<p>To all the seasoned travellers on CC, please advise a student who has barely travelled and has never been to europe on how to plan for 2 weeks in eastern europe at the end of July/beginning of August. It will be a solo trip and i chose these 3 cities because i’ve read great things about it, it’s relatively cheap (although not Vienna?) and because it is closest to go to from Slovenia which is where i’ll be for 3 weeks before i set off on my own. This is the plan but i’m open to any and all suggestions because i really have no idea. </p>
<p>Most important thing i would like to ask is how much i should budget for the 2 weeks- accommodation, food, travel between the 3 cities. How much would hostels be? How much is the train? I plan on taking the train but are flights cheaper? any other forms of transportation? </p>
<p>What are the luggage restrictions for such travel? I will be taking basically my life with me because right after the trip i will go on a study abroad program, is that going to be a big problem?</p>
<p>How many days should i spend in each city? </p>
<p>I’ve looke at some sites for costs, hostels, etc but it’s very overwhelming and there’s so much information and different estimates on things. The collective CC wisdom would be much appreciated. The goal is to travel on the LOWEST COST possible (although i see it’s on peak season) so any specific hostel suggestions, ways to save on food, etc would be VERY welcomed. ;)</p>
<p>Since the most important thing you say you’re looking for is a suggested budget for the 3 cities, you might do better asking on the student forum. Most of us on the parents cafe don’t do hostels anymore! We served our time…</p>
<p>I have not been to Vienna, but I have spent time in both Prague and Buda and Pest. Personally, I would go back to Prague in a heartbeat. I loved it. If you appreciate music, Prague is a haven. If you need to save money, go to the farmers market (next to the building where Mozart used to stay) and buy fruit and veggies there for lunches.<br>
Try to get a walking tour of the sites of the Velvet Revolution, it will be worth your money. Prague is very walkable, and for outlying sites they have a well run and cheap metro system. The beer is good and cheap (home of pilsners, I believe) and you’ll find potatoes and sauerkraut are dominant local food choices. I happen to love saurkraut, so I was happy. </p>
<p>Budapest is nice. Most people enjoy it, but I would spend less time there. My husband loved Budapest, but still preferred Prague also. If at all possible, take a river cruise at night when all the lights are lit. There are a lot of boats that do this, so you’re sure to find one in your budget. </p>
<p>I suggest getting a Rick Steves book and seeing what he recommends for travel and hotels.</p>
<p>Vienna is going to cost you. Perhaps you can go somewhere else if you need a third place? Lesser known cities can be quite charming also. I agree wholeheartedly with hayden: Prague is much much more beautiful and interesting than Budapest, although Budapest is fine, too. You can also consider visiting fewer places, and then seeing more in-depth. It could be cheaper this way, and certainly less annoying if you are schlepping lots of luggage. Or you can stay in one spot and do daytrips. When you say you will be carrying everything with you, I get concerned. How much will that be? You don’t want to be hauling more than one large and one small bag on the European trains. It can be quite difficult dealing with large bags on these trains, sometimes the luggage racks are full.</p>
<p>As far as expenses, I’m sorry, but I haven’t backpacked and hosteled across Europe since 1987. My train and Prague experience is recent, tho.</p>
<p>I can’t help you with the cost factor because I got to go free on a trip my friend won (lucky me!!) and we only went to Prague and Vienna. I agree though that Prague was spectacular and I think you could do all the cool stuff there in 3 days. </p>
<p>I was actually really looking forward to Vienna more than Prague but found the Vienna to be very stuffy and the people not nearly as friendly. It is more expensive and I enjoyed our trip out of the city more than the city itself. The folks in Prague seemed like they were so happy to have us there and couldn’t wait to show us their city and culture. The food was delicious too!</p>
<p>Several folks on our tour spent a few days in Budapest afterwards as it was very easy to get there by train (also how we got to Vienna from Prague) and they very much enjoyed it so I think those three cities are a common combination. </p>
<p>I second the Rick Steve’s idea-he gives excellent tips on traveling on a budget. I’m not one for staying in hostels either, but I’m all for making my money go farther.</p>
