Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Europe

Doha to Central Europe: Prague, Český Krumlov and Budapest

Doha → Prague → Český Krumlov → Budapest

Prague
"Prague_(6365119737).jpg" by Moyan Brenn from Italy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
View from Gellért Hill to the Danube, Hungary - Budapest (28493220635) (Budapest)
Photo: Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Central Europe Best season (general guide): May, Sep–Oct, Dec (markets)

Two great Danube and Vltava capitals and a fairy-tale small town make a compact route through Central Europe by road and rail. From Doha there are direct flights to Prague, and you fly home from Budapest. The itinerary spends three nights in Prague, one night in Český Krumlov and three nights in Budapest.

Prague's old town is best explored early in the morning, before the crowds reach Charles Bridge and the astronomical clock. The castle district, Malá Strana and the Jewish Quarter each deserve time. A bus ride takes you south to Český Krumlov, where the castle and its gardens look down on red roofs and the river. Staying a night lets you enjoy the town after the day visitors leave. The journey on to Budapest, by road or by train via Vienna, brings you to a city of grand boulevards, the neo-Gothic Parliament on the Danube and Buda Castle. Soaking in the Széchenyi or Gellért baths is a must.

May and September to October are pleasant for walking around the cities, with fewer crowds than midsummer. In December, Prague and Budapest host Christmas markets, though the interior of Český Krumlov Castle is closed in winter.

Czechia uses the koruna and Hungary the forint, so be careful with exchange offices. Book bath tickets online to skip the queues.

If you go by train from Prague to Budapest, the line passes through Bratislava, which makes an easy stop to break the journey. In Budapest, take a tram ride along the Danube on line 2 for views of the Parliament and the castle hill, and spend an evening in the 'ruin bars' of the old Jewish quarter. The New York Café, opened in 1894 and later restored, recalls the city's grand coffee-house era.

Suggested outline

  1. Doha

    Start

  2. Prague

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    The Old Town Square and astronomical clock, Charles Bridge and the castle district above the Vltava.

  3. Český Krumlov

    Overland · 1 night suggested

    A small town in South Bohemia with a castle above a loop of the Vltava, reached by bus or car from Prague; UNESCO-listed.

    Český Krumlov Castle
    "Český_Krumlov,_zámek_celý_z_vyhlídky.jpg" by VitVit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Budapest

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Reached by train or road. The Parliament, Buda Castle, the Danube bridges and the thermal baths.

    Budapest
    "View_from_Gellért_Hill_to_the_Danube,_Hungary_-_Budapest_(28493220635).jpg" by Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Prague — Arrive; Old Town Square· Doha → Prague (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Prague — Castle and Malá Strana
  3. Day 3 · Prague — Jewish Quarter
  4. Day 4 · Český Krumlov — Bus to Český Krumlov· Prague → Český Krumlov (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Budapest — To Budapest; Danube· Český Krumlov → Budapest (overland)
  6. Day 6 · Budapest — Parliament and Buda Castle
  7. Day 7 · Budapest — Thermal baths
  8. Day 8 · Budapest — Travel home from Budapest· Budapest → Doha (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Prague

More about Prague →

Highlights near Prague

These links open each partner's own search for the sight. Check there for tours, tickets and today's prices.

Plan the trip: Prague

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Český Krumlov

Nearest airport: Prague Search fares · Prague ↗

Budapest

More about Budapest →

Plan the trip: Budapest

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.