ge44723

I am taking two twenty-something family members who have never been to Europe over for 10 days in October. I have been numerous times to most of the countries in western Europe, but never went to Hungary or Poland, and really want to hit those countries. So my thought is to fly into Munich, spend a few days there, take a night train to Budapest and spend a few days there, and then take a night train to Krakow and spend the final days there.

No specific question really! Wondering what people thought about that itinerary. Don't want to do one place, as I would rather give them a taste of different things. Also, I believe Budapest and Krakow are cheaper than if I were to take them to London or Rome (my two favorite places to go visit).

Also, I tried looking for trains, but it seems like you cannot make reservation yet for mid-October? Recommendations on trying to get trains between those pairs (overnight, will do a sleeper)?

adrienne

Have you looked at the night trains from Budapest to Krakow? They make from 1 to 5 transfers and take 14 to 16 hours. There is a train that leaves at 5:30 that only makes 1 change in Vienna and takes 13 hours.

Your best best is to fly or take the Orangeways bus (daytime).

http://www.orangeways.com/en/budapest-krakkow-busline

I don't know why you weren't able to make a reservation for mid October from Munich to Budapest. I saw pricing for E29 (exclusive of sleeper ticket).

ge44723

I went to http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp and saw a train that leaves at 20:05 and gets in at 6:35. But it does not allow me to book, only view the schedule for some odd reason? Can you send along the website you used? many thanks!

I saw the buses, but I figured the train would be cheaper when you include the cost saved on a hotel. Maybe we will reconsider that.

adrienne

I believe OBB is the Austrian site. For trains from Munich you should use the German site. The German site is also great for looking at schedules for European trains as it's easy to navigate.

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

You're not saving that much on a hotel since the sleeper has a cost associated with it. When you subtract that from the hotel price the savings is not that much unless you're staying in very expensive hotels.

adrienne

There's a price of E69 in a 3 person sleeper. That's very reasonable; you need to book about 3 months ahead to get the best prices.

kja

> my thought is to fly into Munich, spend a few days there, take a night train to Budapest and spend a few days there, and then take a night train to Krakow and spend the final days there

Could work! It really depends on what you want to see and experience. AND whether the 10 days are "on the ground" or whether they include your flight days. AND where your flight to home originates. (Personally, I want to be in that city the night before my flight. Are you flying from Krakow or from Warsaw? If you are flying from Warsaw, do you plan on trying to see it?) And what your interests, and the interests of your twenty-somethings, are? If you give us a bit more info, we might be much more helpful.

I must admit that I would have found visiting Munich and Budapest and Krakow in 10 days too fast-paced for my tastes, particularly at a time of year when things close early, but that probably reflects my interests.

What a wonderful thing to provide your twenty-somethings with this opportunity!

ge44723

Thanks Adrienne! Do you know which site to use for trains from Budapest to Krakow? I did find your link for DB so very helpful for Munich to Budapest.

Thanks for all of your advice.

ge44723

kja-

thanks for your response. One of the days is a flight day (the last one, flying out of Krakow. I know I will come back and do Poland in more depth by myself, so I am going to skip Warsaw this time).

The interests vary: mine is history, another one really loves unique shopping and wandering neighborhoods, while the youngest (and the tallest, he is 6'6" and will not have fun on the plane over!) has never left the country and I think he could benefit from a mix of going out to the bars, seeing the beautiful old neighborhoods, and interacting with the communities. He has not expressed any particular interest other than seeing someplace else for the first time.

I am going to try and not bore them TOO much with history, as I could spend all day looking at various historical sites.

adrienne

In Krakow you should see the archeological excavations under the Cloth Hall and the Krakow Under the Occupation Museum. Both are very different types of museums. If you have time the Salt Mine is wonderful.

Here's the Hungarian train site. It's going to be a very long trip by train - 11 or 12 hours. Much better to fly.

http://www.mav.hu/english/

Here's a wonderful site for European train travel:

http://seat61.com/

kja

With that mix of interests, I think you've come up with a great itinerary!

While in Krakow, do consider visiting the Lady with an Ermine. She really is quite special.
http://www.krakow-info.com/dama.htm

ge44723

Thanks, all.

adrienne

<< While in Krakow, do consider visiting the Lady with an Ermine. She really is quite special. >>

Is she there? I've been to Krakow twice and the painting has been elsewhere.

kja

> Is she [the Lady with an Ermine] there?

ge44723 should confirm, but the link above suggests that she is now temporarily residing in Wawel Castle.

Bobandco

You might do it Krakow and then Budapest and instead of the night train between Krakow and Budapest take Orangeways bus. You also might look into spending a night at the Kempinski High Tatras in Slovakia before moving on to Budapest. I suggest Budapest last because its a great place to end a trip and unwind and enjoy.

When you plan Budapest let me know. Happy to help. Email on my Profile page.

Happy Trails