town hall is a must-see, and there are plenty of other sights and attractions to keep you busy.

DAY TRIP TO PRAGUE FROM VIENNA – ONE-DAY ITINERARY

When to visit Central Europe?

Central Europe is a region that is best visited during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall . This is when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. However, if you are interested in winter sports, then the best time to visit would be during the winter months.

Getting Around Central Europe

There are many ways to get around Central Europe. You can rent a car and drive from country to country , or take trains or buses between cities. If you’re planning a trip to multiple European countries, you may want to consider a Europe-wide itinerary. Vienna, Budapest, and Prague are all popular destinations in Central Europe, and there are many other European countries nearby to explore as well. 🚘 Rent a car on  Rentalcars

Plan your Road Trip?

Have you considered a road trip through Europe to experience European Christmas markets?

If you’re looking for a unique Christmas experience, why not try a road trip through Europe to visit some of the continent’s famous Christmas markets? With their festive atmosphere and abundance of holiday cheer, these markets are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

There are Christmas markets all over Europe, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Some of the most popular markets are located in Germany, France, and Austria. But no matter where you go, you’re sure to find plenty of festive stalls selling everything from traditional Christmas decorations to tasty holiday treats.

So if you’re looking for a festive and fun-filled Christmas adventure, be sure to consider a road trip through Europe to experience some of the continent’s best Christmas markets.

More Information: TOP 10 CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE YOU NEED TO VISIT IN 2022

If you’re looking to explore some of the best that Central Europe has to offer, then this 10-day Central Europe itinerary is a great place to start. From the stunning scenery of the Swiss Alps to the historic city of Prague, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

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4 days in barcelona itinerary (best travel tips + map 2024).

Prague, Vienna, Budapest – The Ultimate Central Europe Itinerary

Posted on Last updated: January 29, 2024

Categories Austria , Czech Republic , Europe , Guides , Hungary , Travel Guides

Prague, Vienna, Budapest – three of the most important cities in the glorious Austro-Hungarian empire, and three of the best places you can visit to experience the unique charm of Central Europe. Located very close to each other, but profoundly different, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest offer a multi-layered experience you can hardly find on any other European itinerary .

The three capitals are very conveniently situated just a few hours from each other. Vienna, being in the middle, is not the ideal choice to start your Central Europe itinerary from. If you come from overseas, Prague would be the most popular city, to begin with. If you want to do the Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary and you’re from Europe, I recommend starting with Budapest. The Hungarian capital is the birthplace of the budget airline WizzAir so finding cheap flights is easy.

The best tip I can give you is to try to book a return ticket from the last city you’re in. If you arrive in Prague and you need to go back to Prague for your flight back, you’ll not only waste money but also plenty of valuable time. Before we get to the detailed Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary, let’s see what should we expect on our journey.

Prague is a fairytale. I’m sorry, I know it’s one of the biggest cliches in existence, but there’s no better way to describe it. Yes, it’s a little bit overcrowded. Yes, it’s a little bit overpriced. Yes, the beer costs less than water. Wait. The last one is actually pretty awesome!

Anyway, Prague is a tourist gem that skillfully combines modern art with the classical, medieval look to present a magical mix that can rival any other city in Europe ( No wonder it’s in  the top 5 most visited cities on the continent ).

What to see in Prague

• Charles Bridge

The historic bridge is an iconic highlight of Prague and also one of the most famous bridges in Europe and a must see in your Central Europe itinerary. Completed in the early 15th century, Charles Bridge offered a reliable land connection establishing Prague as an essential trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. Today, the 516 meters long bridge is decorated by 30 ( mostly ) baroque statues that give the gothic bridge an extra dosage of awesomeness.

To truly enjoy Charles Bridge, I suggest a visit around sunrise. Yes, I know you’re on vacation, and you don’t want to get up early, but trust me on that – Charles Bridge ( and Prague as a whole ) reveals its true magic at dawn. See all of Prague’s best photo spots.

• Prague Castle

Deemed to be one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic, Prague’s Castle is more than just a castle. If you look at most of Prague’s pictures, you’d see a large building overlooking the city. This is what people refer to as the Prague Castle, but this is actually the St. Vitus Cathedral.

When you climb up there, you find out Prague’s Castle is a whole complex. It features the abovementioned cathedral ( which by the way is a definite must-see ), a Royal Palace ( where the president of the country still works ), the Golden Lane ( which offers a glimpse to the typical medieval alley ), and many more amazing things.

• Prague’s Astronomical Clock

Prague’s Astronomical Clock was first installed in 1410 and is the oldest clock still operating. Even though this fact shows the incredible craftsmanship of the bohemian watchmakers, once you see the clock, you won’t be that interested if it works or not. The Orloj is guaranteed to be one of the most beautiful machines you would ever see. Vibrant colors, incredible details, and stunning design. If you happen to be there when the clock strikes the hour ( from 9.00 AM to 11.00 PM ), it will even perform a little show for you.

The Old Town of Prague is the heart of the city. Have you read any of Grimms’ Fairy Tales? Well, walking around Old Prague is like stepping into one ( without the witches and the evil step-mothers ). There is a trick to find this charming place, though. Yes, it’s easy to see it on the map, and I’m pretty sure every single person in Prague has roamed around it. I’m also pretty sure very few found the charm I did.

Just like the Charles Bridge advice, if you want to get the best of the Old Town, to feel the enchantment of the winding alleys and taste the medieval beauty of the Bohemian Capital – explore it at dawn. Free of tourist hordes, just you and golden Prague. Priceless experience.

Yes, the beer is an attraction in Prague. A big one! Considered to be the biggest beer-nation out of the beer-nations, Czechia not only offers you million of different beers to try but also ( surprisingly ) gives it away cheaply.

There’s a saying that in Prague, the beer is cheaper than water. I’ve never actually taken that seriously, but imagine my surprise when I found out this to be true. Mostly because the water is overpriced ( a lot! ) but still. Besides fair prices, plenty of choices, and the most exceptional beer quality, Prague also offers different quirky beer-activities. You can go to a  beer spa , have a  beer airport   transfer  ( with unlimited beer ) or get a  beer bike tour .

Where to Stay in Prague

Mordecai Twelve

Psst: I have a  detailed Prague guide  with attractions, prices, and other accommodation options. Check it out and be prepared for every detail.

The second desitnation of our Central Europe itinerary has nothing to do with Prague. You won’t find middle age bridges or beer-drinking crowds in Vienna. Nevertheless, the imperial architecture, the lavish palaces, and the incredible museums of the Austrian capital are sure to take your breath away.

Being the capital city of the Holy Roman Empire and later – the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city vibe is nothing less than…well…imperial. From Mozart to Sigmund Freud, Vienna offers a vast cultural heritage and is one of the most sophisticated and classy cities on the globe.

If you want to start your journey from Vienna, I suggest looking for plane tickets to the nearby capital of Slovakia – Bratislava. European budget airlines ( Ryanair, Wizz Air ) often offer flights to Bratislava for less than 20 EUR!

What to see in Vienna

• Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace used to be the home ( one of the homes I guess ) of Prince Eugene of Savoy. It was built in the 18th century and consists of two building units – upper and lower Belvedere – with a vast garden area in between. Today both buildings are art museums. Lower Belvedere hosts changing expositions while the upper Belvedere is home to a prominent collection of Austrian artworks.

The biggest highlight of the palace is Gustav Klimt’s awe-inspiring painting “The Kiss”. While you’ve probably seen it already ( I think only “Mona Lisa” is more mainstream than “The Kiss” ), experiencing this golden masterpiece in person is truly a fantastic treat to the senses.

• Schönbrunn Palace

The Schonbrunn Palace used to be the primary summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs. For more than 300 years, prominent figures like emperor Franz-Joseph, empress Sisi, and empress Maria Terezia used to spend plenty lot of their time in the 1,441- room mansion. Touring around the palace would reveal the most opulent interior you can imagine, genuinely worthy of kings ( in this case emperors ).

Besides the glorious building, Schönbrunn offers an enormous garden ( more of a park than a garden ) that hosts a few labyrinths and even a zoo.

• Hofburg Palace

Yet another palace, this one more diverse than the previous two. Located in the heart of Vienna, Hofburg is not a place you can simply tour. It’s just so big and offers so many different things to see that every one of them is a separate attraction.

You can choose from the Princess Sisi Museum ( dedicated to the most famous Austrian empresses ), the Spanish Riding School ( a horse ballet ), The Royal Treasury, The National Library (  this is a must-see! ), and The Butterfly House. I’m probably missing something cause Hofburg has just too much to offer!

• Vienna’s Museums

You may not be aware, but Vienna is one of the very best museum-cities in the world. Not much of a surprise considering the cultural past of the town.

Besides the abovementioned palaces, the capital of Austria offers one of the most recognizable Natural Science Museums ( with plenty of dinosaurs! ), the mesmerizing Museum of Fine Arts ( truly one of my favorite museums ), The Albertina Museum ( housing one of the largest and most important print rooms on the globe ) and many many others.

Visiting the Vienna museums should be the cornerstone of your city experience.

• Coffee & Sacher

Vienna was among the first cities in Europe to open a coffee house ( 1683 ). During the years, the Vienna coffee house tradition has grown to worldwide recognizable dimensions, giving the city a reputation of having some of the best coffee houses in the world. In 2011 it was even recognized by UNESCO who included the Viennese coffee house culture into their list of intangible cultural heritage.  Learn more about Vienesse coffee through the years

The heavenly dessert known as a Sacher-Torte is made with chocolate, apricot jam, and whipped cream. It was invented in Vienna in 1832 and to this day, remains one of Austria’s biggest accomplishments ( at least for me ). If you’re a big fan of the pastry, you can stay in the hotel opened by the son of the cake’s inventor, and try an original handmade Sacher-Torte.

Where to Stay in Vienna

Hotel Sacher Wien

• A legendary hotel where the first Saher pastry was invented • Still offers the best Saher pastries in the world • Perfect location in the center of the city – right behind the opera • Spacious rooms designed for emperors! • World-class spa • The hotel interior has world renounce paintings and antiques – basically, you are sleeping in a luxurious museum Check out the latest price

Hey there. Do you know I have a complete guide of Vienna, including all details of all the highlights, plenty of city tips, and even a map? Check it out and plan your Vienna adventure to the latest detail!

The last city on our Central Europe itinerary is Budapest. Maybe I should’ve said cities because the capital of Hungary is basically two cities merged into one. The aristocratic Buda stands proud on the west side of the Danube River while the modern Pest, party like no other, on the eastern side. 

Budapest is utterly different than Prague and Vienna. The architecture around the city varies from Braque, Neoclassical, and Art Neuvue while also offering the largest gothic building in the world – The Parliament of Hungary.  The history of the city ( which is among the gloomiest in Europe ) is widely shown via museums and memorials.

The nightlife is among the very best in Europe, while the cuisine is world renounced. Oh, one last thing. The city is one of the cheapest European capitals there are. Sounds amazing, right? Now let’s see what is there to see.

What to see in Budapest

• The Parliament Building

The Parliament Building is the symbol of the city. You may know nothing else about Budapest, but you’ve undoubtedly seen images of this enormous gothic beauty. Located right on the Danube river, the massive building offers one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.

Keep in mind that if you want to experience the Parliament from the inside, you need to pre-book your visit. There is no option to go inside on the spot unless you’re a Hungarian politician.

As I mentioned above, the Buda part of the city is the aristocratic part. You won’t find pubs and clubs there, but you will find one of the most beautiful churches on the continent, a glorious castle, and incredible panoramic city views.

Buda is located on a hill overlooking Pest, and the best way to enjoy it is to go straight to the Buda castle using the traditional funicular.

Once you have enough of the view, make your way to the nearby Fisherman’s Bastion. Alongside the stunning Matthias Church, you can find fairytale-looking structures and even more awe-inspiring panoramas.

• Budapest’s Thermal Baths

The capital of Hungary pride itself with its astonishing thermal baths. Sitting on more than 125 hot springs, Budapest has plenty of spas, baths, and pools. Basically, everything that includes how water and relaxation – Budapest has it.

The most famous bath in town is the Szechenyi Bath. With more than 100 years of history, this hot spring offers 18 pools where you can heal whatever hurt you have or just soak in warm water surrounded by beautiful old buildings.

One of the most essential tips for Budapest – make sure you pack your bathing suit!

• The Nightlife

This one caught me by surprise. Budapest has one of the best nightlife scenes in Europe. They even invented their own type of bars – ruin pubs. Hosted in old abandoned buildings, the ruin pubs offer awesome experience in a unique atmosphere.

There are also countless wine bars and clubs plus one of the richest street food scene I’ve encountered. Seriously, a little walk around the streets of Pest is enough to find food from all over the world. From Cambodia to Jordan, I saw a food-joint covering almost every country I’ve ever traveled to.

• Hungarian Cuisine

They may have food from everywhere in Budapest, but you still need to try the local Hungarian food. Famous all around the world, the most popular dish is the Goulash – a tasty stew made of meat and vegetables. The weirdest thing I tried was Meggyleves – a cold summer soup of sour cherries. It felt like a dessert, but you had to eat it before the main dish. Odd but delicious.

Where to Stay in Budapest

My Little Paradise

Classy rooms in a vintage old building located in the heart of Pest. The apartments have a beautiful modern design, a fully equipped kitchen, and fast wi-fi. The best part – you won’t even have to splurge a lot! A true definition of value for money, My Little Paradise is the perfect representation of Budapest. Check the latest prices

Hey there, It’s me again. Yes, I have a  detailed city guide for Budapest  too. Check it out and be prepared for every detail!

Castaway Fact Bratislava is a place you can easily add to your Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary. It’s very close to Vienna (like 1.5 hrs via bus), and there’s plenty of transportation options between the two cities. Ryanair and Wizz Air often have tickets as low as 16 EUR to the capital of Slovakia.

The Prague, Vienna, Budapest Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Arriving

On the arrival day, I like to have an open schedule. You are tired from traveling, maybe even have jetlag, no need to stress yourself extra by running to some attractions. Just revel in walking around the city. Try some traditional Czech food and enjoy the sunset over the Vltava river.

Day 2 – Prague

Just like Budapest, the river divides the city into two main areas – Old Town and Mala Strana. For your first day of exploration, get up as early as possible. You’re going to hate me when the alarm goes off, but once you’re out on the empty magical alleys of Prague, you’ll see what I mean.

Walk around Charles Bridge and continue the wander around the Old Town. Wait until the Old Townhall opens and climb to the tower overlooking the famous square . Have  Trdelnik   for breakfast and continue by checking some of the small museums of the city ( my pick was the medieval torture instruments one ). They are not really museums but more of a theme park-styled expositions. Quite fun.

Make a quick stop at the National Library and get an awesome profile photo at the Idiom installation. The last attraction for the day is the Clementinum, where you can enjoy an astonishing gothic library and more panoramic views.

We end the day in a nice pub with a pint of beer. Totally deserved!

Day 3 – Prague

No need to get at dawn on day three, but still, better not waste your time in bed. It’s time to explore Mala Strana ( the western part of Prague ).

After the mandatory breakfast trdelnik, we make our way to the Prague Castle Complex. The place is enormous and would take you half of the day. Continue with another candidate for the most beautiful library in the world ( yes, Prague has two of them ) – the Strahov library. 

Once you get enough photos, go to Petrin Hill. A great outdoor area to spend the afternoon. You can even climb the tower to see the broadest panoramic view in Prague.

On our way back, we should take some time to visit the St. Nicholas Church ( the one on Mala Strana ). One of the most amazing churches in Europe!  Check out my in-depth Prague itinerary guide

Day 4 – Travel to Vienna

It’s time to leave Golden Prague and make our way to Imperial Vienna. There is plenty of transportation between the cities. The cheapest one is by bus, but it takes around an hour more than using the train. If you got a good deal, you could even fly to Vienna. I strongly recommend booking your tickets ahead of time. Bus ones tend to run out while the train tickets may become significantly more expensive if bought on the spot. The best place to find transportation in Europe is Omio ( formerly known as GoEuro ). Check the latest prices between Prague and Vienna

Once you arrive in Vienna, familiarize yourself with the city. Feel its vibe and try some of the local foods ( like schnitzel ).

Day 5 – Vienna

Our Vienna itinerary won’t be as packed as the Prague one. That’s because there’s a museum to cover in each of our days here and, well, museums take quite some time. 

Our first day of exploring starts with the most impressive museum in town – the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s a pretty big one, so try not to burn out. Once you think you have enough culture for the day – it’s time to leave. The second highlight is the most famous church in town – Stephansdom. Make sure to climb the tower to get an incredible view of the center and the colored rooftop. 

Once finished, make your way to the colorful Hundertwasser house ( the best way is via metro ) and enjoy one of the weirdest buildings in Europe. The last piece for day five is the oldest amusement park in the world – Prater Park – featuring the legendary giant Ferris wheel of Vienna.

Day 6 – Vienna

Our second day in the Austrian capital will start artistically at the world renounced Albertina museum. After you overwhelm your senses with Picasso and Monet, make your way to the Vienna Opera House. An absolutely stunning building worthy for the city that gave birth to the genius of Mozart.

Close to the opera is the Imperial Palace – Hofburg. As mentioned above, Hofburg offers plenty of attractions, and you’ve better already made your mind about what you want to see there.

The last attraction for the day is a bit creepy. The Habsburg’s Imperial Crypt – Kaisergruft. It may sound a weird place to go, but trust me, it’s impressive. The amount of craftsmanship in Maria Terezia’s sarcophagus is unrivaled by anything, anywhere in the world.

Day 7 – Vienna

Our last day in Vienna may have the least attraction on the list, but they’re also the most impressive ones. Start the day with the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Make sure to go there early, the place is enormous, and you have another palace later in the day.

Once finished, go and see the other Vienna heavyweight attraction – the Belvedere Palace. Unlike Schönbrunn, Belvedere is an art museum today, so don’t be afraid you’re going to get too many palaces for a day. It’s there where you can enjoy one of the most famous paintings in the world –  Gustav Klimt’s Kiss .

Two huge palaces should’ve taken their toll, and you’re probably exhausted. The last attraction in Vienna does not require a lot of energy. Karlskirche is this beautifully decorated church with a lovely park around it. Perfect place to relax after 3 long days in Vienna. See my detailed Vienna travel guide

Day 8 – Travel to Budapest

The train is the fastest and cheapest way to get to Budapest. Check all options to travel from Vienna to Budapest

Again, use this day to relax. Walk around town, try the local food, enjoy the city vibe. Don’t set yourself goals. The next two days would be enough for sightseeing.

Day 9 – Budapest

The attractions in Budapest are the complete opposite of the ones in Vienna. While in the Austrian capital we got a small number of attractions that took a lot of time, in the Hungarian one we have plenty but fast ones.

We start our journey on the Buda side, enjoying the views from the Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion ( if you’re going for the perfect IG photo, make sure you get to the bastion very early in the morning ).

We continue through the famous chain bridge, and we take a walk alongside the river on the Pest side. Pay your respect to the Danube Shoes and explore the beautiful building of the Parliament up close. Check out the top local church – St.Stephen ( climb to the top for a great photo ) before having some chill time at the small park next to the Budapest Eye.

The last items for the day are centered around Budapest’s famous nightlife. Explore the Jewish quarter ( which weirdly enough is the party neighborhood ) and check out the first ruin bar in town – Szimpla Kert.

Day 10 – Budapest

On the last day of our Central Europe itinerary, we’re going to learn a bit more about Budapest’s sad history and unwind. Those ten days were quite exhausting!

We start at the House of Terror – a museum dedicated to the victims of the fascist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary. It’s a sad place but also a must-see in order to get to know Budapest and the Hungarian people. We continue through the Victory Square to find the beautiful Vajdahunyad Castle. Relax in the recreation area around it and decide what to do next. You may check the local Museum of Fine Arts or go for a dip in the Széchenyi Baths.

In the afternoon, check the stunning Szabo Ervin Library before finishing the day in one of the most quirky pubs in town – For Sale . Check out my detailed Budapest itinerary guide

Prague, Vienna, Budapest FAQ

How to travel between prague, vienna, and budapest.

Travel around Europe is easy and hassle-free. Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are pretty close to each other, and the best way to get around is by train. Some times, you may find cheaper fares via bus, but the journey would take at least an hour more.

If you travel via train, I strongly advise pre-booking your tickets as soon as you have planned your detailed itinerary if you don’t you risk the price to go way higher. Here is the best place to find transportation around Europe .

If for some reason, you need to travel from Prague to Budapest, maybe you should check out some of the low budget airlines ( Ryanair and Wizz Air ).

What currency do you need?

The most annoying part of the Central Europe journey is the currency. All three cities may be part of the EU, but only Vienna uses the Euro. In Prague, you’ll need Czech Kronas while in Budapest you’d have to pay in Forints.

A lot of places in Budapest accept Euro too, but they use their own rates, which are always abysmal. Try to pay as many things with a card. Some of the online banks that offer accounts in different currencies are perfect for this trip (I use Revolut and Transferwise). Here is an excellent currency converter you can use on your journey

How expensive are Prague, Vienna, and Budapest?

While Austria is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, Vienna is not that expensive. It’s definitely not London or Paris and slots a little bit over the average for the EU.  Check out some example Vienna prices

Prague welcomes millions of tourists every year, and everywhere in the tourist parts, the prices are massively inflated. Be aware of the mini-market-looking shops which usually offer cheap water, snacks, etc. In Prague, they are not cheap at all. A single bottle of water could set you back 8- 10 EUR in such a place. Look for the large supermarkets ( can be found in the metro stops ) to get water and snack at regular prices. Check out some example Prague prices

Budapest is the cheapest out of the three. Quite reasonable since the city is among the most affordable EU capitals. You will spend a lot neither for accommodation nor for food. Attractions are mostly free, and the paid ones are inexpensive. 40-50 EUR per day would be more than enough. Check out some example Budapest prices

Are Prague, Vienna, and Budapest safe?

All three cities are as safe as a big city can be. Vienna is even a little bit more. Violent crimes are extremely rare, but you should always be aware of the pickpocket tread in all crowded tourist areas.

Central Europe may be safe, but it does not mean you should go unprepared. Travel insurance is a must for every travel you have. It eases your mind and lets you enjoy your journey to the max. I currently use  HeyMondo  for my travels because they have proven themselves to me more than once over the years. The link above will give you a 5% discount, but If you have another favorite provider, that’s ok. Just make sure you have one because you never know what may happen.

When should you visit Central Europe?

All seasons are good for Central Europe. Shoulder seasons ( spring and autumn ) would give you the best prices with mild weather, while the summer would offer long sun-filled days. Prague is a bit overcrowded in the summer, but Vienna and Budapest are ok.

Winter is not my favorite time to travel around Europe, but Central European cities are famous for their Christmas bazaars and overall Christmas spirit, so December is wonderful for a visit.

Is English widely spoken in Central Europe?

I can’t speak Czech or German. I can’t pronounce even a word in Hungarian, but I didn’t have communication problems in either Prague, Vienna, or Budapest. English is widely spoken everywhere in those cities, even outside the tourist areas.

That’s all from me, I hope you enjoy your Prague, Vienna, Budapest adventure . ———————————— If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips! ———————————— I have 40 bucket list ideas for Austria, Hungary, and Czechia. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!

Is Central Europe on your bucket list?

Some of the above are affiliate links and I will earn a percentage of the sale if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. This helps keep my site running – so thanks in advance for your support!

Cat Stoffel

Friday 19th of April 2024

I would like to inquire about a trip to Prague, Vienna, Berlin, spending more days in Prague. This would include guided tours, hotels and airlines.

Tuesday 23rd of April 2024

I do have a Berlin itinerary guide too. You can combine them.

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Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Beyond: Epic Central Europe Itinerary

Prague, Vienna, Budapest: these illustrious capital cities of Central Europe have successfully emerged from the shadow of cities like Paris and London over the last few decades to become well-deserved tourist hotspots.

With their regal beauty, distinct personalities, and storied history, a trip through the cities Central Europe offers an opportunity to see a unique piece of Europe that folds seamlessly into the cultures that envelope it from all sides, and yet the region maintains its own identity that is neither western or eastern, northern or southern.

Table of Contents

How Long to Visit Central Europe

Prague: 2 days, vienna: 3 days, bratislava: 1 day, budapest: 3 days, more time in central europe, getting around central europe, the best time to visit central europe, central europe travel tip: currency changes, what to pack for a trip to central europe.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

We’ve included 4 cities in this Central Europe itinerary: Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava, the lesser-known and yet extremely conveniently located capital city of Slovakia, which we think makes an excellent short addition onto this journey.

I’ve noted the minimum number of days we recommend spending in each city below, and with those numbers in mind, this Central Europe itinerary can be comfortably completed in just under 2 weeks.

However, there is a nearly endless list of incredible destinations at your fingertips once you arrive in the region, and if you have more than 2 weeks in Central Europe, you can easily fill up your extra days, weeks, or months, and we’ll give some suggestions on where else to go below.

Called the city of 100 spires for its remarkable architecture, Prague is known for being one of the most picturesque cities in Central Europe, and its skyline definitely delivers.

Walking around Prague feels like walking around in a (very crowded) fairytale, and simply drinking in its beauty (and its beer) is an unforgettable experience.

With views like that, spending a couple of days in Prague makes for a perfect first stop on your Central Europe itinerary!

Top Things to Do in Prague

Visit prague castle & st. vitus cathedral..

Dating from the 9th century, Prague Castle (and the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral that is nestled inside its courtyard) dominate the Prague skyline.

Be sure to visit to see some of Prague’s amazing architectural feats up close, and also to explore a piece of history.

The castle has served as a home to leaders of the Holy Roman Empire, of Bohemia, of the country of Czechoslovakia, and even today it serves as the office of Czechia’s president.

Book your tickets to visit Prague Castle now!

Take in views of Prague from above.

Prague’s skyline is one of its strong points, so be sure to seek out multiple angles on it during your visit!

Our personal favorite view is from the Old Town Bridge Tower, and admiring that view is one of our favorite memories from our first few days in Prague –it boasts an amazing view in each direction and is inexpensive and easy to access.

Stroll across the Charles Bridge.

A stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge is a must-do during any trip to Prague–but if you’d like to experience it without several hundred other people, you may want to consider visiting at dawn.

Check out the Old Town Square.

With its beautiful buildings, central location, and famous astronomical clock, Prague’s Old Town Square makes a great starting point for your visit, and many of Prague’s highlights are within easy walking distance of the square.

Things to Consider in Prague

Prague is not remotely offbeat, underrated, or unexplored..

There seems to be a myth that persists about Prague in travel writing that it is somehow still under the radar… but that is not the case.

While there are offbeat things to do in Prague , it is also small, significantly less expensive than many western European capital cities (looking at you, Paris), and arguably just as beautiful as many of them–so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is often extremely crowded.

If you can, plan your Central Europe trip outside of peak season–Prague in the summer is a very congested place.

Prague’s taxi drivers are notoriously dishonest.

Luckily, Prague’s public transportation system is more than adequate, and between that and the fact that Uber is available in the city, you can likely avoid using taxis altogether.

Beer really is cheaper than water.

… In other words, kick back and enjoy!

Czech beer is incredibly tasty and incredibly inexpensive, and the food in Prague –especially if you’re traveling in winter–is delicious as well, once you give it a chance.

Where to Stay in Prague

Central Spot Prague Apartments — If you want simple, clean lodging at a budget price and don’t want to sacrifice much on location, Central Spot Prague Apartments is a great option in the city.

Check rates & book your stay at Central Spot Prague Apartments!

Gorgeous Prague Rooms — You can’t ask for a better location than this! Spacious rooms, a perfect location, and a moderate price are a fantastic combination.

Check rates & book your stay at Prague Gorgeous Rooms!

Royal Route Residence — A beautifully decorated apartment just steps from the Old Town Square, plus wonderful views–what more could you ask for in Prague?

Check rates & book your stay at the Royal Route Residence!

Regal, refined, and stately are the first adjectives that come to mind when I think of Vienna–distinctly different from Prague and yet also incredibly beautiful in its way, the capital of Austria makes a fantastic next destination on your Central Europe itinerary. 

Top Things to Do in Vienna

Tour the palaces..

Between Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Belvedere Palace, and the museums they contain, you could very easily entertain yourself for days in Vienna exploring its imperial history alone!

Experience a Viennese cafe.

Cafe culture is strong in Vienna, where coffee and cake is served in elegant, glamorous settings.

Even if you’re a big coffee fan like us, be sure to set aside your caffeination fixation at least once in Vienna to order a cup of hot chocolate Viennese-style, with cream and cinnamon–you won’t regret it, and if you’re anything like us, it just may become one of your favorite things to do in Vienna !

Step inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Dating back to the 14th century, St. Stephen’s Cathedral boasts an impressive Gothic interior, a colorful tiled roof, and–perhaps best of all–beautiful views of Vienna from both its north and south towers.