<p>I just got back from 6 days in Prague (D is doing study abroad there). It was very inexpensive - meals for around $5, $7 if you add a beer. There are many hostels around. We paid $85 a night for a nice tourist hotel, so I’m sure the hostels will be very cheap. Also, if you stay in a hostel you’ll meet kids from all over the world. I would suggest 3 days for best sightseeing - Prague Castle, Old Town, Jewish Quarter. If you stay near Old Town or Wenceslas Square, everything is walkable. D reports lots of club-life. She likes the 5 story club next to Charles Bridge. Oh, and there is great Italian food all over Prague - just in case you get sick of goulash and dumplings!</p>
<p>Try to pack everything in one carry-on sized bag. No one cares if you re-wear the same clothes day after day. It makes it much easier to travel on the trains and walk through the city to your hostel. And good sturdy walking shoes! </p>
<p>The trains are very convenient. D has traveled from Prague to Vienna, Budapest, and Ljublijana very easily. I assume that the train is going to be your least expensive way to travel, but you should check it out online. Try to take overnight trains, if you can, so you don’t waste a day traveling. And remember that Czech republic is not on the euro, so you’ll need to change money or use the ATM (best exchange rate). </p>
<p>megpmom, Karlovy Lazne, the 5 story club in Prague, is very popular with people in their teens and 20s.</p>
<p>I toured all three cities in July 2007. Vienna is definitely more expensive. Berlin is actually cheaper than all three cities and also has a very youthful vibe. Train service in the Czech Republic and Hungary can be slow, but there are also bus services and discount airlines. </p>
<p>Many people going to Vienna stay or fly into Bratislava, Slovakia instead to save money.</p>
<p>A random way to save money if taking the train from the Czech Republic from Germany is/was to buy a ticket to the German/Czech border in Germany and buy a ticket from the German/Czech Border to Prague at the Czech side of the border train station. Germany and the Czech Republic use different train track widths, so the train engines have to be swapped at the border. </p>
<p>Budapest and Vienna are around 3-4 hours apart, so going directly from Slovenia to Hungary is a viable option.</p>
<p>Really the optimal amount to travel with is a carryon suitcase and small backpack. Any more than that will be hard ton maneuver and expensive to carry on many forms of discount transportation. The Prague Metro might still have an extra charge for carrying luggage.</p>
<p>Sometimes spending more money will give you a better experience or actually save you money in the long run. I second the advice of bringing twice the money and half the clothes.</p>
<p>The Czech Republic and Hungary have lots of hypermarkets where food is relatively inexpensive. </p>
<p>In Prague, try to find a bar/restaurant which serves unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell, which is often called “Tankovna.” You can also visit the brewery in Pilsen.</p>
<p>When you are in Budapest, definitely go to one of the thermal baths.</p>
<p>I don’t feel confident enough to give a cost of living, but [Hostels</a>, Hotels & Youth Hostels at HostelBookers](<a href=“http://www.hostelbookers.com%5DHostels”>http://www.hostelbookers.com) is my comparison / booking site of choice. Look for hostels that have launderettes (laundromats) and a kitchen to keep costs down. </p>
<p>Also investigate the Eurail passes and low cost airlines like EasyJet and RyanAir. Flightchecker.moneysavingexpert.com is a good European flight comparison site, though prices will come up in £ Sterling.</p>
<p>D did study abroad in Vienna and we visited her there and then took train to Prague in 2008. Vienna is a glorious city and I would not advise skipping it… it is not as young a city as Prague and it all depends really on what your interests are because there are historical sites, museums, beautiful parks and so on… you can shop for food at the Naschmarket quite inexpensively. I think it took us about 4 hours to take the train from Vienna to Prague, very easy.</p>
<p>Regarding my luggage, that has come to be a problem that’s potentially prohibiting me from going. I don’t think i can bring just a carry on as i will be in europe for 3 weeks prior to this and straight after i will be going on a study abroad program for 5 months. So i pretty much have to bring half my life with me, or at least one big suitcase and a carry on. Is there anyway around this if i were to still travel and go city hopping? If not, i’m afraid this trip won’t happen afterall…</p>