7 Days in Eastern Europe: Budapest → Vienna → Prague
The Budapest → Vienna → Prague triangle is one of Europe’s most rewarding multi-city trips. Three former imperial capitals, distinctly different in culture and food, all connected by clean efficient trains.
The Route
- Days 1–3: Budapest
- Days 4–5: Vienna (train Budapest → Vienna, 2.5h)
- Days 6–7: Prague (train Vienna → Prague, 4h)
Fly into Budapest, fly out of Prague. Book trains 2–4 weeks ahead via Omio. Eurolink eSIM covers all 3 countries.
Days 1–3: Budapest
Day 1 (Pest): Parliament tour → Andrássy Avenue → St. Stephen’s Basilica → lunch at Bestia → Heroes’ Square → Széchenyi Thermal Baths (3h) → evening ruin bar crawl in District VII (Szimpla Kert → Mazel Tov → Instant).
Day 2 (Buda): Buda Castle Hill → Matthias Church → Fisherman’s Bastion → lunch at Pest-Buda Bistro → Citadella + Liberty Statue → evening Danube cruise at sunset.
Day 3: Szentendre day trip OR deep Budapest day (Synagogue + Holocaust Memorial, Central Market Hall, Margaret Island, evening at Rudas spa). Final dinner at Borkonyha (1 Michelin).
→ Széchenyi Baths tickets · Budapest tours · Budapest hotels
Day 4: Budapest → Vienna
Morning train 9:30 (Keleti → Wien Hbf, 2h 40min). Arrive 12:30. Lunch at Naschmarkt → Hofburg Palace + Sisi Museum + Treasury combo → coffee at Café Sperl → St. Stephen’s Cathedral → dinner at Figlmüller (iconic Wiener Schnitzel) → standing-room ticket at Vienna State Opera €13.
Day 5: Vienna Imperial Day
Schönbrunn Palace (book ahead, full morning) → Belvedere Palace for Klimt’s The Kiss → coffee at Café Hawelka → apéritif at Loos Bar → dinner at Plachutta for tafelspitz.
→ Schönbrunn + Belvedere tickets · Vienna tours · Vienna hotels
Day 6: Vienna → Prague
9:00 train (4h on RailJet). Arrive 13:00. Lunch in Lesser Town at Lokál U Bílé Kuželky (fresh tank beer) → Charles Bridge → Old Town Square + Astronomical Clock → Old Town Hall Tower for panoramic views → dinner at U Modré Kačičky → beer hall: Pivovar U Fleku or Pivovarský Klub.
Day 7: Prague Castle Day
Prague Castle complex (8:30 entry, 3h) → lunch at Café Savoy → Jewish Quarter Josefov (90 min) → Letná Park sunset → final apéritif at Hemingway Bar → dinner at Eska (modern Czech, book).
→ Prague Castle tickets · Prague tours · Prague hotels
Budget Estimate (per person)
Hotels €700 + Trains €100 + Food €350 + Tickets €120 + Transport €40 + Misc €100 = ~€1,410 excluding flights.