Visit the Vienna State Opera.

If you’re a fan of the opera–or you’re just curious about it and want to have a glamorous night out–it’s hard to imagine a better city to visit than Vienna! The classical music culture in the city is unparalleled, and the opera house itself is a work of art.

Bonus: Visit Vienna’s Christmas Markets.

If you happen to be planning a late-November or December trip to Central Europe, you can’t beat Vienna’s Christmas markets! The city fills to the brim with them each season, boasting over 20 places to taste delicious snacks, sip hot drinks, and shop for beautiful decor and crafts.

Things to Consider in Vienna

The city is quite spread out–prepare to use public transportation regularly..

While many European capital cities are quite dense and walkable, that is not the case for Vienna: spending a few days there will almost certainly require at least a couple rides on public transportation each day!

Vienna will be the most expensive stop on your Central Europe itinerary.

While Vienna is far from the most expensive city in Europe, it does come with a higher price tag than Prague, Budapest, and Bratislava do. Prepare for a bit of sticker shock after your time in Prague, especially when it comes to the cost of lodging and tourist attractions.

Consider purchasing a Vienna City Card.

Because of these costs, if you’re planning on spending a few days in Vienna and hope to hit several of its highlights, consider purchasing the Vienna City Card –not only does it provide discounts of many attractions, but it includes all public transportation while the card is active, which can add up quickly at 2.4 Euros/ride!

Check rates on the Vienna City Card now!

Where to Stay in Vienna

Hotel Pension Baron am Schottentor — With tons of character and a central location, Hotel Pension Baron am Schottentor is a perfect budget option in Vienna (and yes–budget prices in Vienna are definitely more than budget prices in Prague).

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Pension Baron am Scottentor!

Apartments Spittelberg Gardegasse — Large, bright, and boasting city views, Apartments Spittelberg Gardegasse is perfect for people looking for an extremely central location in Vienna without paying luxury prices.

Check rates & book your stay at Apartments Spittelberg Gardegasse!

Small Luxury Hotel Altstadt — If you’re looking for a spacious, beautifully decorated hotel experience, complete with a delicious breakfast and a fabulous location, Small Luxury Hotel Altstadt is the place for you!

Check rates & book your stay at Small Luxury Hotel Altstadt!

Despite being located less than 2 hours by train or 1 hour by car from Vienna, Bratislava is often overlooked on Central Europe itineraries that tend to highlight Prague, Vienna, and Budapest–and that’s a shame.

True, Bratislava isn’t necessarily the showstopper that the other 3 cities are, but it’s charming, extremely inexpensive, easy to access, and offers a chance to get slightly offbeat and experience a European city less visited than the others on this itinerary.

You won’t need long here–but Bratislava is worth the detour.

Top Things to Do in Bratislava

Pay a visit to bratislava castle..

Bratislava’s beautiful castle looms over the city, standing high above the Danube River. On a beautiful day, you can see both Austria and Hungary from the castle!

Check out Michael’s Gate.

Dating back to the end of the 13th century, Michael’s Gate was once part of the medieval fortifications of the city. It was originally the smallest of four gates in Bratislava’s walls, but it is the only one still standing today.

Marvel at St. Elizabeth’s Church.

Also known as “the Blue Church” due to its unforgettable blue interior and exterior, this Hungarian Secessionist Church is a must-see spot in Bratislava–no matter how many churches you happen to visit as you make your way through Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava, I guarantee that this one will stick out in your memory.

Wander through Bratislava’s picturesque Old Town.

Pastel buildings, winding roads, quirky museums, the main square, the Slovak National Theatre… the majority of the highlights of Bratislava are contained within its Old Town, making it the perfect place to base yourself during your stay.

Separate from any particular highlights, though, is the simple joy of walking around the small city–include some time for wandering during your stop in Bratislava!

Things to Consider in Bratislava

Bratislava is small..

You simply won’t need as long in Bratislava as in Vienna, Prague, or Budapest to cover the major highlights of the city.

If you want to splurge in Central Europe, consider doing it here.

Want to enjoy an upscale meal or attend a theatre performance, but also stick to a budget? Consider saving your splurge for Bratislava, which is the most inexpensive of the cities on this Central Europe itinerary.

Don’t hail a taxi on the street–call ahead instead.

If you’re hoping to save money on taxis in Bratislava (who wouldn’t be?), call ahead and wait for your taxi to arrive–you’ll end up paying far less than hailing a taxi on the street!

Like in most cities around the world, the easiest places to end up overpaying for a taxi are the airport and train station, so be particularly cautious if you want to take a taxi from those spots. If you’re comfortable with it, consider simply opting for public transportation instead.

Where to Stay in Bratislava

Manderla Bratislava — We stayed here on our 2017 visit to Bratislava and were completely satisfied for the price. The rooms were clean and reception friendly–the only downside was that the entrance is tucked into a courtyard and a bit hard to find.

Check rates & book your stay at Manderla Bratislava!

VIP Apartments — A cozy apartment, competitive price, and the convenience of having some of Bratislava’s top attractions right on your doorstep are all available at VIP Apartments.

Check rates & book your stay at VIP Apartments!

Hotel Avance — This sleek, modern hotel offers an excellent location, a tasty breakfast, and extremely clean and comfortable rooms.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Avance!

With its stunning views from and of the Danube, its unique thermal baths, and its remarkable architecture–not to mention its delicious food scene and low prices–Budapest is an unforgettable gem of a city, and the perfect finale to your Central Europe itinerary.

Unlike compact Prague and Bratislava, Budapest is worthy of as much time as you can give it, and you’ll never run out of things to do in the city (our longest trip there so far has been two weeks).

Top Things to Do in Budapest

Admire the view from fisherman’s bastion..

Popular Fisherman’s Bastion may look a bit like a Renaissance castle, but it was actually built at the end of the 19th century!

Boasting amazing views over the Danube–with the stupendous parliament building front and center across the river–Fisherman’s Bastion is unmissable during your time in Budapest. Just be sure to arrive very early in the morning if you don’t want to contend with the inevitable crowds.

Soak in Budapest’s thermal baths.

Budapest’s thermal baths are like nothing that you will have seen so far in Central Europe and are a completely indulgent and relaxing experience.

Ranging from formal and opulent (Gellert Baths) to popular and photogenic ( Szechenyi Baths ) to offbeat and less crowded (Rudas Baths), there’s a thermal bath in Budapest for any style of traveler.

Check out the impressive Hungarian Parliament.

Nestled right up against the Danube, Hungary’s incredible Parliament building is known as one of the most beautiful government buildings in the world.

If you’d like to take a tour of the grand and opulent interior, you’ll need to book a tour at least a few days in advance (and possibly more if you travel during the summer).

If you’d rather not fork over the forint, admiring the building up close from the outside is definitely still worth checking out while in Budapest.

Take a cruise on the Danube.

The Danube is one of Budapest’s most distinctive features, cutting beautifully through the city, with Parliament on one side and Castle Hill on the other.

A river cruise–whether an elaborate affair with dinner and entertainment or a simple sightseeing cruise–is the perfect way to admire Budapest’s beauty from a unique angle and appreciate how perfectly Buda and Pest are joined by the river.

This Danube River cruise  is well-reviewed and features live music!

Things to Consider in Budapest

If you want to visit the interior of the parliament, you’ll need to book ahead..

As I mentioned above, some advance planning is necessary to tour Hungary’s distinct and beautiful Parliament building–tours are given only at certain times, and to find one that corresponds with your preferred language can be a chore.

If you’d like to tour the interior of the parliament building while in Budapest, we recommend booking tickets as soon as you have finalized your dates.

Shop  affordable Hungarian Parliament tours  today!

You’ll want to consider a Budapest City Card.

Much like Vienna, Budapest’s sprawling nature and the resulting need to use public transportation makes a Budapest City Card definitely worth considering–and it’s much less expensive than Vienna’s!

Purchase your Budapest City Card now!

Do a little research on Hungarian food before you arrive.

Hungarian food tends to come with long, complicated names that are difficult for English speakers to pronounce… but it is absolutely delicious. Go beyond goulash and paprika (though both are magnificent) and do a bit of research on Hungarian cuisine before you arrive–your stomach will thank you.

Where to Stay in Budapest

Jackquaters  — Located right next to Vaci Utca and only 100 meters from the Danube, Jackquaters is the perfect location for anyone visiting Budapest. Budapest highlights like the Chain Bridge and Great Market Hall are within easy walking distance.

Check rates & book your stay at Jackquaters!

Hotel Erzsébet — With Central Market Hall and Vaci Utca at your fingertips, you definitely won’t go hungry while staying at the beautiful Hotel Erzsébet!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Erzsébet!

Hotel Mika Superior — Not only does Hotel Mika Superior offer beautiful rooms, fabulous service, and a delicious included breakfast, it’s located in the old Jewish Quarter of the city, near the Dohany Street Synagogue and Hungarian Opera House–which is one of our personal favorite neighborhoods to stay in while in Budapest.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Mika Superior!

Central Europe is absolutely packed with cities, towns, and regions that are begging to be explored–no one Central Europe itinerary could hope to cover them all!

If you still have more time in the region after visiting Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava, here are just a few of the dozens of options at your fingertips–I have no doubt some of them will have you itching to extend your trip!

Dresden’s city center is so beautiful, you may be surprised to learn that it was completely destroyed at the end of WWII and rebuilt after the war!

Come here for stunning architecture, plenty of beautiful art, and a large helping of interesting history–the Kings of Saxony used to call this city their home, and Dresden remains the capital of the German state of Saxony to this day.

With delicious food, a storied history, and easy access to the Bavarian Alps (there are tons of great day trips from Munich , including to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle!), the capital of Bavaria makes the perfect place to kick off a Germany itinerary .

Kraków is one of my favorite small cities in Europe, and is absolutely worth a detour into Poland!

In addition to the stunning Wawel Castle, beautiful architecture, and competitive prices, Kraków is also the perfect jumping-off point to visiting the insanely impressive Wieliczka Salt Mines (ever stepped inside an underground cathedral carved entirely out of salt?), and the incredibly sad, yet moving and important, Auschwitz Concentration Camp .

Castles, crypts, and caves abound in and around Brno. This city in southern Czechia is perfect for adventure lovers looking to see more of the country while fleeing the crowds of Prague and is also incredibly easy to add as a destination between Prague and either Vienna or Bratislava.

There are far more things to see in Austria than Vienna–and if your Central Europe itinerary has room for another stop, Salzburg makes an excellent choice!

Salzburg is famous for two things: being the filming location for the Sound of Music, and being the hometown of Mozart. Add those benefits to the fact that Salzburg is a small, picturesque city that also boasts amazing viewpoints and an impressive fortress, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular to visit.

Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava are all located within an easy day’s travel of each other (and in the case of Bratislava and Vienna, it’s more like a morning’s travel).

The easiest and most relaxing way to complete this Central Europe itinerary is via train–trains run between each of these cities regularly and are easy to use.

If you’re trying to visit Central Europe on a budget, consider buses: Flixbus in particular is a popular and easy-to-use option to get between these cities.

We used it ourselves to travel from Bratislava to Budapest once, and though the bus was a bit late, it was a comfortable and easy ride.

Alternatively, you can look at flights to travel through Central Europe–budget airlines often offer great deals–but for these short distances, you’ll often find that they’re more trouble than they’re worth (and trains and buses don’t charge for luggage).

Each season brings a reason to visit Central Europe: whether it’s flowers and pretty weather in the spring, the warmth and liveliness of summer, the color changes of autumn, or the Christmas markets and snowy castles of winter, you can’t go wrong traveling to Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Bratislava at any time of the year.

If you have absolute control over when you visit, we would recommend considering a fall trip (think late September through October), when the weather will still be mostly beautiful and the crowds far less than the summer.

Between Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava, only Vienna and Bratislava use the Euro. In Budapest, you will use Hungarian forint, and in Prague, Czech koruna.

The easiest way to access new currencies is to withdraw from an ATM (preferably via a card that does not charge ATM or foreign transaction fees).

Credit/debit cards are widely accepted in all the cities listed on this Central Europe itinerary, but you will want to have cash on hand to pay for small purchases like street food and entrance tickets to local museums.

Some tourist-focused businesses will accept Euros in Budapest and Prague… but the exchange rate will almost certainly not be favorable.

Travel Insurance  — We always recommend purchasing travel insurance: you never know what will happen during a trip, and having insurance can save not only money, but time and stress in the event that something goes wrong. We use and recommend Safety Wing  for trips to Central Europe.

Travel Adaptors for Central Europe  — If you’re coming from outside the EU, you’ll want to double-check that you have the right adaptors for your electronics before coming!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

4 thoughts on “Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Beyond: Epic Central Europe Itinerary”

So many amazing cities! I love Prague and Budapest but Vienna and Bratislava are definitely worth a few days as well. And so affordable, too!

Yes! Bratislava is such a bargain. The whole area is just gorgeous. <3

Hi Kate, I really enjoyed this article and all the pictures! My family and I will be travelling to Budapest next spring and this was very helpful. I am curious as to how you were able to start travelling to these amazing places for such long periods of time. My daughter loves to travel, as does our entire family. She would like to travel more and find a job that would enable her to do this. I was just curious as to how one would go about traveling full time. Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You are so blessed to be able to see such beautiful places around the world!! Italy is my favorite as well. 🙂 Safe travels!

Sadly there is no one-size-fits-all option for travel jobs, but our story is essentially this: we left on a 6-month trip using our savings and got started that way. Later, we knew we didn’t want to go back to working 9-5 jobs, so we started working behind the scenes to both 1) have Jeremy pick up software development contracts, which is his trade, and 2) make this blog profitable. Now we earn our income through both of those sources, and we’ve been traveling 3+ years.

That being said, while we have worked and continue to work very hard, that’s not the easiest path to replicate and we definitely had a lot of advantages to help get us here!

We have a lot of friends and acquaintances who are long-term travelers as well, or were for 1+ years. Most start with some savings, though not all. Popular paths include moving abroad with a working holiday visa, teaching English abroad, living off savings while learning a skill, and increasingly, working “normal” jobs remotely from a laptop.

Good luck to your daughter, and I hope you guys have a wonderful time in Budapest!

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10-Day Prague, Vienna, Budapest Itinerary

Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are cities with a rich history, fantastic art, and great architecture. This 10-day itinerary starts in Prague, the historical capital of Bohemia then continues to Vienna a city famous for its Imperial Palaces before heading to the capital of Slovakia Bratislava. This wonderful journey finishes in Budapest, another rich source of history. You will see a great deal in these 10 days and there is enough time to absorb their highlights and imagine bygone days at the same time.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

Table of Contents

Central Europe Itinerary: Prague -Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest

Day 1 – Arrive in Prague

There are excellent connections by road and rail with all the neighboring countries but this itinerary assumes arrival by air. Visitors coming by other means can join in from the point of booking into their hotels. Settle into your hotel and perhaps have a stroll around then retire to be ready for a busy day tomorrow.

Prague’s International Airport, Vaclav Pavel has three terminals and is located around 20 kilometers to the northwest of the City.

How to get to and from the airport:

Airport Express Bus : Czech Rail runs the best service, an express bus which runs directly to and from the main train station in Prague every 10 minutes between 5.30 am and 9.00 pm costing just 2 euros. Taxis : Authorized taxis are available at the airport and passengers get a 20% Discount Voucher for use if they need a return trip. Prices start at 16 euros. Private Transfers : Private transfers can be booked in advance and provide a door-to-door service. A private driver will meet you in the arrivals terminal with your name and a bottle of water. Welcome Pickups is a well-known, popular company with local, knowledgeable English-speaking drivers, who go through specific training in order to drive. We used Welcome Pickups during our three days in Prague and were quite happy with the service. Click here for more information and to book your private transfer. Public Transport : You can catch buses which link to metro stations from where you can travel to the City. The journey normally takes about 45 minutes. You can buy tickets from kiosks within the terminals. Credit cards other than American Express can be used for payment but the cost is only around 2 euros.

Where to stay in Prague

Klarov Hotel : A boutique four-star hotel in Mala Strana, housed in a former Baroque mansion. It is central to all of the city’s major attractions yet on a small street that doesn’t feel crowded or overwhelming. With just 25 bedrooms, the Baroque hotel is exclusive, yet welcoming and warm. Rooms are modern and luxurious, offering guests plenty of space and great views of the city or castle. Breakfast is included and is served in either the restaurant or garden terrace. Click here for more information and the latest prices. Prague Marriott Hotel : In the center of the Old Town close to Old Town Square, the Marriott is ideally located for you to enjoy the best of Prague while offering the quality amenities as you would expect. Click here for more information and the latest prices.

Old Town Hall Tower & the Astronomical Clock

Prague has the nickname ‘’The City of 1,000 Spires’’ and if you climb to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower, you will see why. The Tower is also home to the Astronomical Clock where the 12 Apostles appear over the dial on the hour, every hour. Within the Tower, there is a 14th Century chapel, a former prison, and some fine art.

The Jewish Quarter

Joselov has been transformed from a slum to a district of real interest. The Cemetery is small with stones stacked on top of each other while the Museum and Synagogue are both worthy of a visit. Art Nouveau apartments now make this a popular residential area.

Day 2 – Explore Prague

Charles bridge.

Charles Bridge is an attraction in itself. It connects the Old Town with the stunning Prague Castle on high. It is 520 meters long with plenty of statues and pieces of history as you cross the River. It took half a century, the second half of the 14 th , to complete.

Prague Castle

This was home to the Bohemian Kings and today, the President of the Republic. It dominates the skyline with great views from there back across the Charles Bridge. Guinness records it as the oldest castle in the world, dated 970. You should try to see the Vladislav Hall and the Lion’s Court as a minimum. It is lit up by night and looks spectacular from anywhere in the City.

Click here to book a guided tour to Prague Castle including admission tickets.

St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus is found in the Palace Grounds on the site of a Rotunda from the early 10 th Century. There is a mix of styles in a cathedral begun in the middle of the 14 th Century and completed centuries later. The stained-glass windows are an extremely impressive feature while the altar in the small chapel has 1,300 precious stones.

Wenceslas Square

This Square is the focal point of the new Prague. A statue of King Wenceslas, the Patron Saint of Bohemia has been standing on the same spot since the 14th Century, which is now the Square’s center. There is a host of bars and restaurants in the Square.

The National Museum

The National Museum looks down from the top of the Square. It opened in 1891 and with limited time, perhaps you should head for the Roman artifacts from the early centuries AD, as well as exhibits from the Bronze and Early Stone Age?

Day 3 – Prague to Vienna

The high-speed train for the 250 km trip to Vienna takes around 4 hours with prices varying between 68 and 85 euros. Services run throughout the day.

If you hired a car and driver to take you to Vienna, you can expect the total cost to be around 300 euros. It is still expensive if split 3 ways with no obvious advantages.

A ticket on Flixbus from Prague to Vienna takes just over 4 hours. It means an early start to have some time to see some of Vienna that day but early departures cost around 40 euros. Later in the day, that comes down to 16 euros. However, with time quite tight, the extra 24 euros is probably worth it. That would allow you to have a few hours of daylight in Vienna .

Where to stay in Vienna

Hotel Sacher Wien : This 5-star hotel opposite the Opera House was the place that inspired Graham Greene to write the film ‘’The Third Man.’’ Its classic interior dates back to its opening in 1876 yet it guarantees comfort at every turn. The location for seeing Vienna’s highlights cannot be beaten. Click here for more information and the latest prices. Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof : Perfectly located in the center of Vienna’s 1st District–a UNESCO World Heritage Site–many historic sites are within walking distance and friendly staff makes it a top choice. Click here for more information and the latest prices.

Day 4 – Explore Vienna

The Vienna Pass and a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus  ( free with the Vienna Pass ) service makes seeing Vienna a relatively simple exercise. The question is what to include.

Click here for more information and to book the Vienna Pass.

St. Stephens Cathedral

This cathedral built in the early 16 th Century sits on a site where a church has been since the 12 th . Entry is free but you have to pay to go upstairs to the Treasury. You can pay more to climb the 343 stairs to the top of the south tower or take a lift to the top of the south one. From either, you will get a closer look at the wonderfully colored cathedral roof.

Vienna has a wide range of museums; there is actually a museum quarter. The ones you decide to see will depend on your personal interests.

• Albertina – free with Vienna Pass : This museum/palace has a great collection of paintings including work from Picasso and Monet. It owns over 100,000 photographs which it displays in a rotation. You can enjoy the whole breadth of art from graphics to architectural, contemporary to modern. Click here to book your e-ticket.
• Natural History Museum & Kunsthistorische Museum : These two museums are close together beside the Hofburg Palace complex. The former opened in 1889 and contains everything from prehistoric exhibits to meteorites. The Museum of Art History, the latter opened a few years earlier. It contains many exhibits from the Hapsburgs including antiquities, sculptures, and paintings. free with Vienna Pass
• Military History Museum – free with Vienna Pass Austria’s military history is represented here, covering a period from the 16 th Century.

Belvedere Palace

While you are in the area, you should see this UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the late 17 th /early 18 th Century. The two buildings in the complex were built by Prince Eugene. The gardens and the Baroque-style palaces with a good art collection are well worth your time.

Click here for more information and to buy your tickets to the Belvedere Museum free with Vienna Pass

Day 5 – Explore Vienna

Schönbrunn palace.

You should make an early start on your other full day to get out of Vienna’s center to see this UNESCO World Heritage site. It merits a day but with limited time, perhaps a half-day will do? This Baroque-style palace was the 18 th Century Viennese Court, a place where Mozart played his first concert as a 6-year-old. There are 1.400 rooms and several hundred acres of grounds. The Carriage House, the Labyrinth, and the Palmhaus are just three of the highlights.

Click here for more information and to book your skip-the-line guided tour. free with Vienna Pass

Hofburg Palace

Hofburg Palace houses the Sisi Museum that holds a wonderful collection of the Austrian empress’s belongings throughout her life. The Imperial Apartments are lavishly decorated and they give an idea of the luxury that the family indulged in, as does the impressive silver collection on display.

Click here to buy your tickets for the Imperial Treasury in the Hofburg Palace. free with Vienna Pass

City River Cruise

The Danube and its canal flow close to the Old Town. There are a variety of tours of varying durations and you should look at the time available to make your choice. The 75-minute tour can be fitted in during this second afternoon.

free with Vienna Pass

The Giant Ferris Wheel

An excellent way to get a good view of the City is to take the Ferris Wheel which was constructed in 1897 although it required extensive repairs after World War II. If you take a ride just before sunset, better still. It is in Prater Amusement Park two metro stops from the cruise terminal.

Day 6 – Vienna to Bratislava

With Bratislava on the route down towards Budapest, it would be a shame not to stop and see some of its main sights even if time is limited. Bratislava is just one hour away from Vienna.

There is a regular train running at least every hour from Vienna to Bratislava. The journey takes only an hour.

There is also a good bus connection between the two capitals. The journey again is about an hour.

Where to stay in Bratislava

Mercure Bratislava Centrum : I stayed at the Mercure Bratislava Centrum Hotel an exquisite building located near many of the town’s main attractions, next to Bratislava’s train station. The hotel is designed with a contemporary flair which adds a unique contrast to the historic city it’s situated in. This luxurious hotel offers many helpful amenities like a restaurant that serves traditional Slovakian food. It also has a bar that serves a variety of interesting cocktails as well as an extensive wine list. Besides this, you’ll also find a library inside as well as free Wi-Fi access. Click here for more information and the latest prices. Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava : This 160 room 4-star hotel is located near Bratislava Castle. Facilities include a fitness center, underground parking, bar, and restaurant. There is a range of rooms up to 75 square meters senior suites. Click here for more information and the latest prices.

The Old Town is the main attraction of Bratislava .  How much you can see during the rest of the day will dictate the time of your departure to Budapest. It can be covered in just a few hours and you should start here:

Church of St. Elizabeth

This art nouveau church finished in 1913 has been described as a marshmallow-like structure and although it has an impressive tower, it is its external appearance that makes it worth a visit.

A man peeping out a manhole, Cumil is a statue done 20 years ago to liven up the Old Town. The sculptor Jurai Melis has other work on display in the Old Town; Napoleon’s soldier is an example while you should look out for the Paparazzi by Radko Macuha.

The Main Square

This plaza is where you will find the Old Town Hall, a clock tower, and a Renaissance-style fountain. There are several interesting buildings including the Palugyay Palace and the French Embassy. Cafes are a place to watch life go by and at certain times of the year, there are special events and markets.

Michael’s Gate

Michael’s Gate is the last part of the medieval fortifications that used to surround Bratislava. It dates back to the 15 th Century and from there you get great views of the Old Town. Although Baroque in design these days, that was not its origins. There is a tower and a small museum within.

Clarissine Church

This Gothic Church was built in 1297 for the Order of Poor Clares, a very strict nun’s order. When it disbanded in 1782, it became a legal academy. Today, it hosts concerts and exhibitions.

Bratislava Castle

The 9 th Century Bratislava Castle is on a hill above the Danube River is a rectangular building with towers in each corner. It underwent renovation after World War II and today holds exhibitions.

St. Martin’s Cathedral

Another Gothic Church which was built in 13 th Century, pilgrims are regular visitors to this cultural monument. There are catacombs and underground passageways because the site is a former cemetery.

Day 7 – Bratislava toBudapest

Bratislava is 200 km from Budapest, mostly heading east.

Trains run between these two capitals throughout the day. The quickest train takes 2.5 hours with prices starting at 28 euros.

If you travel by car, it will take a similar time, but if you hire a car with a driver that can be seriously expensive.

Bratislava to Budapest is a 3-hour trip on Flixbus for 10 euros.

Where to stay in Budapest

Hotel Kempinski Corvinus : I had the pleasure of staying at this stylish hotel. It is in a great location; only a minute’s walk from the station. Within the hotel are restaurants and bars as well as a spa, an indoor pool, and a gym. Click here for more information and the latest prices. Hilton Budapest : Formerly an old 13 th -century monastery, this hotel is located opposite The Fisherman’s Bastion and provides full amenities including a restaurant, bar, gym, and sauna. Click here for more information and the latest prices. Promenade City Hotel : I stayed here on my first visit to Budapest. Located in a shopping street, this modern hotel offers Wi-Fi, a minibar, flat-screen TVs, and a complimentary breakfast. Click here for more information and the latest prices.

Visit the thermal baths

You have arrived at the final city of your Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary and it is time for a bit of relaxation. After settling in at your hotel I suggest a visit to one of the city’s famous natural thermal baths. There are many options to choose from. The beautiful Gellert Baths with stunning architecture can be found inside the Gellert hotel. The Széchenyi Baths are the most well-known and hold the title of the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Finally, if you are looking for the most traditional baths where locals go, I suggest the Kiraly Baths.

Day 8 – Explore Budapest

There are so many things to do in Budapest , which was formerly two cities, Buda on high and looking down on Pest across the Danube.

Buda Castle & Castle Hill

Buda has needed good defenses over the centuries; Castle Hill is naturally good to defense. A funicular takes visitors up to visit several major attractions including the Castle, a 200-room palace that replaced the original 13 th Century castle in the 18 th Century. World War II damage has been repaired and visitors can now go in to see the National Gallery and the History Museum. The whole hill is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Fisherman’s Bastion

Defensive walls were built by the Guild of Fishermen many centuries ago. Today’s structures and walls come from the end of the 19 th Century. The Statue of St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary, and reliefs recording events from his life are just two examples of interesting things to examine.

Mattias Church

Mattias Church opened in 1269 with the representation of her death added in the 14th Century. When the Ottomans took the region, the church became a mosque and remained one until they withdrew. The earliest major event at Mattias was the coronation of Charles I in 1309.

Great Synagogue & Jewish Museum

Once you leave Castle Hill, you should cross the Chain Bridge into Pest. There was once a major Jewish population in Budapest and its people suffered at different times. You can learn more about that in the Museum close to the Great Synagogue, the largest in the world outside New York.

New York Café

Few who have visited this impressive café argue with the claim that it is the most beautiful café in the world. You can have everything from breakfast to dinner though to eat after sunset, you may have to book. Get there before traditional dinner hours and enjoy the impressive menu and the small classical orchestra entertaining customers.

Day 9 – Explore Budapest

The Parliament buildings on the Danube are among the largest in the world. There are 20 kilometers of corridors and 700 rooms. Tours last around 90 minutes and you will see the Crown Jewels. There is good access but some areas are limited when parliament is in session.

Click here for more information and to book a guided tour to the Parliament.

Shoes on the Danube

Back out on the banks of the Danube, there is a wonderful memorial to those Jews shot on the banks and allowed to drift away down the River. That horror took place towards the end of World War II and the 60 pairs of steel boots and shoes bring home to visitors the horror of those times. Far more than 60 suffered that fate but the 2005 sculpture ensures the events will never be forgotten.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

The cathedral in Pest was begun in 1851 and consecrated half a century later. There was damage during the Second World War but that was repaired. The views from the top of the Tower are outstanding; there is a lift if you need it. The mosaics and the mummified hand of St. Stephen are among the things to see inside.

