Need some ideas - Poland/Hungary/Austria

[andrewkb]

Am planning my upcoming trip, appreciate any comments on my itineary:

Warsaw (2days)
Gdarnsk (1 day) - sleeper train to Krakow
Krakow (3 days) - sleeper train to Budapest
Budapest (2 days) - 2.5hr train to Vienna
Vienna (1 day) - 2.5hr train to Salzburg
Salzburg/Hallstat (1 day) - Pickup car and continue rest of trips driving
Innsbruck - Switzerland (4 days)

Feels like Vienna/Salzburg/Hallstat is a rush, any suggestions to better tweak my itineary ?

 

[galacticnick]

When you say '2 days', do you mean you have 2 full days in a particular city. Or are you spending 2 nights there, which effectively means you have only 1 full day?

Cut down on the number of cities. Too many cities in too short a trip. I have never been to Warsaw, Gdarnsk and Vienna, so I cannot comment. Spend more time in Budapest (I spent four nights there), as well as Salzburg and its surroundings, including Hallstatt, which are gorgeous (did four nights there too). Switzerland, though a 'small' country, has a lot of to offer in terms of natural scenery (spent close to two weeks in the central/German-speaking region alone).

If you are nature lover, focus on Switzerland and Austria (excluding Vienna).

If you want a mix of culture and nature, Budapest and Krakow + either Austria or Switzerland.

 

[beanstalk6]

Curious why the sprint north to visit Gdansk. Only to pass through Warsaw again to visit Cracow. I don't know about the attractions of Gdansk, but you can certainly save time for your other destinations. Can I assume you have visited Vienna before?

 

[andrewkb]

The above is a very rough plan. I land in Warsaw, Poland and return via Zurich, Switzerland. So this is still a very rough plan. I have also been deciding between Budapest vs Prague. Decided on Budapest thus the clock wise direction.

As to why Gdansk, I saw many day trip from Warsaw, so decided, why not travel up then take an overnight train down to Krakow. Otherwise I can base out of Warsaw and Krakow and do day trips.

I've never been to Vienna, and since the train will pass through Vienna on my way to Salzburg, I though, might as well drop by to visit. Yes I am a nature lover, thus the drive through the alps town on the last 4 days.

Warsaw (3 days) - with day trip tp Gdansk
Krakow (3 days) - sleeper train to Budapest
Budapest (2 days) - 2.5hr train to Vienna
Vienna (1 day) - 2.5hr train to Salzburg
Salzburg/Hallstat (1 day) - Pickup car and continue rest of trips driving
Innsbruck - Switzerland (4 days)

 

[beanstalk6]

Gdansk appears to be a 2.5 hour trip each way just to travel between the main train stations. I would devote more time to Budapest and Vienna. Historical sights in Krakow, Budapest and Vienna were worthwhile.

Between Prague and Budapest, my choice is Budapest still. Hungary is very different from Poland and Czechia. There are many sights in Budapest which are incomparable to what you get in Warsaw and Prague. The food and architecture are distinctive.

 

[andrewkb]

Realised Arcade Change Alley has no Polish Zloty, where can I change or should I change to Euro and then change there?

Update: Ok not listed but they do exchange. Rate not fantastic

 

[LWZ]

Realised Arcade Change Alley has no Polish Zloty, where can I change or should I change to Euro and then change there?

Update: Ok not listed but they do exchange. Rate not fantastic

better to bring Euros there to change.

 

[beanstalk6]

Usually you can easily expend your zloty in the next country you visit in your itinerary by exchanging it for the local currency. However for your case, your next destination is not a adjacent country. Better spend it all before you leave Poland.

 

[belgarathc]

Realised Arcade Change Alley has no Polish Zloty, where can I change or should I change to Euro and then change there?
Update: Ok not listed but they do exchange. Rate not fantastic

I withdrew Zloty from Polish ATM using youtrip card. There was a withdrawal cost.

 

[belgarathc]

I agreed with others about cutting some time in Poland and spend more in Budapest and Vienna. Personally I didnt think much of Warsaw as a city for tourists. We spent 4 days in Budapest and it was a very enjoyable trip, especially if you are interested in history, culture and thermal pools. We will be heading to Vienna for 4 days mid of this month mostly for history and concerts. Also somewhat a city hopper, we will do a day trip to Brastislava for some variety.

 

[beanstalk6]

Same here. Warsaw was only mildly attractive because I arrived on a weekend and there were Poles out and about, in Łazienki Park, Chopin was played 'live', and there was a weekend market in the old town market square. The "old" buildings including the palace, castle and market square were rebuilt from utter ruins after the war.

 

[andrewkb]

I agreed with others about cutting some time in Poland and spend more in Budapest and Vienna. Personally I didnt think much of Warsaw as a city for tourists. We spent 4 days in Budapest and it was a very enjoyable trip, especially if you are interested in history, culture and thermal pools. We will be heading to Vienna for 4 days mid of this month mostly for history and concerts. Also somewhat a city hopper, we will do a day trip to Brastislava for some variety.

