NFT: Planning a trip to Prague, Budapest, Vienna

That is the trip I would like to go on in the Fall.

I wish I can offer assistance but I may have to ask you for advice in a few months.

Have a fantastic adventure!!

You should have no issues finding someone who speak English.
If you have an extra day I would suggesting stopping in Bratislava, it Between Vienna and Budapest on the Danube. You can take a boat to get there in about 2 or 3 hours. Some people just do a day trip from Vienna but if you are going to Budapest there's no point in back tracking. I then took a train on to Budapest.

and drove all over Austria, Germany and CZ last summer. Best thing I've ever done in my life. If you have the means, driving yourself is the way to go. It opens up literally everything.

Haven't been to Budapest but Prague and Vienna were amazing.

I strongly recommend going to the Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches) in Vienna and seeing an authentic classical music concert performance in the Imperial Hall of the Vienna Royal Orchestra.

Thanks for the tip! Should I expect any problems driving a rental between countries?


In comment 13474134 Homersimpson said:

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and drove all over Austria, Germany and CZ last summer. Best thing I've ever done in my life. If you have the means, driving yourself is the way to go. It opens up literally everything.

Salzburg isn't out of the question! Yes, I will get my fill of classical music while there! Did you go between Prague and Vienna during the same trip? And if so, how did you get between the two?


In comment 13474137 NYGmen58 said:

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Haven't been to Budapest but Prague and Vienna were amazing. I strongly recommend going to the Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches) in Vienna and seeing an authentic classical music concert performance in the Imperial Hall of the Vienna Royal Orchestra.

Taxis there are a complete rip-off. They are the only expensive thing in Prague, except for maybe a few of the fancier restaurants or prettier girls (but I didn't partake in the latter.) It's a very walk-able city so I would recommend staying somewhere centrally located (near Valclav Square) and walking or taking the tram/bus.

English is widespread but you may run into a few older people (70+) who don't speak it. I found most people were fluent or at least conversational.

The airport is about 30-40 minutes outside of the city. There are multiple options to get to the center of Prague.
-Short bus to metro, metro to city center station
-Direct bus from airport city center
-Prague Airport Transfers. Like their Super Shuttle, you must pre-book but it's very cheap (under $10pp) and they can drop you off at one of a few locations in the city.

Prague is pretty westernized, especially in the more touristy areas. Be prepared to drink a lot of beer (it's literally cheaper than bottled water or Coke.) Most bars don't have a selection, just light or dark. We took a full-day city tour that hit most of the main attractions including Prague Castle.

take the train from the airport to the city. Is very cheap and the terminal is at the airport. In Vienna, a taxi should be fine. Don't know about Hungary.

Word of caution - do not take a taxi in the Czech republic. Heard too many horror stories about being grossly overcharged or even threatening to hold luggage ransom unless cash was exchanged. Buses and trains are very easily accessible and very cheap. The train or bus from the airport to the city center will be 2 Euro for the bus and 4 for the train.

what Pete said:)

no problem crossing borders. Sometimes you don't even know you do. You'll need a little sticker to ride the highways (like an EZPass) but our car came affixed with it.

I second Salzburg, too. And while you're there, Berchtesgaden is only 30 minutes away. Well worth your drive.

the roads in eastern Europe.

in Budapest (my favorite of the three, but don't ask why).

We went with another couple in 2002 -- so long ago I can't remember other useful information.

We did take a day cruise up the Danube to a castle/cathedral that was worthwhile.

In comment 13474149 The General said:

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Salzburg isn't out of the question! Yes, I will get my fill of classical music while there! Did you go between Prague and Vienna during the same trip? And if so, how did you get between the two? In comment 13474137 NYGmen58 said: Quote: Haven't been to Budapest but Prague and Vienna were amazing. I strongly recommend going to the Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches) in Vienna and seeing an authentic classical music concert performance in the Imperial Hall of the Vienna Royal Orchestra.

Took a train, it was pretty fast and efficient. Do NOT skip out on Salzburg. It was my favorite place in Europe!

But if possible and while you're in the general region, I recommend checking out Krakow.

Train and bus travel is really easy and not prohibitively expensive, but you may want to consider driving. It's not the ordeal you might think it is, and you'd have the opportunity to stop in whatever historic village you pass to see some random-ass castle or keep.

