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England Planning a Trip

Visiting Trafalgar Square and London Eye

The city of London is one of the most well-known and popular destination on earth. As the capital city, London is often referred to as the capital of the world, and in fact has the largest population of any urban area in Western Europe. Visitors will find countless fantastic attractions in the city, from world-class museums and art galleries to historical landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Tower and Bridge of London. Two of the most popular attractions in the city are the London Eye and Trafalgar Square. The following is an introduction to these two attractions.

The London Eye

This giant wheel is an impressive structure that dominates the skyline of England’s capital city. Due to a recent sponsorship deal, the official title has changed from the British Airways London Eye to the EDF Energy London Eye. It stands at 443 feet tall, and is located along the Thames River. As the tallest ferris wheel in the Europe, and the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, it should come as no surprise that it the most visited paid tourist attraction in the entire country of England.

Each year, well over 3 million visitors take a trip on the London Eye and climb into one of the 32 glass domes, many of which have tour included within their London holiday packages. Each domed pod holds up to 25 people, who can sit or stand during the 30 minute revolution. The speed is quite slow, meaning anyone can ride it and few people complain of motion sickness or discomfort. Since the opening of the London Eye in 2000, it has become an icon in the city of London. For significant national occasions, the wheel is outfitted with stunning lights in themed colors. Recently, it donned patriotic colors to resemble the Union Jack for the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, and in 2012 it will be outfitted with the Olympic rings.

Trafalgar Square

This public space is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city of London. Created in the 19th century, it was designed to be a public area that was a central focus of culture and politics in the city. Indeed, it has served that purpose for decades. The focal point of Trafalgar Square is the Nelson’s Column, which dominates the look of the area. The column stands at 169 feet in height, and was created to in honor of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died during the Battle of Trafalgar. At the four corners of the base of the column are lion statues, who are meant to guard the column constantly. Until the last decade, the square was known for the massive population of pigeons who called the square home, thanks to millions of tourists who fed them. Those were eventually removed and feeding made illegal, and today it is more commonly used for political demonstrations, screening sports events, and holiday celebrations like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Photo by: Thamer Al-Hassan

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Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

10 Days in Portugal: Itinerary Ideas

Portugal is not a very large country but has a lot of things to do and see. This itinerary starts in the capital and visits Porto, Braga, Coimbra and Faro. Both the Lisbon and Faro itineraries include a day trip to a near-by place.

Itinerary assumptions

  • You will fly into Lisbon and fly out of Faro
  • You will stay in budget hotels or hostels easy to reach by public transportation. Book in advance unless you plan to pay a fortune.
  • You will use the train to get between the cities. Alternatively, you can rent a car for your stay.

Day 1-3 Lisbon with Sintra day trip

On Day 1 get to know the city with a free walking tour https://lisbonfreetour.blogspot.ro/ which takes about 2 ½ h. Then check out Baixa and Alfama. And you should take tram 28 for a spin around the historical sites of the city.

Spend day 2 in Bairro Alto and then in Belem. Maybe spend some time shopping in Chiado.

On day 3 plan a day trip to Sintra. The Moorish Castle and Pena Palace should not be missed.

Read more about :
>>Getting from Lisbon to Sintra

>> 3 Days in Lisbon

Day 4-5 Porto

There are 18 train departures per day from Lisbon to Porto and the fare starts at €24 for an adult, one way. The travel time is 3 h.

Some of the things to do in Porto include : visiting museums – Museu do Arte Contemporânea is probably the best in the city – , indulge in Port tasting , enjoy the Portuguese food , spend time in Ribeira district, check out the baroque tower of Clérigos Church and spend some time on the beach .

>>read about Getting from Lisbon to Porto

Day 6 Braga

Braga is an ancient and modern city . It can be reached by train from Porto (€19.50 one way , 37 min journey). The historical center comprises old churches, museums and shops.

