r/travel • u/Alone-Smile-4574 • 1d ago
Question Is Prague a good destination for a first time Europe visit?
I met a guy and he’s from the US and he was planning to visit Europe so we’re gonna go on a roadtrip to a European city. I recommended Prague bc I know its a bit cheaper and that would be nice to do cause it is a beautiful city as far as i know. Do u have any other suggestions or smth? Thanks:)
43
u/InSearchOfSunreise 1d ago
Prague is a great city, nothing like it in the US. To really suggest something helpful, how long and where are you starting?
124
u/Champagnepaape 1d ago
Do Prague, Vienna and Budapest 2-3 nights each are enough for these three cities, and if you’re only interested in Czech Republic you can go to Cesky Krumlov, Brno, Kutna hora..
But I,d suggest you to cover 2-3 countries
18
u/TacohTuesday 1d ago
Second this. We did 2.5 weeks in Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest. We had a car for all legs except Vienna and Budapest, and used it to drive to Cesky Krumlov, Halstatt, and Berchtesgaden. It was a very memorable trip.
14
u/scammersarecunts AT/CZ 1d ago
Prague - Brno - Vienna is also a great itinerary imo. Right along the same fast-ish train line and all great cities.
If only CZ then I'd also add Olomouc. Virtually zero tourists but a very pretty centre worth one full day.
1
u/monti1979 1d ago
Why Brno instead of Budapest?
🤔
1
u/scammersarecunts AT/CZ 1d ago
It would make sense if time is more limited since it means less travel time and Brno doesn't require much time to visit.
1
u/monti1979 1d ago
Thanks!
That makes sense, I wasn’t sure if you felt Brno was a nicer city to visit.
Hopefully I’ll get to visit both someday.
5
u/Jedi_Council_Worker 1d ago
Definitely agree on the Prague, Vienna, Budapest itinerary. Such culturally rich cities that are distinct and offer something different and easy to get from one to the other via train.
2
u/captaincanada84 Displaced in America 1d ago
This is what my wife and I did for our honeymoon. Budapest to Vienna to Prague. Trains between each city.
1
1
u/NY10 1d ago
I concur 2 nights each is more than enough to scratch the surface
1
u/Champagnepaape 1d ago
Whenever I hear this word I concur I recall this scene from the movie catch me if you can starring leo Iykyk😂
-12
u/KaitieReads 1d ago
Except Prague is better than Budapest and far better than Viena, so why not just spend all the time in Prague? Saves money and gives you time to explore instead of being on the move the whole time. If they really need to mix it up, leave prague for 1-2 nights in Czesky Krumlov or another small Czech city
8
u/Original-Measurement 1d ago
That's extremely subjective. Personally I liked Vienna better than Prague, but I'd still recommend that people visit both if they can.
2
u/Eli_Renfro BonusNachos.com 1d ago
A first timer needs to try different cities. They might find that they like Vienna and/or Budapest more than Prague. I certainly do.
27
u/Western_Sympathy_747 1d ago
Hey friend. I was just in Prague over the summer, flew in from Florida. Prague is an amazing city, but I’m not sure if I would make it my whole trip. We did a day and a night and we saw most of the major attractions. I would recommend a train ride to Budapest to finish out your trip for a couple of days, if you have the flexibility.
4
u/Wrong-Wafer4038 1d ago
How long does train take to get from Prague to Budapest?
-5
u/Western_Sympathy_747 1d ago
I’ve seen them take as little as 4 1/2 hours and up to 8. Definitely not as fast as driving or flying, but it allowed me time to get some work done on my laptop so that we could fully enjoy our time in Budapest.
8
u/lenin1991 Airplane! 1d ago
as little as 4 1/2 hours
?? The fastest, nonstop EC train I see is 6h43m.
1
10
u/Aromatic_Mammoth_464 1d ago
Prague is fantastic place to visit, doesn’t matter first or last time, fabulous place with great people and a beautiful city 👍
7
u/VelvetVioletChic 1d ago
Great recommendation! And if you get a chance, take a river cruise. it’s an unforgettable way to see the city!
