Self-Launched Imperial Europe: Munich, Prague, Budapest, Vienna & Salzburg
10 days · Central Europe
Trafalgar charges £1,950
No-markup version: ~£755 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Trafalgar's popular Imperial Europe tour takes you through five incredible Central European countries — Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria — all without the group-tour price tag. You'll hit every major landmark: Prague Castle, Budapest's Chain Bridge, Vienna's Hofburg Palace, and Salzburg's fairy-tale Old Town. Swap the luxury coach and guided hand-holding for trains, FlixBuses, and your own two feet, and you'll save over £1,200 per person while gaining the freedom to linger where you love. Costs are estimates and will vary depending on season and booking lead time.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Munich
Munich, Germany
Fly into Munich Airport and take the S-Bahn S1 or S8 into the city centre (~£12). Check into your hostel or budget hotel near the centre. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring on foot — Munich's highlights are all walkable from Marienplatz. Stroll through Marienplatz, watch the Glockenspiel chime, peek into St Peter's Church (tower climb ~£4), and wander to the Hofbräuhaus for a stein and a pretzel. Munich Residenz exterior is free to admire; entry to the museum is ~£9 if you want to go inside.
🚌S-Bahn from Munich Airport to city centre (~£12). Walk everywhere in the Old Town.
🛏Wombat's City Hostel Munich or Jaeger's Hostel — dorm from ~£22/night, private from ~£60/night
- →Explore Marienplatz and watch the Glockenspiel
- →Visit St Peter's Church and climb the tower (~£4)
- →Walk to the Hofbräuhaus for dinner and drinks
- →Admire Munich Residenz and State Opera House exteriors
- →Self-guided walking tour of the Old Town
Munich to Regensburg to Prague
Regensburg, Germany → Prague, Czech Republic
Take an early train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Regensburg (Bavarian Rail, ~£15, ~1.5 hrs). Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — wander the Stone Bridge, the Old Town, and the Cathedral of St Peter for free. Grab a Bavarian lunch at one of the riverside stalls (~£8). Then take a direct train or FlixBus from Regensburg to Prague (~£20–35, ~3.5–4 hrs). Arrive in Prague by early evening and check in. Head out for a craft beer and dinner in the Žižkov neighbourhood — far cheaper than the tourist centre.
🚌Train Munich → Regensburg (~£15, ~1.5 hrs). Train or FlixBus Regensburg → Prague (~£20–35, ~3.5–4 hrs).
🛏Mosaic House Hostel or Czech Inn Prague — dorm from ~£18/night, private from ~£55/night
- →Explore Regensburg UNESCO Old Town and Stone Bridge (free)
- →Visit Regensburg Cathedral (free entry)
- →Riverside lunch in Regensburg (~£8)
- →Travel to Prague by train or FlixBus
- →Evening walk in Žižkov or Vinohrady neighbourhoods
Prague — Castles, Clocks & Cobblestones
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is incredibly walkable — and largely free. Head up to Prague Castle first thing in the morning to beat the crowds; entry to the castle grounds is free, and a basic ticket covering St Vitus Cathedral and key palace areas is ~£14. Walk down across the iconic Charles Bridge (free) and into the Old Town Square to see the Astronomical Clock strike the hour (free). Book a 2–3 hour guided walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18) or join a free walking tour (tip-based). In the afternoon, consider a Vltava River cruise — book via Klook or GetYourGuide (~£15). Try a trdelník chimney cake from a street stall (~£3) and grab dinner in the less touristy Vinohrady area.
🚌Walk or take the metro (single ticket ~£1). Prague is very compact.