Day 7 Coimbra

From Braga, catch another train to Coimbra (€20 one way, 1h 37 min journey time). The city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Don’t miss the Medieval Downtown and the Old Cathedral.

You can also visit the museums and spend some time in nature. Check out the Botanical Gardens and the city parks.

Day 8 -10 Faro

The direct train from Coimbra to Faro takes about 4 ½ h and the single fare starts at €44.

Faro does have a reputation of being a party beach town but it is also a good base to explore the Algarve . Come in the off-season and you’ll avoid the mass of party goers.

The Old City , with cobblestone streets and 18th century Portuguese and Moorish-influenced architecture, is a good place to get a feel of the old era.

Plan a day trip to The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It offers excellent opportunities for walks and boat tours. Plus, you can see interesting plans and animals.

The historic city of Tavira can also be a good side-trip. There are trains connecting the two cities. Spend half a day visiting castles, churches and soaking up the history.

In case you plan to drive in Portugal, here is a map of the itinerary:

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Photo credits: Lisbon , Porto , Braga , Coimbra , Faro

Categories
England Planning a Trip travel guide

10 Days in England: Itinerary Ideas

When we think about planning an itinerary in England, the obvious choice for a hub is London. Yes, the city is expensive, but offers plenty of day trips and you can easily find cheap airfare into one of its airports. Plus, with a bit of research, you’ll be able to find affordable hostels or hotels, too.

The best time to visit London if you want to save money is the low season (November, February, March), but then you’ll be skipping Brighton as a day trip if you planned to catch a tan, too. This itinerary focuses on London for 3 days and also includes 5 day trips (Stonehenge, Oxford, Stratford upon Avon, Brighton and Bath), ending in Liverpool. Of course, you can create your own itinerary based on this. For example, if you are not into Shakespeare, skip Stratford upon Avon and add Manchester to the itinerary.

Itinerary assumptions:

  • You will be flying into London and out of Liverpool (although you can travel back to London for your return flight).
  • You will be staying most of the time in London, in a hostel or hotel close to the tube
  • On your 3 days within the capital, purchase travel day cards to use on the tube and maximize your time in the city.

Day 1 , 2, 3 London

London is a huge city offering a lot of things to do and see. It’s best to travel by tube if you want to cover large distances. On your first day, get to know the area where you stay in and the closest sights. Walk a bit and find a pub or two to try the English food .

Start your second day with watching the changing of the guards in front of Buckingham Palace. Outside of summer, it takes place every other day, so do a bit of research ahead of time. Then, you can visit British Museum. Depending on what interests you there, you can easily spend between 2 h and 8 h checking out the artifacts. Stop by St.Paul’s Cathedral before going back to the hotel.

On the third day, start with the Tower of London , Big Ben and then cross the Tower Bridge. If you have a bit of money for splurges , catch a ride on London Eye. Otherwise, visit Westminster Abby and then walk toward Trafalgar Square. If you still have some time left, visit the National Gallery.

>>read more about 3 days in London

Day 4 Stonehenge

You can plan a day trip to Stonehenge on your own, but it’s going to be a bit challenging, unless you plan to rent a car and drive. Catch a bus to Amesbury (leaving at 2:10 p.m. and the fare is £16.50 one way). The travel time is slightly more than 2 ½ h so you’ll have about 2 h to visit the sight.

Day 5 Oxford

Oxford is the oldest university city in the UK, easily accessible from London. If you like Medieval and Gothic architecture, this is a must-see on your itinerary. Trains leave from London Paddington and the fares start at £4 one way. The bus is cheaper (from £1 if booked in advance) and take about 1 ½ h.

>>read more about Getting from London to Oxford

Day 6 Stratford upon Avon

For those fascinated by Shakespeare’s work, a trip to Stratford upon Avon is definitely a good idea. The market town located on River Avon is where you’ll find the birthplace of Shakespeare. Henley Street, one of the town’s oldest streets, Sheep Street , the residential quartier in the 16th century , and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre are among the places you shouldn’t miss while visiting the city.