In comment 13474134 Homersimpson said:

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and drove all over Austria, Germany and CZ last summer. Best thing I've ever done in my life. If you have the means, driving yourself is the way to go. It opens up literally everything.

Or, what he said.

in Prague or Vienna.

I went after college and had little money. Prague was great in that regard. The whole town was just dirt cheap. Half liters of pilsner were US$ 0.25, and 40% off at happy hour. My recollection is that there was something to watch out for there with respect to tips at restaurants. I'd just get travel books for each city.

If so, chances are probably 80% that some females will approach you in Budapest acting as though they're from out of town (a nearby town), trying to find a club, and will then invite you to a bar. You'll notice that they sure seem to know specifically where to go despite their claims of being out of town and this will raise alarm bells, but they're cute and they've strategically places some space between you and your travelling companion so you let it slide. When you arrive at your destination, you'll notice a rather shady and rather large guy sitting at the entrance and will think, "Oh shit, that thing I read about in Fodor's might be happening RIGHT NOW." The girls will then say that you should all enjoy a traditional Hungarian drink, and you'll ask to see a menu. The bartender will comply with suspicious reluctance, and you'll notice that the drinks cost roughly 120 dollars a piece. You'll then politely say you can't afford it and get the fuck out of there.

That these kinds of threads are just the OP's way of bragging? A long island guy i think.

In comment 13474166 Homersimpson said:

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no problem crossing borders. Sometimes you don't even know you do. You'll need a little sticker to ride the highways (like an EZPass) but our car came affixed with it. I second Salzburg, too. And while you're there, Berchtesgaden is only 30 minutes away. Well worth your drive.

interesting... would be prudent still to check with the rental agency about border crossings. Last time I tried to rent in Lithuania, there's been additional fees to allow the car to be taken cross-border.

there is an issue with crossing borders. If you rent from the major car companies in Germany, you cannot go into Eastern Europe - well, you can, but if anything happens, you're stuck for it.

If you rent a car in CZ, I think you're OK to take it elsewhere.

+ How is transportation/taxi within these cities?

Prague has above ground trolleys into the city center, but i think it's on foot after that. Budapest is taxi and a very old limited subway system. Vienna had a pretty good subway iirc.

+ How likely am I to run into people who speak English?

No problem in all of them, although its less likely with the older generation.

+ How about trains between each city? Is it easy/costly?

Flew in and out of Budapest. Train is really easy for the other two.

+ Any general touristy tips? Any customs I should be aware of?

Prague has some awesome pub crawls including supposedly the largest nightclub in Europe. Easy to walk the city center. Check out the communist museum. Great cheep beer.

Budapest also has great cheap beer. Just a fun vibe at night and lots of bars places to eat. Check out the szczesny baths. So relaxing!

Vienna has a nice music museum if you're into that. Lots of sidewalk cafes and wine bars from what I remember. Fwiw I preferred Salzburg and it is a totally different city.

when we crossed into Switzerland, we needed to stop at the border and buy a little sticker for their country...it was like 20 bucks.

FatMan is correct, though...make sure you chat with the car rental people about it beforehand. They took pretty good care of us.

Vienna unfortunately not long enough. Be careful of pickpockets in Prague and the taxis are mobbed up and do not expect any help from the police I was told. Used a reputable tour company for sightseeing in and around Prague. As others have said, if you can get a centralized hotel in Prague 1, that will keep you within walking distance of many of the places you will want to see

Thank you everyone for chiming in! Very useful info.

In comment 13474611 widmerseyebrow said:

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+ How is transportation/taxi within these cities? Prague has above ground trolleys into the city center, but i think it's on foot after that. Budapest is taxi and a very old limited subway system. Vienna had a pretty good subway iirc.

Really? I thought I had memories of Prague having a subway system.

In comment 13475579 santacruzom said:

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In comment 13474611 widmerseyebrow said: Quote: + How is transportation/taxi within these cities? Prague has above ground trolleys into the city center, but i think it's on foot after that. Budapest is taxi and a very old limited subway system. Vienna had a pretty good subway iirc. Really? I thought I had memories of Prague having a subway system.

I'm not so sure about old town. I could be wrong (went in 2010) but in any case I'd say you wouldnt need it to get around once you get there.

if so, do you know?