Europe Trains
 

We are planning on taking a train from Prague to Vienna and then an overnight from Vienna to Paris. Does anyone know if we can purchase the tickets when we are in Europe or should this all be done prior to our leaving the US? Thanks for any help anyone has!

I think it all depends on the time of year. I went overnight from Paris to Vienna in Jan. and bought the ticket there the day before with almost no problems. (For some reason we were told there were no sleepers; there were). It's a long trip. If you're going in high season, I would definitely book in advance.

If reservations are not required on a particular train, then there is no reason to buy your tickets ahead of time, because the trains are open seating. Tickets are not sold for any particular train - a ticket from Prague to Vienna will work on any train for several months after you buy it. You can buy tickets just before you get on the train - they won't "sell out." Now, you might want to make sure you get to the station early enough to get a good seat on the train, however, or you might be standing for a long train ride...

I took the train from Prague to Vienna last month and that was exactly the case: open seating, plenty of seats. Not sure about Vienna to Paris but I'm willing to bet that one does require reservations. Even still, there's not necessarily any reason to buy the tickets in the US unless you expect the rain will be packed. Maybe Friday and Sunday overnight trains are the busiest? I have no idea, but you should be able to buy them in Europe no problem.

Andrew

For an overnight I would book as early as possible. What do you want - sleeper for two, 2nd clss, 1st, or couchettes, or just regular seats, hoping that they'll recline somewhat ("sleeperettes")?

There's the EuroNight, currently leaving Wien (Westbahnhof) at 20:34 and getting into Paris (Est) at 10:28. It has all of the above.

WK

I'm not sure what kind of accomodation I need on the overnight from Vienna to Paris. We are a family of 4 (2 kids, ages 9 and 13). What do you all suggest for us? Thanks.

Hi nr,

Unless you are absolutely in love with trains, you might want to consider flying.

www.airberlin.com has a 2-hr flight for 59E pp.

((I))

Definitely book both trains from home and by all means get no smoking and first class. The Prague to Vienna ride is lovely and only about 4 hours. Take a snack on board. Overnight rides require the best accommodations for comfort and safety. "Squatters" will go from car to car to upgrade class and get a better seat. Your reservation protects your space. If you do not have a reservation you must cruise the cars to find a seat and your ticket does not guarantee you will have one. A bicycle cable and lock through the luggage handles and onto the luggage rack rods help protect your property from theft.

I second Ira's suggestion of airberlin (even though the price is "from"... ). It's a long ride, and if you upgrade into 1st as suggested, it'll cost you an arm and a leg.

I believe that SkyEurope has flights from Bratislava (30km. from Vienna?) to Paris-Orly. They might be even cheaper than Air Berl;in.

Frankly, I'm with the guys who vote for the Vienna to Paris flight. ...Unless you like major hassles. Buy your tics from your international carrier. Cheaper than most European flight agents.

I will definitely look into the flying option. I would like to avoid hassles if I can. We are traveling with our young sons and that may be hassle enough if you know what I mean (!).

Do you think we can purchase the tickets for the trip from prague to vienna while there or should these too be purchased ahead of time? Thanks!

I have bought railpasses and also point to point tickets when in Europe. With a railpass (which may be the cheapest option for your family giving the distance)you do not need reservations unless you are using the "speed" trains like TGV. But, you can book it that same day when you get to the train station. I also needed a reservation on a regular train from Paris to Tours with the pass. Having said this, I did have problems this past April/May with my France railpass. It was some Holiday for the French and I tried to make reservations that week for a weekend TGV train from Paris to Marseille but it was completely booked.

Check out Raileurope website to get an idea of the cost and the time for the trains. You can click on train schedules and put in your point to point. It will tell you exactly how long the trip will be and the price.

Or if you want to talk to someone who has all the answers, try the European Rail Hotline (800-441-2387), a free service that in my experience expertly answers any and all such questions. You are looking at about $208 second class rail fare, Vienna-Paris plus the sleeping accommodations - from a minimum of about $25-30 for a couchette and much much more for a double (about $80 per person above the train fare. If that is all the train travel you're doing there is no pass that will benefit you. flying could well be cheaper.

We have decided to fly from Vienna to Paris. We will just take the train fromm Prague to Vienna.

Trains with restaurant cars leave Prague main station at 0600, 0800, 1200, and with a buffet car leave Prague Holesovice at 1432 and 1803: they take 4½ hours to Vienna South station. Both stations are on the Prague metro. The noon departure lets you enjoy the morning in Prague, lunch with wine on board as the scenery rolls by, and snooze, and take a tram or metro to your hotel ready for music that evening. In Hlavni station but not Holesovice pickpockets work in gangs of three, so you will do well to have just your rail tickets and a little money in a front pocket, and all other valuables in a packet inside a dirty shirt deep inside a big bag, for you to take out once the train has left the station. If you go to a meal or snack you should ask a Czech fellow passenger to guard your bags till you come back to your seat.

A good place to buy the tickets the day before you go is at Cedok on Na Prikope, where they speak English and take credit cards.

Ben Haines, London
[email protected]

Parisnow, RailEurope is notoriously expensive. www.railsaver.com and Rick Steves (http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm) have point-to-point and railpass information.

Thank you all soooo much for giving such valuable input.

I am realizing that we will be taking flyniki from vienna to paris on easter sunday. does anyone anticipate any problems with this?