Budget 10-Day Central Europe Loop: Zagreb → Budapest → Vienna → Prague (9 Nights)

Day 1: Arrival & Explore

Zagreb, Croatia on October 20, 2025

10:00am

Arrive Zagreb & Check-in

Arrive from Iran, take a short taxi or tram to a budget hostel in the city centre and drop luggage to start exploring light and save time.
EUR20, 0h45m

11:00am

Breakfast at Dolac Market

Fresh bakery items, fruit and local snacks at the main market; cheap, authentic and open early (market busiest in morning).
EUR5, 0h45m

12:00pm

Upper Town (Gornji Grad) & St. Mark's Church

Walk the compact medieval Upper Town to see St. Mark's tiled roof and the Parliament building; great orientation walk and photo spots. St. Mark's area accessible ~9:00am–5:00pm.
EUR0, 1h0m

1:30pm

Budget Lunch — local bistro or burek stall

Try burek or a meat-and-potatoes plate at a casual bistro near the market — filling and inexpensive.
EUR7, 0h45m

3:00pm

Museum of Broken Relationships

Small, unusual museum (open roughly 10:00am–6:00pm) that's quick to browse and low-cost; good introduction to Zagreb culture.
EUR6, 1h0m

5:00pm

Zrinjevac Park & Coffee

Relax in the park or grab a coffee from a nearby cafe; pleasant for people-watching as shops close and lights come on.
EUR3, 0h45m

7:00pm

Dinner at a budget pub (Pivnica style)

Hearty Croatian pub food (stews, grilled meats) at a student-friendly pub for good portions at low prices.
EUR10, 1h15m

9:00pm

Evening stroll & early night

Short stroll back through Tkalčićeva Street for a feel of Zagreb nightlife, then rest for the travel day tomorrow.
EUR0, 0h45m
Book a Hotel

Day 2: Local Sights

Zagreb, Croatia on October 21, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — local bakery (Mlinar or similar)

Cheap pastries and coffee to fuel a day of walking; bakeries open early and are great budget options.
EUR4, 0h30m

9:00am

Mirogoj Cemetery & Tram Ride

Take tram to Mirogoj (beautiful 19th-century cemetery and peaceful park; open dawn–dusk).
EUR0, 1h30m

11:30am

Bike or walk along Sava riverbank

Easy riverside walk or rent a cheap bike to see local neighborhoods and save on transport.
EUR4, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Dolac stalls / sandwich

Return near the market for a low-cost lunch from vendors; simple and authentic.
EUR6, 0h45m

2:30pm

Zagreb City Museum or Mimara Museum

Pick one small museum open ~10:00–17:00 for local history or art – budget-friendly and compact.
EUR5, 1h30m

4:30pm

Relax & pack for next day

Return to hostel to rest, organize luggage for the morning bus/train to Budapest.
EUR0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — affordable konoba or local pizzeria

Try inexpensive local dishes or pizza — filling and cheap in city centre restaurants.
EUR9, 1h15m
Book a Hotel

Day 3: Travel to Budapest

Zagreb → Budapest, Hungary on October 22, 2025

7:30am

Early breakfast & check-out

Grab a budget breakfast at the hostel or nearby bakery to get an early bus/train; departures best booked in advance for low fares.
EUR4, 0h30m

8:30am

Bus/Train to Budapest

Take a FlixBus or Croatia–Hungary train; buses often cheapest (~4–5 hours). Book early for best fares.
EUR20, 4h30m

1:00pm

Arrive & Check-in (Budapest budget hostel)

Drop bags in a centrally located hostel (District VII or near Keleti) to maximize walking access to sights.
EUR18, 0h45m

2:00pm

Lunch — quick lángos or local eatery

Try street-food lángos or a cheap Hungarian soup/plate for a filling and inexpensive meal.
EUR6, 0h45m

3:30pm

Walk along the Danube: Parliament view & Shoes on the Danube

See the exterior of the Hungarian Parliament (book tours in advance if wanted) and the poignant 'Shoes on the Danube' memorial; walkable and mostly free.
EUR0, 1h0m

