Train from Frankfurt to Eastern Europe - Ideas?
Aug 20th, 2007, 05:53 AM
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Train from Frankfurt to Eastern Europe - Ideas?
I wish the Forum had a train section! But since there are several experts on the Germany Forum and we are starting from Frankfurt, I'll start here.
It will be our first visit to Eastern Europe so we want to see all we can. We are 67,70 and probably won't be back this way.
We want to spend a couple of nights in Vienna although we've been there a couple of times.
Our wannasees are Prague/Budapest/Romanian Villages (not Bucharest except connections) ending in Istanbul. We will fly from Istanbul to Frankfurt and after a couple of nights fly back to US.
We want to spend time in villages as well as the big cities. We will have about 3 weeks total. Our interests are music, folklore, agriculture, history, food, wine. We are retired educators and raise cattle and are interested in seeing our counterparts.
We have traveled trains on Eurail and Britrail - also Canada and Mexico since 1974. We've been cruising and taking land trips, but want one last big train trip as it's our favorite way to travel.
We'd appreciate any help on train suggestions / inns or pensions in our destinations / must-sees along the way or any other websites that might be helpful for us.
We will be traveling in October. Thanks for reading through this long post!
It will be our first visit to Eastern Europe so we want to see all we can. We are 67,70 and probably won't be back this way.
We want to spend a couple of nights in Vienna although we've been there a couple of times.
Our wannasees are Prague/Budapest/Romanian Villages (not Bucharest except connections) ending in Istanbul. We will fly from Istanbul to Frankfurt and after a couple of nights fly back to US.
We want to spend time in villages as well as the big cities. We will have about 3 weeks total. Our interests are music, folklore, agriculture, history, food, wine. We are retired educators and raise cattle and are interested in seeing our counterparts.
We have traveled trains on Eurail and Britrail - also Canada and Mexico since 1974. We've been cruising and taking land trips, but want one last big train trip as it's our favorite way to travel.
We'd appreciate any help on train suggestions / inns or pensions in our destinations / must-sees along the way or any other websites that might be helpful for us.
We will be traveling in October. Thanks for reading through this long post!
Aug 20th, 2007, 07:53 AM
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For Frankfurt-Vienna, if you book in advance at www.bahn.de, you can get a Europa-Spezial fare of €39 on either the 08:18 EC train, the 12:18 ICE train, or the 14:18 EC train. Or book the direct night train at http://buchung.nachtzugreise.de and get SparNight fares as low as €49.
If you book in advance with Swiss Rail, you can get SparSchiene fares for Vienna-Prague. It's worth the price of an international phone call. See here: http://tinyurl.com/3bvck9.
Sorry, I can't give you any tips for your other routes.
If you book in advance with Swiss Rail, you can get SparSchiene fares for Vienna-Prague. It's worth the price of an international phone call. See here: http://tinyurl.com/3bvck9.
Sorry, I can't give you any tips for your other routes.
Aug 20th, 2007, 08:05 AM
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3 weeks are not nearly enough time for what you're planning. How about Frankfurt - Dresden - Prague - Budovice - Vienna - Budapest - ... A "couple of nights" in Vienna will eat up your time fast. It's still a long way from Budapest to Istanbul.
Aug 20th, 2007, 09:31 AM
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Tim,
Thanks for the links. This was exactly the sort of info I was hoping to get!
I think we'll take the 12:18 ICE from Frankfurt the same day we arrive - as we want a day trip through this area. As I said, we've done it before, but what a long time ago. We'll spend 2 nights in Vienna - probably staying around St. Stephen's where we stayed before. One night is our Anniversary so we will book a music venue for that.
Vienna/Prague - another day train.
(I have a lot of research to do about Prague before speaking with any relevance)
Or if time becomes an issue, we can go from Vienna/Budapest. We want 3 nights there.
There is a night train from Budapest to Romania but again, I lack research. I know we want to get off at a point before Bucharest. (Hoping for homestays here)
And yes, Logos & PalenqueBob, you are right about the long train trips and the time in general. We could add some days, but the weather may start turning dicey.