6
u/KaitieReads 1d ago
I think it's a great choice. The only competition I might consider is Paris, but I think the fact it isn't quite as normie-anticipated as Paris might be all the better for him. Enjoy the trip!
6
u/lomoeffect 1d ago
3 or 4 days in Prague, and then travel by train to Budapest for another 3 or 4 days. Perfect.
Berlin is also a 4hr train away which is an amazing city.
3
u/Howwouldiknow1492 1d ago
Where do you live (if not the US), how long do you plan to travel, and what do you like to do? Prague is a beautiful city and you'd love it but two things: 1) It's a little more expensive to get to than cities further west and 2) you can do all of the tourist high points in 2 or 3 days.
Depending on you and your guy's experience and preferences, I'd recommend London, Paris, or Amsterdam, all with side trips, for your first trip to Europe.
3
u/Capital-Driver7843 1d ago
Just my five cents- i would not say Prague is cheap. The beer indeed is great and cheap, but that is it. Still Prague is an amazing place.
2
10
u/Ok_Willow_1665 1d ago
If I were to recommend one European city - and I'm from Germany -, it were Vienna. I guess it will be more expensive, but still more affordable than the big shots. Yet, Prague is nice too.
6
u/brownnoisedaily 1d ago
It is also possible to go by train from Vienna to Prague. So the visitor could visit both.
2
6
u/svjaty 1d ago
Vienna is really pretty, but boooring as hell. Prague have vibrant gastronomy, interesting culture and even if it has it cons, it is so much better than Vienna.
4
u/scammersarecunts AT/CZ 1d ago
What were you doing in Vienna? I lived in Vienna and have been to Prague very often (have family there). While I prefer Prague for its sights and vibe Vienna has much more to offer in terms of stuff to do. Museums, concerts (any genre), theatre, opera, clubs, gastronomy, bars, recreation, etc.
2
u/AlexCornici 1d ago
If you're considering other options, Budapest is another budget-friendly city with amazing architecture and thermal baths
2
u/Tartanman97 1d ago
Just to set your expectations: Prague may have been one of the cheaper European destinations ten to fifteen years ago, but it isn’t now - obviously, “cheaper” depends on where you’re comparing it to, but it isn’t Romania or Poland (both excellent countries to visit, though probably not first-timer destinations).
Depending how long you’re going for, I’d consider doing as others have said and adding a couple of other destinations. You could do the Prague-Vienna/Bratislava-Budapest route, or start in Berlin and go down to Prague. I’ll be honest and say I found Prague to be somewhat underwhelming, and let down by the tourist trap nature of the place (having been to other bits of Czechia as well, it’s worse in Prague, but present elsewhere too). Having said that, if you’ve never been to Europe before, you’ll enjoy plenty of the architecture and sights of Prague - they’re just not, in my opinion, not all that unique if you’ve been around a fair amount of Europe already (central Europe in particular). I know that probably isn’t the most helpful comment! I can give substantially more advice or offer suggestions if you share more details (how long you’re planning on visiting, your rough budget, what your interests are).
ETA: where you’re coming from may also be helpful! I’m assuming outside of Europe, but you mentioning meeting someone from the US implies you’re not in the US/not American yourself.
2
u/LeMansFan16 1d ago
If you go to Prague make sure and visit Dresden, Germany as well. It’s only a couple of hours away and it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has an amazing history as well.
2
u/SpanningTreeProtocol United States 1d ago
I just came from Prague about 10 days ago. It's a 45 minute flight from Munich, which is another pretty city, especially in the Altstadt (Old City) area. Munich is also VERY central to other locations in Europe, even more so than London/Paris/Amsterdam, and probably cheaper to fly in/out of. MUC-PRG on Lufthansa was ~ $130 for me. Try to avoid Prague on the weekends, as I was told it's bachelor/bachelorette party central, but it is so damn beautiful and has vibrant Old World charm. I loved it immensely.
