GinaBean

Hello!
My husband and I have a 2 week trip coming up beginning in Vienna and ending in Warsaw. We would like to hit Budapest and Krakow as well. We have a friend with a home in the countryside outside of Budapest who is letting us stay there for a few nights. My question is, we would need a car to get into Budapest. He suggested renting a car in Vienna and keeping it until Poland. I have been to Europe a bunch but never rented a car. Kayak quoted me $1300 for two weeks, does this include the hefty fee for dropping it off in another country? What are peoples thoughts on driving this in general (my husband would drive)? I like the flexibility of driving, but not if roads and parking are going to be a mess.
Also, any suggestions on what we must do and see in any of these spots? anything we should add? I've been reading Warsaw is not that interesting, just a big city, is this the general feeling?

Thank you in advance for any and all tips and advise

Michael

I generally use autoeurope.com or kemwel.com (sister companies) for car rentals. I think that they will give you a good base in terms of pricing from which you can compare the price offered by Kayak or the companies themselves. You can always make the reservation with Autoeurope or Kemwel and cancel it at no charge as long as it is 2 or 3 days before the scheduled pick up (I do not remember the exact time period, but it will be clearly stated when you make the reservation). By making the reservation that you a copy of the agreement that will include the total cost minus possible incidentals such as a road tax, a pollution tax, a fee for picking the car up at a RR station or an airport. II believe that the one way fee is included in the original contract.

GinaBean

Great I will check out those sites. thank you!

thursdaysd

Why don't you take the train to Budapest and rent a car there, since you will only need it for Hungary?

I was disappointed with Warsaw, but I had a cold at the time.

thursdaysd

Update - the author of this blog seems to be enjoying Warsaw:

https://lovetravellingallaroundthewo...day-in-warsaw/

PeterB

In Krakow you mostly be sightseeing old city ... which btw is closed to traffic and parking right outside that ring difficult to find ... So if you still need for ie. trip to Zakopane ( for Wieliczka and Oswiecim every hotel offers cheap excursions with a guide which comes out not only cheaper but faster - since they have special access ) then find a hotel in Krakow with a parking available and make sure you know how much it costs extra ... Wasaw is also difficult with parking with too many locals having their own cars and parking all over ...

PeterB

Also check with rental companies if they will allow you to drive their cars into Poland ... few years back there were some problems ... so better to ask ( where they may need to provide extra paperwork / insurance ) before final booking ...

Man_in_seat_61

You don't want to hire a car cross-border - far too expensive compared to a one-country rental.

Cars and city centres don;t mix in Europe. You should not rent a car to go into Vienna, Budapest or Krakow city centres, only to explore the countryside outside them. Park at a suitable station and take a train in.

Vienna to Budapest by train takes 2h40 with fares from €19 ÖBB - Startseite

PalenQ

If going mainly to large cities take the train as as shown above many cities are awful for cars and some don't even allow them in the centers. Drive if going thru countryside but if just cities - take Uber or taxis in from friends house to Budapest. Anyway for lots on trains check www.seat61.com (great site for booking own trains tickets in advance -often at a discount); BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

I'd highly suggest taking a boat thru the Wachau Valley just west of Vienna - take train to Melk, tour famous abbey, hop on boat to float thru beautiful Wachau Valley on the not-so-blue Danube - then get off at Durnstein - cute wine village and take bus/train back to Vienna:

https://www.google.com/search?q=wach...w=1879&bih=922

Buy a combo ticket to Melk Abbey entry, trains, boat and bus at Vienna - no reservations needed just hop on.

GinaBean

thank you for the reply! we have decided against the car. Do you have any suggestions on trips from Krakow? Day trips? We added a few days there.

Thank you!

GinaBean

Thank you for the info!

GinaBean

Thank you ! I bought the Rick Steves book. SO much good advise. I will look into the the boat thru Wachau Valley, great suggestion.

PeterB

Once in Krakow just ask in hotel to give you some recommendations on excursions ... there are many and well organized with multi language guides ... since you do want to understand what you are seeing ;-) Very popular is Salt Mines in Wieliczka for it's carvings in salt, Kazimierz and Oswiecim ( Nazi Concentration Camps ), many times they are combined with different configurations or can be just a specific place ... Zakopane is also worth a day trip by bus or train ( in Zakopane take a tram to Gubalowka hill for some breathtaking views of Tatry Mounties ).

GinaBean

I think Zakopane is now added to the list. thanks!!