From Bucharest to Istanbul will definitely be a night train.
This trip is beginning to overwhelm me! I guess I need to just do one section at a time.
Thanks a lot for the comments and information.
Thanks for the links. This was exactly the sort of info I was hoping to get!
I think we'll take the 12:18 ICE from Frankfurt the same day we arrive - as we want a day trip through this area. As I said, we've done it before, but what a long time ago. We'll spend 2 nights in Vienna - probably staying around St. Stephen's where we stayed before. One night is our Anniversary so we will book a music venue for that.
Vienna/Prague - another day train.
(I have a lot of research to do about Prague before speaking with any relevance)
Or if time becomes an issue, we can go from Vienna/Budapest. We want 3 nights there.
There is a night train from Budapest to Romania but again, I lack research. I know we want to get off at a point before Bucharest. (Hoping for homestays here)
And yes, Logos & PalenqueBob, you are right about the long train trips and the time in general. We could add some days, but the weather may start turning dicey.
From Bucharest to Istanbul will definitely be a night train.
This trip is beginning to overwhelm me! I guess I need to just do one section at a time.
Thanks a lot for the comments and information.
Aug 20th, 2007, 09:44 AM
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You mau actually want to consider the Eurail Select Pass, where you select your own countries - you could have one valid in Germany, austria, hungary and Romania - a 4-country pass that would take you practically to the Turkish border - Czech Republic would not be included either.
If going first class and not doing the online (and highly restricted) online route the Frankfurt-Vienna fare could pay for much of the pass.
Details from www.raileurope.com or, my prefer source of info for any rail travel as they actually answer the phone and talk to experts, www.budgeteuropetravel.com. www.ricksteves.com also has good train info.
If going first class and not doing the online (and highly restricted) online route the Frankfurt-Vienna fare could pay for much of the pass.
Details from www.raileurope.com or, my prefer source of info for any rail travel as they actually answer the phone and talk to experts, www.budgeteuropetravel.com. www.ricksteves.com also has good train info.
Aug 20th, 2007, 10:06 AM
#8
hi, brahmama,
your desire to meet like-minded locals intrigued me, so I googled "visiting farms in eastern europe".
there are a few links there you might like to explore - also you could think about organic farming in hungary - very big according to the Archers [don't ask!] or looking at specific countries' web-sites for ideas.
of course, the longer you spend in cities the less time you'll have for the countryside, where travelling itself may eat into your holiday, as roads may not be very good, and buses slow.
good luck with your planning,
regards, ann
your desire to meet like-minded locals intrigued me, so I googled "visiting farms in eastern europe".
there are a few links there you might like to explore - also you could think about organic farming in hungary - very big according to the Archers [don't ask!] or looking at specific countries' web-sites for ideas.
of course, the longer you spend in cities the less time you'll have for the countryside, where travelling itself may eat into your holiday, as roads may not be very good, and buses slow.
good luck with your planning,
regards, ann
Aug 23rd, 2007, 05:38 AM
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I do appreciate the replies. I have refined our original trip ideas and omitted out some destinations so I reposted with the correct information under:
Train Trip from Frankfurt. Can you help?
So if you have more suggestions, perhaps you might answer on that thread so I can get it all together.
Tim:
I'm hoping to find one of those great fares to Prague now as it won't be on our RailPass - any ideas?
PalenqueBob,
This was an invaluable idea. You were right. The 4 country Select Pass is just what we need. It is $406 1st Class Shared. We will omit the Czech Republic on this trip, but still so much to do and see.
Also thanks for the great links.
ann,
This is the most difficult part of the trip to plan - meeting with the locals. And I will be "googling" like mad to try to find some contacts! We are especially hoping to do this in Romania and Hungary.
Train Trip from Frankfurt. Can you help?
So if you have more suggestions, perhaps you might answer on that thread so I can get it all together.
Tim:
I'm hoping to find one of those great fares to Prague now as it won't be on our RailPass - any ideas?
