Loacker

Hey peeps,

So I'm going to Dresden after all.
I arrive in Dresden at 08:43 am and go back to Prague at 7:00 pm.

According to my research, it's recommended you sit on the right side of the train to enjoy the scenery. I'm trying to reserve a seat on the Czech Rail site but I can't tell which is left or right. I mean I can't locate the front part of the train. There are numbered seats and a WC on each side.

My itinerary for the day:
- Frauenkirch
- Hofkirche
- Zwinger
- Green Vault
- Semperoper (closed)
- Procession of the princes
- Bruehl Terrace

Am I missing anything?
I really wanna check out the military museum but it looks too far away from the center. Can I squeeze it in?

Christina

I'm not sure you can predict which direction the cars will face on the actual train you take, as I think they can be in either direction and even Czech Rail doesn't know for sure in advance. I presume you are taking second class for a day trip, and if so, there is only one car where you could choose either direction anywhere because most of the cars have those 6-seated compartments and one side of the car is the aisle. I would thus presume in those cars, the compartment seats are on the side where the river is, and book a window one of those. Now if you prefer the one car, and it is available with two seats on each side and the aisle in the middle, I'm not sure you can predict which direction the car will be fixed on the train you take, it can go in either direction. But on that diagram, the locomotive is on the left and the train is pulled by that locomotive, not pushed. After the locomotive is car 259, then 256, 257, 258, 260, 261 and finally car 262, first class, which is the last car on the train. If I had to guess, I would thus choose a window seat on the top side of the car on the diagram as I think that will likely be the river side going up, at least. Coming back, I think it would not be the river side. As I said, except for one car, you don't really have a choice in second class, and I would hope the rail company would fix the cars so the aisle is not the side with the river view. I took that train but it's been a long time ago so I forget specific details.

The military museum isn't that far out, but it obviously depends what you most want to see and how much time you are spending on the other things. YOu have a pretty full schedule. I think it's about 20-30 minutes by tram from the main train station, for example (trams 7 or 8 go there, stop Stauffenbergallee, I'm not sure both those trams go from the main train station, though).

Whathello

To sit you turn yourself and lower yourself until your butt touches the seat.
If you don't like your seat you stand up and repeat the operation on another seat.

PalenQ

Am I missing anything?>

Yes the Socialist/Realism main square by the main train station - well I guess you will see that other side of Dresden you so love.

PalenQ

And the train may not be full -you could move from side to side maybe, on trains that have seats on both sides of the aisle-especially in first class.

Loacker

Wow, Christina, thank you for taking the time to explain the seating system to me. You're rout, there are only two carriages with an aisle in the middle. The remaining carriages have 6-seated compartments. So I'm guessing I should book a window seat in a compartment to be on the safe side.

Regarding my schedule I know it's full but looking at the map, they all seem to be within a walking distance and save for the Zwinger, only require a quick peek. Am I not right?

PalenQ

Trains can reverse during the route too - like at terminus stations - trains roll in and reverse going back out - do not think there is any of those on Prague to Dresden but not sure.

And with compartments you can always go to the corridor and stand by the windows as long as you want-if that is on the right side of the train in Saxon Switzerland- scenery Prague to Bad Schandau is so so.

Man cars with compartments only - relatively rare these days in western Europe - 4 x 4 can be tight. Consider first class.

Loacker

<<<<Whathello on Jul 30, 17 at 11:08pm
To sit you turn yourself and lower yourself until your butt touches the seat. >>>

Does my butt have to touch he seat? I'd rather keep my pants on =)

PalenQ

There is also a restaurant car on EC trains -like the 8:38 am you may be taking - great views from tables with no obstructions on either side.

bilboburgler

What "what" says. The carriages are seldom full and you just move about as you wish, I think the views are best on both sides (if that is English).

Some of the trains stop half way along the Czech side of the river and of course when you get into Germany (don't want Germans to use any of the old rolling stock they flogged to the Czechs)

Compartment.... no, these are through corridor trains.