5:30pm

Gellért Hill viewpoint

Short hike/up via public transport to the Citadel for panoramic views over Budapest at sunset (open access).
EUR0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at a budget Hungarian restaurant (District VII)

Get a cheap hearty goulash or chicken paprikash in a student-friendly place in the Jewish Quarter.
EUR9, 1h15m
Book a Hotel

Day 4: Budapest Baths & Castle

Budapest, Hungary on October 23, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast — café or hostel

Simple breakfast near the hostel; many cafes open early with affordable coffee and pastries.
EUR4, 0h30m

9:30am

Buda Castle & Castle Hill (walk)

Explore Buda Castle area, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church; castle grounds open all day, churches generally open ~9:00–17:00.
EUR0, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — budget café near Castle

Take a quick lunch in the castle district (sandwich/soup) to keep costs low.
EUR7, 0h45m

2:00pm

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

Relax in the famous thermal baths (open roughly 6:00am–10:00pm); get the cheaper afternoon rates and enjoy the outdoor pools if weather permits.
EUR18, 2h30m

5:00pm

Stroll Andrássy Avenue & Heroes’ Square

Walk the grand boulevard and the Millennium monuments; museums nearby if interested (opening ~10:00–6:00).
EUR0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — street food or cheap ruinstaurant meal

Try a casual ruinstaurant for budget-friendly food and lively atmosphere in the Jewish Quarter.
EUR10, 1h15m
Book a Hotel

Day 5: To Vienna

Budapest → Vienna, Austria on October 24, 2025

7:30am

Early breakfast & check-out

Simple breakfast before taking the train/bus to Vienna; book tickets in advance for best prices.
EUR4, 0h30m

8:30am

Train to Vienna (Railjet or regional)

Fast rail takes ~2h30–3h; trains are comfortable and often cheaper booked in advance than last-minute.
EUR22, 3h0m

12:00pm

Arrive & Check-in (budget hostel in central Vienna)

Drop bags at a central budget hostel (near Westbahnhof or Neubaugasse) to walk to many sights.
EUR20, 0h45m

1:00pm

Lunch — Naschmarkt or kebab/sausage stand

Choose inexpensive stalls at Naschmarkt or grab a hearty sausage/kebab near the station for budget dining.
EUR8, 0h45m

2:30pm

St. Stephen's Cathedral & City Centre walk

Visit Stephansplatz and cathedral (open early–late); free to explore inside; consider tower access for views (~open 9:00–19:00).
EUR3, 1h0m

4:30pm

Kunsthistorisches Museum or free walk to Ringstraße sights

Wander the Ringstrasse to see Hofburg, Opera House and museums; museum entry ~EUR12 if you choose to go in (check opening 10:00–18:00).
EUR0, 1h15m

7:00pm

Dinner — budget Viennese schnitzel alternative

Look for a local heuriger-style spot or small eatery offering affordable schnitzel or pasta for value.
EUR12, 1h15m
Book a Hotel

Day 6: Vienna Highlights

Vienna, Austria on October 25, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — coffeehouse with budget option

Try an affordable set at a local coffeehouse chain (Aida or small cafe) for a Viennese start to the day.
EUR5, 0h30m

9:00am

Schönbrunn Palace gardens & Gloriette

Explore the gardens for free and walk up to the Gloriette for views; palace tours are extra (palace open ~8:30–17:30).
EUR0, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — cheap cafe near Schönbrunn

Simple soup/sandwich at a cafe near the palace to keep costs down.
EUR8, 0h45m

2:00pm

Belvedere or MuseumsQuartier (pick one)

Choose an art museum or the contemporary MuseumsQuartier; entry typically ~EUR10–15 and open ~10:00–18:00.
EUR12, 1h30m

4:30pm

Explore Naschmarkt & budget snacks

Sample small bites at market stalls for low-cost snacks and a lively atmosphere.
EUR6, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — kebab/Asian budget option