PalenqueBob,
This was an invaluable idea. You were right. The 4 country Select Pass is just what we need. It is $406 1st Class Shared. We will omit the Czech Republic on this trip, but still so much to do and see.
Also thanks for the great links.
ann,
This is the most difficult part of the trip to plan - meeting with the locals. And I will be "googling" like mad to try to find some contacts! We are especially hoping to do this in Romania and Hungary.
Aug 23rd, 2007, 06:48 AM
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For Vienna-Prague, call Austrian Rail and find out which would be cheaper:
1. A SparSchiene ticket
2. Buying a ticket from the border to Prague and using your pass to get from Vienna to the border.
1. A SparSchiene ticket
2. Buying a ticket from the border to Prague and using your pass to get from Vienna to the border.
Aug 23rd, 2007, 11:26 AM
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O.K. Vienna-Prague is a tricky one, because the best route "sometimes" doesn't show on Bahn.de . There's no need to go via Brno!. Do this:
- Buy a "Einfach Raus" Ticket anywhere in Vienna. 28€
- Either use the S4 train to Absdorf-Hippersdorf and change trains there or take the regional train to Gmünd Nö.
Up to there you both are covered using the ER Ticket. From Gmünd another regional train will take you to Veseli, CZ. Veseli is on the main line to Prague.
In Gmünd, you enter the Czech train and buy a ticket from the conductor (No extra fee. They only accept crowns, so if you don't have any, it's up to you to convince then to take €.
Doing it the way I descibed it, isn't only saving money, but it's also a lot shorter and a little faster than taking expensive trains via Brno.
You won't get any better advice concerning the ride Vienna-Prague during the day on this page or from any other poster!! ;-).
- Buy a "Einfach Raus" Ticket anywhere in Vienna. 28€
- Either use the S4 train to Absdorf-Hippersdorf and change trains there or take the regional train to Gmünd Nö.
Up to there you both are covered using the ER Ticket. From Gmünd another regional train will take you to Veseli, CZ. Veseli is on the main line to Prague.
In Gmünd, you enter the Czech train and buy a ticket from the conductor (No extra fee. They only accept crowns, so if you don't have any, it's up to you to convince then to take €.
Doing it the way I descibed it, isn't only saving money, but it's also a lot shorter and a little faster than taking expensive trains via Brno.
You won't get any better advice concerning the ride Vienna-Prague during the day on this page or from any other poster!! ;-).
Aug 24th, 2007, 08:39 AM
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<You won't get any better advice concerning the ride Vienna-Prague during the day on this page or from any other poster!>
well i'd try - forget about trying to save a few bucks and all the potentially crowded local trains and changes with luggage, etc. - especially for older folks (like me) and just hop the crack EC trains that go direct between Vienna and Prague in 4 hrs
i didn't time the Byzantine routing above but i will say that it may take much longer than 4 hours. Plus on suburban trains luggage may be a problem
Buy the EC ticket in Vienna and it probably won't be more than $50.
You won't get any better advice concerning the ride Vienna-Prague during the day on this page or from any other poster - that i'm confident in.
well i'd try - forget about trying to save a few bucks and all the potentially crowded local trains and changes with luggage, etc. - especially for older folks (like me) and just hop the crack EC trains that go direct between Vienna and Prague in 4 hrs
i didn't time the Byzantine routing above but i will say that it may take much longer than 4 hours. Plus on suburban trains luggage may be a problem
Buy the EC ticket in Vienna and it probably won't be more than $50.
You won't get any better advice concerning the ride Vienna-Prague during the day on this page or from any other poster - that i'm confident in.
, nope, the trip takes about 30min more but is a lot more scenic and cheaper tha the EC
Aug 24th, 2007, 11:31 AM
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Best advice: please give you proposed departure time from Vienna and break it down for each segment - dep and arrival - a quick look in Thomas Cook shows a one hour layover en route at one place.
If you can do it in 4.5 hours then i'll start agreeing with your self-described prowess
And though 67 and 70 is not ancient your route involves potentially crowded commuter trains, then regional trains and three transfers it seems - with luggage, etc. and no seat reservations assured anywhere
I'd book the direct EC train with a seat reservation and think the extra few bucks a wise investment.