Central Market Hall

Locals shop at this huge market but it is also very much a tourist attraction. There is no doubt it is the best place in Budapest with fresh produce, meats, etc., over three floors.

Danube Cruise

You have already cruised on the Danube earlier on the trip but you should take to the water again in Budapest, day or night. You get great views of both banks of the river and cruise past many of the City’s highlights. With limited time, St. Margaret’s Island probably isn’t an option, nor is the lovely Calvinist Church on the opposite bank.

Click here for more information and to book a Danube Cruise.

Day 10 Flight home

You have packed in quite a lot into your journey through Central Europe’s finest cities Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and of course Bratislava. It may give you an appetite to see other parts of Central Europe and the Balkans. Talking of appetite, you should eat a good breakfast before heading from the City Centre out to Ferenc Liszt Airport 15 km away. Taxis are readily available and probably the most convenient way to get there.

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Imperial Elegance: Prague, Vienna and Budapest Itinerary 14 Days

14 day tour of prague, vienna and budapest.

• Stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge, adorned with baroque statues
• Marvel at the opulence of Vienna's Imperial Palaces, including Schönbrunn Palace
• Relax in a thermal bath in Budapest before absorbing breathtaking views from Gellert Hill
• Explore the Wachau Valley, scenic vineyards, villages, and Melk Abbey.
• Visit the medieval masterpiece Karlstejn Castle nestled in the Czech countryside.
• Immerse yourself in the artistic charm of Szentendre, a picturesque town on the Danube Bend.

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Train: 4.5h

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Arrive Prague

To Be Determined

Arrival in Prague Airport & Transfer by Taxi

Prague has one main airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, where almost all visitors arrive. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience.

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

• Prague Castle & Royal Route Guided Walk

On this charming guided walk, you will explore the Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in all of Europe. To reach the castle you will trace the Royal Coronation Route and cross the Charles Bridge, whose “speaking stones” reveal the amazing and often cruel history that occurred there. Your tour guide will then take you either through the castle courtyards and into the dramatic St. Vitus Cathedral in the center of the castle complex, or through the upper part of the castle district around the oversized palaces of the old Catholic nobility and the top of the Castle Steps for incomparable views over the red rooftops of the Little Quarter.

Cross the river dividing Prague's most historic neighborhoods, and experience one of Europe's most iconic landmarks.

See a historic wall that has been covered in John Lennon-inspired graffiti since Communist days.

Prague Castle is one of the main attractions in Prague and is also the largest castle complex in the world.

Charles Bridge

Bridge construction began in 1357 under King Charles IV (hence the name), and it was the only bridge across the Vltava River until 1841. 30 baroque statues of saints line the bridge, and it is filled with street artists and entertainers. Not to be missed.

Maltese Square & Lennon Wall

The wall has been covered in graffiti since the 1960s, and during Communism anti-regime sentiment was common. John Lennon's assassination inspired grafitti reflecting his song, Imagine, which earned the wall its current moniker. It is now a favorite gathering place for tourists, and musicians sometimes congregate there as well. Just around the corner is the Maltese Square, which is one of Prague's more quaint and relaxed public spaces, despite being just off the main tourist route.

Prague Castle

The Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world with structures dating back to the 9th century. The St Vitus Cathedral and Basilica of St George can be found within the castle walls. The Prague Castle also includes several gardens, palaces, and a monastery. This castle was the seat of power for the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of former Czechoslovakia. Prague Castle is a&nbsp;UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in the country.&nbsp;

Early Morning to Mid-Day

Excursion to Karlštejn Castle

Karlštejn, i.e. Charles' Stone Castle, is the most famous castle in the Czech Republic. The fairy-tale perfect castle was founded by King Charles IV in 1348 to guard his royal treasures. It's massive towers and walls are spread out over a series of rocky peaks above the Berounka River and commands striking views of the surrounding hills.

Tour a closely-guarded and jewel-encrusted chapel decorated with amazing medieval art.

Chapel of the Holy Rood

The most important and impressive part of the castle, the Chapel of the Holy Rood, is open only to special guided tours due to the fact that its walls are literally covered in precious jewels.

Vyšehrad Fortress; a Favorite of the Locals

The castle of Vyšehrad was the seat of Bohemia's kings from the 11th to the 12th centuries. Due to its strategic position on a hill overlooking the Vltava River and Prague, it became an important army garrison in the 17th century, and it was transformed into a fortress with huge walls, gates, and ramparts. Walking along these ramparts will offer you wonderful views of the city and river. The interior of the fortress is now given over to a pleasant and quiet park which is a favorite of locals.

Wander in a graveyard where many prominent Czechs are buried, such as famed composers Dvořák & Smětana.

Enjoy stunning city views from atop the fortress walls.

Venture within the fortress's massive 17th-century walls and gates.

Vyšehrad Cemetery

The cemetery is filled with many tombs which are works of art in themselves, including several arcades with beautiful art-nouveau frescoes. The monumental&nbsp;Slavin tomb is a sort of pantheon of the Czech people, with over 55 prominent persons buried within it.&nbsp;Dvoř&aacute;k and Smětana have their own more modest graves.

Fortress Walls Viewpoint

Prague Castle and most of the city can be seen from above the cavernous Gorlice Hall. A walk along the fortress walls is a delightful experience, as you will enjoy numerous excellent vantage points on all sides of the fortress, enjoying Prague from a different perspective without all the crowds.

Brick Gate and Casemates

A tour through the Brick Gate on the fortress's north side will take you through the narrow underground passageways and casemates of the fortress. You will see a historical exhibit on Vy&scaron;ehrad as well as the underground Gorlice Hall, where the original statues from the Charles Bridge are stored for safe-keeping (many of the statues on the bridge are copies).&nbsp;

Prague to Vienna

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Prague Main Station (Praha hl.n.) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that the cheapest and sometimes fastest way to reach your hotel may be by public transport. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app. Information on finding your departure platform is provided in the itinerary mobile app.

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

• Guided Walk through Vienna's Inner City

This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stood within the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginnings of Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one of the most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna's early inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city and its beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Morning to Afternoon

Danube Cruise in the Scenic Wachau Valley

A one-and-a-half-hour train ride from Vienna brings you to the town of Melk, where you can tour the vast Melk Abbey. From there you can begin a 22-mile cruise through the Wachau Valley, considered the most beautiful stretch of the entire Danube River. You'll pass medieval castle ruins, hills covered in vineyards, and several charming villages, where you can debark to try some wine or take a hike up to a castle. The valley is also a perfect destination for cyclers and winery tours.

Explore the twisting narrow lanes of this delightful monastery town.

Hike to the dramatic ruins of a medieval castle built in 1100's.

Tour a huge and splendid Baroque monastery.

Stop to taste the wine in a postcard-pretty town surrounded by vineyards.

Named for the castle that overlooks it,&nbsp;D&uuml;rnstein is probably the most-visited stop in the Wachau valley. Reached by an ancient tunnel leading from the boat docks,&nbsp; it is well-known for its wine as well as the beautiful blue church tower of its Augustinian monastery.&nbsp;

Dürnstein Castle Ruins

The hike leading to the castle is steep, but the amazing view you are rewarded with makes it all worth while. The fascinating ruins are extensive and can be freely explored. The castle was made famous by its most illustrious prisoner, King Richard the Lionhearted of England, who was held there for ransom.

Founded in 1089 when the Austrian duke gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks, Melk Abbey is now both a place of pilgrimage and a major tourist attraction. Visitors come for the museum of religious artifacts, the jaw-dropping library, and the sublime church. The town square below the abbey is also a great place for a meal or wine.

Spitz is a favorite stop due to its bucolic atmosphere and abundance of wine taverns and restaurants. It is also home to the Tausendeimerberg or "House of a Thousand Buckets" (so named for the abundance of wine fields) and the castle ruins of Hinterhaus, which make for a nice (if steep) hike from the village.

Tour the Schönbrunn Palace

The magnificent Baroque palace of Schönbrunn is most famously associated with Empress Maria Theresa, who lived here surrounded by 16 little archdukes and duchesses who also happened to be her children. On your tour of the palace, you will see how Maria Theresa and other past imperial residents lived. No visit is complete without a stroll in the vast gardens surrounding the palace.

Join local families enjoying one of Europe's best zoos.

Get lost in the huge imperial gardens.

Schönbrunn Zoo

With an entrance directly connected to the Sch&ouml;nbrunn palace gardens, visiting the zoo can be a great addition to any trip to the palace. Founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752, it is the oldest continually operated zoo in the world, and today is home to many rare species such as giant pandas.

Schönbrunn Gardens

The beautiful park is a mix of formal gardens and woodlands, and is dotted with enchanting statues &amp; fountains, including a massive fountain of Neptune. The Gloriette pavilion sits on a rise opposite the palace and commands a wonderful view. Kids will love&nbsp;the labyrinth, racing to find the tower at the center of the maze.

Vienna to Budapest

Most trains depart from Vienna Main Station (Wien Hbf) station. If traveling to the west though, there is a good possibility you will leave from the west station (Wien Westbahnhof). Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

• Best of Budapest: Half-Day Walking Tour of Highlights & Hidden Finds

During your tour you will take in a gorgeous vista of the city from the Fisherman's Bastion, explore the winding streets of the Castle District, gaze in awe at the striking interior of St. Stephen's Basilica, travel along the city's most elegant avenue and more. Along the way you will experience the city as a local does, stopping to check out intimate courtyards, enjoying a pastry and soaking in the ambiance of Budapest's most elegant cafes.

Early Morning/Morning

Váci street and the Central Market

The Central Market Hall is a mezzanine shopping arcade first opened in 1897. Today the Central Market teems with activity like small shops and stands offer a remarkable assortment of goods, including fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, fish, flowers, and Hungarian specialties. There are also many souvenirs available on the second floor of the market.

Discover why this pedestrian walkway along the Danube River, with it's beautiful views of the river and castle, is a favorite of both locals and visitors alike.

Shop in a huge market hall built in the late 19th century.

Walk one of Budapest's main pedestrian thoroughfares, which is very popular with shoppers and tourists.

This promenade above the river embankment was the place to see-and-be-seen in 19th century Budapest. Cafes and luxury hotels lined the promenade, taking advantage of stunning views of the castle. They were destroyed in WWII and replaced with large modern hotels, eliminating some of the charm. The view, however, is still incredible.

Central Market Hall

This restored neo-gothic Market Hall is a favorite with visitors but also still visited by locals for its outstanding food stands and grocery stalls on the ground floor. On the upper levels, you can shop for souvenirs and traditional Hungarian goods &amp; crafts.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Váci Street (Váci utca)

The street is lined by shops, boutiques, caf&eacute;s, and restaurants. Many elegant buildings line the street, most dating to the late19th century. Numerous courtyards and passageways branch off from the street. Although touristy, it is an integral part of the city and an interesting place to stroll.

Hungarian Parliament and its Surroundings

The Hungarian Parliament building is a magnificent sight as it rises above the waters of the Danube, and the interior is also quite jaw-dropping. As a visitor, you may even feel a bit overwhelmed by the sumptuous décor and attention-to-detail. You could be forgiven for expecting a queen to arrive or an aristocratic ball to break out at any moment.

This building once housed the Hungarian Supreme Court and the Ethnographic museum. The museum is relocating to City Park and will open in 2022.

Reflect at a waterside sculpture of shoes memorializing the victims of fascism who died at this spot.

Tour this massive and stunning Gothic Revival–style edifice with a guide.

Former Museum of Ethnography

It was the second place winner in the competition to design the Hungarian Parliament. Many believe it is as beautiful at the Parliament, especially it's interiors.

Shoes on the Danube Bank

This moving memorial consists of empty shoes by the riverbank. Near the end of World War II a fascist party took control in Hungary. Jews were lined up along the river bank, forced to step out of their shoes (so they could be collected later), and then machine gunned into the river.

Hungarian Parliament

The Parliament is ostentatious, but undeniably grand and beautiful. A teeming mass of spires, arches, and towers surrounds the central dome, beneath which the royal crown of Hungary lies under armed guard. Tours of the lavish interiors include the crown, parliament chambers, and grand entry hall. Pre-purchasing tickets is recommended as they often sell out well in advance.&nbsp;

Visiting the Jewish Quarter

Budapest was once the site of one of Europe's largest and most vibrant Jewish communities and contains the world's second largest synagogue – the Dohány Street Synagogue. A visit there is an impressive reminder of the wealth and influence the Jewish community in Hungary once possessed. A small but vibrant Jewish population still inhabits the Jewish Quarter today.

Discover Budapest's most unique form of nightlife - pubs located in the ruins of old buildings!

Learn about the Holocaust in a former synagogue which honors Hungarian Jews killed in WWII.

Stare in awe at Europe's largest synagogue (and the second largest in the world).

Szimpla Kert

Szimpla Kert was the first pub located in a ruin, and it started a trend that is now a Budapest institution. These pubs have an eclectic vibe and are a great place to mix with the locals as well as other visitors. The concept dates back to the early 2000s when entrepreneurs took over abandoned spaces within dilapidated buildings for underground events. The 7th district, i.e. the Jewish Quarter, is the best place to find them.&nbsp;

Holocaust Memorial Center

The refurbished 1920s synagogue now serves as a museum and memorial for Hungarian Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It also functions as a documentation center. Note, it is actually not located in the Jewish Quarter, which is in Budapest's 7th District, but the nearby 9th District.

Great Synagogue

Also known as the Doh&aacute;ny Street Synagogue, it possesses a striking Byzantine Moorish style exterior with an ornate dome, and an opulent interior. Adjacent to it are a memorial to the Holocaust in the form of a weeping willow, and a museum of Jewish culture. Entry is by guided tour only, although wait times can be very long so booking early is recommended.

Depart Budapest

Transfer to Airport by Taxi

Budapest has one main airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where almost all visitors depart. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi (there is no Uber in Budapest). You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.

What's Included In Your Trip

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities:

Pre-Paid Transportation:

• 2nd Class Train Tickets from Prague to Vienna
• 2nd Class Train Tickets from Vienna to Budapest
• Public Transport Tickets for Vienna and Budapest
• Private Transfer from the Budapest Rail Station

Accommodation:

• 5 nights at a hotel of your choice in Prague
• 5 nights at a hotel of your choice in Vienna
• 6 nights at a hotel of your choice in Budapest

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• Itinerary Plan & Reservations Info
• Points of Interest
• Detailed Travel Information
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Explore cities in more detail

Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov is a charming little town in South Bohemia. It might be small, but it’s full of whimsical character and mystery. Walking through the narrow streets and across the bridge, the views of the medieval Cesky Krumlov Castle will take your breath away. At night, street musicians serenade visitors on the bridge where you can dance beneath the stars and the watchful eye of the magnificent tower.  Dozens of unique local artisan shops, cafes, and restaurants are woven among the winding streets. In the summer, the city is lush with life and greenery. Rafters race down the river, stopping in the center along the way to enjoy a hearty meal before continuing their journey. In the winter, the main square transforms into a magnificent Christmas market and light blankets of snow cover the rooftops. This quaint little town will exceed your expectations and you may never want to leave.  

Nearly every wall and rooftop in Dresden seems to be finished with a flourish. Defined by its ornamental baroque architecture, a power statement of Saxon royalty, Dresden is made all the more miraculous considering the city was leveled by firebombing in WWII. After the war, the city was reconstructed, brick by painstaking brick. Even under East German-Soviet rule, which usually eschewed frivolous design, buildings like the Semper Opera House were pieced back to their former glory. Restoration of the majestic Zwinger Palace and bell domed Church of Our Lady slowly followed, with the Frauenkirche only fully repaired in 2005. Arguably there is no other city in Europe that cherishes its hard-won architecture as much as Dresden. Although it is a compact city, so many of its buildings will stop you in your tracks that architecture fans will easily lose a whole day in the Old Town area. Especially during the winter months, Dresden sparkles with a joyous, uplifting ambiance. The city is recognized as having the best-ever Christmas market in all of Europe. Between the twinkling lights, the scent of hot wine and gingerbread, and the towering Christmas tree, it’s worth going out of your way to see Dresden at this time of year.   

One of the most authentic, storied German destinations, Nuremberg's picturesque old town, glorious castle, and buzzing Christmas Market makes this city a time-true classic. The ideal gateway to old Bavaria, Nuremberg offers a primer in German history before you embark on the lovely journey through old Bavaria, known as the Romantic Road. Considered the capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the middle ages, Nuremberg would have felt like the center of the world as a procession of kings and emperors passed through its magnificent gates. When the German Renaissance came, Nuremberg was at its heart. Albrecht Dürer, the great German master artist, was born here, and Martin Luther called Nuremberg Germany's 'eyes and ears'. Skip forward a few centuries, and the city took a dark turn, as Nuremberg became a gathering point for the German National Socialists. Slightly outside of town, you can still find the Nazi Party Rallying Grounds, a sobering reminder of the not so distant past. If it all gets too heavy, you can end the day with a glass of rotbier (red beer) and mull it over. Nuremberg is a must-see for anyone who wants to delve into Germany's past. 

The city of Prague is indisputably the gem of Central Europe. Full of history, culture, and classic Czech pubs around every corner, Prague is teeming with nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered. The narrow cobblestone streets and warm red rooftops give the city a homey feel, while the well-preserved medieval architecture transports you back in time. Walking across the Charles Bridge with the view of the Prague Castle will make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale, and you might as well be.    As an up-and-coming destination, Prague is a perfect mix of classic and modern. New trendy cafes and bistros are always popping up, and you can always find a group of lively locals chowing down on goulash and quaffing pivo (the best beer in Europe!) at traditional Czech restaurants across the city. The clash of modernity and tradition, preservation and innovation, gives this city a mysterious air that you won’t soon forget.

Artistic and musical, historical and elegant, Vienna is the definition of class. The seat of the Habsburg monarchy for over six centuries, it's no wonder this city is still fit for royalty. Baroque buildings and imperial palaces dominate the cityscape, while locals stride gracefully through the streets, likely on their way to a classical music concert or art exhibition. Visitors from all over the world flock to Schonbrunn Palace, historical museums, and local eateries for authentic Viennese schnitzel.  Vienna is also home to world-class wining and dining. Famous dishes include Wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz (prime boiled beef), and apfelstrudel (apple strudel), all of which pair well with a glass of fine Austrian wine. No matter how long you spend in Vienna, you'll leave with a new appreciation for the finer things in life. 

Situated at the heart of Europe, Budapest is the capital of Hungary, appropriately named 'The Pearl of the Danube,' for its fixating and almost haunting beauty. Formerly two separate cities, Buda and Pest were forged into one by time, occupation, and the eight bridges that anchor them together today. From the Romans to the Communists, each occupier left its flavor profile in Budapest, evident in the famous spicy Hungarian stew known as 'goulash.'  Budapest is a melting pot of history, culture, and taste, from the magnificent Baroque and neo-Gothic architecture to the Turkish thermal baths. After a long day of sightseeing, treat yourself to a glass of Tokaj, what King Louis XIV of France referred to as the "Wine of Kings, King of Wines". Budapest has a flavor to satisfy any taste.

Planning the perfect Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary for a 7 & 10 day break

If you are planning on spending a week in Europe, then we highly recommend visiting the Imperial capitals of Prague, Vienna, & Budapest. Each city is steeped in history, with grandiose architecture, mouth watering food, and a whole lot of culture. On top of that each of the capitals bring something a little different to the table so you get a real taste of Europe in a limited time.

Here we have put together the perfect Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary to help you plan your own European adventure. This guide includes all the information you need on getting between each city, and what to do when you get there.

Disclaimer : This post contains affiliate links, so if you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Why plan a Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary?

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You might be wondering why you should plan a Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary when there are so many amazing places in Europe. Whilst that is true, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are becoming European hotspots for travellers. One of the things that I’m drawn to with these cities is that their identities have been shaped by both Eastern European and Western European influences.

They are also quite a bit cheaper than their Western counterparts like Paris or Rome, which lets be honest in this economic climate is never a bad thing.

If you are tossing up between Prague or Budapest here is a helpful guide.

Or if you are trying to decide between Vienna or Budapest here is a helpful guide.

In our Prague, Vienna, Budapest guide we give you 2 example itineraries for a 7 day and 10 day trip. Obviously the longer you have in each city, the better. Each of them offer so much to see and do. If you only have 7 days we recommend 2 days in each city with a 7th day for travelling. And if you have a little bit longer 3 days in each plus a day of travel gives you a good chance to see the sights and get a taste of each city.

Of course we recommend spending much longer in Europe, especially because it is so big and each country is so unique. For more ideas, here are some sample 3 week Central Europe itineraries to give you some ideas.

So when planning a Prague Vienna Budapest itinerary, you might be wondering where on earth to start. The logical thing to do is either start in Prague, or Budapest. That way you can travel south from Prague or north from Budapest. Vienna is wedged between the other two destinations so it’s not an ideal place to start unless you want to go back on yourself.

Flying into Prague

If you decide the fly into Prague to start your Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary here, then you are in luck. It’s a very busy airport and a lot of European carriers including low budget carriers like Ryanair and Easyjet fly here.

Once you arrive at the airport we recommend getting a taxi because it is the easiest way to get to your hotel/ centre of Prague. It will take about 30-45 minutes in total and set you back around €30/736 CZK.

There are cheaper options but these do involve a bit of faffing around. For instance there is a bus however this will only take you to one of the city metro lines, where you will need to make your way into the centre from there.

There is also bus 119, which is every 15 minutes. If you are trying to get to the Old Town you can get this to Nádraží Veleslavín metrostation, and then its a further 6 stops on the metro to old town.

For the new town get bus 100. This stops at Zličín metro station on line B. From here you are looking at about 11 stops to the centre.

Despite the buses being a little bit of effort they only costs 1.20€ or 32 CZK, so this is a good option for those trying to do Prague on a budget.

Flying into Budapest

If you have decided to go down the Budapest, Vienna, Prague route, then chances are your trip will start at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. This is the city’s main airport. From here you can either get a bus or taxi.

A taxi is the most direct and honestly the easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel. It will cost around €30 each way, but saves you traipsing around with all that luggage.

Alternatively you can get the bus – the 100E which will get you into town in around 30-40minutes.

Here is our Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary breakdown including the best things to see and do in each of the cities. For the purpose of this itinerary we are starting in Prague.

Prague is by far one of our favourite destinations. It’s literally like walking into a fairytale with castles and cobbled streets. It is the perfect city to start your Prague, Vienna, & Budapest itinerary, but be warned you may never want to leave.

You can read more about our trip to Prague here if you want. Otherwise read on for our Prague highlights.

And if you are wondering if Prague is worth visiting this article might help.

In the meantime here is some information on Prague.

Country:  Czech Republic

Languages Spoken:  Czech but English is widely spoken

Currency:  Czech Koruna (CZK)

Famous for:  Old world architecture, it’s many spires, culture, and excellent beer

Visit if you like:  City breaks with history, and really beautiful places

Nickname : The City of a Hundred Spires

When visiting Prague you probably want somewhere between 2 days at a minimum to around 4 days to really get to grips with the city.

It is one of those cities that is best enjoyed at a slower pace, wandering the cobbled streets stopping every now and then for a drink. The good news is, a lot of the man tourist attractions are pretty close together, so you won’t spend ages travelling between sights.

Obviously if you are trying to see Prague, Vienna, and Budapest you probably won’t have a long time to spend in each spot. So book any must do tours well in advance to make the most of your time.

Where to stay in Prague

You will find accommodation to fit any budget in Prague. If you only have a short time in the city though you want to be close to the key tourist attractions, particularly the Charles Bridge and Old Town. We opted for a mid-range hotel located right near the Charles Bridge called  Lokal Inn . It was only a minutes walk from the bridge, and was close to lots of bars and restaurants.

Here is a breakdown on the best areas to stay in Prague to help you plan your own trip.

The Old Town or Staré Město as it is known in Czech would probably be our recommendation especially for a short trip. It’s beautiful, and there are lots of food and drink options. It’s also close to a lot of the main attractions.

The downside is that it can be touristy, and you can fall into the trap of food and drink that isn’t very good and super expensive. Just do your research beforehand is what we would say.

Accommodation is also a bit pricier here, so book well in advance for the best deals.

Lesser Town, is our second recommendation for areas to stay in Prague. It’s just across the river from the Old Town, and it just that little bit quieter too. It’s a quaint area to explore, and is close to places like the Lennon Wall, and the Charles Bridge. There are a lot of restaurants and bars in the area, and it is close to public transport too.

The New Town, is great if you are wanting to go clubbing, and have some crazy nights out in Prague. It’s right next to the Old Town, so it is still pretty central. It’s also less touristy than the Old Town. If you want a more authentic Czech experience where you are mingling with the locals, this is a great area to stay.

The Castle District has some of the best views over Prague, and is obviously close to one of the main tourist attractions, the Prague Castle. It’s a little bit further out though from the Old Town, but still easily accessible. We probably wouldn’t recommend staying in the area when you only have a short time in Prague, just because it’s away from a lot of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Things to do in Prague

Here are some of our highlights and top things to do when visiting Prague.

Probably one of the more instagrammable spots in Prague , the John Lennon Wall is a must on any visit to the city. Etched with graffiti that changes on a regular basis the wall is a symbol of political frustration but also freedom of speech. Make sure you get here early to avoid the crowds.

The first thing we noticed in Prague was the spectacular castle perched above the city, almost watching over it. The castle grounds contain gardens, palaces, and shops as well as the very dramatic looking St Vitus Cathedral. The views over Prague from the castle are also pretty incredible!

You can purchase your tickets online in advance , or purchase them on the day on the castle grounds.

If you do one thing on your trip to Prague, make sure you visit the Charles Bridge at sunrise. It’s so much quieter and you get some really amazing photo opportunities. The bridge connects Mala Strana (Little Quarter) and Stare Mesto (The Old Town) so it is a very beautiful way to get from one side of the river to the other.

Petrin Hill provides a bit of a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Old Town. Make sure you get the funicular up the hill, but remember to arrive early to beat the crowds. Once you are at the top of the hill you can stroll around the beautiful gardens and woodland, or if you are brave enough head up to the top of the TV Tower.

Whilst it is a sombre place to visit the Jewish Museum is one of the most visited museums in Prague. Here you learn about the history of the Jews in the city, and you get to explore the Old Jewish Cemetery too.

One of the more unusual things to do in Prague has to be visiting the Beer Spa. I mean why bathe in water when you can bathe in Beer? You also get to sip on beer (don’t worry not the stuff you bathe in because that would be gross), and there is an option to have a massage as well. You can book your tickets online in advance here.

I always love seeing a city from the water, so the Vltava River cruise was a must on our visit to Prague. There are a number of different river cruises you can do and we’ve included some in the links below.

A visit to Old Town is a must in Prague. The Old Town Square is probably one of the most photogenic parts of the city. The Xmas markets are held here in December and at other times it is a hive of activity with street performers and vendors selling Chimney Cakes and other treats. If you have time it is worth visiting the Old Town Hall Tower for some really wonderful views.

The Dancing House is one of the more modern sights in Prague. It’s apparently one of the most photographed modern buildings in the city, due to its quirky design. Basically it was designed to resemble a pair of dancers – hence the name.

It’s located in New Town, which is somewhere we didn’t spend a lot of time. There tends to be a high number of stag and hen dos in the area, so be warned.

St Nicholas’ Church located in Mala Strana is a Baroque masterpiece that you really have to visit. The inside is adorned with impressive artwork and intricate carvings, so we recommend you make the time to visit.

It was built between 1704-1755 it is now a hugely popular tourist attraction in Prague. It is also considered one of the greatest examples of Prague Baroque architecture.

A HUGE part of any Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary, has to food. Prague is no exception! The food is out of this world. You might find some of the cuisine in the 3 cities to be a bit similar, but each city has their own take on it.

Trdelník or Chimney Cake, is a popular sweet treat in Prague. Its roots are actually Hungarian, but you won’t be able to escape Prague without chowing down on this pastry.

Goulash is also a popular dish in Prague. Again you will find this in Hungary as well but the texture is different. In Prague it is far more stew like and served with some delicious dumplings.

If you have the time we recommend a food tour like this one , that way you get a locals view on the best things to eat and drink in the city. Or if you want to try food and drink, then this tour covers both .

Whilst I am on the topic of drink, I think it is fair to stay that Prague is well known for its beer. Make sure you visit one of the traditional beer halls, U Zlatého tygra is one of our favourites, although it does get busy so get there early.

There are a number of beer tours you can do, especially if you really do like your pints, and our suggestions are below.

Prague is a very easy city to navigate and truth be told we spent most of our time just walking around it. That being said there were times when we had to take public transport, and you might too.