Vienna has many affordable kebab and Asian eateries ideal for budget travellers in the inner districts.
EUR9, 1h15m
Book a Hotel

Day 7: More Vienna or Day Trip

Vienna, Austria on October 26, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — hostel or cafe

Light breakfast to prepare for either a relaxed day in Vienna or a cheap day-trip option.
EUR4, 0h30m

9:00am

Optional day-trip: Bratislava (cheap, 1h train) or more Vienna

If wanting to save, take a 1-hour local train to Bratislava for a low-cost cross-border day-trip; otherwise visit Prater or Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna.
EUR12, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Bratislava cafe or Vienna snack

In Bratislava try local cheap cafes; in Vienna return for markets or fast food to remain budget-friendly.
EUR8, 0h45m

3:00pm

Return to Vienna & relax

Take it easy in the afternoon, visit a park or second-hand shops for low-cost souvenirs.
EUR0, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner — cheap local inn or supermarket meal

For tight budgets buy groceries or pick a small local inn with budget plates.
EUR7, 1h0m
Book a Hotel

Day 8: To Prague

Vienna → Prague, Czech Republic on October 27, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & check-out

Quick breakfast and pack for the train/bus to Prague; book a cheap bus (RegioJet/FlixBus) or train in advance.
EUR4, 0h30m

8:30am

Bus/train to Prague

Direct bus/train ~4h; buses can be cheapest and comfortable if booked early.
EUR18, 4h0m

1:00pm

Arrive & Check-in (Prague hostel)

Drop luggage at a hostel near Old Town to maximize walking and save on local transit.
EUR18, 0h45m

2:00pm

Lunch — cheap Czech pub (Lokál or similar)

Affordable, hearty Czech dishes at a budget-friendly pub in Old Town.
EUR8, 0h45m

3:30pm

Charles Bridge & Old Town Square

Walk the iconic bridge and visit the Astronomical Clock; both are open to the public (clock shows hourly).
EUR0, 1h0m

5:00pm

Explore Jewish Quarter exterior & bargain-shopping

Window-shop and wander the lanes; Jewish Museum entries are extra and have limited hours (~9:00–4:30).
EUR0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — inexpensive Czech comfort food

Find a local tavern for dumplings and stew; portions filling and prices friendly to a tight budget.
EUR9, 1h15m
Book a Hotel

Day 9: Prague Castle & Views

Prague, Czech Republic on October 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — local bakery or hostel

Cheap baked goods and coffee near the hostel to start the day early for the castle.
EUR4, 0h30m

9:00am

Prague Castle complex (Hradčany)

Visit the Castle grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane (castle complex typically opens ~9:00–5:00); start early to avoid crowds.
EUR10, 2h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — picnic from supermarket or cheap café

Grab sandwiches or salads to save money while enjoying castle views or nearby gardens.
EUR6, 0h45m

2:00pm

Lesser Town stroll & John Lennon Wall

Walk down to Lesser Town, view the colorful John Lennon Wall and relax in Kampa Park.
EUR0, 1h15m

4:00pm

Optional: Old Town Museum or discounted gallery

If energy allows, pick a small museum or gallery with lower entry fees (check open times ~10:00–18:00).
EUR6, 1h0m

7:00pm

Farewell dinner — budget Czech beerhouse

Enjoy one last inexpensive meal and local beer at a traditional beerhouse before departure tomorrow.
EUR12, 1h30m
Book a Hotel

Day 10: Depart Prague

Prague, Czech Republic on October 29, 2025

7:00am

Final breakfast & pack

Light breakfast at hostel or bakery and confirm transport to the airport/train station; leave early for international flights.
EUR4, 0h30m

8:30am

Check-out & travel to airport/station

Use public transport (cheap airport bus or train) or an advance-shared shuttle to keep costs down; aim to arrive 2h before flight.
EUR6, 1h0m

10:00am

Depart Prague

Fly or train home or onward — end of 9-night budget loop through Zagreb, Budapest, Vienna and Prague.
EUR0, 0h0m
Book a Hotel
0
Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed