Original
Explorer
Best of Central Europe
15 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
86 reviews
15 days
Start
Vienna, Austria
Finish
Budapest, Hungary
Trip Code
AMSB
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 15
Physical Rating
Meals
12 breakfasts
Transport
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Bicycle, Metro, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (12 nights), Pension (2 nights)
From £2,332(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Stay in old-school style while supporting a social cause during your time in Vienna. The city’s quirky Magdas Hotel is committed to helping local refugees earn a living through employment.
Embark on a hike through the lesser known but no less stunning Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. With a range of trails available, you’ll be high above the valley floor admiring the vistas in no time.
See the classic Polish cities of Wroclaw and Krakow and feel the emotional wallop of a sobering visit to nearby Auschwitz.
Discover the magical Cesky Krumlov on a guided tour around town with your small group, passing by medieval buildings, verdant countryside and the flowing Vltava River.
Get the low-down on Budapest’s classic charm, café culture, and eclectic neighbourhood vibes during your time here. Have you actually been to Budapest if you didn’t go to a ruin bar?
Is this trip right for you?
Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water.
In some train stations and most of our accommodation there are no lifts or escalators. Please be aware that you will have to carry you own bags up and down stairs and on and off public transport. It is recommended you pack lightly. You can find some packing guidelines in the 'packing' section in the trip notes.
If you have more time to explore the region you may want to check out our trip ‘Journey through Central Europe & Romania’ (trip code AMSCC). This trip heads further east and explores Romania and Bulgaria. Or you may want to consider our trip 'Vienna to Dubrovnik' (trip code AMSNC), continuing down the Balkans peninsula through Belgrade, Sarajevo and ending in Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Coast. Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combos.
On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly.
Itinerary
Find some good times and great classic cities
Experience the charm, sophistication and elegant feel of Central Europe on this 15-day classical and steady-paced exploration from Vienna to Budapest. Bask in the tradition of vivacious Vienna, discover the hidden fairy tale gem of Cesky Krumlov. Czech Prague off your list and be one with nature in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains. Marvel at the classic Polish cities of Wroclaw and Krakow, reflect during a sobering visit to Auschwitz and round off your journey with time spent braving Budapest.
Inclusions
Meals
12 breakfasts
Transport
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Bicycle, Metro, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (12 nights), Pension (2 nights)
Included activities
Vienna - Kaffee and Kuchen Experience
Cesky Krumlov - guided tour
Wroclaw - Orientation walk
Swidnica - Church of Peace visit
Oswiecim - Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum join in guided tour
Tatranska Lomnica - Tatra Mountains Hike (not between Nov and Mar)
Tatra Mountains - Hrebienok Funicular
Tatra Mountains - Tatranska Lomnica Gondola
Optional activities
Vienna - Belvedere Gallery (Lower Gallery) - EUR15
Vienna - Albertina Museum - EUR19
Vienna - Sisi Museum - EUR18
Vienna - Spanish Riding School Practice - EUR28
Vienna - St Stephen's Tower - EUR6
Vienna - Schoenbrunn Palace - EUR22
Vienna - Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum - EUR16
Vienna - Leopold Museum - EUR15
Vienna - Prater Ferris Wheel - EUR14
Vienna - Vienna Boys Choir Concert - EUR70
Vienna - Belvedere Gallery (Upper & Lower Gallery Combined Ticket) - EUR26
Vienna - Belvedere Gallery (Upper Gallery) - EUR18
Vienna - Food, Coffee & Market Tour Urban Adventure - EUR115
Vienna Opera Guided Tour - EUR13
Cesky Krumlov - Brewery Tour - CZK200
Cesky Krumlov - Egon Schiele Art Centrum - CZK200
Cesky Krumlov - Rafting or Canoe Trip (per person) - CZK1200
Cesky Krumlov - Guided Castle Tour - CZK300
Prague - Jewish Quarter - CZK500
Prague - Kafka Museum - CZK260
Prague - Mucha Museum - CZK300
Prague - Museum of Communism - CZK380
Prague - Castle Visit - CZK350
Prague - Town Hall Clock Tower - CZK250
Prague - Bike Tour - CZK650