Thanks. I need to head west towards Switzerland as my return flight departs from Zurich, so my route will be Vienna > Salzburg > Innsbruck > then into Swtizerland. Each city is about 2hr train ride apart.
So I think I do not have the luxury of staying put in a single location for too many days, instead likely head towards next city at end of day/or early morning - I also gotta think of how I manage my luggage.

Alternatively would be to base in Vienna and then fly into Zurich - but miss out all of Salzburg/Innsbruck/outer rim of Switzerland. If I do day trip to these places, it will cost me ~4-5hr daily to and fro - which doesn't makes much sense.

Any other suggestions on how I should plan my route ?

 

[andrewkb]

I withdrew Zloty from Polish ATM using youtrip card. There was a withdrawal cost.

The standard S$5 withdrawal fee ?
From Youtrip:

Are there any withdrawal charges?​

Yes, there is a S$5 or equivalent withdrawal charge for each overseas ATM withdrawal. Please also note that additional charges may be applied by overseas banks, which will be typically displayed in ATMs before the withdrawal.

 

[tempestuous-]

Eh... I think I'm the only one who didn't find budapest as fantastic as most people. For me, I think 3 days is enough for BP.

I have been to Poland. 2 days is enough for Warsaw. Krakow 3 days is fine. Didn't go to gdarnks so can't comment.

Also I found trust card to be better than youtrip.

 

[belgarathc]

Thanks. I need to head west towards Switzerland as my return flight departs from Zurich, so my route will be Vienna > Salzburg > Innsbruck > then into Swtizerland. Each city is about 2hr train ride apart.
So I think I do not have the luxury of staying put in a single location for too many days, instead likely head towards next city at end of day/or early morning - I also gotta think of how I manage my luggage.
Alternatively would be to base in Vienna and then fly into Zurich - but miss out all of Salzburg/Innsbruck/outer rim of Switzerland. If I do day trip to these places, it will cost me ~4-5hr daily to and fro - which doesn't makes much sense.
Any other suggestions on how I should plan my route ?

I just think it may be a good idea to skip Gdansk if there is no particular reason you want to visit. It is a short train ride from Warsaw to Krakow. Then you can have one or two more days for remaining of your trip. Isn't it nicer to spend at least 2 nights at Vienna?

 

[belgarathc]

The standard S$5 withdrawal fee ?
From Youtrip:
Are there any withdrawal charges?
Yes, there is a S$5 or equivalent withdrawal charge for each overseas ATM withdrawal. Please also note that additional charges may be applied by overseas banks, which will be typically displayed in ATMs before the withdrawal.

Yes, I believe so. I use Youtrip atm withdrawal (Wise, Revolut and other equivalent also work) in case there is a need for hard cash that is not a popular currency. Just providing a convenient alternative to money changer. Definitely not using regular credit card to withdraw money from ATMs.

 

[beanstalk6]

Also I found trust card to be better than youtrip.

Probably because of the $5 withdrawal surcharge? I think the value of Youtrip is greater for those currencies in their e-wallet. For the other currencies not in their e-wallet, they may not have the best exchange rate.

 

[belgarathc]

Just checked my records. I also used Wise for withdrawal at Warsaw.
Amount taken 196.72 SGD
Conversion fee 1.03 sgd
Converted amount 195.69 sgd
Exchange rate 2.82080
Amount withdrew 552 PLN
This was in 2020. I remember that the local atm also charges a local fee.

Back to Vienna, the city pass looks good value. As we intend to go for the performances at Karlskirche and Musikverein Wein, the discounts for the tickets more than cover the cost of the city pass. Also started making reservations at restaurants, only Café Restaurant Residenz is fully booked for the date we are visiting. But others in our list were available. For sight seeing, we will join a walking tour in city. Likely we will not visit Prater but Therme Wien, Hundertwasser House and Naschmarkt caught our interest.

 

[ashethen]

I suggest you skip Switzerland and spend more time in Austria. It's a cheaper version of Switzerland.

I'm in Austria now, and the rural scenery I see while driving around is very similar to Switzerland. Can drive the Grossglockner scenic route too for an entire day. Highest road in Europe, very fun and beautiful.

 

[andrewkb]

I suggest you skip Switzerland and spend more time in Austria. It's a cheaper version of Switzerland.

I'm in Austria now, and the rural scenery I see while driving around is very similar to Switzerland. Can drive the Grossglockner scenic route too for an entire day. Highest road in Europe, very fun and beautiful.

I actually plan to drive from Salzburg to Hallstat > Kaizer-Franz-Josefs-Hohe to see the glacier > Innsbruck

You mentioned Grossglockner, which is very near. Can you share some more information ?