bwhizz

Hello,

We are flying in to Krakow from Germany in September at 10AM local. We only have 1 day in krakow before going to Prauge and are going to see Auschwitz. We were thinking of booking a bus tour that leaves Krakow and drives us to Auschwitz for the afternoon and then returns in the evening. Total Cost of this is $100 for 2 people.

Does this sound like a good option?

Also, more importantly. We (my girlfriend and I) are hoping to catch a night train from Krakow - Prague, with a private sleeper cabin. What are our options for this? I was quoted $250 / Person for a 1st class sleeper cabin from Krakow-Prague. I think that is crazy and way too expensive. Some help with this is MUCH appreciated. Our tour returns at 9:30PM.

Thanks,

Kwoo

Hi bwhizz,
In 2003 my husband, daughter & I took the sleeper train from Krakow to Prague. I know we did not pay that much money but we didn't travel first class and that was 6 years ago. We did have a private cabin just for the 3 of us. We are from the U.S. and I remember that I ordered the tickets from an agency in Florida but that probably doesn't help you.

At the time, there was a frequent poster on this forum from England, I think his name was Ben but I believe he has passed away. He was extremely helpful and knowledgeable & I think he's the one who gave me the name of the agency in Florida. Wish I could be of more help.

bwhizz

Thanks for the reply... Yeah, there has to be some easy way. The 2 countries are side by side!!! And I am sure it is VERY common for people to do this tour/trip

adrienne

Here's that Florida agency web site.

http://www.euraide.de/

thursdaysd

If you go to seat61.com you should find links for the national rail companies, and you may be able to buy tickets online from one of them. Personally, I buy Eastern Europe train tickets in-country, but I don't travel as fast as you are.

$50 a person is ridiculous price for Auschwitz. You can do it buy public transport (bus or train) for much, much less. I think you can probably pick up a guide there, after you watch the video, but you really don't need one.

Libby123

Hi, I just wish you were planning more time in Krakow. The Old Town is so nice especially if you get off the main streets and just wander the side streets. Wawel Castle is lovely and the Kasimierz is fascinating. I have been to both Prague and Krakow and they both deserve your time esp. given the cost of traveling to and from. Could you change your plans just a bit?

nancicita

Hi bwhizz,

I live in Prague right now. I took the sleeper train 1st class single from Prague to Krakow roundtrip last July.

I think you should buy the Krakow - Prague ticket at the train station. Also, you should know that first class sleeper trains on this route are not up to the same standard as, for example, the CityNightLine or any other German/French/Swiss train. You should expect a small compartment with a basic bunk bed one of top of the other. The toilet is down the hall, you don't get your own in the compartment like the CNL Deluxe 1st class.

I also don't think you should book with any travel agency for busses/tours. When you arrive, go to the Krakow Tourism Office and they will be able to tell you options for booking tours to Auschwitz and Salt Mine tours. You can buy tickets for tours there and be able to compare prices. Last July I took the SeeKrakow tour and it was good. The only thing is, that the shuttle van leaves on time, so if you are even 5 minutes late getting coffee in the morning, they will leave without you.

If you have any questions about my trip, feel free to ask here. ;-)

bwhizz

Wow, thanks for all the responses!

I guess I am just worried about the language barrier and being scammed, which is why I am leaning to have everything booked ahead of time. I just got a quote for a 1st class rail ticket from Krakow - Prague overnight in a private cabin for $450 CDN for 2 people!!!

I am flying in from Cologne on Wizz Air. How will I get from the Krakow Airport to the city centre or the tourist information booths? How difficult is it considering the language barriers?

Thanks!

thursdaysd

Have you looked at a guidebook? Fodors, maybe? If the one you're looking at doesn't tell you how to get from the airport to the city center, get another. (Lonely Planet will certainly tell you that, also how to take public transport to Auschwitz.)

BigRuss

You seem to have excellent ability in English, so the language barrier isn't too bad. We had no knowledge of Polish and got around Krakow and Prague with ease.

And consider that the Krakow to Prague train ride is more than 8 hours long when examining the sleeper fares. The countries may be right next to each other, but the train path from one city to the other is circuitous.

camille_e

Your trip sounds really great.

I recently returned from my first European trip and it included three nights in Prague. (I'm also new to this forum.) We drove in and out and so I have no experience with the trains. However, we too were concerned with the language barrier there as far as getting around and so we did use a tour company for a private guided tour and to assist me with some very basic family research.

We found the guide through the Fodor's Prague book and they are also listed on this site: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_1152.html

See specifically Fodor editor Doug Stallings comment: "What was your best find? Two things actually. The first was Jaroslav "Jay" Pesta, a private tour guide I found through his Web site (www.prague-walks.com). He guided me all over town on my first full day in Prague...."

We spent six hours with Jay, his English is excellent and he is a native of C.R. Being a business owner myself, we talked business a little and I learned that Jay took over his family's travel agency as well as running private guide services. I was so impressed with his manner that it has prompted me to tell others. As a small business you depend on your customers being happy with your services and hearing about you from others.

When I emailed initially to inquire about a tour his reply was very timely and answered my several questions.

Take a look at his site and see if you like the idea of contacting him. He may be able to assist with your bookings. Private-Prague-Guide.com.

nancicita

>> I guess I am just worried about the language barrier and being scammed, which is why I am leaning to have everything booked ahead of time.