🛏Mosaic House Hostel or Czech Inn Prague — dorm from ~£18/night, private from ~£55/night
- →Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral (basic ticket ~£14)
- →Walk Charles Bridge — free, best at dawn
- →Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock (free)
- →Guided walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18)
- →Optional: Vltava River lunch cruise via Klook (~£15)
- →Trdelník chimney cake from a street stall (~£3)
Prague to Bratislava to Budapest
Bratislava, Slovakia → Budapest, Hungary
Take a morning FlixBus or RegioJet from Prague to Bratislava (~£10–15, ~4.5 hrs). Bratislava is compact and easily explored on foot in 2–3 hours — walk up to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views (entry ~£8), stroll Michael's Gate, and grab a Slovak lunch in the Old Town (~£8). Then hop on a FlixBus or train from Bratislava to Budapest (~£8–12, ~2–2.5 hrs). Arrive by early evening, check in, and grab dinner along the Danube bank — the Parliament Building is beautifully lit at night.
🚌FlixBus or RegioJet Prague → Bratislava (~£10–15, ~4.5 hrs). FlixBus or train Bratislava → Budapest (~£8–12, ~2–2.5 hrs).
🛏Maverick City Lodge or Retox Party Hostel (or budget option: Hotel Memories Budapest) — dorm from ~£14/night, private from ~£50/night
- →Bratislava Castle and panoramic views (~£8 entry)
- →Walk through Bratislava Old Town — Michael's Tower, main square (free)
- →Slovak lunch in the Old Town (~£8)
- →Travel to Budapest by FlixBus or train
- →Evening walk along the Danube with views of the lit Parliament Building
Budapest — Baths, Bridges & Baroque Hills
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of Europe's most rewarding self-launched cities. Start with Castle Hill — take the funicular (~£5) or walk up for free — and explore Fisherman's Bastion (free outer area; inner terrace ~£3) and Matthias Church (~£6). Head back down and walk across the iconic Chain Bridge. Book a guided walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12). In the afternoon, soak in the famous Széchenyi or Rudas thermal baths (~£15–20). For a local dinner experience, head to the Great Market Hall for traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash and lángos. In the evening, explore the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter — Szimpla Kert is unmissable.
🚌Budapest metro, trams and bus — single ticket ~£1, day pass ~£5. Walk the main sights.
🛏Maverick City Lodge or Retox Party Hostel — dorm from ~£14/night, private from ~£50/night
- →Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion (free/~£3 for upper terrace)
- →Matthias Church visit (~£6)
- →Walk across Chain Bridge (free)
- →Guided Budapest walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12)
- →Széchenyi or Rudas thermal baths (~£15–20)
- →Dinner at Great Market Hall (~£8–10)
- →Evening at Szimpla Kert ruin bar
Budapest to Győr to Vienna
Győr, Hungary → Vienna, Austria
Take a morning train from Budapest Keleti to Győr (~£7, ~45 mins). Győr's baroque Old Town is delightful — the Cathedral, Széchenyi Square, and the Archbishop's Palace are all free to admire. Grab a coffee and a pastry. Then take a train from Győr to Vienna (~£12–18, ~1 hr). Arrive in Vienna by early afternoon and check in. Vienna's Ring Road (Ringstrasse) can be explored on foot for free — walk past the Opera House, Parliament, and Burgtheater. In the evening, grab a schnitzel at a traditional Viennese Beisl pub.
🚌Train Budapest → Győr (~£7, ~45 mins). Train Győr → Vienna (~£12–18, ~1 hr). Vienna U-Bahn day pass ~£6.
🛏Wombat's City Hostel Vienna or DO Step Inn — dorm from ~£22/night, private from ~£65/night
- →Győr baroque Old Town walk — Cathedral and Széchenyi Square (free)
- →Train to Vienna
- →Self-guided Ringstrasse walk — Opera House, Parliament, Burgtheater (free)
- →Optional: book Parliament Building guided tour via GetYourGuide (~£14)
- →Traditional Viennese dinner at a local Beisl (~£14–18)
Vienna — Imperial Palaces & Classical Grandeur
Vienna, Austria
Vienna rewards slow exploration. Start at the Hofburg Palace complex — the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum cost ~£14, or walk the free outer courtyards. Book a guided Vienna walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–15). Head to St Stephen's Cathedral (free entry; tower climb ~£5). In the afternoon, take the U4 to Schönbrunn Palace (~£16 for grand tour of palace; gardens free). If you love classical music, book an evening concert at a church or small venue via GetYourGuide (~£25–35) — far cheaper than the tourist-trap Mozart dinner concerts.
