Two Weeks in Central Europe: The Ultimate Backpacker Route
A magnificent two-week overland expedition connecting Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest purely by train. Unrivaled value and cultural depth.
Swipe to follow the full route.
Intercity route legs
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Berlin
BerlinArrival and check-in. Evening walk past the Reichstag.
Berlin Cold War History
BerlinTopography of Terror and East Side Gallery murals.
Train to Baroque Dresden
DresdenEuroCity train south. Historic Green Vault treasures.
Elbe River Canyon to Prague
PragueScenic rail to Prague. Old Town Square at night.
Prague Castle Complex
PragueCathedral nave, Golden Lane, and Petřín hill views.
Vinohrady & Vyšehrad Citadel
PragueEscape crowds to the cliff-top Vyšehrad fortress.
RegioJet to Vienna
ViennaTrain to Vienna. Evening sausage at Bitzinger Würstelstand.
Imperial Vienna & Opera
ViennaHofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s, and standing-room opera.
Schönbrunn & MuseumQuartier
ViennaPalace gardens and Leopold Museum art.
REX Train to Bratislava
Bratislava1-hour commuter train to Slovakia. Walk the Old Town.
Bratislava Castle & Danube Views
BratislavaUpside-down table castle and €7 traditional lunch.
EuroCity Train to Budapest
BudapestTrain down the Danube bend to Budapest. Ruin bar evening.
Buda Castle & Thermal Baths
BudapestFisherman’s Bastion views and soak in Széchenyi baths.
Parliament & Departure
BudapestDanube promenade walk before airport bus 100E.
✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time
Visit Bratislava as a day trip from Vienna, saving one hotel relocation and keeping the full route under 12 days.
Make this trip cheaper
These options use the current typical minimum fare in our route records. They are not guaranteed quotes, and prices can change before booking.
Make the itinerary fit your trip
Change the days in each city, leave out stops, and update the estimate without changing the published itinerary.