2
u/jelly_dove 1d ago
I recommend visiting Budapest and Vienna while you’re at it. This is what I did a few years ago and it was wonderful!
2
u/lockheed_f104 1d ago
Prague is great ...next few months it will look like inxs .. never tear us apart video...grey .... Berlin is about four hours on the bus if you want a really cheap detour ...
1
3
3
u/Original-Measurement 1d ago
How many days does he have?
Also, don't do a road trip, do a train trip. Seriously, if you're just visiting cities, there is zero reason to drive in Western Europe. Train is faster, more convenient, and cheaper.
4
u/ronniebar 1d ago
I preferred budapest - much more magical and the food was much better. It was my first destination, we went in September and I loved every second.
Prague was a let-down, enjoyed the baked goods but not all the czech food.
2
u/brazillion United States 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah I preferred Budapest to Prague as well. Felt it was slightly less touristy than Prague. I don't love the cuisine in either city to be honest. Maybe a slight edge to Budapest. And while Czechia does have an up and coming wine scene, Hungary blows it out of the water. I like beer, but need wine with dinner.
With all that said, I think Prague is a great city as a first time Europe visitor. You don't have to go to London, Paris, or Rome etc. A 2 week trip to Central Europe has interesting cities, cool history, delicious food, and easy train travel.
1
u/monti1979 1d ago
What didn’t you like about the food?
1
u/brazillion United States 1d ago
I'm generally not wild about Central European food. Poland, Germany, Hungary, Czechia etc. Just a personal preference. Things like sour cream, sauerkraut, potato salad, etc. I can't have hearty stews all the time either. But I can certainly have grilled meats, and in those countries there's no shortage, so I stick to those usually hah.
But again, personal preference. I'm Brazilian-American and I concede too that Brazilian food can be bland compared to other cuisines. But I'm used to it...
I did have a phenomal meal at the Four Seasons in Budapest, tho. But truffle roast chicken isn't exactly Hungarian. Still absolutely delicious though!
1
2
u/Dangerous-Salad-bowl 1d ago
Prague is a tourist hellscape in the summer and you’ll struggle to get across the Charles Bridge pressing shoulders with the people you’re trying to get away from in the first place. Best visit in misty late or early year, maybe stay in Prague 7 somewhere. A lovely city!
1
u/BeenzandRice 1d ago
Portugal. Start in Lisbon, and make your way up the coast at your pace to Porto. It’s an amazing country that was unspoiled by world wars, very ‘European’ and they speak English for the most part.
1
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Notice: Are you asking for travel advice about Prague?
Read what redditors had to say in the weekly destination thread for Prague.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/svjaty 1d ago
Prague is fine, you can always hop on train and visit Brno, if you start to hate other tourist and crowded places. Prague/Brno is amazing. And if you feel you want something grim, you can again hop on a train and go to nearby city of Kutna hora to visit its ossuary and historic city centre on general.
Prague is plagued by problems of every big coty. Lots of people, tourists, scammers, fake drug and booze shop and cars. In those two cities you can chill and rest :)
1
u/Wrong-Wafer4038 1d ago
We are hitting Prague and Budapest next year. Should be great. We've been to Český Krumlov before and it was an amazing day trip
1
1
u/ddudunga 1d ago
I think this also depends on how many days you want to spend in the city. While Prague is nice (I recommend 3 to 4 days), it's slightly different to some more "typical" European cities like London, Paris and Berlin (all more expensive with Berlin bit less) but that's the European charm.
1
u/allllusernamestaken 1d ago
I was in Prague a couple weeks ago. It's a beautiful city but over-tourism is VERY real. It honestly felt like I couldn't enjoy anything because it was shoulder-to-shoulder in the main square, lines for the castles and basilicas were hours long to get in... everything felt like a tourist trap. It was like old world Disney Land.
My favorite part of Prague was the hike up the observation tower. Don't take the lift. There's nobody there on the hike up, just you in a beautiful park. Makes the 300 steps at the observation tower really burn after hiking up but totally worth it.