So put up the schedule break down - it seems your changes of train are not seamless.
If you can do it in 4.5 hours then i'll start agreeing with your self-described prowess
And though 67 and 70 is not ancient your route involves potentially crowded commuter trains, then regional trains and three transfers it seems - with luggage, etc. and no seat reservations assured anywhere
I'd book the direct EC train with a seat reservation and think the extra few bucks a wise investment.
So put up the schedule break down - it seems your changes of train are not seamless.
Aug 24th, 2007, 12:49 PM
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>potentially crowded commuter trains
Not really, depends on when you leave of course. I, myself love those local/regional trains, you (almost) won't find tourists on them. A young japanese couple changed a 20€ bill into two 10€ when they didin't accept any € on the train. Helped a lot and got the whole car giggling about the (german) foreigner (he's got no crowns, really, wow), what more can you expect ;-)
Not really, depends on when you leave of course. I, myself love those local/regional trains, you (almost) won't find tourists on them. A young japanese couple changed a 20€ bill into two 10€ when they didin't accept any € on the train. Helped a lot and got the whole car giggling about the (german) foreigner (he's got no crowns, really, wow), what more can you expect ;-)
Aug 24th, 2007, 02:18 PM
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Quite interesting!: In Vienna, Munich slang was like "somewhere form western Austria???... ". Not a single person thought I was German!!! In Tyrol everybody knows that you're a foreigner (This isn't tyrolian!). 
. Funny!
. Funny!
Aug 24th, 2007, 03:05 PM
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You seem to be rail pros but if you haven't been to eastern Europe recently this site http://tinyurl.com/eym5b may be of interest.
Praha is great, Budapest is good, and Istanbul is a city you don't want to leave.
<i>We will fly from Istanbul to Frankfurt and after a couple of nights fly back to US.</i> Spend those last two nights in Istanbul. Frankfurt is duh bluh if not worse.
Aug 25th, 2007, 10:37 AM
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logos999,
Many thanks for the time and thought
that you put into your answer. However - 3 transfers with our luggage & buying a ticket onboard with currency we won't have sounds like a nightmare!
I'm sure it would be just the thing for younger and intrepid travelers - we might have done 25 years ago.
PalenqueBob,
An EC train direct from Vienna (with a seat reservation) sounds like the best choice for us. Thanks for the suggestion.
We will have a Railpass, but it's not good in the Czech Republic. Is there an easy way to use it to the border? This will probably be a return, unless we go from Prague direct to Budapest.
Hopscotch,
I do hope you aren't referring to me (the original poster) as "Rail Pros" but of course, Logos and PalenqueBob!
However, as we have *never* been to Eastern Europe I do appreciate the very helpful link that you provided. Regarding the advice about Frankfurt. Our flight leaves Frankfurt at 10:45 AM so we will have to spend ONE night in that vicinity!
Thanks for all the help. As the trip draws closer, I will be asking about the flights from Istanbul to Germany.
Many thanks for the time and thought
that you put into your answer. However - 3 transfers with our luggage & buying a ticket onboard with currency we won't have sounds like a nightmare!
I'm sure it would be just the thing for younger and intrepid travelers - we might have done 25 years ago.
PalenqueBob,
An EC train direct from Vienna (with a seat reservation) sounds like the best choice for us. Thanks for the suggestion.
We will have a Railpass, but it's not good in the Czech Republic. Is there an easy way to use it to the border? This will probably be a return, unless we go from Prague direct to Budapest.
Hopscotch,
I do hope you aren't referring to me (the original poster) as "Rail Pros" but of course, Logos and PalenqueBob!
However, as we have *never* been to Eastern Europe I do appreciate the very helpful link that you provided. Regarding the advice about Frankfurt. Our flight leaves Frankfurt at 10:45 AM so we will have to spend ONE night in that vicinity!
Thanks for all the help. As the trip draws closer, I will be asking about the flights from Istanbul to Germany.
