When to buy train tickets to Budapest and Prague from Vienna
Apr 26th, 2015, 11:56 AM
#1
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When to buy train tickets to Budapest and Prague from Vienna
We are flying in to Vienna from Paris to spend 4 nights in Vienna and then want to train to to Prague. Should we wait till we get to Vienna and buy train tickets at station there for Prague. Or is flying to Prague from Vienna the better way to go rather than a 4hr train trip.
Not sure if booking online is the way to go for train tickets.
Not sure if booking online is the way to go for train tickets.
Apr 26th, 2015, 12:46 PM
#2
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I don't think there is an easy answer to that. Those tickets aren't that expensive so I think you could easily buy them at a train station in Vienna without a problem. But if you want a discount and know exactly what train you want, why not book ahead of time, the website seems to work okay. Buying on site will cost about 62 euro and online far in advance about 40 (2nd class). If you don't know for sure when you want to go, you can't do that, of course. The difference isn't huge, but if you really do know when you want to go, I'd book in advance, as long as you will accept a ticket that is nonrefundable.
I like budget flights in Europe, but for longer trips, I would take the train on that route as it's only about 4:20 hours. The flight will take you that long with the airport issues and getting to/from them. It's up to you. I don't even think there are any great budget airlines on that route, though, for some reason. Norwegian flies it once a week, but isn't cheap, and I imagine Austrian airlines isn't either.
I like budget flights in Europe, but for longer trips, I would take the train on that route as it's only about 4:20 hours. The flight will take you that long with the airport issues and getting to/from them. It's up to you. I don't even think there are any great budget airlines on that route, though, for some reason. Norwegian flies it once a week, but isn't cheap, and I imagine Austrian airlines isn't either.
Apr 26th, 2015, 12:59 PM
#3
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Buses are good on that route and are 18 euros flat fare I believe: http://czech-transport.com/index.php?id=344
And as christina says try the Austrian Railways which advertises Vienna-Prague 'from 39 euros': http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
and the Czech Railways sells tickets Vienna to Prague that seem cheaper than the Austrian Railways - easy to book at:
http://www.czechrailwaytickets.com/p...FQYHaQodj4UAjg
Flying to me would be the worst option - all told buses and trains could be as quick or quicker going city center to city center - plus did you come to Europe to see tarmacs and airports or also the lay of the land in between - I prefer the latter and even though this ain't the most captivating scenery it is what it is - the Czech Republic, rus belt towns and all.
For lots of good advice on trains check www.seat61.com - forte here is discounted tickets; for general info: www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. IME a 4-hour train ride is warrant enough to pay extra for first class which in any case is always a muchmore relaxed and comfy ride, regardless of the country.
And as christina says try the Austrian Railways which advertises Vienna-Prague 'from 39 euros': http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
and the Czech Railways sells tickets Vienna to Prague that seem cheaper than the Austrian Railways - easy to book at:
http://www.czechrailwaytickets.com/p...FQYHaQodj4UAjg
Flying to me would be the worst option - all told buses and trains could be as quick or quicker going city center to city center - plus did you come to Europe to see tarmacs and airports or also the lay of the land in between - I prefer the latter and even though this ain't the most captivating scenery it is what it is - the Czech Republic, rus belt towns and all.
For lots of good advice on trains check www.seat61.com - forte here is discounted tickets; for general info: www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. IME a 4-hour train ride is warrant enough to pay extra for first class which in any case is always a muchmore relaxed and comfy ride, regardless of the country.
Apr 26th, 2015, 07:00 PM
#5
I took the train from Vienna to Prague 2 years ago.
But I bought my tickets before I left for Europe.
Arriving in Prague the station us pretty close to the centre of Prague.
The train made two stops, one stop for 5 minutes ans one for 3 minutes.
I found this a bit amusing but interesting also.
Our train out of Vienna was at 12:31PM.
Yep, not 12:30 but 12:31.
I was standing on the platform at 12:30 looking for the train....No train, then at 12:30 :30 seconds.....here comes the train.!!!!
How is that for exact time.
Before the time read 12:32 the train was leaving...for Prague.
But I bought my tickets before I left for Europe.
Arriving in Prague the station us pretty close to the centre of Prague.
The train made two stops, one stop for 5 minutes ans one for 3 minutes.
I found this a bit amusing but interesting also.
Our train out of Vienna was at 12:31PM.
Yep, not 12:30 but 12:31.
I was standing on the platform at 12:30 looking for the train....No train, then at 12:30 :30 seconds.....here comes the train.!!!!
How is that for exact time.
Before the time read 12:32 the train was leaving...for Prague.
Apr 26th, 2015, 08:21 PM
#6
When we train between Vienna and Prague I purchase the tickets on the Ceske Drahy (Czech Railways) site as they are always much less expensive than on OBB (Austrian Railways) for the same train, even with last minute purchases (as in, the day before).The Vienna to Prague route is popular, so I would suggest spending the extra couple of Euros for a seat reservation if going 2nd class. https://www.cd.cz/en/
Ditto for the Vienna to Budapest route, use the Hungarian Railways site.
http://www.mav-start.hu/en
Ditto for the Vienna to Budapest route, use the Hungarian Railways site.
http://www.mav-start.hu/en
Apr 27th, 2015, 02:01 AM
#7
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Vienna to Prague takes 4h10 city centre to city centre by new fast Railjet trains, complete with waiter-service restaurant car.
Book at either www.oebb.at (Austrian Railways) or www.cd.cz/eshop (Czech Railways) from just 19 euros ($25?) 2nd class or 29 euros ($35?) first class. There's also premium first class called 'Business' which is a first class fare + 15 euros supplement.
You print your own ticket.
Book at either www.oebb.at (Austrian Railways) or www.cd.cz/eshop (Czech Railways) from just 19 euros ($25?) 2nd class or 29 euros ($35?) first class. There's also premium first class called 'Business' which is a first class fare + 15 euros supplement.
You print your own ticket.
Apr 27th, 2015, 03:56 AM
#8
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For 10 euros difference between the classes it's a no-brainer to go first class IMO - especially on trains where seats are largely unreserved - if going 2nd class pay extra to reserve a seat and then the difference is only a few euros.