Trains depart from London Marylebone Station and take 2 h 15 min. A return fare (advance) starts at £10. Trains depart every two hours.

Day 7 Brighton

On this day you can escape to the sea-side. Brighton is located about 1 h by train from London. You can catch a train from either London Victoria or London Bridge stations and the single fare starts at £6.75. The resort is very popular among Londoners during the weekends so, if possible, try to go on a weekday (unless you like crowds). Aside from spending time on the beach, you can also visit the Royal Pavilion , a former royal palace and the Clock tower.

>>read more about Getting from London to Brighton

Day 8 Bath

Bath is a historic Roman and Georgian spa city , located about 100 miles from London. Aside from the Roman and Georgian architecture, you can also see lovely Medieval buildings. Bath is the oldest tourist destination in England.

The Roman baths are a must-see while here, but don’t forget about the Abbey , Pulteney Bridge, museums and parks.

Trains depart from London Paddington Station every half hour and take about 1 ½ h. The single fare starts at £22.50 (but depends on how far in advance you purchase the ticket). It’s cheaper (from £5 one way) to travel by bus but it takes almost 3 ½ h.

Day 9, 10 Liverpool

Instead of going back to London, catch a train to Liverpool via Bristol. The single fare to Bristol Temple Meads is £6.60 and trains leave Bath every 10 min to ½ h. The travel time is about 15 min.

>>read more about Getting from Bath to Bristol

From Bristol catch a train to Liverpool Lime Street. The single fare starts at £38.00 and the travel time is about 3 h. You’ll have to change trains in Stafford [STA].

Alternately , catch a bus from Bath to Liverpool (with two stops in Bristol and Birmingham). The single fare starts at £36.50 and the fastest travel time is about 6 ½ h.

Liverpool dock has been added to the UNESCO world heritage sites since 2004 and the most famous dock is Albert Dock, home to some interesting museums. You can also visit some cathedrals and if you are a Beatles fan, don’t miss The Beatles Story, the only museum in the world dedicated to The Beatles.

Photo credits: London by Cristina Puscas and may not be used without permission, Stonehenge by yvestown , Oxford by UGArdener , Stratford upon Avon by BigTallGuy , Brighton by zilverbat , Bath by wallyg , Liverpool by Adrian S Jones

Categories
Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

3 Days in Lisbon: Itinerary Ideas

Lisbon doesn’t lack things to do and 3 days are just enough to get a taste of the city , visiting some of the most important and interesting sights. The following itinerary offers some ideas to plan three days in the city.


Itinerary assumptions:

  • You will be flying in and out of Lisbon
  • You will be using the public transportation or walk to get around the city
  • You will be staying in a hotel or hostel close to the main sites (along the route of Tram 28)

>>read about Getting around in Lisbon

Day 1

Start your day with a free walking tour of Lisbon . It departs at 11 a.m. from Luís de Camões Square (easily reachable by metro or bus). The tour takes about 2 ½ h.

Now go to the Avenida da Liberdade, where Baixa district starts. It’s located in central down town and features imposing squares. Then you should also check the district of Alfama, which features narrow streets climbing steeply the hills of Lisbon. Don’t miss the Saint Luiza View point while you are here. Also in the these two areas are: the Castelo Sao Jorge, the Se Cathedral and Praca de Dom Petro IV .

You can consider taking a ferry ride across the river Tejo (Tagus) to end the first day in Lisbon . Or riding tram 28 around the historic center of the town.

Day 2

Make your way to Bairro Alto , located to the west of Baixa. As you probably figured out, the name pretty much explains the elevation, so you’ll also be rewarded with superb views of River Tejo. This district is the birth place of Fado music.

You can now explore Belem ; take a tram from Baixa to Belem along the river. The district is picturesque , with great architecture. Don’t miss visiting Torre de Belem, a heritage fort once used to guard the city from invaders. Chiado district is a good idea to check out if you have shopping on your mind.