Public transport consists of buses, trams, and the metro. You will need to purchase your ticket before boarding ay form of transport. You can purchase tickets at newspaper kiosks or hotels.

Upon boarding validate your ticket. For example on the tram you can get a stamp near the door to validate it. Ticket types vary and you can get a single ticket (which includes a 30 minute transfer window) or a day pass.

And if you want to know what it’s like visiting Prague in autumn this article might be handy.

So now we head to our second destination on our Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary. Vienna is full of lavish architecture, museums, classical music, and of course coffee and cake.

You can read more about Vienna here .

Or if you are tossing up between Vienna and Prague here is a helpful guide.

In the meantime here are some facts.

Country:  Austria

Languages Spoken:  German (a lot of people speak English though)

Currency:  Euro

Famous for:  Food (wiener schnitzel), culture, music, and history

Visit if you like:  Classical music, architecture, palaces, history and food

Between Prague, Vienna, and Budapest our personal opinion is that you can probably get away with allocating the smallest amount of time in Vienna. Of course this advice is dependant on what you want to see, but we found that we would have like more time in Prague and Budapest, and would have been happy to compromise for less time in Vienna.

That isn’t to say Vienna isn’t worth visiting. It absolutely is. And you might want more time here especially if you are planning on visiting the museums (and there are lots of them) or even the vineyards.

All in all we would say you need somewhere between 2-3 days in Vienna. This will give you time to see some of the main sights, eat some great food, and of course sip a few drinks along the way.

Where to stay in Vienna

If you are in Vienna for a short time, like we were then you will want to stay somewhere central and close to the tourist attractions. Innere Stadt and MuseumsQuartier and probably the best areas to stay in for a first time visit. You are close to the attractions and there are a number of hotels to choose from for all budgets.

We ended up staying a bit further out when we visited which in hindsight wasn’t the brightest idea on such a short trip.

Here is a quick breakdown on the best neighbourhoods to stay in Vienna.

This is in the very centre of historic Vienna, and it is close to a lot of the main attractions like St Stephen’s and the Spanish Riding School.

Accommodation can be a bit more expensive here, but transport links are excellent. This is ideal for first time visitors or those with a small amount of time in the city.

Slightly cheaper and a little less touristy is District 2. You are still pretty close to a lot of the main attractions, and it’s very close to the Prater Amusement Park. This is good if you are looking for slightly cheaper accommodation but still want to be in the thick of it.

This is perfect if you are a fan of culture and museums. There are a lot of bars and restaurants in the area, and this is probably a good choice if you do enjoy visiting bars in the evening as there is more here.

Things to do in Vienna

Here are some of our highlights when visiting Vienna.

Schonbrunn Palace is one of the top attractions in Vienna, giving you a flavour of imperial living in the city. Built in the 1630’s this former summer residence for royalty is now popular with tourists. You get the opportunity to tour the inside as well as exploring the palace gardens. You can book tickets online in advance to avoid the queues on the day.

It’s not a trip to Vienna unless you have visited at least one palace. Hofburg Palace is another great attraction. It was a winter residence for the rulers during the time of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

You do do some cool tours here including the museum or even the imperial apartments.

A visit to a coffee house in Vienna is a must due to their part in shaping Viennese culture. Treat yourself to some coffee and cake (Sachertorte is the most traditional) and read the paper like the locals do. If you want to learn more about the coffee culture in Vienna, or experience it with a local here is a great tour you can book.

Open from March – October every year. the Prater amusement park is home to one of the oldest ferris wheels in the world. The Riesenrad, is 212 ft tall and has these wooden gondolas that you stand in as the wheel goes around. This is a highlight in Vienna for sure.

Like you would assume with the name, the MuseumsQuartier is home to a number of art museums, as well as an architecture and design museum.

A quirky thing to see in Vienna is this colourful housing complex. It is a really unusual building built after an idea and concept by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, hence the name. If you are looking for an offbeat experience it is certainly worth a visit.  And of course it is a great place to get a few Instagram shots.

Hailed as one of the most important religious buildings in Vienna. This gothic style cathedral is a Roman Catholic church with intricate detail. It is well worth a look and make sure you go inside if you can. We recommend this tour that gives you a glimpse of parts of the cathedral where the masses cannot enter.

Vienna is renowned for its musical history so heading to an opera is high on the bucket list.

For a bit of history definitely consider visiting the Rathaus or Town Hall. It was constructed in the 1800s in a Neo-Gothic style to create more space for the city mayor. It’s a really beautiful building to visit, and gives off those opulent European vibes. If you want to go inside you can but only on certain days, and you have to book a specific tour.

We had no idea there were vineyards in Vienna and this was a pleasant surprise. It is a bit of a journey out of town and you will need to take a bus to Kahlenburg. But it really is worth doing and a real quirky thing to do in Vienna.

Another really quirky thing to do is to visit Vienna’s waste incineration plant. Artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who also designed the apartment complex at the top of this list was tasked with designing the new plant.

You can do a tour of the plant which seems to be popular with school children who can learn all about the heating and cooling process. Even if that’s not your thing it will probably be the most beautiful waste incineration plant you will ever see.

Vienna feels a little bit like the posher sister of Prague and Budapest sometimes, and the food and drink in the city also make it feel like this. But there are a number of culinary experiences for everyone whether you are looking for something fancy or more laid back.

When it comes to food, Schnitzel is a must in Vienna. And if you aren’t sure where to eat it then you can do this cruise and Schnitzel tour where you can enjoy the dish whilst gazing out at views of the city.

For something a bit more relaxed we recommend Naschmarkt. There is a food tour you can do that is highly recommended or you can just explore yourself.

Finally when it comes to drinks in Vienna, craft beer is a big deal, and you will find so many cute little bars serving beers in the most extraordinary glasses. Here is a tour you can do if you are a craft beer fan.

If you aren’t a beer lover though, never fear because wine is also something that Vienna prides itself on. You can visit the vineyards as mentioned above or just enjoy an underground wine tour .

And if you are wondering is Vienna worth visiting here is a guide to help you.

Getting around Vienna is very easy. You can purchase travel cards for instance a 2 day card will cost around €15 per person. They are valid for travel on trains and trams.

Make sure you always have your pass on you as you will need to present this for inspection when asked.

The final leg of our Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary is of course the Hungarian Capital. It’s probably a little rougher around the edges than say Prague or Vienna, but filled with so much culture, history, and beauty it is another city you won’t want to leave.

For more things to see and do in Budapest check out this post .

In the meantime here are some facts about Budapest.

Country:  Hungary

Languages Spoken:  Hungarian – although English is also widely spoken

Currency:  Hungarian forint (HUF) – you can sometimes use Euro’s but we wouldn’t recommend it (more on that later)

Famous for:  thermal baths, incredible architecture, ruin bars

Visit if you like:  museums, quirky bars, cool buildings, fun and lively city breaks

Wondering if Budapest is worth visiting ? Here is a handy guide.

Out of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, we actually Budapest is the place where you will want to spend the longest amount of time. There is just so much to see and do here and things are a little more spread out than say Prague. Ideally you want to spend a minimum of 3 days in Budapest to around 5 days. This will give you time to see the main attractions, visit the ruin bars, and explore some of the neighbourhoods.

Where to stay in Budapest

We stayed on the Pest side at the  K+K Hotel Opera . The hotel was fabulous and the location was ideal. It is located on a quiet street so you are away from the hustle and bustle but within walking distance to bars and restaurants. Our room was spacious and comfortable, and it was a perfect place to rest our heads after long days exploring the city.

Here is a bot more of a breakdown on the specific areas.

District 1 includes the Buda Castle area. It is located on the west bank of the Danube, and is home to attractions like Fisherman’s Bastion, The Royal Palace, and Matthais Church.

It’s a more relaxed part of Budapest to stay, and there are a lot of luxury hotels in the area.

Across the Danube from the Buda Castle area is District V, which includes attractions like the Parliament Building and St Stephens Basilica. It’s very central and close to food, drink, and most importantly public transport.

We recommend this area for first time visitors and those only doing a short stay.

There are a ton of mid-range hotel options here, as well as a number of backpackers hostels.

This is probably your more cultural part of Budapest with points of interest such as the  Hungarian State Opera House, the Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, and the Operetta Theatre.

It’s great for culture lovers and those that want to go shopping. There are a few mid- range hotels as well as some more upmarket places. It’s very central and close to transport.

This is the heart of the Jewish Community in Budapest especially as it is home to the Dohany street great synagogue. Separately the area is a hipster’s dream filled with super cool cafes, street food, and of course the ruin bars. If you are planning to party during your in Budapest this is probably the area for you.

Things to do in Budapest

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Budapest to help you plan your own itinerary.

St Stephen’s is a must when visiting Budapest. The interior is stunning but its the views from the top which made it for us. You get book tickets online in advance or just purchase them on the day.

One of the notable buildings that stands out as you admire the skyline in Budapest has to the the Hungarian Parliament Building. You can do a tour of the inside when the National Assembly is not in session. We decided against a tour just because of time restrictions but if you do want to do this make sure you book it in advance.

Budapest’s ruin bars are a nightlife bucket list item. You will find them in derelict buildings, filled with groups of people enjoying their nights. Szimpla Kert is the biggest and most popular and I don’t think anything we read really prepared us for actually seeing it for ourself.

This is one of the most moving memorials we have come across. The Shoes on the Danube represent the thousands of Jews that were killed during World War II by the Arrow Cross militia. They were marched down to the Danube and ordered to take off their shoes before being shot by the edge of the river. Their bodies then fell into the river and were carried away. What makes it even more gut wrenching is that many of the shoes were children’s.

The House of Terror is a museum that centres around the fascist and communist regimes in Hungary in the 20th Century. It is an important place to visit, but be prepared it is also very emotional at times. The queues can get really long here, so we recommend booking a guided tour in advance . You can purchase cheaper tickets on the day that don’t include a guide.

This is the biggest and most popular of all the thermal baths in Budapest. Besides enjoying the baths you can also book massage treatments and use the saunas and the gym. You probably need a good day here to enjoy the spa and the treatments on offer. You can book in advance here.

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is another must visit place in Budapest and chances are you will cross it at some point during your stay. It is one of the most prominent landmarks as it connects the Buda and Pest sides of the city. It’s also quite spectacular around sunset.

The Labyrinth is a series of tunnels under Buda Castle. These caves once held the infamous Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Count Dracula as a prisoner for 14 years.

Sailing along the Danube, particularly at night is a great experience. The city lights reflect magically off the river creating a wonderful atmosphere. Day or night though, it’s a great way to get a different perspective on Budapest.

You essentially get the chance to explore the underground caverns of Buda Castle which were turned into a working hospital in the late 1930’s in preparation for WWII. You can only enter the caves as part of a guided tour, but this gives you the chance to learn so much about the conditions that hospital staff had to work under.

You can book a ticket online in advance here .

The Fisherman’s Bastion is a stunning terrace located across the river from the Parliament Building. I think this was one of our favourite places in Budapest because of the sheer beauty of it. The terrace was actually built for the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian State, although it certainly looks much older. Nearby is the equally dramatic Matthias Church.

Located in the Budapest Castle the National Gallery houses collections of all types of Hungarian art. Even the building itself is spectacular and the views from the outside are breathtaking.

The funicular has been in service since 1870, so not only is it historical, but you also get some incredible views over Budapest. We highly recommend getting the funicular up to the National Gallery.

Budapest is a great place to sample some cheap food and drink. There are several food tours you can do (see below) or you can just make your way around the city yourself.

One of our favourite places to eat is the For Sale pub. They serve traditional Hungarian food and its popular with locals and tourists. You do need to book in advance to get a table, but it really is worth it.

Budapest is home to a number of those incredible old world style cafes and the New York Cafe is the best of the lot. Make sure you book this one in advance as it does get busy. And why wouldn’t it when you can order cappuccinos with gold leaf.

Another must eat food in Budapest is of course Chimney Cake which we mentioned in our Prague section of this post. Chimney cake is actually Hungarian, and if you want to learn about the history and how to make it you can do that here .

Another recommendation for things to do in Budapest is to do a wine tour . Hungarian wine is actually really nice, considering we hadn’t tried it before our trip. This tour is a great way to learn about where the wines are made, and what to pair them with.

Getting around Budapest is actually pretty easy, and a lot of attractions are close to each other, although chances are you will need to rely on public transport to get around.

You will need to purchase a ticket to use either the trams, buses, or the metro. There is usually a self service ticket machine at the metro station, or tram and bus stops. And they have an English option in case you were wondering.

Select your ticket type, which can be a single journey, or a 24 hour pass. You will need to validate your ticket at a metro station, or on a bus or tram

Here is a suggested Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary for 7 days. This is probably the minimum amount of time you will need to explore all 3 cities.

Day 1 Prague

Arrive in Prague and visit the John Lennon Wall in the morning and then spend the day exploring the Old Town. If the weather is nice do a boat tour in the afternoon. In the evening check out some of the bars in the area – Hemmingways is a favourite for cocktails whilst the Beer Museum is a must for, well beer.

Day 2 Prague

Get up for sunrise and head to the Charles Bridge (you can always go back to sleep after – trust us it is worth it). Head to one of the traditional cafes for brunch and then spend your second day exploring the Castle area.

Day 3 Travel to Vienna

Most of day 3 will be spent travelling to Vienna. Try and get an early train to arrive in Vienna around lunch time. Explore the MuseumsQuartier and see if you can listen to some opera in the evening.

Day 4 Vienna

For something a little different head to Hundertwasserhaus in the morning, before heading back into the centre and paying a visit to St Stephens Cathedral. In the afternoon head to Prater Amusement Park and make sure you ride the Ferris Wheel!

Day 5 Travel to Budapest

Head to Schonbrunn Palace in the morning and explore, make sure you save some time for some coffee and cake before you leave Vienna.

Grab an afternoon train to Budapest so that you are ready for a full 2 days of exploring the city.

Day 6 Budapest

Grab some breakfast in one of the city’s many grand cafes, then head to the Shoes on the Danube for a moment of reflection before crossing the bridge to the funicular. Ride the funicular to the National Gallery to enjoy some art. In the afternoon head to Fisherman’s Bastion. For dinner we recommend the For Sale Pub for dinner. Spend the evening exploring some of the ruin bars before calling it a night.

Day 7 Budapest

In the morning head to St Stephen’s Basilica and admire the views from the top. Then make your way to the Hungarian Parliament building for a tour.

Head to the House of Terror in the afternoon to learn about the history of the communist regime in Hungary. In the evening, we recommend heading to the ruin bars again, to keep exploring (and drinking).

For our Prague, Vienna, Budapest 10 day itinerary we recommend following the above 7 day guide, but adding an extra day in each city. Here are our suggestions for what to do for an additional day in Prague, Vienna, & Budapest.

Additional day in Prague

Use your additional day in Prague to explore Petrin Hill and the Jewish Museum.

Additional Day in Vienna

Use this additional day to head to the Vineyards to taste some Austrian wine.

Additional Day in Budapest

For an additional day in Budapest make some time to visit the thermal baths. we also recommend the Hospital in the Rock tour if you have the time.

The best way to travel between Prague, Vienna, & Budapest is by train. Trains are incredibly frequent and often the fastest way to travel between cities. The train from Prague to Vienna takes about 4 hours depending on whether you take an express train or not. Trains are frequent, and reasonably priced, particularly if you book well in advance.

The train journey from Vienna to Budapest is about 2.5 hours, and again if you book in advance the prices are pretty cheap. You can use booking sites like trainline.com or omio.com to book your tickets.

You might be wondering when the best time to plan your Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary is. Honest answer – it depends on what you want to get out of your trip.

The summer months in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are great if you want to see the cities come alive, with alfresco dining, and sip beers on the street. But summer months, particularly August tend to be the busiest for tourists. If you do visit during these months book your accommodation well in advance. Additionally if you want to eat at particular places you will need to book these in advance as well.

The best time to visit Prague, Vienna, and Budapest for us would be in either spring or autumn. Autumn is great because you get to see the leaves change colour in the cities, whilst comfort eating in the evenings to keep warm.

December is another popular time to visit the three cities, especially because they each put on a magical Christmas market. Just keep in mind that daylight hours will be much less than in summer months, and the weather will be cold.

Budgeting for your Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary is a tough one because it will obviously depend on what you want to see and do when you get there. But here are some tips for when you visit.

Prague has a reputation for being one of the cheaper European countries, although we will say it isn’t as cheap as it once used to be. That being said, it is still better value than say Copenhagen or Oslo .

On average we budgeted around £100 or 2967 CZK per person per day and we generally didn’t spend this much. I should also add that our budget does not include accommodation. Accommodation isn’t too bad though for mid range hotels expect to pay about €60 – €120 per night.

Throughout Prague and the Czech Republic, you will need to use Czech Koruna. Banknotes are made up of the following denominations 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 CZK, and coins consist of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 CZK. A lot of places in Prague will accept payment by bankcard, but you do get the occasional small shop that only accepts cash. Therefore we recommend you bring even just a little bit of cash with you during your 4 days in Prague.

Vienna is probably the most expensive of the 3 cities, but that being said it isn’t too bad.

On average you are looking at paying around €10 – €15 for a main meal in a restaurant. A pint of beer will probably set you back around €4 or €5 depending on where you are drinking.

All in all not including accommodation you should budget around €120 per day per person in Vienna. This will cover things like public transport, tourist attractions, food, and nightlife. On average a mid range hotel room will set you back around €120 a night. But this depends on location, and hotel quality.

Vienna is part of the EU and therefore the currency is Euro. One Euro is equivalent to 100 Cents. Euros are made up of a mixture of coins and notes. The coins tend to be Cents so you get 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 Cent coins, as well as a 1 and 2 Euro coin. Notes are made up of 5,10,20,50,100,200, and 500 Euros. With the notes we don’t recommend carrying around the higher denominations as some places won’t take anything over a 50 for security purposes. And honestly, I don’t think we have ever seen a 200 or 500 Euro note! So if you do find one let us know.

You can pay on card for most things in Vienna, but we do recommend carrying some cash on you. And coins are very useful especially if you need to use a public bathroom!

Budapest is another one of those places that has the reputation of being cheap, which is it, but maybe not as cheap as we had expected. Between us we probably budgeted around €180 between us per day (not including accommodation).

This did include us going out doing tours, having breakfast, lunch and dinner out, as well as enjoying a few drinks. So you can do it way cheaper if you want.

We found that accommodation was actually on the cheaper side, with good quality 4 star hotels costing under 100 Euros a night. 

The official currency in Budapest is the Hungarian Forint. You might see it abbreviated to HUF or Ft.  

Some places, especially the more touristy spots may accept Euros, but we highly recommend you pay in the local currency. This is because change will be given to you in Forint even if you pay in Euros, and the conversation into Euro’s isn’t always great so chances are you will probably end up paying more. Also not all places in Budapest accept card, so this is another reason to make sure that you have some Forint on you.

The currency is one of those that has a ton of zero’s in it so just keep an eye on what notes you are getting when you are given change etc. Notes consist of 500 Ft all the way to 20,000 Ft. Although with the larger denominations you may struggle to pay for things in some shops, so if you are carrying cash try and have some smaller notes as well as the larger ones.

There are also coins such as the 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Everything is in Forint. So for example in the US there are dollars and cents, or pounds and pence in the UK, but in Hungary everything falls under Forint

• Each country has different currency so make sure you stock up on Euros for Vienna, Koruna for Prague & Forint for Budapest
• English is widely spoken in all three countries, but be sure to brush up on some basics in each language
• Book your train tickets between cities in advance for the cheapest prices.
• Book any accommodation in advance for the best deals.
• If there are particular restaurants you want to visit book these in advance as well.

If you are wondering how best to break up your time when visiting Prague, Vienna, and Budapest then here is a bit of a FAQ section to help you decide. We have listed some of the common questions we get asked for each destination to help you decide which one is better for your trip.

Prague, Vienna, and Budapest each have a lot to offer if you are visiting as a family. Prague has a number of parks to visit, as does Vienna. Each city also has a number of museums to visit as a family too.

One cool thing about Vienna though is that it has the Prater Amusement Park, which is a fun way to spend the day as a family.

Again each city has so much to offer for couples, but if we had to choose we would go with either Vienna or Prague. They are both such romantic cities, with incredible architecture, and gorgeous cobbled streets. Vienna is great for opera, and romantic balls, whilst Prague just oozes romance even walking across the softly lit Charles Bridge.

You will have so many date night ideas in both places. There are incredible food options, trendy bars, and so much more.

All three countries offer a lot for solo travellers. For starters they are all relatively safe cities, with so much to see and do. There are so many tours you can book onto when visiting Prague, Vienna, and Budapest so even if you are travelling alone this gives you the chance to meet new people.

When looking at Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, we would say that Prague and Budapest are the best for budget travellers.

Prague and Budapest tend to be two of the cheaper capital cities in Europe, and you can definitely see them both on a pretty tight budget.

Vienna is a little bit more expensive, and more in line with the likes of Berlin and Hamburg in terms of expense. You can still do things cheaply, but maybe not as cheaply as Prague, and Budapest.

This is a tough one so in all honestly Prague, Vienna, and Budapest are all on par when it comes to history. The imperial cities have a little bit of everything, from royal palaces, grand churches, and so much more. This whole trip is really a history lovers dream.

In our opinion all three cities are perfect for culture lovers. There is so much to see and do in each of them. That being said, Vienna is the clear winner, as it has a long history of producing classical music, and operas. It’s also got some incredible museums and theatres, and let’s not forget the coffee culture that you have to indulge in.

Prague, Vienna and Budapest all have excellent options when it comes to nightlife. Vienna is full of cool clubs, and bars and there is a little something for everyone. It’s the same with Prague and Budapest.

Prague is great if you are into beer, and the city beer halls are a lot of fun. But for us Budapest really takes the cake when it comes to nightlife. The main reason is because yes there is a little something for everyone like the other cities, but the ruin bars really set it apart from the rest. They are so unique and really set Budapest apart from the rest when it comes to nightlife.

If you are on the fence about planning your own Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary, take this as your sign to go. I know that there are more popular places in Europe like Paris or Rome, and yes they are beautiful, but if you want something a little different head to Prague, Vienna, & Budapest.

Hopefully this guide has inspired you to take your own trip, and please don’t forget to pin this article for later.

Wanderlust and Life is a blog for those that love to travel.

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An 8 Days Central Europe Itinerary - Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest

This 8-day Central Europe Itinerary will convince you to plan your trip. We have designed this itinerary to begin from Prague, which is the historical capital of Bohemia continuing further through Vienna and the capital of Slovakia Bratislava. Youll love discovering the rich history of great architecture and fantastic art hidden in the most loved cities of Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. Your wonderful odyssey will be ending in Budapest and youll be seeing a great deal of beauty in these 8 days.

Trip Highlights

• Prague is also referred to as The City of 1,000 Spires.
• Charles Bridge is one of the Best Places to see in the Czech Republic. It is the connecting point between the stunning Prague Castle and the Old Town.
• Prague Castle: This place was initially the home of the Bohemian Kings and today the President of the Republic sits here.
• Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus it makes it easy to see Vienna!
• St. Stephen's Cathedral: This cathedral was built during the 16th Century!
• There are a large number of Museums here in Vienna.

A tour at a glance

Day 1: arrive in prague, day 2: prague, day 3: prague to vienna, day 4: vienna, day 5: vienna, day 6: vienna bratislava, day 7: bratislava to budapest, day 8: budapest.

Our private tours typically range from $500 - $1000 per person/per night depending on chosen hotels and room categories, vehicles used, types of tours, flight cost, time of year and other factors. Make an inquiry for a customized trip quote.

Detailed Itinerary

Prague welcomes you overwhelmingly with an open heart! You are going to land there at Pragues International Airport. Youll be met with your private driver at the Airport and will be taken to the luxurious hotel room. From your hotel, you can enjoy the perfect view of the castle or the city.

After you have settled in this new environment, you can try climbing on top of the Old Town Hall Tower. Youll then know why Prague is also referred to as The City of 1,000 Spires. This tower also has an Astronomical Clock. Youll also get to see over the tower, a 14th-century chapel, some fine art, and a former prison.

Your second day in Prague and you must be excited to discover the best of this mesmerizing place. After breakfast and everything, youll be venturing out to discover the breathtaking aesthetics here. The first spot of the day would be the Charles Bridge.

Charles Bridge : Charles Bridge is one of the Best Places to see in the Czech Republic. It is the connecting point between the stunning Prague Castle and the Old Town. It has a great number of statues that dictate the rich history of this rich land.

Prague Castle : This place was initially the home of the Bohemian Kings and today the President of the Republic sits here. Guinness records have listed it as the oldest of all the castles present in the world. You must not miss seeing the Lions Court and Vladislav Hall here.

Other places to visit to visit today : St Vitus Cathedral, Wenceslas Square, and The National Museum

Today youll be traveling from Prague to Vienna! Its going to take around 4 hours by train and its going to cost you around 68 and 85 euros.

But, if you are hiring a car to drive down to Vienna then youll be charged with around 300 euros. If you are starting your trip a little earlier in the morning, youll have enough time in the afternoon to see some of the best places to visit in Vienna.

If you are taking a ticket on Flixbus to Vienna from Prague early in the morning, it is going to cost you around 40 euros. But, in the other part of the day costs just 16 euros, but those 24 euros are really worth it. Itll allow you to see Vienna in the daylight.

A Hop-On, Hop-Off bus and The Vienna Pass makes it easy to see Vienna! This is the fourth day of your 8 Days Central Europe Itinerary and second day in Vienna. Today, youll be beginning your trip from St. Stephen's Cathedral.

St. Stephen's Cathedral : This cathedral was built during the 16th Century! There used to be a church at this place in the 12th century. While entry into the cathedral is free, youll have to pay to go upstairs in the treasury.

Museums : There are a large number of Museums here in Vienna. Youll get to see here the Museum quarter. Theres overwhelmingly a great collection of paintings that includes the work of Monet and Picasso. And, over 100,000 photographs are displayed here in the rotation.

Other places to visit in Vienna : Museum of Natural History Vienna and Military History Museum

This is your fifth day of the 8 Days Central Europe Itinerary and the third day in Vienna. After breakfast and everything, move on to visit the first spot of the day - Schnbrunn Palace.

Schnbrunn Palace : The palace has been enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage site. It used to be Viennese Court during the 18th Century. It is also the place where Mozart at an early age of 6-years played his first concert. Three major highlights of the palace are the Labyrinth, the Carriage House, and the Palmenhaus.

City River Cruise : Close to the Old Town flows the Danube and its canal. You can choose your tour that are of different durations. We recommend you to take a tour of 75 minutes.

The Giant Ferris Wheel : Getting on to the Ferrari wheel is an excellent way of seeing the best of Vienna. This Ferrari wheel was constructed during 1897.

Today your Austria Tour is going to end! Youll be traveling from Vienna to Bratislava, which is going to take just an hour. Bratislava lies on the way to Budapest!

The key attraction of Bratislava is the Old Town. You can see most of it in just a few hours. The first spot is going to be the Church of St. Elizabeth.

Church of St. Elizabeth : This 1913 Church has a marshmallow-like structure and its the outer structure that makes it a worth visiting place.

Cumil : Its a statue that was built 20 years ago and it has made the Old Town look lively.

Other tourist spots in Bratislava : The Main Square, Clarissine Church, and St. Martins Cathedral

Budapest is around 200 km away from Bratislava. You can find trains running all day between these two cities.

Throughout the day trains between these two cities. The quickest train that runs takes around 2.5 hours and will cost you around 28 euros.

After reaching Budapest, in the later part of the day, youll be visiting the thermal baths. This is going to give you a great start in Budapest.

The thermal baths: This is the last spot of your 8-day Central Europe Itinerary. Today is the time for a little relaxation. Dont forget to visit the famous natural thermal baths in the city. There are a lot of options. The Szchenyi Baths are the biggest medicinal baths in Europe.

You can take a Red Bus to tour around the key highlights of Budapest today. Formerly there used to be two cities Buda and Pest. Youll be beginning your trip from the Buda Castle & Castle Hill.

Buda Castle & Castle Hill : Castle Hill was a great defense to Buda. youll be visiting several of the attractions including a 200-room palace and the Castle. You can visit the History Museum and the National Gallery. Castle Hill has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Other places to visit in Budapest : are Fishermans Bastion, Matthias Church, and New York Caf.

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Kate's Travel Tips

Advice from one traveler to another

8 days in Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava & Prague

January 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

Eight days, four countries, six people….yes I’m crazy! Javi and I planned a whirlwind trip through Eastern Europe for my family this winter. We traveled through Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and Prague and tried to visit as many attractions as humanly possible. In retrospect I think 2 nights in Vienna and 1 night in Bratislava are enough. I wish we could have spent a bit more time in Prague and Budapest—they have so many interesting things to see!

