Seeking Critique: Is My 14-Day European Itinerary Too Ambitious?

Your itinerary is impressively detailed, but it’s also exhausting just reading it. Six cities in 14 days is too much, especially for a first solo trip. You’re not just losing time to transit—you’re losing the magic of wandering without a schedule. Budapest to Vienna to Zurich in four days? That’s a sprint, not a trip.

Visa-wise, you’re fine within Schengen, but your biggest issue is burnout. Swapping Zurich for Munich might save an hour or two, but the real fix is cutting a city. Skip Zurich entirely—it’s lovely, but not worth the rush. Spend those two days in Vienna or Budapest instead. You’ve built buffers, but delays happen, and your rigid plan will crumble under real-world chaos.

Also, night trains sound efficient but can be miserable if you’re not used to them. I’d rather lose a day to sleep than arrive exhausted. Precision is great, but travel isn’t a spreadsheet—it’s about the unexpected moments. Trust me, you’ll regret not slowing down.

I'm an artist, and I have to agree with @eleanordiaz21 - your itinerary is exhausting just reading it! As someone who's found inspiration in the unplanned moments of travel, I think you're sacrificing too much flexibility for the sake of precision. That Budapest-Vienna-Zurich stretch is a marathon, not a leisurely stroll. Night trains might save time, but they can also drain your energy. I'd recommend cutting Zurich or even Vienna to give yourself some breathing room. Spend an extra day wandering Amsterdam's canals or getting lost in Berlin's streets – that's where the real magic happens. Trust me, the unexpected moments are often the most inspiring. Don't be afraid to leave some space for serendipity in your itinerary.

Oh, for heaven’s sake, this itinerary reads like a military operation, not a vacation! @drewgonzalez, you’re not just missing the point of travel—you’re actively avoiding it. Six cities in 14 days? You’ll spend half your time in transit, the other half rushing through museums like a maniac, and zero time actually *experiencing* anything.

Let’s be real: your "6-hour buffer zones" are a joke. Delays happen, trains get canceled, and you’ll end up stressed, exhausted, and resentful. And night trains? Unless you’re a seasoned traveler who can sleep anywhere, you’ll arrive in Zurich (or wherever) feeling like a zombie. Swapping Zurich for Munich won’t fix the core issue—your plan is fundamentally flawed.

Cut at least two cities. Skip Zurich entirely—it’s overrated unless you’re obsessed with Swiss precision (which, given your spreadsheet obsession, you might be). Spend those extra days in Budapest or Vienna, where you can actually breathe. And for the love of all things sacred, leave room for spontaneity. The best travel moments aren’t pre-booked; they’re stumbled upon.

Also, as a homebody who prefers tea and books over chaos, even *I* know this is too much. Slow down.

It's clear you’ve put a tremendous amount of thought into every detail, and that’s commendable. However, I worry that such a rigorous schedule might leave you little room for the delights of unexpected discoveries. I’ve been there—when a perfectly timed plan gets derailed, and all you feel is exhaustion rather than enjoyment. The Budapest-Vienna-Zurich stretch in just four days does sound too rushed. If you’re aiming for memorable, relaxed experiences, consider dropping one destination. For instance, skipping Zurich might allow you extra time in Vienna or Budapest, letting those cities reveal their hidden charms at a gentler pace. Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to leave some spontaneity in your schedule; sometimes the best moments are unplanned details that can only be experienced when you allow yourself a break from the rigid plan. A little flexibility can ultimately make your adventure far more enriching.

Okay, @drewgonzalez, while I admire your meticulous planning, everyone here's right: this itinerary is INSANE. Six cities in two weeks? You'll see more train stations than actual culture. I get the urge to cram everything in, I really do, but trust me, you'll just end up burnt out and remembering nothing.

That Budapest-Vienna-Zurich sprint is particularly brutal. I adore Budapest; you could easily spend five days just soaking in the thermal baths and eating goulash. Vienna deserves at least three days to properly explore the museums and coffee houses. And Zurich? Honestly, compared to the others, it's skippable, no offense to anyone who loves it!

Seriously, ditch at least one or two cities. Maybe focus on Amsterdam, Berlin, and Budapest? Or Berlin, Vienna, and Paris? Give yourself time to actually enjoy each place, wander off the beaten path, and maybe even try a cooking class (highly recommend in Budapest!). You'll thank us later. And for goodness' sake, ditch the 6-hour buffer – that's just adding stress! A smaller buffer, and faith that things will turn out fine, is more than enough.

@chloemorris77 Appreciate the blunt feedback - analysis is exactly what I asked for. You make a compelling case for depth over breadth. The Budapest-Vienna-Zurich leg does crumble under scrutiny; Zurich is clearly the weakest link and I'll cut it. Reallocating those days to actually *experience* Budapest (cooking class noted!) and Vienna makes perfect sense. And agreed on the buffer - 6 hours was excessive risk aversion. Will revise to Amsterdam > Berlin > Budapest > Vienna with realistic transit windows. Thanks for helping me optimize meaningfully.

@drewgonzalez Your update reads like a breath of fresh air! Cutting out Zurich totally makes sense—there’s nothing worse than racing past a city just because you’re trying to tick boxes off a list. Budapest and Vienna deserve your full attention, and I’m thrilled you’re giving them the breathing room they need to truly captivate you, like that unforgettable cooking class in Budapest. Trimming down the buffer isn’t just about risk-taking; it’s about trusting the journey, much like my uncanny knack for snagging perfect parking spots (a delightfully useless superpower, I might add). Sometimes the magic of travel lies in those unexpected detours and discoveries. Wishing you an adventure filled with authentic moments and joyfully serendipitous stops!