In the evening make your way north Baixa and relax in one of the outdoor restaurant. Of course, don’t forget to sample the Portuguese food .

>>also read about What to eat and drink in Lisbon

Day 3 Sintra

Sintra is a stunning place, located close to Lisbon, and well-known for the Moorish castle. But it’s also home to Pena Palace and its historical center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. So, you can spend at least ½ day here and not get bored.

Hop on a train to Sintra. It takes about 42 min and you’ll pay €2.05 one way (unless you have Lisbon card and in the case the ride is free).

>>read more about Getting from Lisbon to Sintra

Photo credits: Luís de Camões Square , Bairro Alto , Sintra

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip

Getting from Munich to Venice

Venice is a one-of-a-kind city but it’s also a very controversial one: you can either love it from the first minute or hate it just as fast. There are plenty of things to do in Venice and none has to be very touristy or part you with a lot of money.

Munich is a major travel hub in Germany and is particularly a good idea if you plan to take the train to explore more of Europe.

Quick summary

With no buses linking Munich to Venice and the connecting flights starting close to €150 one way , the cheapest alternative remains the train. Book in advance and you’ll pay about €60 one way and if you travel by day also get rewarded with stunning views along the way.

Flights from Munich to Venice

There are two airports to use when flying into Venice, but the one handling flights to/from Munich is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). It is located 8 km from the city and is hub for Air One, Alitalia CityLiner and Volotea. The airport mostly receives seasonal flights.

Direct flights to Munich are operated by Lufthansa and the airport used is Munich International Airport (MUC), the second busiest airport in Germany. It is hub for: Air Berlin, Augsburg Airways, Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti, Air Independence, BinAir, Condor, Hamburg International and TUIfly.

Even during the shoulder season in mid-September 2012, expect to pay from € 450 for a direct flight, one way and from €147 one way for a connecting flight via Dusseldorf on Air Berlin. Unfortunately , the fares don’t go down during the low season, either. In fact, you can pretty much consider flying into Venice an expensive affair, no matter when you plan to travel.

Read more about
>>Airfare to Venice
>>Cheap flights to Munich

Trains from Munich to Venice

A very scenic way to get between Munich and Venice is by train. Bahn.de lists all the connections between the two cities.

The direct trains leave Munich daily at 11:31 a.m. (Venice Santa Lucia), 6:57 pm (Venice Mestre) and 11:40 p.m. (Venice Mestre). The travel time is between 6h40 min and 9 h. Single savings fares start at €59 (morning train) and €53 (the night train). Standard single fares start at €82.80 (morning train) and €114.80 (the night train).

On the way back , catch the direct trains at 1:14 a.m. (Venice Mestre), 1:34 pm (Venice Santa Lucia) and 9:05 p.m. (Venice Santa Lucia). The same fares apply.

Please note that the fares depend on how far in advance you purchase the ticket and which train you choose. Rail passes can be used on these trains.

Driving from Munich to Venice

Both Germany and Italy are part of EU and the Schenghen area, which means you won’t be paying surcharges for taking the rental car across the border. However, do make sure you ask the rental company if you may cross borders in the car.

The shortest route – 476 km – between Munich and Venice is on SS51 and the drive takes about 5 h. The route passes through Austria. You might want to drive on A22 although it’s a slightly longer route (543 km) but the driving time is about the same and it also passes through Austria.

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Photo by cuellar

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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Berlin to Munich

Both Berlin and Munich are major travel hubs in Germany, offering plenty of connections to the rest of Europe and the rest of the country. Munich certainly appeals to those looking to experience Oktoberfest, but the city also offers plenty of other things to do. On the other hand, Berlin is known for its history and night life.

Quick summary

The cheapest way and also the slowest way to travel between Berlin and Munich is by bus. Single fares start at €43 but you’ll be traveling for about 9 hours. Trains take less – 6h – but the savings fares start at €69 one way (and depend on when you travel). Flights can be as cheap as €50 one way but you need to add the cost and time of getting to/from the airports and the city centers, too.