A little bit of “Buda” and “Pest” 😉

The easiest and cheapest ways to travel through Eastern Europe

Travel by train: I purchased all of our train tickets ahead of time using the OBB website.  It’s possible to purchase tickets the same day you’re traveling but as we approached the holidays I noticed some of the trains started to fill up. We were on a tight schedule and needed to coordinate check-in for our Airbnb rentals  ( get $35 credit here ) so it was necessary to reserve everything ahead of time. Keep in mind it costs extra to reserve a specific seat on trains in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary—when you’re boarding be sure to grab a seat without a name (usually there’s a name card that will appear above a seat if it’s reserved). The farther from the food cart you go the less reserved seats you’ll find.

I always prefer to travel by train…more space to stretch out and sleep! P.S. Can you tell I’m exhausted?

Travel by bus: The cheapest travel option between these cities is to go by bus. My friend recommended using  FlixBus —he commented that sometimes the buses ran behind schedule but overall he had a good experience. When I compared prices however, train tickets were only a little bit more expensive so we went with the trains instead.

The best time of year to visit Eastern Europe

We chose to travel through Eastern Europe in December because everyone could get off work/school and flights were cheaper (we got $20 flights from Spain to Budapest with RyanAir ). That being said…it was EXTREMELY cold…colder even than the Arctic Circle ! I would definitely suggest visiting these countries in summer or spring if you want to get the most out of your time there—we had to stop every few hours to warm up inside a coffee shop or museum and it gets dark very early in the evening.

There are so many Christmas Markets in Vienna <3

Travel highlights from Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava & Prague

Each city provided a unique and unforgettable experience – I’ve listed my favorite activities from each destination below. I’ve also included our exact travel itinerary at the end of this post to help you plan your own trip.

Budapest: Széchenyi Bath House

There are several bath houses in Budapest, but Széchenyi had the best online reviews. I reserved our entrances several weeks in advance and booked three couples massage packages for the six of us (the couples package is cheaper than purchasing an individual massage); our package included a 70 minute massage and locker to store our clothes while we enjoyed the baths.

Outdoor thermal baths!

The entire experience was fun (it reminded me of the Hammam Baths here in Andalusia) and my favorite part was bathing in the thermal pool outside at night.

Exploring Budapest at night

Vienna: Sisi Museum

Elisabeth, a.k.a. “Sisi”, was a royal diva and imperial badass during her time as the Empress of Austria. I really enjoyed learning about her life at the Sisi Museum and getting a first-hand look at her personal belongings and quarters in the royal palace. Do not miss this museum when you’re in Vienna!

The emperor’s favorite image of his beloved wife Sisi

Dancing horses of Vienna

Bratislava: Walking Tour

I knew nothing about Slovakia or Bratislava before this trip. For this reason, taking the Free Walking Tour with a local guide was a great decision. Not only did we learn about the biggest attractions of the city, but our guide shared lots of interesting information about Slovak culture, traditions, history and their interesting rivalry with the Czech Republic.

Blue Church ( image source )

Street statues in old town Bratislava

Prague: The Black Theatre

If you’re looking for something a little different  (i.e. super random) then check out a show at the Ta Fantastika Theatre (Black Theatre). We weren’t really sure what to expect…but the show proved to be quite entertaining. It was fun seeing a family owned and operated production—and they serve beer in the lobby!

We saw a performance titled “Aspects of Alice”

They Tyn Tower has quite the amusing backstory. Go on the free tour for the full scoop!

Charles Bridge

Itinerary: 8 days in Budapest > Vienna > Bratislava > Prague

NOTE: if you plan to use Airbnb click here for $35 credit!

Budapest (2 nights)

• Check-in to rental Airbnb
• Getting to flat from airport – Taxi from airport is 25€ – Bus 450 HUF = 1.50€
• Vorosmarty Square – Christmas Market
• WAMP Design Fair
• Szimpla Kert – famous ruin bar
• Café Gerbeaud!
• Tip Top Roof Bar
• Sirius Tehaz (teahouse)
• Try mulled wine (forralt bor)
• Local dishes to try: fisherman’s soup, fried fish, potato salad in vinegar, stuffed cabbage, beigli (traditional Christmas pastry with walnut or poppy seed),
• Parliament Tour – 10 am English / 10:15 am Spanish – Parliament Metro line 2 to Jewish Synagogue. Astoria a Kossuth tér (Parlamento)
• Shoes on the Danube Bank (monument)
• Fisherman’s Bastion (great viewpoint!) Metro line 2: Kossuth tér (Parlamento) to Batthyánytér
• Matthias Church
• Castle of Budapest 10:00 -18:00 hrs museums.
• Hero’s Square, ice skating and castle near bath house
• Metro: get metro on other side of bridge. Vörösmarty tér (al lado en el rio esta la princesita de budapest. Escultura famosa) hasta Széchenyi fürdö, línea M1 (yellow metro line).
• Thermal baths + 70 min massage
• Bring your own towel / flip-flops – or rent for 4.6k HUF/17 USD
• Indoor thermal pools open till 7pm/outdoor pools till 10pm

Budapest to Vienna (2 nights)

• Morning – breakfast or lunch at the central market (leave luggage in lockers at train station)
• Fakanal – You can also have your first meal of the day here since they serve breakfast : scrambled eggs with sausages costs 790 HUF. Soups : goulash or Fishermen’s soup: 890 HUF, Main dishes (beef stew, roasted goose thigh, stuffed bell peppers: 1 700-3 200 (without sides).Or try Kolbice, that is said to be the original Hungarian street food: grilled sausages served in a peculiar, cone-shaped bun with various toppings
• Opera tour, St. Stephen’s Church 2 €
• Shopping on Vaci Utca street
• Keleti Station 24 minutes walking from Synagogue
• Train (Budapest-Keleti to Wien Hbf)
• Check-in to Vienna Airbnb
• Christmas Market – until 10:00pm – Rathausplatz
• Lipizzaner Horse Show at 11:00am – pick up tickets at box office (at least 30 min before)
• Hofburg Palace (Sisi Museum) Herrengasse, metro line U3
• National Library 7 €
• Royal Crypt 5 €
• Opera Tour (15 minutos desde el piso) guided tour 14:00 o 15:00 – must call to reserve
• Hundertwasserhaus (apartments & museum) take tram: Hetzgasse, line 1
• Metro: Praterstern, líneas U1 and U2.
• Tram: Praterstern, líneas 5 and O.

Vienna to Bratislava (2 nights)

• Schönbrunn Palace & museum
• Train – (Wien Hbf to Bratislava hl.st.)
• Main train station is only 10 minute walk to flat
• Blue Churche / Saint Elisabeth’s
• Street statues of old town
• Old Town Hall
• Saint Martin Cathedral
• UFO restaurant
• Devin Castle

Bratislava to Prague (2 nights)

• Morning go to Prague
• Train – (Bratislava hl.st. to Praha hl.n.)
• Check in to Prauge Airbnb
• Visit castle & church – free to walk around the groups
• Mala Strana (Prague Castle, Saint Vito Cathedral, Saint Nicolas Church, Gold Street – tram 21 or 91 to Pražský hrad stop)
• Old town: Charles Bridge Old Town Square, Tyn Church, Towers, Wenceslas Square + shopping
• Free Walking Tour – 10am (BRING TICKET – be there 10 minutes early) Free Tour of Prague starts at the Old town square in front of the Cartier shop and Czech tourism office centre, on the corner of Pařížská and Dlouhá street, next to St. Nicholas church. Just look for the team in red SANDEMANs NEW Europe T-shirts!
• Jewish quarter Metro: Staroměstská (6 sinagogues + cementary)
• Black Theater (BRING TICKET) Ta Fantastika next to Charles Bridge: Karlova 8, Stare Mesto, Prague 1

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Reader Interactions

January 25, 2017 at 1:22 am

Katie, nice summary of your trip. Useful information and suggestions. Thanks for sharing.

April 3, 2017 at 11:19 am

Beautiful!!

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Best of Budapest, Vienna & Prague | 2-week Central Europe Itinerary (2023)

Budapest, Vienna and Prague are the must-sees of a Central Europe itinerary. Wander the streets to discover dramatic history, fabulous culture and incredible architecture, then sample some of the best food and drink in Europe. If you like a bit of everything, this 2 week Central Europe itinerary is for you.

This 2-week Budapest, Vienna and Prague itinerary is the exact route that I took on my first Central Europe trip, so I know it’s a good one! It’s a classic, and almost every tourist you meet along the way is doing this itinerary in one direction or the other.

For most people, it makes sense to start in either Budapest or Prague, visiting Vienna in the middle. If you opt to create a Central Europe itinerary starting in Vienna, you’ll have to spend extra time backtracking.

I began my Central Europe trip in Budapest, then went to Vienna and finished in Prague, but you could easily adapt this itinerary to the opposite direction.

This Budapest, Vienna and Prague itinerary is also a journey through the complicated history of these cities, from the threads that bind them together to the events that ripped them apart. Few places in the world allow you to see so clearly what an arbitrary line on a map can do to the people on either side.

All once part of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna was the only one of the three cities to escape being hidden away behind the Soviet Union’s Iron Curtain after World War II. Despite now all being part of the EU, there are really interesting differences as a result.

To me, Prague and Budapest felt as though they were young cities, just beginning to work out their place in the world, despite sharing so much outwardly in common with Vienna’s much more mature vibe. I honestly think this is one of the most fascinating parts of the world to visit.

So get ready for a fabulous couple of weeks of adventuring. Walk some of Europe’s prettiest streets, sample some of the world’s best wine and beers, learn about the dramatic history of this region and enjoy some incredible food.

Everything you need to plan your own feast for the senses is in this 2-week itinerary through Budapest, Vienna and Prague. All the Central Europe itinerary highlights are here, from what to do, where to stay and suggestions for dining.

CENTRAL EUROPE ITINERARY ESSENTIALS

How to travel | Public transport is excellent, and this itinerary can be done using only the train

When to go | Aim to visit in spring or early autumn for cooler temperatures and fewer people

What route to take | Start in Budapest or Prague with Vienna in the middle

Best for | Foodies, history buffs, classical music lovers and anyone who loves a thermal bath!

Gellert Hill and Ruin Bars

Hungarian parliament, pest walking tour, wine tasting.

• Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Thermal Baths, River Cruise
• Jewish Quarter, House of Terror, St. Stephen's Basilica, Rooftop Bar

District VIII, Memento Park, Kunsthistorisches Museum

Walking tour, schönbrunn palace, vienna state opera.

• Food Tour, St Stephen's Tower

Hofburg Palace, Sisi Museum, Spanish Riding School, Heurigen Winery, District VII

Riverside walk, lennon wall, rooftop bar, charles bridge, petrin hill, walking tour, astronomical clock, powder tower, food tour, museum of communism, prague castle, st nicholas bell tower, jewish museum, classical music concert, brunch, mucha museum, prague metronome, eska, budapest, vienna & prague itinerary | 2 weeks in central europe.

The features in this post were hand-selected by a picky diva (that’s me) and some of them are affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a commission on some of these awesome recommendations at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your wonderful support – Cat.

CENTRAL EUROPE ITINERARY

Here’s your Central Europe Itinerary for two weeks at a glance. If you’re short on time, I managed to do all of this in 10 days. It did make for a packed schedule, so I would definitely recommend taking the full 2 weeks if you can.

Day 1 – 5 | Budapest

Start your Central Europe itinerary with 4 days in beautiful Budapest . Enjoy the sunrise at Buda Castle , explore the city on foot and visit the Hungarian Parliament . Learn about the history of WWII in Budapest and visit the Jewish Quarte r. Sample Hungary’s famous wines in a local wine-tasting class and visit the unique ruin bars . Finally, indulge in a relaxing soak in one of Budapest’s wonderful thermal baths .

Where To Stay | I recommend the Matild Palace . This luxury hotel has a great central location, really easy for walking to all of Budapest’s top sights. There’s a stunning rooftop bar and also a restaurant from Michelin-star awarded Wolfgang Puck. Check availability and book here .

READ THIS | 4 Day Budapest Itinerary

Day 6 – 8 | Vienna

My Central Europe itinerary gives you 3 full days in Vienna , just enough time to get a taste of everything this stunning city offers. Learn about everything Hapsburg at the stunning summer Schönnbrunn Palace and their city-centre alternative, the Hofburg Palace . Enjoy the beautiful art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and enjoy a night at the Opera .

Don’t miss a fantastic food tour or the views from St Stephen’s Cathedral Tower . Take the opportunity to venture out to the Vienna Woods to visit a Heuriger or tiny Buschenschank winery perched on the hills overlooking the city.

Where To Stay | I recommend 25hours Museum Quarter . This cool hotel is close to public transport links, all the museums and easy walking distance to some of the hippest districts of Vienna. Check availability and book here .

READ THIS | 3 Day Vienna Itinerary

Day 9 – 14 | Prague

Finish your Central Europe itinerary with 4 days in Prague , probably my favourite of the three cities you’ll visit on this trip. Take a sunrise stroll over the Charles Bridge before heading up every Prague viewpoint in the city.

Explore the Jewish Quarter and the Museum of Communism to discover more about the recent history of Central Europe. Visit Wenceslas Square , where everyday people started a protest that would eventually lead to the fall of the Soviet Empire.

Enjoy the incredible foodie scene in Prague with a food tour, and don’t forget to try some delicious Czech beer before you leave. They even managed to convert me – a dedicated wine drinker!

Where To Stay | I recommend the Hotel Century Old Town . Located in a beautiful Neo-Baroque building, this hotel is perfectly located near both tram stops and the subway line. It’s in the heart of Old Town and a perfect location for exploring on foot. Check availability and book here .

READ THIS | 4 Day Prague Itinerary

Who is this Central Europe itinerary for?

My Central Europe itinerary was made for independent female travellers who want to dig a bit deeper into the history and culture of the region when visiting for the first time.  There’s a focus on food, wine and walking because those are the things I like to do!

I think that it’s also great for any solo travellers, couples and families who want the opportunity to create an independent trip through Budapest, Vienna and Prague.

There’s a big focus on meeting local people, learning about the local history and culture and enjoying the restaurants and bars locals visit. It’s not written by a local, but I hope it’ll make you feel like you want to become one!

This entire Central Europe itinerary was created using only public transport, so that’s all you’ll need.

BUDAPEST, VIENNA, PRAGUE ITINERARY

Day 1 | budapest.

I’ve assumed you’ll arrive around lunchtime for this Central Europe itinerary since most flights seem to arrive in the morning. Head to your hotel by public transport, shuttle or private transfer and get settled in before finding somewhere to get a light lunch.

In the afternoon, stretch your legs by walking up Gellert Hill to the citadel and the Freedom Statue that dominates Budapest’s skyline.

Budapest is the fusion of two cities, Buda and Pest, separated by the ribbon of the Danube River. From the Gellert Hill viewpoint, high on the Buda side of the river, you get gorgeous views down over Pest.

Have dinner and, depending on how you’re feeling, either get an early night or head to one of Budapest’s famous Ruin Bars . This is a must-do on any Central Europe itinerary.

Ruin bars are unique to Budapest and started with a couple who turned a derelict building in the Jewish Quarter into a bar decorated with quirky second-hand finds. The concept became so popular that several are now scattered throughout the district.

The original is the famous Szimpla Kert .

Day 2 | Budapest

Start your day with a visit to the Hungarian Parliament , a beautiful building you can only enter on a guided tour. Touring the parliament building is one of the most popular things to do in Budapest , and tickets do sell out, so be sure to book yours at least a few weeks before your trip.

TIP | Go to the Hungarian Parliament website to order your tickets in advance.

Next, enjoy a walking tour of the Pest side of the city. I think this is the best way to hear about the history of Budapest, and I learned so much about what happened here during World War II and the subsequent Soviet Era.

Most tours take you past the evocative Shoes on the Danube memorial , commemorating the Jewish people killed during WWII. If your tour doesn’t go here, you should visit independently because it’s a beautiful memorial in the city.

READ THIS | The Best Things to do in Budapest (coming soon)

After your morning activities, I’d suggest going to District 7 (the Jewish Quarter) to get some lunch. I really enjoyed Macesz Bistro and Gettó Gulyás , but there are plenty of great cafes in the area.

In the evening, learn about Hungary’s famous wines at a local wine-tasting class . There are several available, but I highly recommend this Hungarian wine tasting . A local sommelier runs the tasting, where you’ll also have the chance to taste a selection of local meats and cheese.

Day 3 | Budapest

Fisherman’s bastion, matthias church, thermal baths, river cruise.

Today, get up early to be at Fisherman’s Bastion for sunrise. It’s one of the most famous sights in Budapest, so you’re not going to have it to yourself, but sunrise is your best chance for quiet!

In the morning, explore the rest of Buda Castle , enjoying some of the best views down over Budapest.

I took a great walking tour, which was the most enjoyable way to see the area. I could ask questions, gain some local insight and see hidden gems that I’d otherwise have missed.

WALKING TOUR | This 2-3 hour walking tour of Buda Castle with a local historian is the best way to see this part of Budapest. It also includes entry to Matthias Church.

Once you’ve finished your tour, walk or take the funicular down the hill and head to one of my favourite cafes in Budapest for lunch, Franziska .

Now it’s time to enjoy one of Budapest’s highlights, the thermal baths . There are several scattered throughout the city centre, so see which appeals to you the most.

I think the best baths in Budapest are Gellert Baths or Rudas Baths , but they’re entirely different. Gellert is ornate, with beautiful mosaic tiling and a vast indoor swimming pool. Rudas is a much more traditional Turkish-style bath, dating from the mid-sixteenth century.

READ THIS | Ultimate Guide to Budapest Thermal Baths (coming soon)

Tuesday is women-only in the Turkish bath area of Rudas Baths, which may influence your decision of which location you visit. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the largest and most well-known bath, but that also makes it the busiest, and really not my vibe!

Once you’ve eased yourself into a state of calm relaxation, it’s time to get over to the Pest side of the river and the ferry wharf up near Margaret Island. You can take public transportation or use the opportunity to walk over the famous Chain Bridge (closed to pedestrians for refurbishment until mid-2023).

Next up is one of the highlights of this Central Europe itinerary, a cruise on the Danube .

TIP | Time your Danube river cruise with sunset so that you get to enjoy Budapest’s riverside in golden hour and also as the lights come on after dark.

If you’ve not eaten yet, Pozsonyi restaurant is a very traditional, cash-only, Hungarian restaurant conveniently located near the ferry wharf.

Day 4 – Budapest

Jewish quarter, house of terror, st. stephen’s basilica, rooftop bar.

Have a leisurely start to the day, because it’s likely that this one will be emotionally affecting. The opportunity to learn about how recent history continues to shape the world is part of what makes a trip to Central Europe so compelling.

I understand that confronting war and oppression isn’t what everyone wants to do on their holiday. Still, I genuinely believe that it’s a vital part of understanding local culture and beliefs. If you don’t think this part of my itinerary is for you, you could try out another of the thermal baths or cafe hop through the city centre instead.

In the morning, take a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter with a local who will tell you personal anecdotes of what it was like to live in Budapest throughout WWII and the subsequent Soviet occupation. You’ll see a very different side of what most people know as Budapest’s “party district”.

WALKING TOUR | This is the Jewish Quarter small group walking tour that I recommend. Your tour guide is a local historian and offers incredible insights and knowledge.

Pick up lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area before making your way down Andrassy Street, past the ornate Hungarian State Opera building, to the House of Terror Museum .

The museum takes you through the events in Budapest from the beginnings of WWII through the Soviet occupation of Hungary, right up to the fall of the Soviet Union.

What makes everything harder is that the museum is housed in a venue used by both the Nazis and the Soviet forces as an interrogation facility. The knowledge that you’re standing in the same spot where some of what you’re learning about actually happened makes this an almost visceral experience.

TIP | You’ll get the most out of your museum visit using the audioguide available for hire or by touring with a local guide . I wouldn’t recommend simply walking through it independently, as many exhibits won’t make sense.

Once you’ve finished at the museum, return to St Stephen’s Cathedral (St Istvan in Hungarian). You can take a tour inside, but the real highlight is a climb up the tower for the views over Budapest.

TIP | The cupola is only open April-October. Buy your ticket in advance as lines can be long.

Enjoy your final evening in Budapest at one of the beautiful rooftop bars before having a last dinner in the city.

Day 5 – Budapest to Vienna

Aim for a reasonably early start, beginning your day with a stroll through Budapest’s lovely Palace District ( District VIII ). This is my favourite part of the city and is lovely to explore in the early morning before the streets start getting busy.

Next, get a taxi or hop on public transport to the weird and wonderful Memento Park , aiming to arrive for the 10am opening time.

LOCAL TIP | Budapest doesn’t have Uber, but you can use Bolt instead. Alternatively, flag down a local yellow taxi with prices displayed on the doors.

Memento Park is very much a one-of-a-kind open-air museum. When the Soviet Union fell, there were hundreds of public statues venerating the Communist ideal all over the country. Understandably, most people didn’t want the visual reminder of oppression staring them in the face and wanted the statues gone.

Instead of destroying them, they were all transported to Memento Park, where you can now wander between Lenin and Marx while looking at the propaganda on display.

To follow my Central Europe itinerary, aim to return to central Budapest train station in time for a departure to Vienna before 1pm. The train from Budapest to Vienna takes just under 3 hours.

On arrival in Vienna, take a taxi or public transport to your hotel to drop off your bags and then make a beeline to the Kunthistoriches Museum for a very different art experience to this morning! The museum is home to one of Europe’s most important art collections, including works by Raphael, Titian, Vermeer and Caravaggio. The building itself is also stunning.

LOCAL TIP | The Kunthistoriches Museum is closed on Mondays, so if your visit to Vienna starts on a Monday, go up St Stephen’s South Tower today instead.

For something different for dinner, try Tian Bistro am Spittelberg, a fantastic plant-based restaurant in Vienna.

Day 6 | Vienna

Start your day with brunch because you’ve got a busy day ahead of you. You may have noticed by now that I don’t really do chill holidays! I recommend Joseph Brot , which has two locations in Vienna and has excellent food. See which menu suits you best!

The rest of your morning involves a walking tour of Vienna, and I suggest a free walking tour with Good Vienna Tours . In Vienna, even the guides of free tours have to be fully licensed, so you’re getting what would usually be a pretty expensive option for tips only.

If you can’t afford to pay for a tour, then these guys are fabulous, but if you’ve got the cash then please consider a good tip because you’re still getting amazing value considering how much information you get. I’ll have my fingers crossed that Wolfgang is your tour guide because he’s hilarious.

TIP | You can opt to take this top rated small group walking tour of Vienna that can be customised to your own interests and is an excellent option if you want to avoid crowds.

The walking tour takes a couple of hours, and you’ll finish up near the cathedral. From here, it’s 30 minutes on the metro to your next destination, Schönbrunn Palace .

READ THIS | The Best Things to do in Vienna (coming soon)

Schönbrunn Palace was the summer home of the Imperial Hapsburg family, and it has a gorgeous park in addition to the palace building. I highly recommend taking a tour of the interior to allow you to get the most out of your visit.

I genuinely think I had the best guided tour of my life here! My notes actually say, “guided tour with Michael absolutely bloody excellent”. So there you go.

TIP | Buy your ticket for the afternoon guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace in advance so you don’t have to queue.

Once you’ve finished your guided tour of the palace, head back into the city and get an early dinner so you can make it to one of the quintessential Viennese experiences – the opera!

Now, I’m one of those people who adores opera, thanks to my mum raising me on a steady diet of classical music. If you’ve got no experience with opera, then this is one of the best places in the world to try it.

READ THIS | How to Buy Tickets for the Vienna Opera (coming soon)

If, of course, you’ve tried going to the opera before and hate it, then enjoy a leisurely dinner, find a great rooftop bar or have an early night.

Day 7 | Vienna

Food tour, st stephen’s tower.

Whatever you do, don’t have breakfast today. Instead, caffeinate, wear your most comfortable sneakers and loosest-fitting trousers and get ready to stuff your face. It’s food tour day.

A quick Google search will show you dozens of food and wine tours in Vienna, but I’m pretty sure I’ve found the absolute best. Wolfy’s food tours have been carefully curated so that you get to enjoy the local side of Vienna.

READ THIS | The Best Food Tours in Vienna (coming soon)

Rather than heading to the city’s tourist traps, you’ll go where the Viennese go and eat what they eat. And it’s a bloody treat, let me tell you. You’ll get a bit of a tour of the city simultaneously, and the guides are all awesome. This tour runs from 9:30am to about 3:30pm.

I was fortunate enough to have Wolfy himself as a guide, and it was great to see all the owners and vendors of the various places we went greet him like an old friend. It was clear that this tour had been put together to support local businesses as well as give us a great taste of the city.

TIP | Don’t be worried if you’ve got dietary requirements. Advise your tour operator in advance; they can almost always cater to them.

You’re going to be stupidly full after your food tour. Or, at least, I was. That’s possibly because I have zero self-control, but let’s pretend we’re all like that, ok? Don’t tell me if you’re one of those people who can stop before their plate is empty because I’ll probably judge you. And be jealous.

So, let’s assume we’re all stupidly full. Ok? Cool.

Now we need to work off some of those calories, and what better way to do that than walk up a million stairs at St Stephen’s Cathedral?

That’s a rhetorical question because it’s the best way. And it’s not a million steps; it’s just 343 in a tight spiral, but there comes a moment where you’re pretty sure somebody couldn’t count.

However, please persist because when you get to the top, you’ll be deposited in a chamber with the most beautiful views across the Vienna skyline. As a bonus, you get a close-up of the beautiful tiles that cover the roof of the cathedral.

TIP | The South Tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) has the best views, but if you can’t make it up all those steps, you can get great views from the North tower, where there’s also a lift (elevator). Be sure to arrive before 5:15pm so you don’t miss the last entry.

If you’ve somehow managed to practice moderation earlier in the day, find a restaurant near the cathedral for dinner. I recommend Reinthaler’s Beisl , which serves lovely Austrian food and where you might find some locals despite being in the middle of the tourist path.

For the rest of us, there’s the option of dessert for dinner at one of Vienna’s famous cafes , Demel or Cafe Sacher . Otherwise, head to the riverside to indulge in some bar hopping and people-watching.

Day 8 | Vienna

Since you’ve already been to see the Schönbrunn Palace, it makes sense to go and take a look at the Hofburg, the city residence of the Hapsburgs. Much of the palace has been repurposed but still houses the Spanish Riding School, the Sisi Museum , Imperial Treasury and Imperial Apartments.

Right now, you might not know anything about Sisi but trust me, you can’t go 5 minutes in this part of the world without hearing about her. Officially the Empress Elizabeth of Austria , Sisi supposedly hated Viennese court life and was instrumental in bringing about the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Most of Sisi’s adult life was spent travelling Europe, riding horses, and refusing to have her photo taken or portrait painted after the age of thirty. There’s a darker side to her story too, but I’ll let you discover that for yourselves.

Many of you visiting Vienna will want to see a show at the Spanish Riding School since it’s a unique attraction in the country. I chose not to do this because watching animals perform isn’t really for me, but it’s a top-rated thing to do in Vienna.

TIP | Book a tour at the Spanish Riding School to learn about the architecture and history or a performance ticket well in advance. The training sessions are reportedly rather boring and people report being disappointed.

If you opt out of going to the Riding School, then I highly recommend going to the Sisi Museum instead. You’ll have heard a bit about her life on your tours in Budapest and at the Schönbrunn Palace , but this is an opportunity to get a deeper insight into her personal story.

As with all the museums in Vienna, your entry ticket comes with an audioguide, so you get to learn a lot about the personal objects in the museum. If you want to visit both the Spanish Riding School and the Sisi Museum today, you can. Just return to the museum in the afternoon.

TIP | The Sisi Museum opens at 9am in summer and 9:30am in winter. Be sure to pick up your audioguide or download it from the official website in advance. I’d highly recommend booking your ticket online in advance.

From the Hofburg Palace, go to the Vienna Woods at Heiligenstadt to indulge in something completely different. From April to September, the local wine growers set up temporary outlets amongst the vines on the hills surrounding Vienna.

These pop-up wineries, known as Buschenschanks or Heurigen , are usually open only on weekends during the season. Get a glass (or bottle) of the latest vintage and a food platter, then sit amongst the grapes to drink it with amazing views of Vienna. This was my favourite spot.

If you’re visiting during the winter, then you won’t be able to drink amongst the vines, but you can still have an excellent Heuriger experience in this part of the city. This is more like a wine tavern with food available, but it’s cosy in the winter and still full of locals.

In the afternoon, head back into the heart of Vienna and either visit the Sisi Museum if you missed it this morning or take a walk through District VII . This area of the city is a great place to find some funky local shops, cool cafes and great restaurants.

