Why combine the two
Vienna and Prague are often compared, and the best way to understand both is to visit them back to back. They share centuries of history as part of the same empire, yet feel very different: Vienna is grand, formal and imperial, while Prague is more intimate, medieval and playful.
Direct trains link the two in roughly four hours, through rolling countryside, making a rail leg an easy and relaxing alternative to flying between them. You can fly into one city and home from the other, avoiding any backtracking.
A sample week
Start with three nights in Vienna. Spend the first day around the old town and cathedral, the second at one of the big palaces and its gardens, and the third on art museums, a coffee house and an evening concert. Then take a morning train to Prague, arriving in time for a late lunch.
In Prague, give yourself three or four nights. Walk the old town and its famous clock, cross the river to the castle district, explore the Jewish Quarter and leave a day for quieter neighbourhoods, parks and beer halls. Fly home from Prague well rested rather than rushing back to Vienna.
Booking tips
Booking open-jaw flights, into Vienna and out of Prague or vice versa, is the key to this kind of trip. Search each leg separately if needed, and compare fares in both directions, since sometimes starting in Prague works out better.
Train tickets on this route are often cheaper when bought in advance. Seat reservations are worth having on busy days, particularly at weekends and around holidays.
Adding a third stop
If you have more time, a stop between the two cities makes the journey even richer. Smaller towns in southern Bohemia and Moravia have beautiful squares, castles and wine cellars. Some travellers also add Munich at one end, connecting by train before flying home from Munich instead.
Travelling light makes rail legs much easier. A cabin bag and a personal item, both included on a Classic fare along with a checked bag, are usually enough for a week of city sightseeing.
Food is one of the pleasures of comparing the two cities. Vienna is known for schnitzel, boiled beef, strudel and elaborate cakes served in elegant coffee houses. Prague leans towards hearty dishes such as roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, beef in creamy sauce and goulash, washed down with excellent beer in traditional halls. Both cities have flourishing modern restaurant scenes too. Trying the classic dishes in each place, and noticing the similarities and differences, is a delicious way to appreciate how closely their histories are linked while their personalities remain distinct.
Good to know
- Book open-jaw flights to avoid wasting a day going back to your starting city.
- Buy train tickets early for the best fares and choose a seat on the scenic side.
- Keep a small day bag handy on the train for snacks, water and a book.