Flights from Berlin to Munich

There are two airports serving Berlin and both direct flights to Munich.

Schönefeld (SFX) is the base of low cost carriers serving Berlin and is hub for EasyJet and GermanWings. The airport will be merged into Berlin Brandenburg Airport in early 2013, so plan accordingly. Flights to Munich are operated by GermanWings and take 1h. In mid-September 2012, the single fare starts at €50.

Tegel International Airport (TXL) is the main airport serving Berlin, a hub for Air Berlin, Germania and GermanWings. In early 2013, Tagel is supposed to close and Berlin Brandenburg Airport will take its place. Flights to Munich are operated by Air Berlin and Lufthansa. In mid-September, the single fare starts at €85 on Air Berlin.

Munich is served by Munich International Airport (MUC), the second biggest airport in Germany and seventh biggest in Europe. It is hub for : Air Berlin, Augsburg Airways, Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti, Air Independence, BinAir, Condor, Hamburg International and TUIfly.

Plan in advance (up to 6 months) and you’ll be finding cheaper fares on Air Berlin. Hence, in mid-December 2012, you’ll pay from €60 one way for flight from Tegel.

Read more about:
>>cheap flights to Berlin
>>cheap flights to Munich

Buses from Berlin to Munich

The bus is certainly the cheapest option for traveling between the two cities, but it’s the slowest, too. It takes about 9 h to cover the distance. Berlin Linien Bus offers direct buses , departing Berlin daily at 8:15 a.m. The single fare is €43. On the way back catch the bus from Munich at 9:45 a.m. The same fares apply.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Germany

Trains from Berlin to Munich

Bahn.de lists the connections between Berlin and Munich. Berlin is served by five train stations, but Hauptbahnhof is the most important , serving the high speed trains and connections to the rest of Europe.

Munich’s main station is located in the city center , west of Marienplatz. Deutsche Bahn uses Munich as a major hub.

There are direct trains, leaving about every hour to two hours from Berlin, but there are also plenty of connecting trains available. The direct trains take 6 h and the single saving fare starts at €69 but depends on the time of departure and how far in advance you make the purchase. The standard fare starts at €121. Both fares are valid on high speed trains.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Driving from Berlin to Munich

You can certainly rent a car and drive the 588 km (shortest route on A9) between Berlin and Munich in about 6 hours (depending on traffic).

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Photo credits : Munich airport , Berlin train station

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Berlin to Prague

Berlin is the capital of Germany and also its biggest city. It is also an excellent travel hub, offering connections to the rest of the country and the rest of Europe. Many travelers choose to head to Central Europe as well and one of the most beautiful cities to visit there is Prague, the capital of Czech Republic.

Prague might have lost its “hidden gem” status but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy the city without falling for the touristy things. One thing to consider is showing up in Prague in spring or fall, when the tourists are generally avoiding traveling. Pack warmer clothes and something to fight the rain, though.

Quick summary

The short distance – 356 km – between Berlin and Prague doesn’t require a flight but there are low cost flights available by way of Cologne. To save money, you can catch a bus (and sometimes booking in advance means you pay €5 one way). Or you can catch a train and pay from €29 , if you book in advance. Both trains and buses take about the same to travel between the two capital (about 4 ½ h).

Flights from Berlin to Prague

There are two airports serving Berlin and both offer connections to Prague, via Cologne , Warsaw or other European hubs.

Schönefeld (SFX) is the base of low cost carriers serving Berlin and also gets a lot of traffic from Central-Eastern Europe. It is hub for EasyJet and GermanWings. The airport will be merged into Berlin Brandenburg Airport in early 2013, so plan accordingly. Flights to Prague are operated by GermanWings and they connect via Cologne. In mid-September 2012, the single fare starts at €90.

