Help? Travel between Vienna, Cesky Krumlov, Prague, and Budapest
Aug 4th, 2007, 08:00 AM
#1
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Help? Travel between Vienna, Cesky Krumlov, Prague, and Budapest
Hoping that I can get some help with our upcoming travels (we leave on Friday 8/10!).
<b>Our Itinerary:</b>
8/10-8/14: Vienna
8/14-8/16: Cesky Krumlov
8/16-8/20: Prague
8/20-8/24: Budapest
I'm having a little bit of difficulty figuring out how to travel between these cities and have been looking at trains/buses for the first 2 legs of our trip. From Prague to Budapest, I was considering a flight.
Does anyone have any suggestions for the best (quickest and most economical) way for us to do these city-to-city transitions?
Much thanks!
Nora
<b>Our Itinerary:</b>
8/10-8/14: Vienna
8/14-8/16: Cesky Krumlov
8/16-8/20: Prague
8/20-8/24: Budapest
I'm having a little bit of difficulty figuring out how to travel between these cities and have been looking at trains/buses for the first 2 legs of our trip. From Prague to Budapest, I was considering a flight.
Does anyone have any suggestions for the best (quickest and most economical) way for us to do these city-to-city transitions?
Much thanks!
Nora
Aug 4th, 2007, 08:47 AM
#2
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Here's a place to start: I looked on deutsche bahn and the train travel is about 5 hours, vienna to Cesky Krumlov so you lose 1 day in travel there. Train from Cesky to Prague has a few fast trains early in the morning for a trip that's about 4+ hours. THere is a flight on smartwings for 90 euros on 8/20 leaving at 8;45 in the AM and arriving in Budapest at 9:40am. I don't know if other fodorites have a better idea of how to travel...maybe renting a car???for the Czech republic?Hope that this is helpful.
Aug 4th, 2007, 02:07 PM
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Thanks gregeva1. I wish there was a shorter way - but it is what it is. Maybe if there are trains available in the evening I won't be missing out on full days. Just checked smartwings.com, but it doesn't appear that there is availability to fly on 8/20 from Prague to Budapest for 2 people...I'm going to keep plugging away....
Aug 4th, 2007, 03:01 PM
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Couple of questions on train travel as I am completely clueless when it comes to train travel...sorry 
1. <b>Does it make sense to purchase a Eurail or Europass and use this for our transitions from city-to-city?</b>
<i>I priced out a European East Pass for $418 for 2 people but I'm not sure if this will get us to Cesky Krumlov. </i>
2. <b>Overnight Trains?</b>
a) Does anyone know if the European East pass would allow us to travel on an overnight train from Prague to Budapest?
b) Raileurope has an overnight train from Prague to Budapest for $264 for 2 people with a sleeper compartment. This seems like a good option, though I've never traveled on an overnight train and don't know what to expect. Would there possibly be other passengers in our sleeping compartment?
1. <b>Does it make sense to purchase a Eurail or Europass and use this for our transitions from city-to-city?</b>
<i>I priced out a European East Pass for $418 for 2 people but I'm not sure if this will get us to Cesky Krumlov. </i>
2. <b>Overnight Trains?</b>
a) Does anyone know if the European East pass would allow us to travel on an overnight train from Prague to Budapest?
b) Raileurope has an overnight train from Prague to Budapest for $264 for 2 people with a sleeper compartment. This seems like a good option, though I've never traveled on an overnight train and don't know what to expect. Would there possibly be other passengers in our sleeping compartment?
Aug 4th, 2007, 04:24 PM
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logos999 - I guess if it is $6/100 km it does make sense to get the pass, no?
I am a novice at train travel and could really use some guidance and advice before I book the train pass (and have to pay for overnight shipping as well).
Can anyone answer my other questions above about what to expect on an overnight train and if I could even use a rail pass for an overnight train?
I am a novice at train travel and could really use some guidance and advice before I book the train pass (and have to pay for overnight shipping as well).
Can anyone answer my other questions above about what to expect on an overnight train and if I could even use a rail pass for an overnight train?
Aug 5th, 2007, 12:16 AM
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>it does make sense to get the pass, no?
Those countries are not that big. Rail travel is only expensive in Austria. Just get a map and calculate distances, you may be surprised.
