I was in Prague last fall and it was so crowded. I had also visited in 1996– it was a magical experience.
I would strongly recommend day trips to small towns around Prague.
On my first trip in 96 I visited Cesky Krumlov, Ceske Budejovice and Terezin concentration camp. I didn’t revisit these last fall but I’m guessing they will be less touristy and crowded. I had a few weeks so I also visited Vienna and Budapest on the same trip. But I’d only do that if you had 2 weeks, I think seeing more of the Czech outside of Prague is better for 1 week.

But, if you are a Vermeer lover, then I would consider doing a day trip to Dresden to visit the art gallery to see the one and only Vermeer they have. It is also my favorite.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The first time I visited Prague it was for a short weekend trip from Berlin. Berlin is the closest of the three cities you mentioned, but it is still going to be a half day of travel (or get you in late). Both Munich and Vienna are going to be essentially a full day of train travel as opposed to half a day for Berlin. So if you only have three days ... Berlin. I enjoy Vienna the most of those three places though, with Munich a close second, and Berlin a distant third. So there's that.

I'd also look at Karlovy Vary. It's very close to Prague and one of the most beautiful spa towns in Europe. When I was in Prague for a month, many folks were visiting Karlovy Vary -- it's gorgeous and calm.

Neither Munich nor Vienna are a full day of train travel.

Tell me you have never traveled between these cities by train without telling me you have never traveled between these cities by train.

Yes, they are a full day of travel. From Prague to Munich is five hours by train, and from Prague to Vienna is four hours. Once you leave your hotel and travel to the train station, and figure out the track and wait for the train, and then get from the train at your destination to your hotel, etc, it is basically a full day of travel. You are looking at six hours at best, and likely more like seven or eight hours, or even more if there are any delays, which there often are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I second Karlovy Vary (Karlsberg) and would add Cesky Krumlov. If you've never been to Munich, I would definitely recommend some time there. Berlin on a compressed schedule - and with the distance involved - is less compelling.

I also vote for staying in Czechia and visiting a couple smaller towns. Particulalrly if you need to return to Prague to fly out? It wasn't clear from the OP. If the friends you are visiting live in Prague ask them too! If if get back there someday I want to go to Olomouc.

+2. Cesky krumlov is very nice. Both Berlin or Vienna are nice. Dresden was completely destroyed during ww2, so given your limited time I’d skip. Plenty to do in Berlin.

I actually quite enjoyed Desden, but was there during Christmas-time. The advantage over Berlin is that it's a closer to Prague.

Prague is nicer and more interesting than Munich, Berlin, and Vienna. For an extra 3-4 days, I would head to Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia. Very nice. And from there, Salzburg is 2-3 hours away. Would choose that over another major city.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I second Karlovy Vary (Karlsberg) and would add Cesky Krumlov. If you've never been to Munich, I would definitely recommend some time there. Berlin on a compressed schedule - and with the distance involved - is less compelling.

I also vote for staying in Czechia and visiting a couple smaller towns. Particulalrly if you need to return to Prague to fly out? It wasn't clear from the OP. If the friends you are visiting live in Prague ask them too! If if get back there someday I want to go to Olomouc.

+2. Cesky krumlov is very nice. Both Berlin or Vienna are nice. Dresden was completely destroyed during ww2, so given your limited time I’d skip. Plenty to do in Berlin.

Anonymous wrote:I second Karlovy Vary (Karlsberg) and would add Cesky Krumlov. If you've never been to Munich, I would definitely recommend some time there. Berlin on a compressed schedule - and with the distance involved - is less compelling.

I also vote for staying in Czechia and visiting a couple smaller towns. Particulalrly if you need to return to Prague to fly out? It wasn't clear from the OP. If the friends you are visiting live in Prague ask them too! If if get back there someday I want to go to Olomouc.

I second Karlovy Vary (Karlsberg) and would add Cesky Krumlov. If you've never been to Munich, I would definitely recommend some time there. Berlin on a compressed schedule - and with the distance involved - is less compelling.

Vienna is an easy 4 hour train ride. Not all day

Vienna is wonderful

Can I talk you into an overnight train to budapest?

Agree with Vienna. Vienna is beautiful. We took a train from there to Prague and it was easy.

Anonymous wrote:The first time I visited Prague it was for a short weekend trip from Berlin. Berlin is the closest of the three cities you mentioned, but it is still going to be a half day of travel (or get you in late). Both Munich and Vienna are going to be essentially a full day of train travel as opposed to half a day for Berlin. So if you only have three days ... Berlin. I enjoy Vienna the most of those three places though, with Munich a close second, and Berlin a distant third. So there's that.

I'd also look at Karlovy Vary. It's very close to Prague and one of the most beautiful spa towns in Europe. When I was in Prague for a month, many folks were visiting Karlovy Vary -- it's gorgeous and calm.

Neither Munich nor Vienna are a full day of train travel.

I did several days in Vienna during a Prague trip. It was fantastic. Vienna is one of my favorite cities now.

The first time I visited Prague it was for a short weekend trip from Berlin. Berlin is the closest of the three cities you mentioned, but it is still going to be a half day of travel (or get you in late). Both Munich and Vienna are going to be essentially a full day of train travel as opposed to half a day for Berlin. So if you only have three days ... Berlin. I enjoy Vienna the most of those three places though, with Munich a close second, and Berlin a distant third. So there's that.

I'd also look at Karlovy Vary. It's very close to Prague and one of the most beautiful spa towns in Europe. When I was in Prague for a month, many folks were visiting Karlovy Vary -- it's gorgeous and calm.

DH and I, plus two teen sons, are visiting friends in Prague over spring break for 3 or 4 days, and then we'll have 3 or 4 days to go somewhere else nearby (looking at less than 6 hours by train). I'm feeling torn between Berlin (maybe a day trip to Dresden on the way); Munich (maybe including a day trip to Nuremberg), or Vienna. Or I'm open to other suggestions. Thanks!