🚌Vienna U-Bahn — U4 to Schönbrunn (~included in day pass ~£6). Walk city centre.
🛏Wombat's City Hostel Vienna or DO Step Inn — dorm from ~£22/night, private from ~£65/night
- →Hofburg Palace Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum (~£14)
- →Guided Vienna walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–15)
- →St Stephen's Cathedral — free entry, tower climb ~£5
- →Schönbrunn Palace and gardens (~£16 palace tour; gardens free)
- →Optional: evening classical concert via GetYourGuide (~£25–35)
Vienna to Melk Abbey to Salzburg
Melk, Austria → Salzburg, Austria
Take a morning train from Vienna to Melk (~£18, ~1 hr). Melk Abbey is a breathtaking baroque Benedictine monastery perched above the Danube — entry is ~£13. Spend 1.5–2 hrs exploring. Then take a train from Melk to Salzburg via Amstetten (~£20–25, ~2.5 hrs). Arrive in Salzburg by mid-afternoon and spend the rest of the day walking the UNESCO-listed Old Town — Getreidegasse, Residenz Square, Salzburg Cathedral (free), and Mozart's birthplace (~£11 entry optional). The fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) looms over the city — cable car and entry ~£14, or walk up for free.
🚌Train Vienna → Melk (~£18, ~1 hr). Train Melk → Salzburg (~£20–25, ~2.5 hrs). Walk Salzburg Old Town.
🛏YOHO International Youth Hostel Salzburg or Arte Vida Hostel — dorm from ~£20/night, private from ~£58/night
- →Melk Abbey visit (~£13 entry)
- →Train to Salzburg
- →Walk Getreidegasse and Salzburg Old Town (free)
- →Salzburg Cathedral — free entry
- →Residenz Square stroll (free)
- →Festung Hohensalzburg — cable car and entry ~£14, or walk up free
- →Optional: Mozart's Birthplace museum (~£11)
Salzburg to Munich
Salzburg, Austria → Munich, Germany
Enjoy a final morning in Salzburg — grab a coffee and explore Mirabell Palace and Gardens (free), made famous by The Sound of Music. Take a train or FlixBus back to Munich (~£15–22, ~1.5–2 hrs). Check in to your Munich accommodation and spend the evening revisiting the Hofbräuhaus or trying one of the city's excellent traditional Bavarian restaurants. Celebrate your last night with the independent traveller's version of a 'celebration dinner' — a great meal with fellow hostel travellers.
🚌Train or FlixBus Salzburg → Munich (~£15–22, ~1.5–2 hrs). Munich S-Bahn or walk.
🛏Wombat's City Hostel Munich or Jaeger's Hostel — dorm from ~£22/night, private from ~£60/night
- →Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Salzburg (free)
- →Train or FlixBus to Munich
- →Munich Old Town revisit — Marienplatz, Hofbräuhaus
- →Celebratory dinner at a traditional Bavarian restaurant (~£15–20)
Departure from Munich
Munich, Germany
Enjoy a final breakfast at a local bakery — Munich's bakeries are excellent and cheap (~£4–6). If you have time before your flight, the Deutsches Museum or English Garden (entry free to the park) are worth a final wander. Take the S-Bahn back to Munich Airport (~£12). Safe travels!
🚌S-Bahn S1/S8 to Munich Airport (~£12, ~45 mins).
- →Final breakfast at a local Munich bakery (~£4–6)
- →Optional: stroll in the English Garden (free)
- →S-Bahn to Munich Airport (~£12)
Self-launched vs. Trafalgar
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Trafalgar | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£755 | £1,950 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,195 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Trafalgar-style trips? Check them out here.~£755
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Imperial Europe: Munich, Prague, Budapest, Vienna & Salzburg cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £755 per person for 10 days in Central Europe. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Trafalgar?+
Yes — Trafalgar charges around £1,950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £755 — a saving of roughly £1,195 (61%) per person.
How long is the Central Europe trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Central Europe.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, backpacker trip through Central Europe, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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