Prague
Depending on how long they’re able to devote to traveling, some travelers prefer to go to several capital cities in one trip. Since the countries in Central Europe are so close together, it is possible to catch trains or buses and easily travel from region to region.
Many travelers that are visiting Central Europe plan their itineraries around a large capital city, such as Prague or Budapest.
Depending on how long they're able to devote to traveling, some travelers prefer to go to several capital cities in one trip. Since the countries in Central Europe are so close together, it is possible to catch trains or buses and easily travel from region to region.
However, instead of taking lengthy seven-hour train rides from a capital city to another capital city, many travelers are choosing to incorporate sightseeing transfers into the trip.
What is a sightseeing transfer?
A sightseeing transfer is a strategic stop during a trip to a smaller destination that would otherwise be overlooked. When it comes to European sightseeing transfers, many travelers prefer to stop at a smaller town or village that can be explored in less than a day.
These stops are either on or near the route that is already being traveled, so tourists do not have to go out of their way to reach a location. Some travelers even choose to visit multiple locations on a route, taking a scenic road trip before reaching their next major destination.
Smart travelers do their research in advance to look at what smaller towns or villages might be along the route they’re taking. Not every village or town offers the same attractions. Most travelers want to choose a stop that provides beautiful scenery or that is rich in culture. Planning locations in advance allows travelers to schedule tours or museum visits, followed by free time to grab a bite to eat.
Most of these smaller locations don’t have enough to keep someone busy for an entire week, but they do have enough to see and do to keep people occupied for a day or two. Plus, it is always nice for travelers to stretch their legs instead of spending seven hours on a train!
Benefits of a day trip
Not only does stopping for a smaller day trip allow travelers to recharge, but it also immerses them in a culture that they would otherwise overlook.
The larger cities of Central Europe are a cultural experience of their own, but life in a large city is completely different than life in a small town. Travelers that are looking to embrace everything that Central Europe has to offer will want to travel off those beaten paths.
Day trips during larger trips come with several benefits. One is to simply take the opportunity to take a break. Many travelers get caught up in trying to do everything that a larger city has to offer; taking a day trip to a smaller town or village provides the opportunity to unwind and relax from the hustle of a big city.
Another benefit is that it allows travelers to experience cultural attractions that they would otherwise miss out on. Sometimes travelers prefer to attend a scheduled tour. This guarantees that they’ll visit at least one major cultural attraction in the town and get to learn the significance of that attraction.
Other travelers simply prefer to wander around and see what they come across. This provides them with the freedom to spend the day however they want before continuing their road trip.
Driving self vs private driver vs public transport
Travelers that decide to travel to different locations through Central Europe and participate in some sightseeing transfers will need to decide whether they want to drive themselves, hire a driver, or take public transport. There are pros and cons to all of these methods.
Some travelers choose to rent a car and do all of their own driving. The benefit of this is that they can travel whenever they want, wherever they want. For travelers that don’t like working from a strict itinerary, this method provides them the freedom to make last-minute changes. The downside to this method is that the person driving doesn’t get to rest while on the road.
Hiring a private driver does allow travelers to get some sleep while on the road. While someone else does the driving, the traveler can sleep and get some rest before reaching their next destination. Another benefit to a private driver is that they’ll already have familiarity with the roads and area, which helps eliminate the possibility of getting lost. Hiring a driver, however, means working for a set itinerary.
Finally, public transport can also help prevent the possibility of getting lost, as long as the traveler is aware of how to navigate public transportation routes. The downside to public transportation is having to be mindful of the timetable.
Large capital cities in Central Europe
Anyone who is traveling to Central Europe will first want to have an awareness of the large capital cities that they can visit. Having a capital city or two in mind allows travelers to start planning an itinerary.
Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Vienna, and Bratislava all rank highly on the list of travelers. Each of the Central European capital cities offers a unique blend of Old World culture and modern European culture. No matter what capital city a traveler chooses to explore, two things they absolutely won’t want to miss out on is the chance to explore the architectural locations in the city and the chance to taste some local cuisine.
Some travelers manage to do routes through all of these cities. Others choose to only travel to one or two locations to explore. Researching each city in advance can help narrow down which ones to visit.
Each city has something different to offer. For example, those that want to experience medieval architecture might choose to head to Prague. Those that are looking for a diverse art scene might head to Berlin. And those that want to visit a capital city but don't want to deal with large crowds might want to go to Bratislava, which is less populated than other capital cities.
Planning an itinerary
Planning an itinerary can help travelers make the best use of their time in Central Europe. Start by choosing a capital city or two (or all, for those who have several weeks of travel time set aside.)
Those that are only going to one city should think about what they want to see and do. After getting an idea of what they want to do, they should determine how much time to devote to each attraction. Then, with any extra time, they should consider going to a nearby smaller town or village for a day trip.
Those that are planning on visiting multiple cities should start thinking about what sightseeing transfer locations they want to see. The best way to do this is to research various routes and what towns and villages are along that route, as well as any hotels in the area.
Most of the time, fellow travelers or tourist agencies may already have suggested stopping points. Once travelers have an idea of where they want to stop, they can start putting together a master timeline. While they’ll want to devote several days to the larger cities, most small towns and villages can be explored in under a day.
Once a timeline is established, the next step is considering various transportation options. If using public transportation, travelers should start looking at routes and timetables.
From Prague to Budapest
Many travelers might choose to go from Prague to Budapest. This trip is around six hours by car, or closer to seven by train or bus. While it is possible to travel to Prague to Budapest in less than a day and still have time for sightseeing, this route does provide some opportunities for sightseeing transfers.
One popular stop along this route is the town of Cesky Krumlov, which is located approximately two hours from Prague. This town has managed to escape impact from large disasters (including World War II bombings), making it a well-preserved town full of historical architecture.
Cesky Krumlov is small enough that it can be explored in only a few hours, making it a perfect location for those that simply want to stretch their legs while traveling. Many people enjoy visiting the Cesky Krumlov castle complex that dates back to 1240. The complex has over 40 buildings to walk through, plus a 27-acre garden to enjoy.
Others enjoy some of the museums Cesky Krumlov has to offer. Art lovers appreciate Egon Schiele Art Centrum, which is an art gallery classical and contemporary artwork. History lovers go to the Regional Museum, which is full of displays that relate to the history of the region. And those traveling with kids often enjoy stopping by the Marionette Museum.
In summary
Anybody who travels to Central Europe is going to want to visit at least one capital city. However, those that want to explore more of the rich culture of this region will also want to plan at least one trip to a smaller town or village.
Those that are traveling to multiple capital cities should incorporate smaller day trips into their itinerary. Day trips allow travelers to take a break from exploring busy capital cities and also are a unique cultural experience.
