Take the overnight flight from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Munich Airport; the nonstop route is generally around 9 hours, but allow extra time for passport control and baggage after landing. From the airport, the S1 or S8 S-Bahn takes roughly 40–50 minutes to Marienplatz—the S8 is often the simplest choice for central Munich—or a taxi takes about 35–45 minutes in light traffic and commonly costs €80–100. If your flight arrives late, check into your hotel first and keep the afternoon gentle; Munich’s Altstadt is easy to explore on foot, and you’ll want to stay awake until evening without overloading the first day.
Begin at Marienplatz, where the Neues Rathaus and Frauenkirche give you an immediate sense of Munich’s historic center. Allow about 45 minutes to look around and wander the nearby pedestrian streets; the square is usually lively well into the evening. Then walk five minutes to Viktualienmarkt, generally open Monday through Saturday until around 8 p.m., though individual stalls close earlier. Pick up a small plate of Bavarian cheese, sausage, bread, or fruit rather than trying to make this a full meal—prices vary, but €8–15 is enough for a snack and drink. Note that Viktualienmarkt is closed on Sundays and public holidays, and some stalls may have shorter hours after a long travel day.
Continue a few minutes through the Altstadt to Hofbräuhaus München at Platzl for the classic first-night Munich experience. Expect lively communal tables, traditional music, and hearty dishes such as roast pork, sausages, or käsespätzle; dinner with a beer will usually run about €25–40 per person. It is open late, but arriving around 6:30–7:30 p.m. usually gives you a better chance of finding a table before the busiest period. From there, your hotel is best reached on foot if it is central; otherwise use Marienplatz U-Bahn/S-Bahn connections, and remember that the last trains are later than the daytime services but not all night.
Take the DB Regional-Express (RE 2) from München Hbf around 7:30–8:00 a.m.; the ride to Landshut takes roughly 40–50 minutes. From Landshut station, allow about 15 minutes on foot or take a short local bus ride into the old town. Begin at Landshut Altstadt, where the long, colorful Gothic street is at its most atmospheric before the shops and cafés become busy. Wander south toward the riverfront, then turn into St. Martin’s Church for a quick look at its remarkable brick interior and exceptionally tall tower. Entry is generally free, though modest donations are welcome; keep voices low if services are taking place.
Continue uphill toward Trausnitz Castle, a pleasant 15–20-minute walk from the center, with some steep sections and cobbles. The castle courtyard and hilltop views are worthwhile even if you keep the interior tour brief; allow about 1½ hours altogether. Check the official schedule before leaving Munich, as castle interiors commonly open later than the grounds and guided-tour times can vary. Comfortable shoes and water will make this climb much easier, particularly in August.
Return downhill to the Altstadt for a traditional Bavarian lunch at Augustiner an der St. Martinskirche or Ratskeller Landshut, both convenient for regional dishes such as schnitzel, roast pork, dumplings, and seasonal salads. Budget approximately €20–35 per person, and expect lunch service to ease off in the early afternoon. Afterward, visit the Landshut Residence, the former town palace on Altstadt, for a contrasting Renaissance interior; the guided visit usually takes about an hour, and opening hours can vary by season, so check the day’s final admission time in advance.
Leave the rest of the afternoon for an unhurried return through Altstadt—a good time for coffee or a small pastry at one of the central cafés before walking back to Landshut station. Regional trains return regularly toward München Hbf, but check the DB Navigator app for the latest platform and departure information, especially before committing to a particular connection.
After the early regional-train arrival from Landshut, walk from Weißenburg station toward the old town—about 15 minutes—or take a short taxi ride if you have luggage. Start at the Weißenburg Roman Baths, an unusually complete complex with visible heated rooms, plunge pools, and underfloor-heating features. Allow about an hour; opening times can vary seasonally, so check the town’s official museum page before traveling, and bring water because parts of the site are exposed.
Continue on foot to the Roman Museum Weißenburg, roughly 10 minutes away in the historic center. Plan 60–90 minutes for the Roman artifacts and reconstructions, including finds that explain how important this settlement was along the frontier. Admission is generally modest—often around €4–8—and a combined ticket may be available with related local attractions. Afterward, wander through Weißenburg Old Town toward the Schweppermann Fountain, taking in the medieval lanes, timber-framed buildings, and old gates rather than following a strict route.
Have lunch in the Altstadt at Zum Goldenen Adler, a traditional Franconian choice where you can expect regional sausages, schnitzel, seasonal vegetables, or Schäufele for approximately €18–30 per person. Allow an hour and check the kitchen hours, as many German restaurants close between lunch and dinner; reservations are useful on a summer weekday if you want an outdoor table. From the center, take a taxi up to Wülzburg Fortress—the steep walk is possible but takes roughly 45–60 minutes—and spend about 90 minutes exploring its star-shaped Renaissance walls and broad views over the surrounding countryside. Wear sturdy shoes, since the fortifications include uneven paths and steps; return to town by taxi, or walk down if you still have energy.
