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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Budapest, Vienna & Prague

with Salzburg extension

Duration: 11 or 14 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 257

Spire-studded skylines and fascinating histories are just the beginning.

Dotted with hilltop castles, ornate cathedrals, and imperial palaces, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague will captivate you. Spend a few days getting to know each of these dynamic cities—you’ll discover their vivid World War II history, radical art movements, and unique local cultures.

Your tour package includes

9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
3 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Hungarian Parliament Building
Matthias Church
Danube River
Bratislava
Schönbrunn Palace

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Budapest today.

Budapest3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Budapest

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Hungary! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Budapest

Included meal: Breakfast

Discover the major landmarks of both Buda and Pest in the city that straddles east and west.

• Trace this nation’s stormy history at Heroes’ Square

• Tour the lavishly decorated Hungarian Parliament building

• Cross the Danube and ascend Castle Hill

• Take in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion

• Visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hapsburg coronations

Enjoy a free evening in Budapest or add an excursion.

(Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain may be offered on day 4, depending on the day of the week.)

Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Budapest

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Budapest or add excursions.

(Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Liqueur Tasting may be offered on day 3, depending on the day of the week.)

Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Liqueur Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Vienna3 nights

Day 5: Vienna via Bratislava

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

En route to Vienna, stop in Bratislava, the Slovakian capital city, for free time to explore on your own.

In Vienna, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Vienna

Included meal: Breakfast

Get transported back to the Age of Empires on a guided tour of Vienna.

• Enter Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo Hapsburg home with impressive gardens

• Travel down the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s tree-lined thoroughfare

• See the Parliament building, the Vienna State Opera, and the grand Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg’s winter residence

Enjoy a free afternoon in Vienna or add an excursion.

Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 7: Free day in Vienna

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Vienna or add an excursion.

Danube River Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Prague3 nights

Day 8: Travel to Prague

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Drive through the pastoral landscapes of Bohemia on your way to Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Prague

Included meal: Breakfast

Discover why Prague is known as "The City of One Hundred Spires" on a guided tour.

• Visit Prague Castle, from which Charles IV governed the Holy Roman Empire

• Admire the soaring Gothic vaults of St. Vitus Cathedral

• Walk down to the Malá Strana district to sip a coffee at a local cafe

• Cross the elegant Charles Bridge for breathtaking views of the city

• Stroll through Old Town Square to view the 15th-century Astronomical Clock

Day 10: Free day in Prague

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Prague or add excursions.

(Please note: Depending on the departure, the Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter excursion may be moved to the afternoon of day 9.)

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter

Excursion (additional cost)

Château Sychrov

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to visit Salzburg.

Extension to Salzburg

Dubbed "the Rome of the North,” Salzburg is a beautiful city filled with museums, mansions, parks, and churches. The birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the iconic film "The Sound of Music," travelers will delight in this romantic destination.

Salzburg3 nights

Day 11: Salzburg via Český Krumlov

Included meal: Breakfast

On the way to Salzburg, stop in the village of Český Krumlov for a tour of its UNESCO World Heritage-protected medieval quarter.

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Salzburg

Included meal: Breakfast

Head to Salzburg, a city famed for its churches and musical history, where a local guide leads you on a walking tour of the Old Town.

• View the University of Salzburg and the churchyard of St. Peter

• See the Kapitelplatz, Residenzplatz, and age Market

• Enter the 17th-century Salzburg Cathedral, built in the Baroque style

• Pass through scenery from the beloved film "The Sound of Music"

• Take the funicular to the hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe's Largest Medieval Castles

Enjoy a free afternoon in Salzburg or add an excursion.

Mozart Concert & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 13: Free day in Salzburg

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring on your own or add excursions.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Eagle's Nest & Salt Mines

Excursion (additional cost)

Berchtesgaden: Salt Mines & Village Visit

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Munich airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

257

4.6 average

06/24/2019 by 4th time traveler Anonymous

A wonderful experience. A good tour was made great by a superior tour guide. We saw large groups from other tour groups and were thankful for the limited size of our tour which made our group activities much more enjoyable. Highly recommend this tour.

Exciting, energetic and busy

06/18/2019 by 2nd time traveler Jane M.

The tour was extremely well organised, the hotels were wonderful, the transportation prompt and comfortable and the excursions interesting and well planned. A busy two weeks including the added side trip to Salzburg. I would have liked an extra day in each city to fully appreciate what it has to off...

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06/10/2019 by 2nd time traveler Irma B.

This was my first time traveling on a tour & with Go Ahead. Our tour guide, Alex, was amazing. So pleased with his service that should I book again with Go Ahead, I will definitely look into the trips he guides. The trip was not rushed and there was plenty of free time to do your own thing. My only ...

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06/11/2019 by 4th time traveler Kathleen D.

Felt like I was in boot camp. We were up most morning at 6:30 am so we could sit in traffic for an hour or better. The two hotels far away from anything interesting and lacked any bar soap. Next days schedule wasn't posted until late in the evening (9:00 pm). We were lectured on communism or bei...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 06/11/2019

Dear Kathleen, Thank you for your feedback. At Go ...

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An Amazing adventure

05/31/2019 by 4th time traveler Anonymous

This was an amazing and intellectually awesome tour. The group was a little larger than I expected but the camaraderie and friendliness made up for the size. The tour director in Prague (Andrea) was a walking history book! She was awesome! For no other reason, she was worth the experience of tou...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

NH Prague City

This modern hotel is located in the Smíchov district of Prague. Guests enjoy a gym and sauna, restaurants with terraces, and tennis court. Nearby, you...

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Art'otel Budapest

This modern hotel is located in the Buda district. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the Danube River, ...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 3 hours daily across mostly flat terrain with some cobblestone streets, hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Budapest and depart from Prague (or Munich on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost. (Please note that on the extension, the travel time between Salzburg and Munich is approximately two hours, and should be considered for travelers purchasing their own airfare.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Hungary claims goulash as its national dish, but also is known for excellent salamis, cheeses, nut-flavored pancakes, freshwater fish, and preserved fruits.
Slovakian cuisine shares many characteristics with its neighbors. Dishes are rooted in a history where villages had to be self-sufficient, and easy-to-preserve staples like wheat, potatoes, pork, onions, and sauerkraut remain favorites.
Austria is known for its savory Wiener schnitzel and excellent wild trout, carp, and crayfish. Save room for dessert—especially the strudels of fruit and nuts and elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte.
Czech food is hearty, and you’ll find large portions of veal, beef, and potato dishes. Some of the world’s finest beers are produced here, including the original Budweiser and Pils.

Electricity & air conditioning

All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

All destinations visited on this tour are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the Hungarian forint in Hungary, the euro in Slovakia and Austria, and the Czech koruna in the Czech Republic.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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69 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights, and based on two travelers per hotel room.