absolutkz

What would be the easiest way to get from Krakow to Florence? Fly? Train? Where would I change? I didn't exactly pick bordering cities. Thanks.

PalenqueBob

Fly - train is an arduously long marathon trek - two routes - Budapest- Lubjiana - Venice or Prague-Vienna-Verona-Bologna-florence - takes about 2 straight days! Plus cost a ton - fly - no debate if you want to go straight thru!

111op

Probably fly to Rome than Eurostar?

http://www.whichbudget.com/en/cheapflights.php?from=KRK

The Eurostar train between Rome and Florence is 90 minutes, I think. (Check trenitalia for schedules.)

absolutkz

Thanks, I didn't think of flying into Rome. I'll look into that.

111op

I think the Florence airport is small anyway. I'd think about Rome or Bologna (one hour train ride away).

Have fun.

absolutkz

Huge difference in price between Florence and Rome, about $600. And the train does take about 90min and is much more reasonable.

PalenqueBob

the major international airport at Pisa is also an option if price is right - this is not the Florence airport but the Galileo Galilei Airport a few miles from Pisa and only about 45 miles from Florence - direct trains from the airport to Florence.

tower

Fly to Munich from Krakow, then Lufhansa to Venice..fast train from Venice to Florence.
Stu

absolutkz

I look into the last 2 options. I have plenty of time, not going till next fall. Bored at work, so what better thing than this. Have to plan the main ends since we're probably using ff miles and I have to present this to my parents.

Gavin

SkyEurope flys Krakow to Rome. Then train to Florence.

absolutkz

I just looked at SkyEurope, it's by far the best. Approx $25 from Krakow to Rome. What's the catch? I know there's cheap inter-europe flights, but is there anything I need to know (ie, super strict luggage weights, etc.) Thanks.

Gavin

No catch. The fare you mention is much lower than what we paid. It all depends on the airlines loads on the particular day. I would snap that up now. Their web site will tell you the baggage limits. When we did it in April we were served a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage.

111op

I didn't look at the website, but is the $25 fare all inclusive? You should check to see if it includes all relevant taxes.

If not they'll be added before you finally click the "buy" button.

absolutkz

Considering that AlItalia wants $1200 to Florence and $700 to Rome, I'm still ahead of the game.

111op

Of course. You asked "what's the catch?" So the taxes bit are worth pointing out. A lot of discount airlines don't include taxes in their initial quotes.

The airfares are still cheap -- but usually not as cheap as what people think.

ben_haines_london

Add about 25 euros for airport taxes. But still a good buy.

Detail is this. Sky Europe, http://www. skyeurope.com, fly from Bratislava at 18.05 to Milan at 19.30 for 590 crowns or 15 euros, plus taxes of about 20 euros. The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable, which shows trains Krakow Glowna (beware pickpockets) 0700, Katowice 0825 to 0830, restaurant car train, Breclav 1208 to 1222, Bratislava 1330, and Milan Central 2035, not Saturdays, Florence 2359. Second class rail fares are from Krakow to Bratislava 43 euros and from Milan to Florence 17 euros. Total fares 95 euros, plus bus transfers at 5 euros each city.

An all-rail journey is Krakow Glowna 0700, Katowice 0825 to 0830, restaurant car train, Vienna Sud 1328 to 1930, sleepers and couchettes, Florence 0617, but with a couchette it costs about 230 euros

Ben Haines, London
bnhainesyahoo.co.uk

Michael

Our SkyEurope prices were almost doubled by the taxes, but it still was the cheapest way to go from Paris to Budapest and back. For that leg they allowed 20 kg per person.

minceta

Krakow to Florence itinerary (flying SkyEurope):

http://www.europetracker.com/report.php?trip=412

Looks like about 90€ per person per way, city center to city center, and about 5-7 hours of travel. Sure beats 2 nights on a train for 2x the price!

Assumptions:
1. You can get the Krakow-Rome (Fiumicino Airport) flight for 50€ per person one-way (including taxes)...easy if you book a few months in advance
2. 2nd class Eurostar Italia train Rome-Florence

Note that the SkyEurope flight is not daily.

minceta

Sorry I gave the wrong link. This is OK:

http://www.europetracker.com/reportdemo.php?trip=412