Take the early Munich Hauptbahnhof–Kraków Główny train via Vienna, allowing roughly 8–10 hours for the journey and connection. Keep your passport, tickets, phone charger, and snacks accessible, and reserve seats in advance through DB, ÖBB, or PKP Intercity; the Vienna connection can involve changing stations or platforms, so leave a comfortable margin. You should reach Kraków in the evening—too late for a major sightseeing push, but perfect for a gentle first look at the city.
After checking in, walk from Kraków Główny through Planty Park, the leafy ring marking the former medieval walls. This is an easy one-hour orientation stroll, with benches and illuminated paths that make it pleasant even after a long train day. Follow the park toward Main Market Square; the route is pedestrian-friendly, though the cobbles make a small wheeled suitcase awkward. If you arrive before dusk, this is also a useful chance to withdraw some Polish złoty or pick up a transit ticket for tomorrow.
Continue to St. Mary’s Basilica on the square, where the Gothic interior is especially atmospheric in the evening. Listen for the hourly trumpet call from the taller tower; it ends abruptly in memory of the trumpeter said to have been shot while warning the city of an attack. Check the basilica’s current visitor schedule, as services may limit sightseeing; entry is generally free for worshippers, while some visitor areas may charge a modest fee. Finish at Morskie Oko, near the square, for a relaxed Polish meal—expect about PLN 60–120 per person. Order pierogi, żurek, or a hearty regional dish, and avoid rushing afterward: this first evening is best kept to dinner and a short wander through the softly lit Old Town.
Start early at Wawel Royal Castle, arriving around 9:00 a.m. before the hill and castle courtyards become crowded. Allow about 2½ hours for the state rooms, cathedral-area views, and the castle grounds; individual exhibitions often require timed tickets, so check the official site the evening before. Entry prices vary by exhibition, usually around PLN boda? 40–60, while walking the hill and courtyards is partly free. Wear comfortable shoes—the cobbled paths are uneven—and enter from ulica Grodzka or ulica Bernardyńska rather than taking a taxi up the hill.
From Wawel Hill, follow the signed route toward Smocza Jama, the legendary dragon’s cave beneath the castle. The cave visit is seasonal and may involve stairs, so treat it as a brief add-on rather than the centerpiece; the dragon statue outside occasionally breathes fire. Continue down to the Vistula Boulevards for an easy riverside walk of about an hour, with views toward the bridges and passing excursion boats. Then walk or take tram 3, 18, or 24 toward Kazimierz—allow roughly 15–20 minutes. Spend the afternoon wandering around ulica Szeroka, ulica Józefa, and the small courtyards off ulica Ciemna, pausing at the historic synagogues as opening hours permit. Most religious sites close by late afternoon and require modest clothing; a loose scarf or light layer is useful.
Have dinner at Hamsa on ulica Szeroka, where Middle Eastern and Jewish-inspired dishes—such as hummus, shakshuka, grilled meats, and shared mezze—work well after a full day of walking. Expect approximately PLN 80–150 per person before drinks, and reserve if dining on a Friday or Saturday evening. Afterward, stroll a few minutes to Plac Nowy for the neighborhood’s relaxed nighttime buzz and a casual zapiekanka, the long, toasted mushroom-and-cheese sandwich associated with Kraków. It is an intentionally informal finish: browse the food stalls, find a bench, and enjoy Kazimierz after the day-trippers have thinned out.
Keep the final morning deliberately simple and leave Kraków with plenty of margin. If you are staying in the center, arrange a prebooked taxi or Uber/Bolt to Kraków John Paul II International Airport (Balice); the ride usually takes 25–40 minutes from the Old Town, but weekday traffic can add time. The airport train from Kraków Główny is another dependable option, taking about 18 minutes, though a taxi is easier with checked luggage. For an international itinerary to Atlanta, arrive at least 2½ hours before departure—more if you must check bags or connect through another European hub.
At Kraków Airport, confirm that your bags are tagged through to Atlanta and check the connection details before proceeding through security and passport control. Keep a small supply of Polish currency or a card handy for coffee and snacks; airport prices are higher than in town, and a quick meal before boarding is sensible if your connection is tight. Depending on the ticket, the route will usually involve a transfer at a major European gateway rather than a nonstop flight. Allow extra time for the return journey and keep your passport, medications, chargers, and one change of clothes in your cabin bag.
Follow the airline’s recommended connection route to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. On arrival, allow time for U.S. passport control, baggage collection, customs, and any onward domestic connection; even with Global Entry, checked bags must normally be collected and rechecked when required by the airline. Once home, avoid planning anything demanding—the overnight schedule and time-zone change will make a quiet evening the best finish to the trip.