There are still loads of other great things to do in Vienna, and I’ve left this afternoon relatively free for you to either relax or choose your own adventure! Enjoy your final night in Vienna because we’re getting an early start tomorrow. I know, something new and different for one of my itineraries – I promise I don’t hate sleep, I just have epic FOMO.

Day 9 | Vienna to Prague

The train from Vienna to Prague takes 4.5 hours, and I’d recommend aiming to get to Prague by lunchtime or early afternoon. Check in to your hotel and then take a walk through the UNESCO world heritage site of the old town of Prague to orient yourself.

Prague is the easiest of the three cities on this Central Europe itinerary to fall in love with. Its charms are immediately apparent, with beautiful architecture, cobbled streets and the castle complex perched high on the hill overlooking the city.

READ THIS | The Best Views in Prague (coming soon)

This afternoon is an excellent time to investigate some of the lesser-visited spots of Prague. You might want to stop by the gigantic silver Kafka head which rotates in a hypnotizing fashion at a quarter past the hour.

Nearby, see if you can spot Freud hanging from a post high above the streets. Walk across Legion Bridge and wander along the pretty riverside, enjoying the weird and wacky sculptures and art in Kampa park.

Make your way to the Lennon Wall before returning to the city via Charles Bridge. At this hour, the bridge will likely be packed with people, but don’t worry because you’ll be back here for sunrise without the crowds tomorrow! It is, however, an excellent time to go up the Old Town Tower Bridge for the views of Prague Castle.

Next up is one of my favourite things to do in Prague: watching the sunset from a rooftop bar. This one is more of an adventure than most, though! You pay a fee to take the Paternoster lift to the top floor, where another world awaits. When I arrived, there was ballroom dancing happening in addition to wine, cocktails and beautiful views!

TIP | Head to the Lucerna Palace from 3pm Saturday to Monday in summer armed with 150CZK in cash and hunt for the paternoster lift to find the rooftop. Closed in winter.

If you’re doing this Central Europe itinerary in winter, check out the Glass Ba r at the top of the famous Dancing Houses . You can pay an entrance fee for the views or have a drink, in which case the fee is deducted from your purchase. Make sure you get there with plenty of time to spare for sunset, as it can get busy.

I’d recommend going to Tiskárna Jindřišská Restaurant for dinner – it’s where I had my first meal in Prague, and it truly set the standard for what was to come. It’s reasonably priced, given the superb food quality, and the staff are delightful.

Now, you know what’s coming, right? A reasonable bedtime because you’re setting your alarm for a sunrise photo call tomorrow!

Day 10 | Prague

This is a busy day, but the pre-sunrise alarm is worth it, I swear. The Charles Bridge is much more magical without hoards of other people, and it’s a treat to have the streets almost to yourself.

Depending on what time it is once you’re finished at the bridge, you can either go and get a coffee or head straight up Petrin Hill . The hill is relatively steep in parts, but if you’ve got a reasonable level of fitness you’ll be fine. The best views on the way up are from the terrace of Petrinske.

LOCAL TIP | For the easy way up Petrin Hill, take the funicular which runs from 8am – 10pm

Up at the top of Petrin Hill, you might be surprised to discover a tiny Eiffel Tower. This is Petrin Tower , and just like its bigger sister in Paris, you’ll get fabulous views if you make the effort to go to the top. The tower opens at 9am.

Make your way down the hill for a walking tour of the city with a local guide. There are lots of themed walking tours in Prague which you’ll need to book in advance. Otherwise, take a free walking tour that covers loads of the history of the Czech Republic as well as the architecture and some hidden gems of Prague.

READ THIS | The Best Things to do in Prague (coming soon)

If you didn’t make it on your walking tour, swing by the Astronomical Clock, Prague’s marvel of 14th Century engineering! The Town Hall Tower is a beautiful vantage point overlooking the Old Town Square.

Assuming you’re not cursing me by now for sending you up every high point in Prague, now’s the time to head to the Powder Tower for its beautiful views over both the old and new parts of the city. From there, explore the Clementinum with a guided tour of the fabulous Baroque Library .

All this walking has been worth it, though, because it’s time for your Prague Food Tour . As well as sampling some great local food, wine and beer, you’ll get a local taking you around the parts of Prague that they love.

READ THIS | The Best Food Tours in Prague (coming soon)

Once you’ve finished your food tour, it’s time for a well-earned sleep!

Day 11 | Prague

Start your morning by trying one of Prague’s best cafes for coffee and a pastry.

Next, visit the Museum of Communism , where you’ll find some interesting and moving exhibits covering the period from WWII through to the fall of Communism here in 1989. This was one of my favourite museums on this entire Central Europe itinerary, and there are more than a few to choose from!

In the afternoon, explore Prague Castle on a private guided tour . Finish your day by going up St Nicholas’ Bell Tower in the Old Town, which has phenomenal panoramic views of the city and is one of my top things to do in Prague .

Day 12 | Prague

By this stage of your Central Europe itinerary, you’ll have noticed a few common themes that connect Budapest, Vienna and Prague. The food is similar, and the Old Towns have similar architecture, but it’s their shared recent history that leaves the greatest impact.

Today focuses on the Jewish experience in Prague during WWII and Communism, visiting the Jewish Museum and the Old Jewish Cemetery.

TIP | I highly recommend starting at the Pinkas Synagogue and arriving at opening time so you can experience this extremely moving memorial in quiet solitude.

Although it’s called a museum, the Jewish Museum is actually several sites in the city, primarily in the old Jewish Quarter. It’ll take you about 3 hours to visit all of them, and I’d recommend that you take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.

Have a quiet afternoon before enjoying one of the many classical concerts happening every evening around the city. You’ll have seen dozens of venues advertising by this stage, so pick one that looks good to you and enjoy!

Day 13 | Prague

So listen, I know I like to throw around superlatives with a casual disregard for grammar, excellence and how to be a discerning human, but you’re about to have the most incredible brunch of your life.

There are a lot of excellent places to eat on this Central Europe itinerary, but Bockem has got to be right up there as one of the best restaurants in Prague . The menu is limited and simple, but the service is phenomenal, the food is out of this world and the whole experience feels like something out of the Great Gatsby. It’s a 12/10 recommendation from me.

TIP | Bockem is cash only, but you can scan a QR code to pay on your phone if you’re not carrying cash.

If you haven’t already, take the opportunity to go and have a look at Prague’s famous Dancing Houses before heading back to the New Town and the Mucha Museum . Here, you’ll find a beautiful selection of work by the Czech Republic’s most famous Art Nouveau painter.

In the afternoon, go up to the Letna Park Beer Garden (make sure you have cash) and then continue to the Prague Metronome for what I think is one of the best sunset viewpoints in Prague.

You’ll finish the day as you started – at one of Prague’s many excellent restaurants. For dinner, I’m suggesting Eska, where you can opt for a highly recommended degustation menu or sample their signature dish – potato in ash. It sounds strange, but I promise that it tastes incredible!

Make your way back to your hotel because it’s the last night of my Central Europe itinerary, and you’re departing tomorrow!

Day 14 | Depart Prague

Sadly, this Central Europe itinerary has to come to an end, and it’s time for you to catch your flight home or head to your next destination. If you’ve got some more free time, then I highly recommend a trip to Brno or Central Bohemia in the Czech Republic.

Central Europe Itinerary | Prague Vienna Budapest Map

To make things easy for you when you follow this Central Europe itinerary, I’ve created a map with all the locations mentioned.

To save this map to your own account, just click on the little star next to the title.

How Many Days is best for a Central Europe Itinerary?

I think 2 weeks is the perfect amount of time to spend in Central Europe, but it’s possible to cut this itinerary down to spend 12 days in Budapest, Vienna and Prague.

My first trip here was only 10 days, but I did have to be pretty ruthless about cutting things off my trip. Of course, if you’re living in Europe then it’s easy to make a return visit, and a shorter trip is totally feasible.

If you’re visiting from Australia, Asia or the Americas, then I think 10 days is the minimum amount of time you should budget to fit everything into your Central Europe itinerary.

When is the Best Time to Visit Central Europe?

As with all things Europe, August is high season, and the kids are all on holiday. If that’s the only time you can visit, be prepared for crowds and peak pricing.

For the rest of us, spring is beautiful, but late summer into autumn is forever my favourite time to visit. The weather is usually much more settled, and you can still have lovely warm days through to late October.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BUDAPEST, VIENNA & PRAGUE | May – June or September – October

Planning a Central Europe Itinerary

If you don’t want to follow my exact Central Europe Itinerary (although, why wouldn’t you?!), then start with my article on Important Things to Know When Planning a Trip to Central Europe (coming soon).

In this guide, you’ll get itinerary planning advice, including how to create an itinerary that lets you see what you want without feeling rushed.

I hope you found this 2 week Central Europe itinerary helpful for planning your own visit. Please let me know if any of this information is outdated or you’ve got a great option that you’d love to see here!

Here are some other posts to help you plan a visit to Europe:

CENTRAL EUROPE | Have an incredible experience with my 3 day Vienna itinerary , 4 day Prague itinerary and 4 days in Budapest

ITALY | Plan a perfect visit and extend your European trip by heading to the Dolomites

TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t go anywhere without it! I use and recommend Safety Wing .

THOUGHTFUL TRAVEL | No matter where you go, always be aware of the fact that travel impacts the place and people that live there. Being a thoughtful traveller is more critical than ever. Here are my top tips to make your trip a mindful one.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Love my photos and want to know how to take better shots on your own trips? Then my photography guide is for you. Here’s all the photography gear I use too. Want to buy one of my images? Head to the Print Store .

ESSENTIAL GEAR | You’ll find my travel essentials here, and a complete guide to all my hiking gear here .

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3 Comments on “Best of Budapest, Vienna & Prague | 2-week Central Europe Itinerary (2023)”

We would like to visit Budapest, Vienna and Prague during in last 3 weeks of December. I ve heard that Budapest and specially Prague is so magnificent during this time.

Any input specially dates and place is greatly appreciated

can you guide hoe to visit inside city. Any travel agent or guide required

You can visit all these places by yourself without a guide! I just prefer guided tours to give me information along the way.

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Vienna Budapest Prague Tours & Trips

Find the right tour package for you through Vienna Budapest Prague. We've got 288 trips going to Vienna Budapest Prague, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 45 days. The most popular month to go is September, which has the most tour departures.

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250+ vienna budapest prague tour packages with 1,296 reviews.

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Imperial Capitals ( 6 days )

This tour was a great, convenient way to see some incredible European sites. The optional dinners were well worth it with a chance to try cultural food and enjoy authentic entertainment of music and dance from the countries you visit. However, there were times when the tour felt a bit rushed and I would have enjoyed longer free time periods. Overall I really enjoyed this tour and a would like to say a huge thank you to the amazing tour guide, Teresa. She was so friendly, welcoming and inclusive and her bubbly and charismatic personality made the tour so fun and enjoyable for everyone!

Cycle the Danube

Tour guides/leaders were incredible...very knowledgeable of the area and history and culture and food! The final stay in Budapest at the Star City Hotel was disappointing...staff were stressed, aloof, and not customer service oriented ( in a positive way) Be nice to choose a true 4 star hotel for the last night of the trip

• In-depth Cultural

Vienna and Budapest ( 4 days )

Hotel in Vienna Prinz Eugene was so so and Breakfast buffet did not have much choice for vegetarias, but Budapest hotel Novim Cenrum is good. Overall city Tour of Vienna and Budapest with local guides are goid. especially local guide Mario in Budapest was very informative.

Prague, Vienna & Budapest

Everything is excellent . We will use tour radar again for our future travels. I will also recommend your company to my friends and relatives. Thank you. The Velbis family

Prague & Budapest

Very good overall experience. Some glitches in pick up timing but they were all resolved. Very happy with experience.

• Coach / Bus

Ultimate European (Greek Islands, Start Paris, 45 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• River Cruise

Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau)

We really enjoyed our cruise on the Crucemondo "Crucestar" ship. The cabins were clean and well maintained with daily housekeeping including turn-down service. The staff on board the ship was courteous and always happy to help. The food was excellent. Each day we filled out a form to choose our lunch and dinner entrees - always 3 choices including one vegetarian. There was never a day that I couldn't find something that appealed and the variety was amazing: beef, pork, chicken, lamb, seafood, pasta, etc. Each meal also included a salad and dessert and dinner included soup as well. Almost too much at times. We were assigned a table at the beginning of the tour and sat with the same people throughout the cruise. We had great table-mates - a couple from the US and another from the UK (we are from Canada), so it was a lively international table. In fact, the entire cruise was very international with passengers from Spain, Germany, Turkey, US, UK, and Canada. All information was given in four languages, which was wonderful. We took the optional tours in the four cities (Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Melk). The tours were conducted in English despite the fact that we (4 of us) were the only English-speaking passengers on the tours. The tour guides were very knowledgeable about their cities. The only thing I didn't like about the tour was the fact that it was a there and back cruise (Passau to Budapest to Passau). It meant a lot of cruising time. If it was a one-way cruise, we would have had a little more time in each city, which would have been nice. But I knew this ahead of time and will make this a consideration for future cruises. Overall, I was very pleased with the Crucemondo cruise line and will look at other river cruises offered by this company in the future. Thank you for a wonderful, relaxing cruise!

Journey through Central Europe & Romania

• Sightseeing

This is the perfect trip to go on if you’re not looking to meet anyone and enjoy a proper group experience. If you’re not looking for value for money then this is honestly the best trip to pay for. Google is really complicated so paying someone to send you recommendations on how to spend your day is a lifesaver. Sometimes it’s really nice to stay in some really horrible accommodation so don’t you worry. This trip is the bees knees when it comes to horrible accommodation. I honestly couldn’t recommend this trip enough. Personally love it when it’s nothing like you’d expected. It ticks every box when it comes to not enjoying a trip. Will definitely book this again.

Czechia Unesco Tour – 7 Unesco Sites in 6 Days, Max 6 People Per Tour

They new exactly what we needed after the sight seeing in the cities and towns! It was an absolute breath of fresh air and the scenery was amazing! Marek was our guide and his english was very good. He is friendly and he is passionate about Czech! Highly recommend this tour company.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Budapest & Vienna

Thank you so much, Shaun Hoffman, for a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this tour company and our guide for a lifetime experience.

A Taste of the Danube (Westbound)

First class ship, excellent Cruise Director and crew, splendid food, very high standard of guides on included excursions, brilliant virtuosity and entertainment from Pressberger Duo,optional concert in Vienna superb.

A Taste of the Danube with 2 Nights in Vienna (Eastbound) 2024

Well looked after, very good short tour

Treasures of the Balkans (Classic, 16 Days)

Private Tour: 3 Countries in One Week: Prague - Vienna - Budapest

rivate tour through Prague, Vienna, and Budapest with a private driver was an extraordinary experience that redefined the meaning of luxury travel. From the seamless logistics to the personalized attention, every aspect of this journey with our private driver surpassed expectations. Our driver, a true professional and local expert, not only ensured our safety and comfort throughout the trip but also became an invaluable source of information. Their deep knowledge of the history, culture, and hidden gems of each city enriched our experience, transforming every journey between destinations into an insightful adventure. The convenience of having a private driver allowed us the flexibility to explore at our own pace, making impromptu stops to capture breathtaking views or visit charming local spots. This level of personalized service elevated the entire journey, providing us with the freedom to tailor our itinerary to suit our interests. The selection of accommodations was nothing short of stellar, showcasing the finest hotels in each city. From the opulent elegance in Prague to the modern sophistication in Vienna and the historical charm in Budapest, each stay was a testament to the careful curation of this premium travel experience.

What people love about Vienna Budapest Prague Tours

Wonderful cities, well-organised, and great value. Shout out to our guide, Jacob, who was as informative and professional as you'd expect, but also adaptable when things out of his control were going wrong (traffic, weather, etc.) And the driver, Nathan, who was always helpful and reliable - almost like a second tour guide.

Sasa Tour Guide and Andro the driver were great. They took care of the group with their jovial attitude and ensured that individual's needs were met. They provided easy to follow directions and kept the group together. There were occasions when things would have gone wrong but Sasa and Andro ensured that they are there on every step along the way to make it trouble-free and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend intrepid tours and would consider future tours through Intrepid.

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Central Europe Itinerary 2 weeks: Munich Prague Vienna Budapest Bratislava

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European countries are so very charming and they pull us like a magnet. We love visiting Europe for its history, culture, cobblestone lanes, food, and overall vintage vibes. Here is a look at our first Central Europe itinerary 2 weeks.

We chose Munich Prague Vienna Budapest Bratislava for a reason. Budget and history were the two main reasons. For a budget of $3200 USD per person, we were able to explore 5 countries and stay in Europe for 2 weeks. This Europe travel itinerary is also great for first-time visitors.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Every year, we have been checking off a FEW European countries at a time. We look at the proximity of each country and how well they are interconnected by public transportation such as trains, road trips, or even day tours. We love maximizing our stay when we travel for a LONG distance from Canada.

2 week Central Europe Itinerary: At a glance

• Day 1: Arrive in Munich and explore the city highlights. Stay overnight in Munich
• Day 2: Take a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle or Dachau + English Gardens 
• Day 3 : Visit Nuremberg, and start for Prague in the evening. Stay in Prague
• Day 4: Explore Prague old town
• Day 5 : Take a day trip from Prague to Kutna Hora or Český Krumlov
• Day 6 : Arrive in Budapest, and explore the main highlights. Stay in Budapest
• Day 7 : Explore more of Budapest, ruin bars, UNESCO sites
• Day 8 : Head to Bratislava. Stay in Bratislava for the night
• Day 9 : More time to explore Bratislava
• Day 10: Arrive in Vienna, and check off a couple of city highlights. Stay in Vienna
• Day 11: Explore Vienna 
• Day 12 : Take a day trip to Wachau Valley from Vienna
• Day 13 : Head to Salzburg, stay here for the night
• Day 14: Salzburg sightseeing and walking tour

There are so many reasons why you should take a trip to Central Europe for 2 weeks. It is better value for money spent – you can cover SOO much for a smaller budget.

As compared to popular European Itineraries for 2 weeks like those covering Paris, London, Amsterdam, French Riviera, Barcelona or Rome, Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre in Italy, by traveling to Central Europe you will be experiencing the MOST popular tourist destinations as well as the offbeat.

Prices for hotels and sightseeing are cheaper than in countries of Western Europe.

Thinking of Charles Bridge or the Hungarian Parliament? Well, ghost tours, ruin bars, and concentration camp memorial sites are sure to keep you busy.

Flying to Munich is a money saver and also gives a lot of flexibility as there are TONS of flights available from the US and Canada to Munich Germany.

Local transport and sightseeing passes are affordable in all the 5 countries mentioned in this Central Europe Itinerary. (Average cost less than 2 USD for local bus fares.)

Food is cheaper too. And you will be trying different cuisines here – schnitzels, chimney cake or tradelnk, goulash, sachertorte, and BEER (lots of it). You will probably forget macaroons and red wine. Or pizza (no I love pizza)

Central Europe is an amazing region to explore and check off multiple countries from your travel bucket list. Here are the places that we will cover in 14 days in Central Europe Itinerary – Munich, Nuremberg, Prague Vienna Budapest Salzburg, and Bratislava.

By starting your trip in Munich, you are opening up to affordable flight options as well as a variety of flight schedules to meet your busy lifestyle. Although not the capital of Germany, Munich is a MAJOR European destination. You will find TONS of history, architecture, castles, and beer in Munich.

Day 1 Munich Germany Europe Itinerary

Start your first day in Munich by exploring the old town of Marienplatz . Head to Mary’s Square for a walking tour, and walk the cobblestone streets and learn about the history of the Wittelsbach.

Pro Tip : Walking tours are for 2 hours or so and can be taken in the afternoon as well if you are arriving by noon in Munich. There are trains available from Munich airport to Marienplatz (station of the same name)

At the heart of the old town of Munich is Mary’s Square (or Marienplatz). A historical square in Munich, Marienplatz had witnessed the Thirty Years War and Hitler’s Purge.

At the center of Marienplatz is Mary’s Column – this column was set up in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years War.

As you look around, you will see the New Town Hall of Munich. It is home to the singing clock Rathaus-Glockenspiel – a miniature knight show that enacts 2 stories from the 16th century.

Odeonplatz is another square in old town Munich, located within walking distance from Mary’s Square. Odeonplatz was the site of many rallies and demonstrations in modern times Munich including Hitler’s Beer Purge of 1923.

Up next is the Munich Residenz hall and explore the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach Kings of Bavaria.

If you are hungry, head to the Central Market – Viktualienmarkt, which is the oldest market in Munich. A food tour is a great idea to sample many Bavarian delicacies, before exploring the city further.

The Opera House is also located in Old Town Munich.

EPIC views of Munich should be one of the highlights of your visit and yes, we are getting there. St Pete Church in Munich towers are open to the public for 3 euros – to climb up 309 stairs to reach the top to view Munchen’s amazing city-scape and yes red and orange rooftops.

Did you know Munich is derived from the word, “old Monk” or Monken or Munchen?

Late afternoon or evening, you can head to the Hofbräuhaus or the Royal Brewery for a drink or two. If you are staying in the city centre (which is probably a good idea), you can opt for a Bavarian dinner at Haxnbauer.  Or make your way to the Marienplatz for some live music, a stroll, and street food.

We stayed at TRYP Munchen Hotel, now known as Hotel München City Center , and would definitely recommend it. Great location and the rooms were big and clean.

Day 2 Munich Germany – Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

For day 2 in Munich, take a day trip to Neuschwanstein castle. We recommend taking a day tour of 7-8 hours, which covers your return trip, a guided tour of the Castle interiors, and a light lunch. Book your day tour to the Neuschwanstein Castle here

You can also drive to Fussen via the romantic road and explore the castle. Remember a guided tour is a must for accessing the castle interiors. Book early if you are visiting in peak seasons, from late May to August.  Read about our day trip to Neuschwanstein

If the Neuschwanstein Castle is not your thing and you wish to stay close to Munich, then consider paying a visit to the Dachau memorial camp.

You can visit Dachau via train or drive and spend 2-4 hours there learning about the dark history of Germany under Hitler’s regime. Free audio tours are available on site.

Read about our experience at the Dachau Concentration Campsite

Train: Central Munich to Dachau train station is 25 minutes.

Day tour:  Book a half day tour to Dachau from Munich with a guide here

For the second half of your day, explore the beautiful English Gardens. Take a stroll and admire the Chinese Tower Beer Gardens, which houses the oldest beer gardens in the whole of Munich. Read our 5 days in Munich itinerary.

Day 3 Nuremberg Germany to Prague Czech Republic

Pack up your bags as today we will be leaving for country no 2. BUT…but before that, we will explore Nuremberg – a medieval town in Bavaria.

Munich to Nuremberg is –

• 2 hours by car
• 1.50 or less by train (the fastest train will take you there in an hour). Fare $35 to $55 USD one way
• 2.50 hours by bus (Flixbus). $10+ USD one way

Spend time in the old town of Nuremberg. Explore the market square and the iconic Church of our Lady – Frauenkirche. This is a perfect example of brickwork in Gothic architecture.

The market square here comes alive in December and is the host of the finest Christmas Markets in Europe.

Nuremberg Castle and the Museum of the Dolls are some of the other tourist attractions that are worth visiting. Definitely take a stroll along the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal to experience this medieval town and know why it is considered the unofficial Holy Roman Capital.

Find out everything that we did on a day trip to Nuremberg

After a late lunch, drive or take a train to Prague – the capital of the Czech Republic. Depending on when you arrive in town, if you are feeling adventurous, head to the Charles Bridge in the old town square or settle in for a quiet supper, as the next day will be LEGENDARY.

Before hitting Moravia from Bavaria, you will notice the change in landscape with wineries’ and windmills.

Day 4 Prague Czech Republic Europe Itinerary

Prague is still one of my favorite places on earth (and this is me saying after 4 years of travel to many European countries), so be EXCITED! (For me at least)

Spend the day in the historic UNESCO site of Old Town Prague on your first day. Cross over the Vltava river and arrive in the heart of the old town.

At the old town square, explore the Church of Our Lady in front of Tyn, the Old Town City Hall, the Baroque church of St Nicholas, and more.

Explore the astronomical clock – a popular attraction in Prague. The clock showcases a musical show every hour, called the “walk of the Apostles”.

In the old town, you will also find one of the oldest living Jewish synagogues. The Old Synagogue was built in the 13th century and has so much history to it.

Eat some chimney cake or Trdlnyk and go for some souvenir shopping.

Charles Bridge is a definite item to explore in Prague. It was built by King Charles IV over the Vltava River.

The Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city’s Old Town and adjacent areas. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and figurines, originally erected in baroque style but are now replaced by replicas.

The main bridge is protected by three bridge towers, 2 of them are located on the Lesser Quarter side and one on the Old Town side, which is the Old Town Bridge Tower. Take a one-hour tour over the Vltava river. 

Here is another tour with sightseeing and cruise over the Vltava.  Try out some goulash in the old town or get a lunch cruise over the Vltava . 

After a heavy belly, are you ready to walk up to Letna Park for some epic views? I am sure you are.

Letna Park is a beautiful park located on a hill called Letna and it offers amazing views of the Old Town, along with the Vltava river. You will have to hike to hit the top of the hill to get to the park.

The John Lennon Wall is increasingly becoming a popular tourist spot in Prague. It is an interesting tourist spot in Prague. Prior to the death of John Lennon, it was a normal wall. But when John Lennon passed away in 1980, the youth of Prague grieved his passing by pouring their heart out on this wall.

In the evening, opt for a traditional Czech dinner of goulash, homemade bread or dumplings, beer, or wine at Czech Slovak Restaurant Lounge Bar.

Our hotel for the night’s stay was Hotel International. This is a vintage hotel. Very spacious and clean. There are grocery stores and restaurants close by as well. Read more on the best place to stay in Prague

Day 5 Day trips from Prague Czech Republic 

Option 1 : Kutna Hora

For your second day in Prague, you can either make it fast paced or slow it down and relax a little.

If you are like us and LOVE to cover more areas, then head to Kutna Hora for a half day trip. Kutna Hora is only an hour away from Prague and is popular for the two UNESCO heritage sites – St Barbara’s Church and the Cathedral of our Lady at Sedlec.

But the Kutná Hora Bone Church is what pulls tourists here. This church is actually made up of 40,000 bones. There are bone chandeliers inside too. You can explore the city on foot (cobblestone streets).

Other attractions in Kutna Hora include – Italian Court, Silver Museum.  Book your day tour to Kutna Hora here

For the second half of your day, relax and leisurely explore the Prague Castle grounds.

Prague Castle has a very intriguing past. Stories of traitors being thrown out of the castle windows, jewel crowns being stolen, a church named after dancing saints, and the list goes on.

You can take a tour of the gardens, the Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the vineyards.

Strolling through the vineyards, was one of my favorite memories in Prague. The views from up there are marvelous.

Relax for the evening (we went back to the old town Prague for some drinks) or take a beer and dinner tour in Prague

Option 2 : Český Krumlov

A second option is to spend a full day in Český Krumlov. Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO heritage-listed town in southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. This stunning town is bisected by the Vltava River and is dominated by a 13th-century castle.

The castle has Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque elements, an 11-hectare garden, and an original 17th-century baroque theater. Book a full day trip to Cesky Krumluv with lunch. 

Read our 2 day Prague itinerary and tips 

Day 6 Budapest Hungary Europe Itinerary

A new day and a new country – arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Prague to Budapest is a 4-hour drive away. You can take the train as well.

The fastest train will take you there in 6.50 hours. One option is to take an overnight train in Prague at 09:00 pm and arrive in Budapest by 6:30 am, this will give you a FULL day’s exploring if you are up for it.

Most likely you will arrive in the afternoon if you are driving. Today you only have half a day of exploration – so we will definitely check out the city highlights.

Budapest is divided into Buda and Pest and we stayed in the Pest area in the cutest hotel – Hotel Ibis Castle Hill

Before that, COFFEE FIRST! As we are checked into the hotel in the Pest area, it is the perfect opportunity to grab a coffee (and a bite to eat) at the stunning New York Café.

The Budapest New York Café is the number one coffee place in the world. Their interiors are gorgeous and this place is vintage and has a long legacy.

The cafe was built in Renaissance style and has a hotel included in its vicinity (the hotel is called Boscolo Budapest Hotel). The New York Café was very popular among writers and influential people of the early 20th century.

The cafe was ignored during the 2nd World War. Once the war ended, the cafe was used as a sporting goods store and later was renovated and restored to its original splendor. Since 1954, the cafe has remained open.

After coffee, head to Heroes Square. Heroes Square or Hősök tere is one of the major squares in Budapest and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its iconic statue complex featuring the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important leaders.

