Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Budapest, Vienna & Prague

with Salzburg extension

Duration: 11 or 14 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 276

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
Belvedere Palace

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Budapest today.

Budapest3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Budapest

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Hungary! Meet your Tour Director and 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 afternoon in Budapest or add an excursion.

Please note: The Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain optional excursion may be offered on day 4.

Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Budapest

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Budapest or add excursions.

Please note: The Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Tasting optional excursion may be offered on day 3.

Budapest Bath & Spa Visit

Excursion (additional cost)

Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Vienna3 nights

Day 5: Vienna via Bratislava

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make several stops as you travel west through the Danube basin en route to Vienna, Austria.

Visit Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia
Enjoy free time to stroll through the charming Old Town and eat lunch
Cross into Austria and make a photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo Hapsburg home

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Vienna

Included meal: Breakfast

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

Step inside Belvedere Palace, home to the world's largest collection of paintings by artist Gustav Klimt, and admire the palace's impressive gardens
Travel down the Ringstrasse, passing the Parliament building, Vienna State Opera, and Kunsthistorisches Museum
See the grand Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg’s preferred 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 free day in Vienna or add an excursion.

Danube River Cruise & Melk Abbey

Excursion (additional cost)

Prague3 nights

Day 8: Transfer to Prague

Included meal: Breakfast

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

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

Enjoy free time in Prague or add an excursion.

Château Sychrov

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Free day in Prague

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Spend a free day in Prague or add an excursion.

Then, celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner this evening.

Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter

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, Austria.

Extension to Salzburg

It’s the birthplace of Mozart and setting for The Sound of Music, but that’s not all that makes Salzburg sing. Join your Tour Director and spend a couple days exploring this Austrian city, where Baroque churches and a UNESCO-listed old town will leave you in awe.

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 a free day in Salzburg or add an excursion.

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

4.6 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Wonderful!!

01/03/2020 by 6th time traveler Trudy L.

This tour was fantastic! There was so much fun and beauty to be seen in Budapest, Vienna and Prague. Each city is so different but each city has it's own charm. Our tour Director Paul was knowledgeable on all cities. I was highly recommend this trip, as being different from other European areas.

great beautiful trip

12/16/2019 by 3rd time traveler Dora M.

great tour guide and one of the best traveling experiences with beautiful places

Fabulous trip!

11/13/2019 by 4th time traveler Karen C.

This was my 3rd trip with GoAhead and each one has been awesome, however our tour director, Lala, on this trip was by far the best!! Her knowledge of BV&P was amazing! Her pick of daily tour guides aqdded to the great experience. If you are on the fence post about this tour, you will not be disappo...

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BVP ..gems of Central Europe

11/06/2019 by 13th time traveler Carole B.

What a beautiful part of Europe these 3 small countries are and what a fascinating history they have. From the Lipizzaner Stallions of Vienna, to the fabulous Parliament Building in Budapest, ending with the beautiful buildings in the Old Town in Prague ...this itinerary is 100% filled with good ...

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10/28/2019 by 2nd time traveler Jeanette A.

Being this is my first trip with Go Ahead tours with a tour group, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found I loved this concept and am looking forward to my next trip. Our tour guide, Jens was so knowledgeable, funny, helpful and attentive. He has set the bar very high for future tours. There were...

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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.

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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Falkensteiner Margareten

This stylish hotel is located near the city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, spa, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the Schönbrunn Palace, Vie...

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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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Arcotel Castellani

This contemporary hotel is located in Salzburg city center. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a mini bar, and air conditioning. Nearby, you'll find ARCOTEL Cast...

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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

Local weather

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Weather averages

Today
High 36°F Low 30°F

Budapest, Hungary

Weather averages

Today
High 39°F Low 34°F

Bratislava, Slovakia

Weather averages

Today
High 41°F Low 33°F

Salzburg, Austria

Weather averages

Today
High 39°F Low 29°F

Prague, Czech Republic

Weather averages

Today
High 40°F Low 24°F

Vienna, Austria

Weather averages

Today
High 41°F Low 35°F

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic (plus Germany on the tour extension). 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 at least 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.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
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

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
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 is also 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.
German food, on the tour extension, is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.

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.
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 (as well as in Germany on the tour extension), 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 or USD. 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.

Dates & prices

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20202021

Starts

Ends

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Availability

2020

Budapest, Vienna & Prague

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