. Places are not that far apart in central Europe. From Budapest to Prague you'd pay well below 50€ per person, but just because the Austrian portion of the trip already costs 28€ for 2 people.
Those countries are not that big. Rail travel is only expensive in Austria. Just get a map and calculate distances, you may be surprised.
. Places are not that far apart in central Europe. From Budapest to Prague you'd pay well below 50€ per person, but just because the Austrian portion of the trip already costs 28€ for 2 people.
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:08 AM
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logos999 - thanks for the information, however, I am still horribly confused. Are those prices you quoted for train travel?
Does anyone out there have any guidance on the overnight trains and the eurail passes????
Does anyone out there have any guidance on the overnight trains and the eurail passes????
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:36 AM
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Ok - so, would you say then it would be a good idea for me to wait until we are in the country to purchase the train tickets? (If I wanted to - could I purchase a Rail Pass there too, or is that only pre-order?)
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:38 AM
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We are doing a similar itinerary in Sept. and this is the info I have found for travel between the cities.
Vienna to Cesky Krumlov- You can take the train the whole way but it is longer and the train station in Cesky Krumlov is pretty far out of town.
What we are doing:
Train- Leave Vienna 10:30 arrive Linz 12:10 (30E each)
http://www.oebb.at/vip8/oebb/en/
Shuttle bus from Linz to Cesky Krumlov leaves Linz train station at 12:30 arrive 2:00. (600CZK each)
http://www.pensionlobo.cz/shuttle/?lang=en
Cesky Krumlov to Prague
From my research the bus is the easiest way to travel. 3 hrs Various departure times.
http://www.idos.cz/ConnForm.asp?tt=J&cl=E5
Prague to Budapest
We are starting in Budapest so I'm not much help here but try
skyscanner.net for cheap flights.
Alternately, you can try Mike's Chauffeur Service. They can be hired for transfers between all the cities you mentioned. I sent a request on their online form and got prices for the trips. www.mike-chauffeur.cz
As far as rail passes, a lot of Fodorites suggest contacting http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/
They are supposed to be very helpful in figuring out whether or not to buy a pass.
Vienna to Cesky Krumlov- You can take the train the whole way but it is longer and the train station in Cesky Krumlov is pretty far out of town.
What we are doing:
Train- Leave Vienna 10:30 arrive Linz 12:10 (30E each)
http://www.oebb.at/vip8/oebb/en/
Shuttle bus from Linz to Cesky Krumlov leaves Linz train station at 12:30 arrive 2:00. (600CZK each)
http://www.pensionlobo.cz/shuttle/?lang=en
Cesky Krumlov to Prague
From my research the bus is the easiest way to travel. 3 hrs Various departure times.
http://www.idos.cz/ConnForm.asp?tt=J&cl=E5
Prague to Budapest
We are starting in Budapest so I'm not much help here but try
skyscanner.net for cheap flights.
Alternately, you can try Mike's Chauffeur Service. They can be hired for transfers between all the cities you mentioned. I sent a request on their online form and got prices for the trips. www.mike-chauffeur.cz
As far as rail passes, a lot of Fodorites suggest contacting http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/
They are supposed to be very helpful in figuring out whether or not to buy a pass.
Aug 5th, 2007, 07:51 AM
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>wait until we are in the country to purchase the train tickets?
Single tickets in those countries cost less that what you'd spend on a railpass. Austria is the exception, but there is the "Einfach Weg Ticket" that costs 28€ for two and is valid on all regional trains. If you plan properly (Like taking the Budovice - Gmünd - Vienna - Budapest route, that is one hour faster than via Brno), you can travel trough Austria for 14€ per person.
Single tickets in those countries cost less that what you'd spend on a railpass. Austria is the exception, but there is the "Einfach Weg Ticket" that costs 28€ for two and is valid on all regional trains. If you plan properly (Like taking the Budovice - Gmünd - Vienna - Budapest route, that is one hour faster than via Brno), you can travel trough Austria for 14€ per person.
Aug 5th, 2007, 09:32 AM
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I had another thought - I can't locate a flight for 8/20 from Prague to Budapest for a reasonable price (someone saw a flight on smartwings for 90euro, but I can't locate that flight), so I was contemplating the overnight train - looks like it is reasonable pricewise - should an overnight train ticket be pre-purchased, or should I wait until I am in Prague to purchase this ticket?
Thanks for all the help!
Thanks for all the help!