This complex also hosts the Museum of Fine Arts and the Műcsarnok . Visit to the Square is absolutely free and is open 24×7.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing time at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. It is one of the must-do items in Budapest. These baths have medicinal properties, other than being of relaxation and entertainment value. They promote health and wellness.  Get your 1 day pass to the Széchenyi thermal bath here

Budapest has tons of options for thermal baths. Other notable baths include – the Gellért Baths, Király Baths, Lukacs Baths, and Rudas Baths.

For today’s dinner plan, opt for a Danube river cruise. Budapest’s beauty lies in the historic river Danube that flows through the city and splits the capital into Buda and Pest.

Take a romantic dinner cruise and get introduced to Budapest! You will see the Hungarian Parliament, as you drink Tokaji wine and a three-course meal over the Danube.

Dinner cruises are for 2.50 hours. The cost of dinner cruises starts at 55 Euros or about 70 USD. Book your Danube dinner cruise here

Read about our Danube Dinner Cruise Experience

Day 7 More sightseeing in Budapest Hungary 

For day 2 in Budapest, you will be busy. Probably very busy with all the sightseeing.

Take a trip to the Hungarian Parliament. Probably one of the stunning and iconic images of Budapest is the Hungarian Parliament building. Guided tours are available as well .

If you are not interested in any tours, admire the beautiful building from the outside. Tons of photo opportunities here

From the Parliament, head to the Jewish Synagogue – Dohány Street Synagogue. Also called the Great Synagogue (or Tabakgasse Synagogue) is the largest Jewish house of worship in the world.

We highly recommend taking a walking tour that covers the synagogue, takes you to a Ruin bar, and provides you with a history of the area and Budapest.

This 3 hours guided tour covers the Jewish quarters with a historian, a drink at the ruin bars, and an awesome street art exploration. Book your walking tour here

Ruin bars are a THING in Budapest. These bars popped up in dilapidated buildings, selling cheap/budget alcohol. You know places where cool kids hang out.

Read : Complete Budapest Food Guide with tips on visiting the famous ruin bars

Up next is the St. Stephen’s Basilica – a Roman Catholic basilica, which is named in honor of Stephen who was the first King of Hungary.

The basilica was once one of the largest churches in Hungary. At one point, it was also a theatre. Today, it is still the third-largest church in Hungary and often hosts music recitals.

From the St Stephen’s Basilica, head to the Buda Castle district.

The central area, in Budapest, along the Danube River is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes important sites like the Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Gresham Palace, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Matthias Church, Liberty Statue, and the Hungarian Parliament.

At the Buda Castle, you will be welcomed by the St Matthias Church. This church was built in Romanesque style in 1015 and the tiles on it are super stunning. A few steps away from the church is the Fisherman’s Bastion.

The towers in the Fisherman’s Bastion refer to the seven Magyar tribes of Hungary. From these towers and the terrace, you can get a spectacular view of the Danube, Margaret Island, Pest to the east, the Gellért Hill, and of course the stunning Hungarian Parliament.

The Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum are located at the Buda Castle. To learn more about the Buda Castle District, take a guided tour with a historian. Book your tour here.

From the Buda Castle, head to the Central Market Hall for souvenir shopping. Vasarcsarnok: Central Market Hall is a vibrant shopping area.

Shop for paprika, embroidered knickknacks, and crystals. You can shop for souvenirs for 1-10 Euros. You will find tons of restaurants here for dinner too. Learn about our 2 days in Budapest Itinerary here

Alternate sightseeing option : For culture and folklore lovers, you can visit the Hortobágy National Park, located only 2 hours away from Budapest. 

Day 8 Bratislava Slovakia Europe Itinerary

Day 8 of your Central Europe Itinerary starts in Budapest but ends in Bratislava Slovakia. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia with an incredible history.

In Bratislava other than the old town, you will find remnants of historical figures from Germany, Hungary , and of course Slovakia. Bratislava is a small country, but it ranks higher for its wealth (third-highest GDP in 2017).

Many tourists visit Bratislava as a day trip from its popular neighbors – Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. Vienna to Bratislava which is an hour’s drive one way is the most popular, followed by Budapest which is 2 hours drive away one way.

With 2 days in Bratislava (well actually 1.50 days) you will be able to explore a lot in Bratislava. 

Start early morning from Budapest to Bratislava. It takes 2 hours to reach Bratislava by car.

There are trains and buses available as well. The main train station is located just 10 minutes from the Old Town and the bus station is close by as well (just in the opposite direction).

Train fares are about $26+ USD and it takes 2.50 hours. Buses are a cheaper option – less than $10 USD and it takes 3-4 hours to arrive (depending on the schedule you choose).

As soon as you arrive in Bratislava, pat yourself on the back as this is your fourth country of visit in this Europe Itinerary, and then head to W Cafe for some breakfast/brunch. After some fuel for the belly, head to the Old Town – this is where you will be spending the most time today.

Book: Take a one-hour walking tour of Bratislava

The Old Town, although compact has tons of things to see. The Old Town Square – Hlavne Namestie is a must. The square will remind you of Prague, it is surrounded by historical (colorful) buildings.

Hlavné Námestie is free to visit and explore . You will also see the Roland fountain at the square – it was built by Maximilian II, the king of Hungary. There is a national theater located in the same area.

St Martin Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church and it is located in the western part of old town Bratislava. Above the cathedral is the Bratislava Castle.

Historically, Bratislava Castle had witnessed many pages of history including the coronation of the king in the 1670s, and a fire in the 1880s, and had functioned as the seat of administration.

The castle grounds are open for visitors and you can access the castle from 4 gates. Due to its location (and elevation), you can view the Danube River valley, parts of Bratislava, and even Hungary.

There is a Slovak National Museum located close by if you wish to learn more about their history.

After the Bratislava Castle, proceed to the eastern part of the city – to view a beautiful Blue Church. The St Elizabeth Church is a secessionist church located on Bezrucova Street in the old town. It is a superb example of nouveau architecture and the color blue just adds to its beauty.

For the last sightseeing item of the day, head to the UFO Bridge – yes, you heard it right.

Named the Slovenske Narodne Povstanie Bridge – it is the most iconic landmark in Bratislava. There is a UFO-like observation deck. You can also dine here for the evening. This bridge reminds me of the Esplanade Riel Bridge in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Stay at Hotel iBis Bratislava in the city center. Book your stay here.

Day 9 Bratislava Slovakia Central Europe Itinerary

For day 2 of the Bratislava itinerary, let’s venture outside of the old town and explore the Presidential Palace. The Presidential Palace was built in 1760 in the late Baroque (Rococo) style.

Entry to the inside of the castle or palace is not allowed, but you can explore the gardens and view the architecture from the outside.

For the afternoon, drive about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) away from Bratislava to the winery town of Svatly Jur. You will see the Slovak countryside and its architecture and taste some fabulous food and wine – this is a perfect lunch date!

In the late afternoon/evening, wander the neighborhood of Petrzalka. A colorful neighborhood, this is a photographer’s paradise. There are SO many stunning buildings to see here.

Head to Modra Hviezda for supper and bid adieu to the Slovak capital of Bratislava.

Day 10 Vienna Austria Europe Itinerary

For day 10 of the Europe travel itinerary, off we go to the fifth country – Austria. Vienna is one of the most stunning European cities we have been to.

Bratislava to Vienna travel time is less than one hour. There are many options to take a day trip to Vienna from Bratislava and vice versa.

You can also take trains to Vienna from Bratislava for 11 euros one way. The drive also takes the same travel time – 1 to 1.25 hours.

Pro Tip: For sightseeing in the city, you can either opt for public transport or use the Vienna pass for 2 days . Using a hop on and hop off service is also an option.

Once you arrive in the morning, head to the inner city. This is where most of the sightseeing attractions are located in Vienna and it is also perfect for a coffee fix and breakfast.

Let’s start the day with the Hofburg Palace. The Hofburg Palace was the imperial seat of the Hapsburg Dynasty in Austria. The outside of the palace is as beautiful as the inside.

There is a lot of history that has happened in this palace and had served as the prime residence for Empress Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz II, and, for a while, even the German Emperor.

The complex is spread over 59 acres and comprises 18 groups of buildings, close to 20 courtyards, and around 2600 rooms. This is definitely an iconic landmark of Vienna Austria.

Tip: If you prefer you can book a 1 to 2-hour performance of the Lipizzans at the Spanish Riding School (at the Winter Riding Hall of the Hofburg Palace) with awe-inspiring music and grandeur! Find details here

Heldenplatz is a public space located in front of the Hofburg Palace. This square was set up as a Heroes Square. Take a walk and spend time at the complex grounds.

Up next is St Stephen’s Cathedral. It is one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks. The Cathedral is located at Stephenplatz, 1010 Vienna, providing visitors with the stunning architecture of the Hapsburg and other Austrian rulers.

The cathedral has stood the test of time. It has watched over the city for more than 300 years.

There is the Giant Gate, which dates back to the 13th century and is one of the oldest parts of the cathedral. The cathedral is decorated with Baroque altarpieces in the name of St. Stephen, the first martyr of Christendom.

Read: Most beautiful churches in Vienna Austria

After St Stephen’s Cathedral, a few blocks away is the Graben Vienna. It is an upscale and trendy shopping street in the heart of the inner city. This is a perfect place to shop or rest for lunch.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Vienna, then you can take this guided walking tour .

After lunch, venture to view the Hundertwasserhaus. The Hundertwasserhaus is an apartment building located in Vienna. This is unique as it was built after the idea and concept of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

The outer landscape is multi-colored, hap-hazard, and uneven, making it an interesting piece of art.

This evening in Vienna will be EPIC. Today we will spend time at the Prater amusement park in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district in Vienna.

Prater Park has one of the tallest Ferris wheel called the Wiener Riesenrad, or Riesenrad. It is one of Vienna’s most popular tourist attractions and is quite iconic to the city and the district.

For a night’s stay, choose the Trend Austria Hotel . We loved the location as it is close to the city center and can be accessed via the Rathaus Underground Station (public transportation). Book your stay here

Read : Where to stay in Vienna for the first time | 4 days in Vienna itinerary

Day 11 Explore more of Vienna Austria

On your second day in Vienna, it’s time to explore their gorgeous palace – one of Europe’s finest – the Schonbrunn Palace.

Schonbrunn Palace is the most popular tourist spot in Vienna. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rightly so because of its rich cultural history and association with the Hapsburg royalty.

Built in the early 18th century, this gorgeous yellow-colored palace reflects the changing styles and interests of the Hapsburg dynasty.

You can easily spend 3-5 hours at the Schonbrunn Palace complex. There is a guided tour available to explore the interior of the beautiful palace. Keep in mind, they have 1441 rooms! 

The sculpted garden is beautiful and is adorned by 32 sculptures of deities. Book a guided tour of the Schonbrunn Palace

After the Schönbrunn Palace, head to the Belvedere Palace. It is a historic building complex consisting of two Baroque palaces – the Orangery and the Palace Stables. These buildings are set in a Baroque park landscape in the third district of the city, on the southeastern edge of its centre.

The palace also houses the Belvedere Museum. The palaces were built in the 18th century.

Get the entrance tickets to the Belvedere Palace

For the evening and dinner, pay a visit to the Wiener Staatsoper or the Vienna State Opera. This opera house is one of the busiest in the world with over 350 performances. It was opened for the first time in 1869 with a performance of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”. 

The Vienna State Opera is particularly unique as it caters to children’s performances. The opera house used to showcase children’s productions, in the bygone era, which was performed in a tent on the roof of the Staatsoper.

Presently the opera house has an opera school for boys and girls. Here is a Mozart concert and dinner option for Vienna.

Resources: Get the 2 day Vienna Itinerary

Day 12 Vienna Austria (Wachau Valley)

As a day trip from Vienna, Wachau Valley is a great option to explore more of the Austrian countryside. Wachau Valley is known for its vineyards, ancient ruins, Benedictine Abbey, and the mesmerizing Danube River.

You can reach Wachau from Vienna in 1.50 hours by car or take the train. We did the Wachau Valley tour with a local guide and enjoyed a full day of nature, history, and relaxation. Book a tour here

Some of the things that you can do in Wachau are

• Explore the vineyards and wine tasting. Wachau Valley is very popular for its wine. Learn more about the wine tours here
• Visit the Benedictine and the Melk Abbeys and the ancient ruins for some amazing views of the river valley
• Take a bike tour across the river valley and admire the nature surrounding you. Book a bike tour here
• Danube River Cruise with lunch to the Melk and Dürnstein. Take the tour here

If you are driving to Wachau, then refer to this handy post about all the activities we did on a day trip from Vienna to Wachau Valley.

Day 11 Salzburg Austria Europe Itinerary

This is your last city in the Central Europe Itinerary agenda. Salzburg is a medieval town with beautiful views of the Austrian Alps. It is definitely a romantic destination, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Vienna to Salzburg is a 3 – 4 hour drive.  You can take a direct train in the morning from Vienna and arrive in Salzburg in 2 to 2.50 hours and then start exploring the city. Train fares start at 28 euros one way.

The train station is located very close to the old town, so head to the old town for a quick bite to eat or take a rest from the train journey and relax.

There are TONS of options to eat in Old Town. Some of our favorites are Gasthaus Schachlwirt, Meet2eat Salzburg, and Uncle Van. You can also eat 3 euros chilly pretzels in the old town (and they are quite filling).

Take a walking tour of Old Town Salzburg

For easy access to the old town, proceed to the statue of Mozart, located in the heart of Salzburg. Mozart was born in Salzburg and this statue is a contribution to his work.

You will also find souvenir stores, the Salzburg Information Center, and other shops in and around Mozart Square.

There is a Mozart house located at house no. 8 in Mozart Square, just a few blocks away. This house belonged to Mozart’s wife – Constanze Mozart-Nissen and it is a testimony to his work and life. It is worth visiting the house.

Salzburg’s joyous lanes – Geteidegasse is filled with unique decorations all along. The shops are very beautiful with a vintage vibe to them. Imagine how it will look around Christmas time – very wonderful right?

Salzburg’s iconic landmark is the Hohensalzburg Fortress. It was built by an archbishop to protect the city from enemies in the 11th century. You can take a funicular to reach the top of the fortress and explore.

The funicular ride is 8 euros round trip. We decided to hike and walk up to the fortress and to access the fort, there is an entry fee of 15 euros.

It is definitely worth it, as you will be welcomed by amazing views of the town of Salzburg, the mountains, and the valley. There are many look-out points to view the mountains and the cityscape.

There is a restaurant and many souvenir shops within the fortress grounds. As you walk through the corridor of the fortress you will see cannons and information about the fort itself.

There is a church and a museum inside too.

In the evening, you can relax at a restaurant by the Love Locks Bridge.

If you wish to combine a tour of the fortress, a cruise, and dinner, then book this tour.

For Salzburg accommodation, we stayed at the Salzburg Austria Trend – it is a mid-budget hotel and is very clean and spacious. Breakfast was included in our stay. There is a premium outlet mall located nearby if you like to shop.

Day 14 Salzburg Austria 

For your final day in Salzburg, take a musical tour of the city – the Sound of Music tour.

The movie, Sound of Music was exclusively shot in Salzburg. In this tour, you will not only learn about the movie and the on-scene locations but also explore the countryside and the town of Salzburg beyond the old town area.

Book the Sound of Music and surroundings tour

The tour lasts 2-3 hours. You can also extend sightseeing with salt mines combined tour with the Sound of Music tour. Learn more about the tour here.

Depending on the timing of your return flight, you can either leave today or the next day to Munich. Salzburg to Munich is 2 hours only.

Or you can book a flight from Salzburg airport – Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart – to your home country. Close to the Salzburg airport is the Red Bull and Formula One museum and exhibition hall. Definitely visit if you are a fan and have some time before catching the flight back home!

Optional : You can also take a 6-hour tour to Hallstatt in Austria from Salzburg. Book your Hallstatt day tour here

Central Europe Itinerary 2 Weeks – More Itinerary Samples

This 14 day Central Europe travel itinerary can be customized to fit any traveler. You can skip a few cities to fit your travel Europe plan into a week’s trip.

Here are some European itinerary options for less than 2 weeks.

10 day – Prague Vienna Budapest

10 days are enough to explore the 3 capital cities plus take 1-2 day trips of your choice. You can stay in each of the 3 cities for 2-3 nights.

Read: 10 days in Prague Vienna Budapest itinerary

7 day – Prague Vienna Budapest or Bratislava Vienna Budapest

You can do Prague Vienna Budapest in as little as 7 days or one week in Europe by spending 2 days in each city. Or a combination of 3 countries among Vienna Budapest Prague and Bratislava

3 – 5 days Central Europe Itinerary

If you have 3 – 5 days on your hands, doing 2 countries will be easy.

For 5 days, opt for Munich (2 days), Prague (1.50 days), and Bratislava (1-day trip) or Munich (1.50 days), Prague (1.50 days), and Salzburg (1.50 days). This way you are covering 3 countries.

For a 3-day visit, explore Munich for 2 days then take a day trip to Salzburg. Or visit Vienna or Budapest for 2 days and then take a day trip to Bratislava.

More 2 week Europe Itinerary samples

Read our 2-week European itinerary samples to other regions,

• Balkans Itinerary : 2 weeks in Balkans itinerary, with or without a car
• Spain, Portugal & Morocco : Spain and Portugal itinerary , with Morocco and/or other European nations

Planning Tips for 2 Week Europe Itinerary 

For your Central Europe trip Itinerary for 2 weeks, here are some of the important travel tips to remember. If you are traveling to Europe for the first time, read our Europe planning tips here

Flights and Travel

Because all 5 countries are located close to each other, you can pretty much start your trip in any country where you find the cheapest flights.

We found it easier to fly to Munich as flight connectivity and schedule options were great from Canada to Germany, as compared to the other countries.

Length of stay

Munich Germany and Austria are not cheap for staying long-term if you are planning for a budget vacation. But Prague, Budapest, and Bratislava are.

We would recommend extending your stay to Prague or Budapest if you do not wish to spend a lot on accommodation in Austria or more than 2 days in Munich. But spend at least 2 days in each to enjoy the city to the fullest. One day will be an injustice to both places.

Read: 3 days in Munich itinerary

Tours, Trains, and Driving

Many of the cities mentioned in this Central Europe Itinerary 2 weeks can be done as separate day tours from one city to another. We have included the list below so that it is easier to review and book.

You need not book a packaged tour, this way it is cheaper and you can better control your trip with some local guidance.

Taking hop-on and hop-off tours for 24 or 48 hours is a great option and we recommend that as we have found these tours to be a convenient way to hit all spots in a short period of time.

We also ignored bus services, where hop-on and hop-off services were located near our hotel (as it was convenient for us). In some cities, you might have to choose a combination of the tour, bus, and a walk.

Driving is always an option. You can use this itinerary for a road trip as well and can extend it to one month and travel at your own pace.

Throughout the itinerary suggestions, we have included train options as well. This was our first trip to Europe and we didn’t utilize much of the inter-country trains, except for the trains in Munich city and intercity.

We explored using a combination of guided tours, day trips, hop-on and-off tours, and individual sightseeing like the Danube cruise or Schönbrunn Palace entry, etc.

Train travel guide – To connect to Central European countries like Prague, Vienna, and Budapest you will not find any Thalys (high-speed) trains. These trains are mostly inter-city or regional trains. They are clean and spacious.

You can travel from Vienna – Prague – Budapest – Vienna or Vienna – Prague – Salzburg – Vienna with a Rail Triangle Pass. These tickets can be purchased online and tickets will be shipped to you. It is issued as a second-class ticket only. The train ticket costs $189 USD per adult traveler.

Prefer a packaged tour? Here are the best Prague Vienna Budapest tours

Travel Documents and Travel Insurance

Non-visa-exempt passport holders can apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to all 5 countries mentioned in this post on Central Europe Itinerary 2 weeks.

If you are visiting only these countries and not leaving the Schengen area to explore London or some of the Eastern European countries, then a single-entry Schengen Visa with the right amount of days will be sufficient. Learn about the Schengen Visa application

Ensure you book the flights, hotels, and activities ahead of time and prior to applying for a visa. Include medical insurance as well, as it is a requirement. Get travel insurance quotes for your trip here

Visitors with US and Canadian passports do not require a visa to enter the country and stay for 90 days; however, from 2025, an online authorization – ETIAS – is required prior to travel. 

Here are some of the additional Europe Travel resources that you will find useful in planning your trip

• More Europe itineraries :  Get itinerary samples for one week in Europe
• European cities : Most beautiful cities in Europe
• Prague in March : Read all about visiting Prague in Spring – March, and April
• Vienna in a day : One day in Vienna
• Austria Destinations : Most beautiful places in Austria
• Budapest in a day : One day in Budapest itinerary
• Hungary Destinations : Best places to visit in Hungary
• Europe in winter : Beautiful places to visit in Europe in winter
• Other Europe Destinations 

Pin: Central Europe Itinerary 2 weeks: Munich Prague Vienna Budapest Bratislava

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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11 Comments

I did the same itinerary (minus Budapest) in two weeks and felt so rushed! Especially in Vienna and Munich, there’s just so much to see! I would love to return to Vienna and stay for a whole week 🙂 (with a side trip to Budapest, of course!)

Your photos are INCREDIBLE. I already wanted to go, but after seeing your pics now I want to go even more! Thanks for including so many helpful details, too.

This is great! I’m doing a two month road trip through Europe and this basically….just solved half of my problems! haha

This Central Europe itinerary is so charming! Love the mix between cities, smaller towns, and destinations I haven’t heard of before. And I love the idea of focusing on a particular region/close set of countries. I’m so excited for my next Europe trip!

I have just booked and wondered what my itinerary would be? and now I have it thank you. Have you gone from Salzburg to Italy we have 4 weeks in total. I will do the first 2 weeks of your itinerary then make our way to Rome. Open to suggestions. Thank you

Hi Tania – thanks for stopping by. I am glad the itinerary was helpful. You can travel from Salzburg to Venice (Italy) in less than 7 hours, via fast train. We have not explored Venice yet, but its on our list, which is our next trip. We thinking of flying to Venice, and then Rome. Keep Rome as a base for take day trips to Florence or Naples.

Happy travels!

I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly enjoy reading everything that is written on your site.Keep the posts coming. I loved it!

That’s great! Thanks so much

Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

This is exactly what we plan on doing next May. Thank You for this post! I have a question if I may…We are a family of 4: 2 adults, 2 teens. Would we do better just renting a car from Munich and returning it in Salzburg, the last stop? It seems that a car would give us the most flexibility to travel between countries… Many thanks… Madelyn

Hi Madelyn,

Yes, you can. Car rental companies charge a ‘cross-border’ fee (it is a different amount for different companies), so I would ask and confirm with the provider. 10 – 20 euros per rental is the usual fee when requesting this option.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip 🙂

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Neil Hughes

Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own..

Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest – 4 Capital Cities in 8 Days

After a moment of madness and maybe too much Google one night, I discovered that it was potentially quite easy to take in 4 European Capitals in around 8 days, quite comfortably.

When I returned from the trip, a few people have asked me for the details and how easy it was to organise. It was a fantastic holiday that believe it or not did not feel rushed and only cost around £450 per person for the entire trip. Considering many operators charge around £900, I thought I would post just how easy it is on here for anyone that is interested in seeing 4 capital cities in 8 days.

All I needed was to make the most of online resources such as Seat61 and Trip Advisor , before planning the trip I always start with the most important aspect which is the flights, so I booked a flight into Prague and a flight home 8 days later from Budapest. That’s the easy part sorted; now it was time to plan our trip.

As we are only spending a couple of days in each city, I only ever have three rules to follow and that’s to book a hotel with free Wi-Fi, free breakfast and most importantly located within a 5 minute walk of an underground or rail station.

My philosophy when arriving in a strange place is simple:

• Buy a 3 day underground travel pass – This will pay for itself and give you the ultimate freedom to anywhere you want to go without constantly searching for loose change.
• Free Wi-Fi is essential when you want to plan your sightseeing or look anything up when your weary feet return to your chosen hotel room at night.
• If you are going to be spending a full day, soaking up a city where the food is also likely to be expensive, it makes sense to start your day with a full belly thanks to the infamous “all you can eat breakfast buffet”

If you can get to and from your hotel with minimal effort, have the safety net of the entire internet at your disposal and awake to a big breakfast, there isn’t much else that can go wrong in my simplistic view of the world.

St Charles Bridge Prague – Mission Impossible Anyone?

Part 1 – Prague

We arrive in mid-afternoon in Prague and immediately took advantage of the best value public transport I have ever used. For just under £1, we hopped on the 119 Airport bus which after a 25 minutes dropped us at the underground station which would take us to within a 2 minute walk from our hotel. Full guide on tickets etc can be found on the Czech Transport website here.

The Raffaello hotel is located next to the I.P.Pavlova metro station, just 500 metres from the central Wenceslas Square so the perfect base for a city break. Essentially you spend very little time in your room so as long as it’s clean with amenities I will be using in an ideal location this is all that I need and after under an hour of leaving the airport we were settled and ready to explore.

Part 2 – Vienna

After a few days in Prague we were ready to move on to Vienna, there are a number of options here such as a midnight train where you can live out your James Bond like fantasy in a sleeper carriage and although it would save on the cost of a night in a hotel, the prospect of arriving at 6am and is not something that appeals to me so instead we opted for a 4 hour bus journey which comes complete with free Wi-Fi and only costs 20 Euros! The best options for this trip are WestBus  or Student Agency   .

To get in the mood for arriving in Vienna, we watched the movie Before Sunrise which follows the two main characters as they wander and discover the city together, the prospect of retracing Jesse and Celine’s footsteps made the journey quite exciting.

Once again upon arrival we purchased a 3 underground travel pass and head to the Star Inn Hotel. The Längenfeld Underground Station (lines U4, U6) is just 100 metres away making this the perfect base and incredibly easy to find.

If you are a movie buff you won’t want to miss the familiar locations used in the Orson Welles classic The Third Man.

Part 3 – Bratislava

A 1 hour train ride away from Vienna is Bratislava, so it would be rude not to pass by the capital of Slovakia whilst we are here. In truth you only need around half a day in this tiny city, so we treated as ourselves to a lazy day and hopped on a train around 11am (tickets can be purchased in advance from here ) and arrived around lunchtime.

The city is quite compact and you can see everything in an afternoon before heading back to your hotel in Vienna.

Part 4 – Budapest

After filling ourselves with the all you can eat breakfast in Vienna we headed to the train station for a 3 hour journey to Budapest. Once again upon arrival, I purchased a 3 day underground travel pass and headed to the Belvedere Hotel which was around a 5 minute walk from the metro station and again a good base.

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is really two cities: Buda and Pest. The Danube River divides the two towns that are really one: Buda + Pest = Budapest. So when planning your iteniery it is is probably worth spending a full day on each side of the Danube.

There is a little known and yet very moving installation, on the banks of the Danube where rows of Jews were tied to each other with their hands and feet tied together, they were instructed told to remove their shoes due to there value at the time.

In order to save bullets the person in the middle was shot, as he fell into the water the others were pulled in with him and drowned! Such a sad and tragic part of history that should never be forgotten and this art installation is both thought provoking and poignant.

This was not in any guide books that I brought with me and was fortunate to have found this after finding it on Trip Advisor. If you were to walk past, you probably wouldn’t even know what it was but when you know the story, it really blows you away.

The easiest way of finding this, is to walk down along side the Danube at the Chain bridge and head towards the Parliament.

As your break comes to an end, you will return with more than a few stories, I won’t bore you all with what to see and do in each of the cities as you will have your own itineraries, but I just wanted to show how incredibly easy this trip is to put together.

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15 comments.

hi – i stumbled upon your post accidentaly looking for info on traveling to this 4 cities as Im planning a trip with my wife for honeymoon. I would appreciate if you could sharemore details about ur trip to my email. thanks

Did the same trip, in reverse. Leave Budapest for last, unless you prefer your dessert first.

Hey do you recommend a eurail pass for getting across these nations in 8-10 days?

I would check out the site seat61.com but I seem to remember that would have been more expensive or wasn’t possible at the time we went. It was an incredibly easy trip to plan though.

Very nicely summarized

hi I came upon your post, me and my fiance are planning to do this trip starting from bratislava to vienna to prague for our honeymoon by the end of jan 2017. I would like to know about the train or bus journeys between the cities. and about the food . do you think they are a resonable price or not?

Bratislava to Vienna only takes an hour and tickets are much cheaper if you buy in advance from http://www.oebb.at/de/ The longest journey is from Vienna to Prague, it takes 4 hours by bus but it only costs 20 Euros ( http://www.westbus.at/de or http://www.studentagencybus.com/en/419_419/STUDENT%20AGENCY%20Prague%20-%20Austria ) and you get free wi-fi so will be no problem. Bratislava and Prague are very reasonable, but Vienna is a little more expensive for food.

thank you so much appreciate it alot!

Hi Neil. Thank you for sharing this trip. Would you kindly share the detais of your itinerary for each city. Please send to me at [email protected] Thank you very much in advance.