Tegel International Airport (TXL) is the main airport serving Berlin. It is hub for Air Berlin, Germania and GermanWings. In early 2013, Tagel is supposed to close and Berlin Brandenburg Airport will take its place. Flights to Prague are operated by LOT via Warsaw , Swiss via Geneva and several other companies, all with connections in various European capitals. In mid-September, the single fare starts at €247 on LOT.

Prague is served by Ruzyně International Airport (PRG), located 20 km from the city center. It is hub for the following airlines : Czech Airlines, Smart Wings, Travel Service, Wizz Air, ABS Jets and Grossmann Jet Service.

>>book a cheap flight to Berlin

Buses from Berlin to Prague

Eurolines operates direct buses between Berlin and Prague. There are two departures per day (7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.). The travel time is 4 ½ h to 4h 45 min and the promo fare is €5 one way. The standard single fare is €39.

Student Agency Bus also operates direct luxury buses between Berlin and Prague. Youngsters (under 26) and senior (over 60) benefit from discounts and so do students with valid IDs. Passengers are allowed to carry one hand luggage and one standard luggage in the luggage compartment (other luggage costs €8 per piece). Single fares start at €30.60 (discounts for RT tickets). There are daily departures from Prague at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and there are also additional buses on Wed, Mon and Fri. The travel time is about 5h. All buses have toilets on board. Hot drinks are included in the price and each seat has radio player.

Trains from Berlin to Prague

Bahn.de lists all connections by train between Berlin and Prague. The direct train takes 4h 40 min and there are departures almost every 2 h from Berlin. If booked in advance, the single savings fare is €39. The standard fare starts at €63.80.

On the way back, catch the direct trains from Prague on the same schedule (about every two hours). The single fare starts at €29 if booked in advance.

Driving from Berlin to Prague

Both Germany and the Czech Republic are part of EU and Schengen Area, which means you won’t be paying surcharges for taking a rental car across the border. However, make sure to ask the rental agency if you can take the car across borders.

The shortest route between Berlin and Prague is 356 km on A13 and E55 and takes about 4 h. Please note that the route has tolls.

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Photo credits : Berlin Airport , Prague train station

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Munich to Salzburg

Salzburg , Austria reminds almost everyone about the movie The Sound of Music. Actually, it’s quite tempting to burst into singing Do,Re,Mi when you visit the castle, but there’s more to this lovely city than just a movie. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and , aside from visiting the castle, you can also visit the fortress and many museums.

Although you can easily spend a week in the city, many travelers decide to visit Salzburg as a day trip from Munich. If you don’t plan to take the tour bus, here’s how to get between the two cities on your own.

Quick summary

Given the short distance between the two cities – only 145 km – there is no reason to even think about flying. So, you are left with taking the train, the bus or driving. With buses connecting only the Munich Airport to Salzburg, you are left to traveling by train, unless you plan to drive a rental car. Make sure to book the tickets in advance to get the cheapest possible option.

Trains from Munich to Salzburg

Bahn.de lists two connections per hour, daily, between Munich and Salzburg. The travel time is between 1 ½ h and 2 h, depending on the type of train. The single savings fare starts at €19. The standard fare starts at €64.

On the way back from Salzburg to Munich, you have at least 1 connection per hour available. The single savings fare starts at €38. The standard fare starts at €61.60.

Buses from Munich to Salzburg

It’s highly unlikely to take a bus between the two cities. The reason is that there’s only a shuttle bus connecting Munich Airport to Salzburg, but the price is higher than the train ticket. Plus, if you are in central Munich already, there’s no point to travel to the airport to catch the shuttle bus.

Driving from Munich to Salzburg

Both Germany and Austria are part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, which means you won’t be paying surcharges for taking the rental car across the border. However, you need to ask the rental company if you are allowed to do that.

