Ten days is the ideal amount of time for the classic Central European circuit — four of Europe's most beautiful and historically rich cities, all connected by comfortable overnight trains and scenic rail journeys. This itinerary is excellent value (all four cities are cheaper than Western Europe), extraordinarily rich in history and architecture, and very easy to execute as a loop from any major European hub.
✔ Days 1–3: Prague (Charles Bridge, old town, day trip to Český Krumlov)
✔ Days 4–5: Vienna (Schönbrunn, Opera, coffee houses)
✔ Days 6–7: Budapest (Baths, Parliament, Danube cruise)
✔ Days 8–10: Krakow (Old Town, Auschwitz, Salt Mine)
Before You Go — Book These in Advance
📋 Pre-Trip Checklist
✔ Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour (Krakow) — book 2–4 weeks ahead
✔ Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets (Krakow) — book online ahead
✔ Vienna State Opera tickets — book months ahead for specific performances; standing tickets available 80 minutes before
✔ Schönbrunn Palace skip-the-line (Vienna)
✔ Budapest thermal baths (Széchenyi or Gellért) — tickets available on arrival but book spa treatments ahead
✔ Inter-city train tickets — book 1–3 months ahead for cheaper fares on major routes
✔ Travel insurance — essential for train/flight delays and medical cover
Days 1–3: Prague
Day 1 — Old Town & Charles Bridge
Arrive and head to Charles Bridge at dawn — Prague's most iconic sight is almost empty before 8am, compared to the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds from 10am onwards. Walk the bridge slowly, then explore Malá Strana (Lesser Town) below the castle. Afternoon: Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock (the free hourly show is worth watching once; the clock museum is optional). Evening: dinner in Vinohrady neighbourhood — more local and better value than the tourist centre.
Day 2 — Prague Castle & Josefov
Morning at Prague Castle — the largest castle complex in the world, containing St Vitus Cathedral (extraordinary), the Royal Palace and the Golden Lane. Allow 3 hours. Afternoon: Josefov (the Jewish Quarter) — six synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and one of Europe's most significant Jewish heritage sites. The Pinkas Synagogue (names of 77,297 Czech Jewish Holocaust victims written on the walls) is deeply moving.
Day 3 — Day Trip to Český Krumlov
A 3-hour bus from Prague to Český Krumlov — a perfectly preserved medieval town in a horseshoe bend of the Vltava, dominated by a castle complex second only to Prague's in Bohemia. The town is tiny (population 12,000) and extraordinarily beautiful. Allow a full day. Return to Prague evening for overnight train to Vienna.
Book Prague Tours
Charles Bridge early access, castle tours and Český Krumlov day trips
View Prague Tours →Days 4–5: Vienna
Day 4 — Imperial Vienna
Overnight train arrives Vienna Hauptbahnhof early morning. Check in and head to Schönbrunn Palace (arrive at 9am opening). The Imperial Apartments and Great Gallery are essential. Afternoon: walk the Ringstrasse — the grand 19th-century boulevard lined with the Opera, Parliament and Kunsthistorisches Museum. Evening: Vienna State Opera (standing tickets from €5, available 80 minutes before performance) or the Naschmarkt wine bars.
Day 5 — Belvedere & Coffee Houses
Morning at the Belvedere Palace — the Upper Belvedere houses Klimt's The Kiss, one of the most recognisable paintings in the world. Afternoon: Vienna's legendary coffee house culture. Café Central (1876, extraordinary interior), Café Schwarzenberg, or the quieter Café Diglas in the 1st District. A Wiener Melange and a Sachertorte is a deeply Viennese afternoon. Evening train or morning train to Budapest.
Days 6–7: Budapest
Day 6 — Parliament, Buda Castle & the Danube
Morning: Hungarian Parliament Building (one of Europe's most beautiful neo-Gothic buildings — book guided tours ahead, or admire from across the Danube). Afternoon: cross the Chain Bridge to Buda and climb Castle Hill — Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion (extraordinary views of Pest and the Danube) and Matthias Church. Sunset from the Citadella on Gellért Hill. Evening: ruin bar scene in the Jewish Quarter (District VII — Szimpla Kert is the original and best).
Day 7 — Thermal Baths & Danube Cruise
Morning: Széchenyi Thermal Baths — Budapest's largest and most famous, a neo-baroque palace of outdoor and indoor pools at 36–38°C. Allow 2–3 hours minimum. Afternoon: evening Danube cruise — the Budapest skyline at night (Parliament lit up, Chain Bridge glowing) is one of Europe's finest urban views from the water. Book the cruise ahead — evening departures sell out in summer.
Days 8–10: Krakow
Day 8 — Krakow Old Town & Wawel
Train from Budapest to Krakow (7–8 hours, overnight option available). Morning: Main Market Square — Europe's largest medieval square, dominated by the Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica. Climb the Basilica tower for the best view of the square. Afternoon: Wawel Castle and Cathedral — the royal castle on the hill above the city, burial place of Polish kings. Evening: Kazimierz Jewish Quarter for dinner and the excellent craft bar scene.
Day 9 — Auschwitz-Birkenau
A full day guided tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau — one of the most important and emotionally significant experiences available in Europe. The memorial and museum documents the Nazi's systematic murder of 1.1 million people, predominantly Jewish. A certified guide provides essential context — self-guided visits are permitted but significantly less informative. Depart Krakow at 8–9am, return by 5–6pm. Allow time for reflection in the evening.
Day 10 — Wieliczka Salt Mine & Departure
Half-day guided tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine — 700 years of underground mining, chapels carved entirely from salt and crystal chandeliers 135m below ground. Return to Krakow by noon for lunch in the Old Town before departure. Krakow Airport (KRK) has direct flights to most European cities.
Getting Between Cities — Train Guide
| Route | Duration | Cost (booked ahead) | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prague → Vienna | 4 hours | €20–45 | OBB RailJet |
| Vienna → Budapest | 2.5 hours | €15–35 | OBB/MAV |
| Budapest → Krakow | 7–8 hours | €20–40 | PKP/MAV |
| Krakow → Prague (return) | 7–8 hours | €20–40 | PKP/CD |
Book trains through Raileurope.com or the national rail operators. Booking 4–8 weeks ahead unlocks the cheapest fares. Overnight trains save a hotel night and are comfortable on the longer routes.
10 Days Eastern Europe — Budget Guide
| City | Budget/night | Mid-range/night | Food/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prague | €40–60 | €80–130 | €25–45 |
| Vienna | €60–90 | €100–160 | €30–55 |
| Budapest | €35–55 | €75–120 | €20–40 |
| Krakow | €25–45 | €55–90 | €18–35 |
Skip the Luggage Hassle
Luggage Forward ships your bags directly between hotels — no dragging suitcases on trains, buses or through cobblestone streets. Book collection from your current hotel and it arrives at the next one before you do.
FAQs
Is 10 days enough for Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Krakow?
Yes — 2–3 nights in each city covers the main highlights without feeling rushed. Some visitors prefer to drop one city and spend more time in three — Prague + Budapest + Krakow is a particularly strong combination.
Should I get a Eurail pass?
For this specific itinerary, individual train tickets booked in advance are usually cheaper than a Eurail pass. Compare both options before buying.
What currency do I need?
Czech Republic: Czech Koruna (CZK). Austria: Euro. Hungary: Hungarian Forint (HUF). Poland: Polish Złoty (PLN). Carry a small amount of local cash for each country — cards are widely accepted in cities but smaller venues are often cash-only.