Prague - The Dancing House - Free
Prague - John Lennon Wall - Free
Prague - Food by Foot Urban Adventure - EUR95
Kutna Hora - Church of St Barbara - CZK160
Kutna Hora - Sedlec Ossuary & Bone Church - CZK160
Prague - Beer and Czech Tapas Tour Urban Adventure - EUR75
Prague - Prague Discovery Urban Adventure - EUR74
Kutna Hora - Day Trip (by public transport) - CZK250
Prague - Prague Parks and Views Urban Adventure - EUR89
Krakow - Rynek Underground Museum - PLN32
Krakow - Cloth Hall 'Sukiennice' - Free
Krakow - Schindler's Factory Museum Tour - PLN65
Krakow - Galicia Jewish Museum - PLN20
Krakow - History Museum - PLN28
Krakow - St Mary's Basilica - PLN15
Krakow - Walking Tour - PLN30
Krakow - Wawel Royal Castle - PLN35
Wieliczka - Salt Mines Tour - PLN230
Tatranska Lomnica - Summer Luge - EUR3
Tatranska Lomnica - Bike Rental - EUR10
Tatranska Lomnica - Spa treatment in Grand Hotel Praha (from) - EUR20
Tatranska Lomnica - Ski Museum - EUR3
Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park - HUF5000
Budapest - Pub Crawl (starting from) - HUF9000
Budapest - Best Beers of Budapest Urban Adventures - EUR74
Budapest - Parliament Tour - HUF12000
Budapest - Bites & Sights Food Tour Urban Adventure - EUR79
Budapest - Central Market - Free
Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths (starting from) - HUF13500
Budapest - Buda Castle Explorer Urban Adventure - EUR55
Budapest - Hungarian National Museum - HUF2900
Budapest - Bike Ride - HUF6000
Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF7000
Budapest - House of Terror - HUF4000
Budapest - Great Synagogue - HUF13000
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 3&4, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please consult your agent for booking.
Reviews (77)
5 stars
66
4 stars
7
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Diane
May 04, 2025
Independent travelers can relax about making the transportation and lodging details and plan for interests of their own priority. This allows financial flexibility while supported by professional leaders.
Stephen
May 03, 2025
Intrepid's Best of Central Europe trip is a good way to see a reasonable chunk of Central Europe in a reasonably short time frame. There is a lot of variety jam-packed into two weeks, but still a fair amount of freedom to do what one wants on free days.
Suzan
Apr 12, 2025
Another fantastic Intrepid trip. Those who had not travelled with Intrepid thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Diana
Oct 28, 2024
Highly recommend this central euro trip. Good coverage and pace with time to spend and explore in each place. Poland was an unexpected delight in all regards. I hadnt previously considered independently but just wow! Tatra mountains are brilliant.
Rianna
Oct 22, 2024
This was a great taste of Central Europe. I highly recommend anyone wanting to visit this area to go on this trip. Our tour leader, Vanessa, was super knowledgeable and organised and made our trip great!
Aimee
Oct 03, 2024
Central Europe was an amazing trip, our tour guide Astrid had a wealth of knowledge and tan everything so smooth. I would recommend intrepid for these countries as at time English and transport ect would be hard to manage at times. We had a great variety of tours and free time
Jessica
Aug 14, 2024
The Central Europe tour was incredible with such a thoughtful and well planned itinerary. I learnt so much about the history of each destination and there were plenty of activities to appeal to everyone’s interests in the group. Our tour guide Vanessa was amazing and I left with a great appreciation for the region. Highly recommend!!
Elizabeth
Aug 04, 2024
I have wanted to do this trip for many years, so I'm delighted that I finally achieved my goal. I loved the cities we visited and could happily have used an extra day in each.
Bronwyn
Jul 06, 2024
Wonderful trip! Mixture of big cities and quiet times. Central Europe is beautiful and this trip gives you a great opportunity to explore five countries in two weeks. Most places have a two night stay which allows you to see more without having to pack up and move. Big cities and beautiful mountains make this trip a great choice. The company supports ethical and sustainable travel which is an essential choice for tourism. Highly recommended.
Alishia
Jun 30, 2024
A wonderful tour filled with history, culture, walking and of course, food! A good balance of travel, site seeing and rest. Perfect for the traveller who likes to do their own thing.
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