On A8, the travel distance between the two cities is 145 km , which can be tackled in about 1 ½ h. Please note that the route has tolls

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Photo by kainet

Categories
Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Munich to Prague

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, particularly known for Oktoberfest beer celebration. It also has many interesting museums and a stunning architecture. Whether you are traveling to Munich for Oktoberfest or for any other reason, you need to know the cheapest way to get here and some details so that planning your trip gets a bit easier.

Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It used to be a cheap place to visit in the Czech Republic but things have changed. Some say it’s very touristy, while others say it’s just stunning. I’ll leave it up to you to decide. Prague has a lot of places to visit and things to try out.

Quick summary

Given the short distance between the two cities (about 400 km), there’s no need to fly between Munich and Prague. In fact, there aren’t any direct flights available and all routes go through Warsaw. The cheapest option is traveling by bus. For about €30 you’ll cover the distance between the two cities in 5 h.

Trains from Munich to Prague

Bahn.de lists both buses and trains between Munich’s Hauptbahnhof and Prague’s central station. There’s a direct train leaving Munich daily at 7:02 p.m. The travel time is 5 h 49 min and the standard fare is €65.90 one way.

Buses from Munich to Prague

On Bahn.de you can also choose a bus to get between Munich and Prague. The bus departs Munich at 3:45 p.m. and the travel time is 5 h. The savings single fare is €29.

Eurolines also offers direct buses between the two cities. There are two departures per day from Prague (7 a.m. and 6 p.m.). The travel time is 5 h 15 min and the single fare starts at 500.- Kč / €19.60 [promo offer]. The standard single fare is 790.- Kč / €31. On the way back to Prague, the bus leaves Munich at 7 a.m. daily.

Driving from Munich to Prague

Both Germany and the Czech Republic are part of the European Union and the Schengen area, which means you won’t need to pay surcharges for using the rental car to get from one place to another. However, you should ask the car rental company if you are allowed to take the car across the border.

The shortest route between Munich and Prague is 381 km and takes about 4 hours to drive. Please note that the route has tolls.

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Photo by wili_hybrid

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Germany Planning a Trip Things to Do Transportation

Germany in May

In Europe, May is probably the most beautiful month of Spring. Sure, the weather is not reliable, but the warm and sunny days are gorgeous, allowing for outdoor activities and exploring the cities.

Weather & temperatures

May falls during spring, which is know for being pretty unreliable when it comes to the weather. But , the flowers are in bloom, the parks are green and the days are warmer and longer.

The best way to prepare for this weather is to pack layers. And don’t forget an umbrella or a waterproof coat.

Sample temperatures

Berlin avg high 18C; avg low 7C
Dusseldorf avg high 18C ; avg low 8C
Frankfurt avg high 18C ; avg low 8C
Hamburg avg high 16C; avg low 7C
Munich avg high 17C ; avg low 6C

>>read more about Weather in Germany

Flights and accommodation

May falls during spring when the prices for both airfare and accommodation start to go up in spring although they aren’t as high as during the summer. It’s still a good idea to make the reservations some months in advance.

Things to do

Kick off the start of the grilling season in Europe with Labor Day (May 1), a public holiday when everyone loves to spend time in nature. You can pack a picnic basket or just enjoy a day at the beer hall with friends.

Or, you can put on your walking shoes and explore Munich at your own pace. Do some people watching, visiting some churches and soak up the atmosphere.

>>read more about Things to do in Munich

Head to Bonn on May 5 for Rhine in Flames, a festival during which the Rhine valley is illuminated by fireworks.

Or go to Hamburg for the annual celebration of the harbor (3 days festival in mid-May). The festival features dragon boat races and a parade of historic ships.

By the end of the month make sure to be Berlin for the Carnival of Cultures , a four day street fair with exotic food and drinks and of course, parties. The highlight is the parade on Sunday when you can see colorful costumes.

And while here you can take a walking tour of the city, walk by the Berlin Wall, visit a museum or spend time in the park.

>>read more about Things to do in Berlin

Photo credit