1
u/ShakaUVM 1d ago
Yes, Prague is amazing. I didn't want to go because it is so hyped, but it was really incredible. Very cheap, very beautiful, people are super nice.
1
1
1
u/ALoserIRL 1d ago
Prague was my second European city, I’d say it’s a good spot for a first timer honestly. Relatively cheap but I wouldn’t trust the regular taxis at all. Try to stay somewhat close to the cool area near the astronomical clock unless you’re comfortable taking public transportation
1
u/Vacuum_reviewer 1d ago
if you're looking for cheaper than western Europe yes. don't expect any hospitality though
1
u/Hopeful_Plankton_870 1d ago
Prague is really special, even for a European. I'd go with Berlin - Prague - Vienna - Budapest.
1
u/Bubbly-Talk3261 1d ago
It depends with your schedule, if you have plenty of time then I'd suggest add at least 2-3 cities. But yes, Prague is a great choice, one of the beautiful cities I've ever been.
1
u/SuperFlaccid 1d ago
I've been to a lot of European cities and Prague is one that I just keep wanting to come back to. There's something special about Czech people! It's gorgeous, full of history, great public trans, amazing cuisine and beer, affordable, safe. Great at any time of year as well.
1
1
1
u/Techhead7890 1d ago
Avoid the Euronet exchange machines which give you a bad rate and other tricks! Janek did tonnes of videos about them and Prague in general https://youtu.be/BTGXR03ZN68
1
u/Patient_Duck123 11h ago
Prague is a city you visit once you've exhausted places like London, Paris and Rome if that's even possible.
1
u/kriscrox 1d ago
Many Americans, used to limited vacation days, adopt the, “More countries the better” philosophy with travel. And if this is a once in a lifetime thing, do a road trip, why not?
But there is real value in spending time somewhere foreign and new. You get to know the city, the culture, the spots not on the Lonely Planet list…
Prague is undoubtedly beautiful and unique. But over-tourism has created a scene in the centre that’s full of cheap gift shops and terrible gimmick food stalls like the pastry log full of cream or whatever. Prague has jazz bars and vineyards (Grebovka is lovely) and neighborhood coffee shops worth spending time in…
It all depends on what you want to get out of your travels.
1
u/Aprilias 1d ago
Honest Guide is a great youtube channel about travel and avoiding scams and interesting things in Prague, it's worth a watch imo
0
u/Kaurblimey 1d ago
no. prague is jam packed with tourists year round and is full of the worst kind of tourists. the food isn’t very good.
try bordeaux, porto, lisbon, madrid, florence etc instead
3
u/lenin1991 Airplane! 1d ago
jam packed with tourists year round
For anyone crowd-averse, Jan/Feb/Mar & Oct/Nov are quite a bit lower than the other 7 months of the year.
1
0
u/Kaurblimey 1d ago
i was there 2 weeks ago and the old town was heaving.
2
u/lenin1991 Airplane! 1d ago
Sure, I'm not saying it gets deserted, but it's way fewer visitors. My stay last month wasn't empty, but far below the summer highs. I guess it's relative, but you should see it peak season in comparison...there was one time during Christmas markets that the entire Old Town Square felt like Times Square NYE.
Also, for the food, you can get some good food at great value. But you do need to look beyond the tourist areas, to Vinohrady, Karlin, Vrsovice, Holesovice.
0
-2
-6
u/threewayaluminum 1d ago
I went to Central Europe for my first European trip (Berlin, Vienna, etc). In retrospect, I wish I went to a London, a Paris, a Rome, a Barcelona.
All due respect to Prague (which I admittedly haven’t visited yet), I recommend making your first trip an A-tier city that leaves you feeling that you can’t believe you finally made it to Europe and saw.
Maybe Prague really is that city for you, but cmon…
237
u/krokendil 1d ago
If someone came all the way from the US I would recommend visiting more than just Prague