Is it possible to begin and end with Vienna? And, include Salzburg and Hallstatt along the way?

I have not done this, but I’m sure with the right planning, it would work out. Seat61 should have everything you need.

Great tips. Do you mind sharing the name of the hotels in all the cities that you stayed in?

hi neil, want two quick info travel from airport to hotel near railways station is by Bus or Train? what is best hotel to stay near railway station for family +2+2

10.7.18. I too stumbled on your blog by pure chance as I intend visiting these 4 cities in Aug & I planned to do exactly as you did. Much much cheaper than Tour companies as they tend to simply dump you in cities.. I have bookedmarked your page and & Je vais la décortiquer.. thanks for spending time doing this.. regards.Lady BP

I did a similar trip recently but I also included Munich and Berlin. When planning the trip I came across these articles that I found really helpful and awesome as they list all the possible ways to travel between the Central European cities. Besides trains and buses it describes many other ways, like car-share, private transfer, one-way tours etc. You’ll find all possible links for booking from there and it even rates each option by cost, ease, time, fun and sightseeing opportunities so anyone can find a form of transport most suited to them with ease. Here is the link to how to get from Prague to Bratislava (and the other way around): https://www.traveller.ee/blog/transfers/how-to-get-from-prague-to-bratislava/ From there you’ll find all the other articles as well. Hope it helps! Happy travels everyone 😉

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Prague Vienna and Budapest

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10 Day Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary Tour

10 days, 4 countries and 5 cities

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Imperial capitals and their captivating history are the highlights on this exciting Prague, Vienna and Budapest trip. You’ll also join a local Hungarian family in their winery for a hearty meal and be spellbound by the stunning views of Charles Bridge and Prague’s Old Town.

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10 days itinerary trip from Prague to Budapest visiting 4 countries and 5 cities

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VIP Admission to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna

Explore Prague, Vienna and Budapest with a Local Specialist

Visit St. Vitus Cathedral and the Old Town Square of Prague, and the old Hungarian capital of Esztergom

View the Castle and Old Town of Bratislava, the Hofburg Palace and Imperial Boulevards of Vienna and the Parliament Building in Budapest

See St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Opera House in Vienna

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Best of Vienna, Budapest and Prague

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• City sightseeing
• Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Customizable
• duration 6 days
• tour type Group Request as private
• age requirement 8-95 yrs
• max group size 35
• guiding method Fully guided
• Tour Code BM-39095

• Starts Vienna, Austria
• Ends Prague, Czech Republic
• Visit the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and walk around the beautiful green gardens in the city
• Take in the breathtaking views of Buda and Pest with a scenic boat ride on the Danube River
• Travel to Bratislava, the “Beauty on the Danube” and a city with an extraordinary Old Town
• Explore the Old Town Square with its colorful baroque buildings in Prague, the Czech capital
• Head on a boat ride on the Vltava River in Prague, often referred to as the "Bohemian Sea"
• Day 1: Vienna Arrival
• Day 2: Vienna
• Day 3: Vienna – Budapest
• Day 4: Budapest – Bratislava – Prague
• Day 5: Prague
• Day 6: Prague –
• 05 nights accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed superior hotels or similar
• Daily breakfast
• Arrival airport transfer
• Transportation in an AC deluxe motorcoach
• Evening transfer included: Grinzing district in Vienna
• Service of Bilingual/English-speaking tour guides
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Vaci Utca in Budapest
• Old Town Square in Prague
• City tour in Vienna, Budapest & Prague
• Boat ride on the Danube River in Budapest
• Boat ride on the Vltava River in Prague
• All currently applicable taxes
• Entrance fees to Prague Castle
• Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities
• Departure transfer to the airport
• Visa fees if applicable
• Items not mentioned as included
• Salim Sadrudin Ratanshi
• On Dec 04 2019
• Lynn Ann Martin
• On Jul 01 2019
• Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
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No additional cancellation fees apply for this Best of Vienna, Budapest and Prague tour. You can cancel the tour up to 78 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 77 days of departure.

For any tour departures within 09 July 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 09 July 2024, a deposit of 30% is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 77 days before trip departure.

Best of Vienna, Budapest and Prague tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.

For this Best of Vienna, Budapest and Prague tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age for children on escorted tours is 8. Minimum age on Safaris is 12. Minimum age for game drives in Kruger National Park (South Africa) is 12. Minimum age for Uganda programs is 15.Please note that many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a person under the age of 18 years will be travelling with an adult other than his/her parents, or with only one parent, a notarized letter, granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel should be carried.

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Tour Prague - Vienna - Budapest - Bratislava - Prague

• Tour description

Number of days: 8 Country/City: Czech Republic/Prague, Austria/Vienna, Hungary/Budapest, Slovakia/Bratislava This wonderful budget round-trip tour, we do recommend for those, who want to see highlights of Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava - seven nights of accommodation at three and four star hotels and pensions, English speaking escort and drivers, transport and guide service, the wide list of optional cultural, art, food tours, including tailor-made tours.  

1st day: Arrival to Prague Meeting at the airport/railway station/another hotel and the private transfer to your hotel are upon your request. Check-in at the hotel. Evening at leisure or you could order the optional tour - the Vltava river Dinner cruise or the Czech folk Dinner (folk show, traditional Czech 4-course menu, unlimited drink (water, non-alcohol, beer, wine), welcome drink). Overnight in Prague.

2nd day: Prague After breakfast, pick up at the hotel and departure for Prague City tour (bus and walking). Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with its more than thousand years old history and architecture, you will see the New Town with Wenceslas Square, National Museum, view of Prague Castle, Lesser Town, Kampa Island and walking across Charles Bridge, the courtyards of Prague Castle, the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town Square with it's Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall Tower and Týn Church. Optionally, you can also visit the Jewish Town. Usually, the sightseeing city tour ends at the Old Town Square or at the Wenceslas Square. The afternoon is by your own, you will have a chance to do some shopping and serve your lunch or dinner in one of charming traditional or international restaurants. You can optionally order the visit of the UNESCO listed town Kutna Hora with it’s St.Barbora Cathedral and Old Town, the nature reserve of Czech Karst with its Koneprusy caves (tour length 620 m/533 stairs/ duration: 50-60 min/ average air temperature: 10,5 °C/ air humidity: 96-100 %, the top level housed a 15th century secret workshop of money forgers, the caves can boast of unique opal-bearing decorations, as well as numerous paleontological excavations, documenting the history of Earth Nature of the past 1.5 million years) and Nizbor Glass Factory (the Rückl Family Glassworks has produced top-quality cut crystal since 1846 and the Nizbor facility produces exclusive hand-made works using time-tested glassmaking techniques, particularly focused on master glass-cutting). Take the time for: the State Opera and the National Theatre or the Black Theatre performance, Alfons Mucha museum, Prague Jazz or Rock Club , Czech folk evening , boat Vltava River cruise , Old Prague Ghost tour. Overnight in Prague .

3rd day: Prague – Vienna Departure towards to Vienna (approx. 305 km, 4,5 hours). On the way to Vienna, you will enjoy the beautiful countryside of South Bohemia or Moravia. Check in is upon arrival to Vienna and departure for Vienna City Tour . You will see the main and famous sights of the Austrian capital within Ringstrasse boulevard - the State Opera House, the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, the Parliament, the Burgtheater, the City Hall and the University, the walking tour of Vienna Old town. Evening - at leisure or by your own plan. There are a couple options to enjoy Viennesse night life - Mozart and Strauss Concert at one of the most exclusive and splendid buildings of Vienna, Viennesse Dinner, Opera Theatre performance or the Theme boat cruise. Overnight in Vienna.

4th day:  Vienna Vienna at leisure or you could enjoy one of optional tours to visit a bit more places of Austria, the half day tour to see the famous Vienna Woods or the full day tour to Salzburg. Your half-day visit of the southern part of the Vienna Woods will include - Castle Liechtenstein, the largest subterranean lake in Europe Seegrotte, the romantic valley Helenental and the former Mayerling hunting lodge where Crown Prince Rudolph together with Baronesse Vetsera tragically died in 1889, the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz (1133), the Roman City of Baden famous for its thermal springs. Your full day visit of Salzburg city (UNESCO) includes the visit of the St.Wolfgang lake (you can take the boat trip of Wolfgangsee from St.Wolfgang to St.Gilgen, the boat trip takes approx. 50 min), the brief visit of Melk (an important cultural and spiritual center of Austria - to see the Abbey, photo stop) and the visit of Salzburg with its old town, the numerous bridges crossing the River Salzach, Fortress Hohensalzburg, the Salzburg ‘Dom’ cathedral, the Old Residence, Getreidegasse, Mozart’s birthplace, St. Peter’s Abbey and its impressive graveyard, the Franciscan Church, the University Church, the festival district of the city features the large festival hall, the ‘Haus für Mozart’ (previously known as the smaller festival hall) and the ‘Felsenreitschule’, hewn into the mountainside. Evening - at leisure or by your own plan. There are a couple options to enjoy Viennesse night life - Mozart and Strauss Concert at one of the most exclusive and splendid buildings of Vienna, Viennesse Dinner, Opera Theatre performance or the Theme boat cruise. Overnight in Vienna.

5th day: Vienna – Budapest After breakfast and check out, pick up at the hotel and the visit of the Schoenbrunn Palace and Park area (UNESCO). The whole ensemble, including the palace and the park with its numerous architectural features, fountains, statues and zoo, the oldest of its kind in the world is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. After then, the departure towards to Budapest (approx. 280 km, 3,5 hours). Upon arrival to the city of Budapest and check-in: Budapest City Tour . You will see the impressive neo-gothic house of Parliament, the Royal Castle, the Fishermen’s' bastion, the Matthias church, Royal Gardens, the City-park, the Heroes' square, the Opera and St Stephen's Basilica, the Danube River and its bridges, the Liberty Bridge (originally called the Franz Joseph Bridge), the Margaret bridge and Elisabeth bridge, the Chain bridge. Evening is by your own or you could take one of optional special dinners, for example, Hungarian Folk Dinner or Danube River Dinner cruise. Hungarian Folk Dinner includes the Hungarian-style dinner, wine tasting and the folk gypsy live program at the Hungarian style restaurant. Danube River Dinner cruise includes boat trip and Hungarian buffet with or without live music of popular operettas, operas and Hungarian folk dances in spectacular costumes. Overnight in Budapest.

  6th day: Budapest  Budapest at leisure or you could enjoy one of optional tours to visit a bit more places of Hungary, the half day tour of picturesque Artist's Village called Szentendre or the full day tour to the famous Hungarian spa and the largest thermal lake in Central Europe, Balaton Lake. Take the time to visit the Hungarian Parliament or the Central Market Hall (free), then cross the Liberty Bridge to visit the Cave Church, located inside Gellért Hill in a natural cave system formed by thermal springs (free) and take the lunch in the famous Gundel restaurant (€20pp for 3-course menu and one glass of Gundel wine, serve from noon till 15.00) or enjoy the cup of tea/coffee with desert in the heart of Budapest, on Vörösmarty Square, at the popular old Gerbeaud Café and confectionary (antique furniture, old family recipes) (cup of tea/coffee with slice of cake - from € 10pp). Evening is by your own or you could take one of optional special dinners, for example, Hungarian Folk Dinner or Danube River Dinner cruise. Hungarian Folk Dinner includes the Hungarian-style dinner, wine tasting and the folk gypsy live program at the Hungarian style restaurant. Danube River Dinner cruise includes boat trip and Hungarian buffet with or without live music of popular operettas, operas and Hungarian folk dances in spectacular costumes. Overnight in Budapest.

7th day: Budapest - Bratislava - Prague We will leave Budapest in the morning to keep the time for the visit of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia (it takes ~2,5hours, 205km to reach Bratislava and ~2,5hours, 205km to reach Prague). Bratislava is medieval city with thousand-year history and unusual atmosphere, architecture in a Baroque style, between 1563 and 1830 years the city was a place of crowning of the Hungarian kings. Bratislava – free walking time or lunch break. Upon arrival to Prague, check in and Prague at leisure. You can optionally order the Czech folk Dinner (folk show, traditional Czech 4-course menu, unlimited drink (water, non-alcohol, beer, wine), welcome drink) or visit a several typical Czech restaurants to taste the real Czech beer. Evening - take the time for art and culture events - the State Opera and the National Theatre or the Black Theatre performance, Prague Jazz or Rock Club , Czech folk evening , Jazz boat Vltava River cruise , Old Prague Ghost tour. Overnight in Prague.

  8th day: Prague, departure day After breakfast and check out, pick up at the hotel and the transfer to the airport/railway station/another hotel. Stop travel service. If you will leave the city of Prague in the afternoon or evening, you could visit one of Czech medieval Castles (Karlstejn, Konopiste) or UNESCO listed town of Cesky Krumlov and its brewery Eggenberg or travel with our bus to the German city Dresden to visit the famous Old Masters Gallery with the “Sistine Madonna” or the world’s largest porcelain collection or the collection of former crown jewels in the Green Vault, and then, go to the airport for the departure. 

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation at 3 and 4star hotels in Prague, Vienna, Budapest
• BB,SNGL/DBL/TWIN/TRPL accommodation
• English speaking escort / another language is upon request
• English speaking guides / another language is upon request
• Private bus transfers between cities

Price excludes:

• Entrance fees
• Arrival and departure transfers from/to Prague airport
• Flight and Train tickets
• Travel health insurance

Price: per person / in room / for package

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Vienna, Prague and Budapest

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Wonderful architecture spanning the centuries, vast imperial palaces, ancient castles and a rich cultural heritage. This trio of fine central European cities is brimming with delights, and our guided tours of Prague, Vienna and Budapest (plus a Danube river cruise) reveal the best of them. We begin by exploring Prague, including the famous 14th-century Charles Bridge, adorned with baroque statues. In Vienna, we visit treasures including the world-renowned State Opera and Schönbrunn Palace. Finally, in Budapest, we tour both sides of the Danube, including the immense Buda Castle and beautiful Parliament buildings.

Included with every escorted tour

• VIP door-to-door travel service
• Knowledgeable tour managers
• Included excursions
• Selected meals and international flights
• 9 breakfasts

Accommodation

9 nights in hotels

Travel in destination by coach

Excursions and visits

• Guided tours of Prague and Prague Castle (including St George’s Basilica, Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane); Vienna; and Budapest (including funicular ride to Buda Castle Hill)
• Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace
• Visit Bratislava
• Evening cruise on the Danube

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Escorted tour moderate

From £ 2,165.5 per person - £ 2,395

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Duration: 10 days

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As our trip involves a few cities so hope it’s ok to mention them all here. Or perhaps I should also post in the other cities’ forum?

Would like to ask everyone if the number of night in each city justifies? We’re 6 adults 1st time to these cities. We would like to visit main sights, Christmas markets, beautiful sights, sunrise sunsets if have, morning or flea markets. Minimal museums.

We had planned 3N Salzburg as a base. We are considering visiting Zell am See-Kaprun to see Austrian Alps.

Had also read that it is advisable to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in a big city so that restaurants and some sights are open, would this be the case? Which is why we are thinking Salzberg 3N over Eve and Christmas. 25th itself perhaps day trip to Zell am See-Kaprun. Or perhaps there is a better alternative for Eve and Christmas?

Would be grateful for advice on train connections & discount tickets too since there are a lot of city hopping. So far I’ve checked OBB site and it has all the connections. Or perhaps I should check out other train sites?

2 replies to this topic

Also, your trip to Zell am See is right around Christmas time and most things are closed on Christmas day and the afternoon of Christmas eve! So, if you do want to experience the Alps, why not forego your trip to Innsbruck and Stay a night or two in Zell? A couple of Christmases ago, we stayed in Zell for Christmas at a hotel which had half pension (breakfast and evening meal) which eliminated the need to find a restaurant which was opened or not booked out. We stayed at the Gruner Baum which is right in the pedestrian zone in town. https://www.gruener-baum.at/en/

As for the train tickets, I would book point to point rather than get a train pass. You could book through OBB and get the good value sparschiene tickets (book 3 months in advance to get the best prices) but you have to remember they have restrictions like having to catch a particular train and no cancellations. You may find the tickets a bit cheaper if you go to the Czech and Hungarian train sites. You could also compare your fares with the German train company DB Bahn.

https://www.oebb.at/en/

https://int.bahn.de/en

https://www.cd.cz/en/

https://www.mavcsoport.hu/en

I recommend you buy first class tickets (not that much more) and with 6 travelers, seat reservations if you want to be together.

Salzburg isn't really a large city, but there will be enough to do and see during the Christmas holidays. If you want to have some more entertainment, then bigger cities like Vienna may be more suitable.

How to travel between these cities has been covered here on TA many times by now, which is why you may want to use the forum's search function in order to find one of the numerous threads that already exist. I would also simply browse through the relevant subforums and read through comments that may be of interest.

http://www.wien.info

http://www.salzburg.info

http://www.austria.info

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Getting the Train Between Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna

• Austria , Europe , Hungary , Rail Travel , Slovakia
• Updated: February 1, 2024

Let me start by saying this information also applies for those wishing to do this route the opposite way around by starting in Vienna and ending in Budapest. The only reason I opted to begin in Budapest was simply because it worked out cheaper and the flight times were better.

Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna travel guide

This route is good for you if…

You’re strapped for time but want to experience a marriage of countries, endless culture and truly inspiring architecture. This route delivers that from start to finish. 

It’s also perfect if your preferred mode of transport is rail (it’s definitely mine).

Recommended length of nights in each city

It obviously depends on what your interests are and how much time you have to play around with, but generally speaking I suggest the following:

Budapest: 3 nights Bratislava: 2 nights Vienna: 3 nights

If you have another day going spare I would suggest spending it in Vienna, especially if you like museums. Austria’s capital is a mecca for art and undoubtedly one of Europe’s most elegant capital cities .

Though if you’re concerned about your budget, spending longer in Vienna might not be financially viable, so in that case choose Budapest which is a crowd-pleaser no matter what your interests are. On the flip side, if you need to reduce your itinerary by a day then take it from Bratislava since it’s much smaller than Budapest and Vienna and doesn’t have as many attractions.

Map of rail journey

A trio of europe's closest capital cities.

It’s not often you’re able to explore three capital cities so close to each other. In fact, it’s a nice bit of trivia to know Vienna and Bratislava are Europe’s closest capital cities with a distance of only 67 km between them. The River Danube flows through the cities which also makes travelling by boat an easy option.

Break-down of the train journeys

• Budapest Keleti Station – Bratislava (Duration: 2h 45m, price: 17 Euros)
• Bratislava – Vienna/Wien Hauptbahnhof (Duration: 1h, price: 12 Euros)
• Vienna/Wien Mitte – Airport (Duration: 15m, price: 14 Euros)

I thought the price I paid for the tickets between Budapest and Bratislava, and Bratislava and Vienna was superb value. If you ask me, it’s in stark contrast to the purse-shrinking cost of travel within the UK.

If I factor in affordability and my desire to see more of Eastern Europe, I’ll definitely be planning more train journeys for my future travels.

During this trip I met a group of guys who were travelling from Budapest by train to Zagreb on a 7-hour train journey. We kept in touch and one of them sent me a text message to say it was a really scenic journey and well worth the time. On another occasion, I learnt from a Ukrainian living in Bratislava that he occasionally takes the overnight train to Lviv for 25 Euros – I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to hop on a train so quickly!

If you’d like to explore these possible routes then I suggest starting your trip in Vienna before moving in an easterly direction.

Would I recommend this train journey for solo travellers?

Without a doubt, yes! When you’re travelling solo and don’t have another person to rely on if you’re lost, or need reassurance that you’re heading in the right direction, it can feel daunting, but this trip is super straightforward.

It doesn’t require any change of trains en route and all stations are within walking distance from the city centre.

It’s reassuring to know that each city is simple to navigate but for different reasons. In Budapest you can mark your current location against the city’s three very large bridges so it’s easy to gather your bearings. Bratislava is quite small so it’s hard to get lost and you can reach everywhere by foot. Finally, Vienna has an excellent metro system so you can get from A to B really easily.

In terms of safety, I found the people in each place helpful and friendly, and at no point did I feel uncomfortable. I met some lovely people along the way, including a kind-hearted girl called Agnes in Budapest who showed me around the city and fed me gelato, and in Bratislava I met an artist called Jozef who took me to see the beautiful ruins of Devin Castle and we also went berry picking!

Should you book your train tickets in advance?

I didn’t, I just rocked up at the train station and hoped for the best. If I did this trip again I would book my tickets in advance because I had to wait in a quite long queue in Budapest which ate into the time I had allocated for sightseeing in Bratislava. You can prebook tickets via the Trainline: www.thetrainline.com

It will probably would out a bit cheap by booking in advance too.

Best things to do in Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna

These are the main highlights to give you an overall impression and hopefully liven your interest. Make sure to click on the ‘further reading’ links to more detailed itineraries and recommendation for each destination.

• Marvel at the Parliament Building’s gothic architecture. It will leave a huge impression on you. If I close my eyes, I can still see it vividly.
• Head to the Citadel for panoramic views of the city.
• Marvel at the architecture of Fishermen’s Bastion and enjoy sweeping views of the city
• Enjoy Buda Castle and National Gallery.
• Stroll along the Danube and pay homage to the war memorial, ‘Shoes on the Danube Bank’.
• Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Accommodation in Budapest: For a lovely and stylish, reasonably priced, centrally located hotel stay at Hotel Moments Budapest .

Tours in Budapest: Looking for a guided tour of the Parliament building, spa package or river cruise? Take a look at what’s available to book in Budapest here .

Further reading : 3 Days in Budapest and  The Beautiful Buildings of Budapest .

• Explore the pretty Old Town with its cobbled streets and narrow alleyways.
• Day trip to Devin Castle.
• Walk across the UFO bridge.
• Check out the Blue Church.
• Visit the Slovak National Gallery.

Accommodation in Bratislava : Hotels in Bratislava are comparatively cheaper than Budapest and Vienna. Your money goes further so you might want to treat yourself to somewhere a little fancier than usual. If that’s the case Marrol’s Boutique Hotel offers a 5-star experience.

Further reading : 10 Interesting Things to Do in Bratislava (Besides Drinking!)

• Visit Schonbrunn Palace and its exquisite gardens.
• Explore the city’s museum quarter (Leopold Museum is a must for lovers of Egon Schiele and Klimt!).
• Enjoy the Opera or head to one of the city’s theatres.
• Relax along the canal or one of the city’s many parks, there’s even one named Sigmund Freud Park!
• Capture the multicoloured splendour of Hundertwasserhaus , an unconventional building with uneven floors, unique windows and a rooftop garden – needs to be seen to be believed.

Accommodation in Vienna : If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, look no further than  Superbude Wien Prater located next to Prater Park. Its quirky yet stylish and comfortable interior will enhance any stay in Vienna.

→ Search all hotels in Vienna

Tours in Vienna: Looking for theatre tickets, queue jumps or a grand tour of Schonbrunn Palace? Take a look at what’s available to book in Vienna here .

Further reading: 18 Essential Things to do in Vienna .

If you have any questions about this train journey, Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna, let me know in the comment box below and I’ll try my best to answer.

Are you thinking about doing a European rail journey?

For more inspiration, here’s another rail trip holiday itinerary which I loved, and can personally recommend:  Getting the Train Between Granada, Cordoba & Seville in Andalucia . 

Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

21 Responses

Did the reverse of this route last year and LOVED it! Only spent 2, 1 and 2 nights in each city, but at my travelling speed it worked out, although I definitely would not mind returning to Budapest! I’m pretty shocked about the insanely steep fare for the airport shuttle though, as there’s also a slightly slower local S-Bahn train (23 minutes) that will take you there for €3.90!

Haha… with the speed you travel I bet you still saw more than I did Wesley!! Glad you loved this journey too, I’d recommend it to anyone as it has a little bit of everything – beauty, culture, nightlife.

Ahhhhh thanks for the tip re: S-Bahn train, I’ll update my post. I think living in London has now skewed what I think is affordable or not. Even otherwise expensive things look cheap compared to London. I need to remind myself occasionally!

This looks like a great way to see the three cities Shing! I definitely haven’t travelled around enough by train! The ruins of Devin castle look amazing – I don’t think I saw that – where was it? Also you accidentally must have forgotten seeing the horses on your list of things to do in Vienna 😉

I haven’t travelled enough by train within Europe, but this trip made me realise how easy, fun and potentially affordable it is! Let’s do some train travelling together 😉

The ruins of Devin castle is located in a small nearby town approximately 15-20 minutes by bus from Bratislava – it’s the perfect day trip.

Haha oops… I did accidentally forget to include the horses. My bad 😉

You can save quite a bit if you take a regular train to Vienna airport. 14€ for CAT are unneccesary just to save a few minutes.

Thanks, I’ll add this piece of information into the article.

Id definitely do this in future – a fourth city to throw in is Brno in Czech Republic. I’ve not been, but would love to, and it’s only a couple of hours north of Bratislava.

I saw quite a few signs for Brno Richard! I’m definitely interested in going too… ahhh so many options but so little time and money!

The great thing about this itinerary is you can easily add more places to the journey if you wish.

‘Love the article and totally agree!

I live in Berlin and as a result, I can afford to take my time as Hungary, Slovakia & Austrai, aren’t “too” far away lol! I went to Budapest & Prague by train last year, and of course, it’s easy peasy. I’m going to Bratislava very soon, and I’m taking my husband to Vienna for his birthday. And because the prices are more than reasonable, we’re going by first class train!

Great photos by the way Shing!

I’ve said it before, but I say it again, you’re so lucky to live in Berlin Victoria! Not least because it’s an amazing city, but also because you’re so close to so many other cities and countries!

Ooou first class by train is a nice treat to incorporate into your hubby’s birthday present. Enjoy Vienna!

Staying in Vienna for 3 days. Was thinking of taking a day trip to Bratislava and Budapest (both in 1 day). Is that feasible knowing that Bratislava is very small?

Hi Rovie, I’m really sorry I missed your question. I hope you had a fantastic trip to Vienna. What did you end up doing in the end? I would have thought seeing both cities would be quite the challenge so I’m curious to know whether you did, in fact, manage it in the end?

Also, is it advisable to rent a car to visit the 2 cities?

Hi Shing. I like to do same trip with my wife in October. May be in other direction. Can you advise on, 1. What is the train journey like for scenery ? I am after scenic rail trip. 2. What are typical traveller costs like in these 3 cities ? Is it similar to UK or lower as I expect or expensive like Geneva. Thx

Hi Faruq, I’m really sorry I didn’t manage to answer your question on time. I hope you had a fantastic trip with your wife. In case anyone reading this article has the same question, I thought I would briefly reply. 1) The train journey between Budapest and Bratislava is quite pretty, but not comparative to a rail journey in somewhere like Norway or Switzerland. 2) Budapest and Bratislava are cheap much, much cheaper than the UK. However, expect to pay more in Vienna, I would say it’s similar to London though, perhaps, still slightly less.

Hi Shing, I will be starting Budapest – Bratislava – Vienna – Prague. The 2hr45min travel from Budapest – Bratislava is by railtrain or bus? I can not find a rail train option to buy tickets online. Thanks!

Hi Clinton, sorry for the late reply. If you’ve already been on your trip, I hope you had a fabulous time. If not, it might still be worth saying I travelled by train and bought my ticket at the main train station without pre-booking. It was quite disorganised and I had to wait a while….

Hi Shing, I will be in Prague for business travel and have 2 weekends (14-15 July 2018) and (21-22 July 2018) whereby I would like to visit the neighbouring countries. What is your suggestion? Not sure if I can cover Budapest – Bratislava and Vienna in 2 days.

Hi Cornelia, I’m sorry for the delayed response! It would be impossible to cover Budapest and Bratislava and Vienna in 2 days, so I would suggest two nights in Vienna with a day trip to Bratislava. I wrote wrote a blog about things to do in Vienna which you might find useful: http://www.theculturemap.com/things-to-do-see-in-vienna/

In regards to the Czech Republic, I’ve only been to Prague so I can’t offer too much insight, but I’ve heard great things about Cesky Krumlov and Sedlec Ossuary (the incredible church made of bones) which are both near Prague. Or you could hop on the train to Brno, the county’s second largest city.

Have a wonderful time!!

Thanks for the interesting post! I was thinking of spending a long-weekend in Vienna in November/December, however, having seen the closeness of the three cities on google maps I thought it would be a good idea to spend some time and city-hop between the three!

Despite having read about the good train links, on the trainline website it says that the Budapest – Bratislavia route is serviced by a bus or ‘Flexibus’ to be precise. I notice your post is from 2016 but I was wondering if you knew why this was / if the train service is still running? It seems very unlikely that a train service between two capital cities would stop running! Many thanks!

Hello Shing,

My friend and I will be doing the route same as you that is Budapest-Bratislava-Vienna. In Budapest now they are using Nyugati Train Station for Bratislava, right?

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