Don't worry. If you are aware of your surroundings and something sounds like a scam, it probably is. That being said, I still wouldn't book my train tickets ahead of time.

I would buy it at the train station. Remember again, their 1st class trains aren't that nice, so just be prepared. I definitely wouldn't book 2nd class for an overnight train though. Reason being there are just too many people in 2nd class and I wouldn't want to deal with a crowded cabin. But that's just me, and I travel solo. Last year the 1st class train was entirely full, and although I had booked (in advance!) a single 1st class compartment, I ended up being stuck with another Polish man. I was very lucky, the guy was nice and didn't complain (he had assumed he had booked a single compartment for himself as well). Anyway, just be prepared for things like that.


>> I just got a quote for a 1st class rail ticket from Krakow - Prague overnight in a private cabin for $450 CDN for 2 people!!!

Again, I wouldn't pay for an eastern European train. Really.


>> I am flying in from Cologne on Wizz Air. How will I get from the Krakow Airport to the city centre or the tourist information booths?


When you land at Krakow, find an information booth and ask to speak to someone who can speak English. Give them the address of your hotel and ask them how far it is from the airport. If they don't know, ask them where is the taxi area and you can ask the taxi driver. Be sure the taxi is waiting in a line and not directed toward you (what I mean is, if there is someone asking you questions like "taxi?" or "accomodation?" , you should probably ignore them. Go straight to the taxi stand where all the taxi cabs are waiting).


>> How difficult is it considering the language barriers?

It's not that hard. Have you traveled to other non-English speaking countries before? Poland is no different, Czech Republic is no different. There will be a language barrier and the best you could do is to learn a few basic phrases and write them down. Write down the address of where you're staying and write down phrases like "where is?" "how much?" and "thank you". Also in general younger people in their 20's and 30's will probably be able to speak some English. But I wouldn't worry.

FYI re the Czech Republic - most czech people are reserved and don't chit chat. They are generally very passive people. This means that if there's a huge long line at the supermarket, they will all wait in silence and nobody will complain (imagine that in any big city in the US). If a seat at a restaurant is dirty, they don't say much. If there's no air conditioning at a cafe, a shopping mall, an office, even a gym, nobody complains. People are generally very quiet on the metro, waiting for the bus, or stepping onto a tram. My point is that IF someone approaches you at a train station or airport, they probably have some kind of hidden agenda.

Because czechs don't chit chat or think out loud like americans often do, you should be aware and understand that it isn't normal for a czech to approach you just to chat.

thursdaysd

No need to take an expensive taxi from the airport. If your guidebook hasn't given you the correct info, read this site: www.krakow-info.com/airport.htm - you can take a train or bus and save 20 euros.

If you arrive at the bus or train station you can then take a bus or train on to Auschwitz. You can leave your luggage safely at the train station - see www.cracow-life.com/poland/krakow-train-station .

nancicita

Hi bwhizz,

If you have a lot of luggage, I would take a taxi. I know that public transit would be cheaper, but if you aren't familiar with the area, and you're tired, and you've got luggage to carry around, don't take the train or bus.

Has Poland switched to the euro? Last time I checked (I was there last year), they were still using the Zloty, right?
Even here in the Czech Republic we have no plans to switch to the euro anytime soon...

tejana

I wouldn't worry about the language barrier too much in Krakow. I haven't been there in years, but I remember that everyone studied lots and lots of English in school and were eager to use it. Combined with a bit of pointing, everyone got along fine. Make sure that you get to the salt mines!

Man_in_seat_61

Bought at the station, the Krakow-Prague train fare is around 30 euro, 2nd class. Dirt cheap!

Add to this 10 euro for a couchette (a basic bunk in 6-bunk compartment) or 18 euro for a bed in a more comfortable 3-bed sleeper or 25 euro for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper.

A first class ticket or pass is only necessary for sole occupancy of a single-bed sleeper. ONLY A 2ND CLASS ticket is now necessary to travel in a 2-bed sleeper - this changed a few years ago, as it used to require a first class one for dual occupancy. Some US ticketing agencies are still mis-selling, indeed Rail Europe's online system still seems to factor in the first class fare incorrectly.

So stop talking about a 'first class sleeper', each 3-bed sleeper room is identical, with a top, middle and bottom berth, it can be used for 1 2 or 3 person occupancy, only requiring a 1st class ticket for single occupancy, a 2nd class ticket is enough to travel in a 2 or 3 person room.

Solo passengers are free to book 1 berth in a shared 3 bed or 2 bed room and share with another passenger or two of the same sex, cheaper than paying for a single sleeper.

samuell

I am planning to travel from Krakow to Berlin using the night train, should I expect similar prices and cabin configuration.
thanks.

bwhizz

Thanks Man in Seat 61!!!

Our plans changed and we are flying into Prague and need to take a train from Prague - Krakow - Prague.

Do you think the rates would be similar? What is the name of the rail line?

BigRuss

There may be cheaper flights than the train rides.

Daken

Man_in_seat_61 is wrong, fares changed quite a while already
Prague-Krakow-Prague ticket will cost you 62.8 euro, one way 36.8 euro.
30 euro 2 bed sleeper and 20 euro 3 bed sleeper (Ukrainian carriage), couchette 13 euro