First timers Central Europe:Dive or Train?
 

There are six of us planning a 15 day trip to Central Europe this summer. We definetely want to see Prague, Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg. Should we do this on train or rent a van? Any suggestions for an itinarary?

Just a quick word of advice. If you are going to drive check with the rental company in the country you rent the car in to see if they allow you to go to Poland and the Czech Republic. I know that car rental companies in Belgium, France and Germany don't allow you to go there. (I don't know if they would find out if you did but might want to check anyway)

Hi bri,

6 cities in 15 days?

Have you looked up train schedules at http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/quer...n?L=profi&
or driving times at www.viamichelin.com?

((I))

As I have indicated on another thread: Perhaps you should pare it down.

My spouse, who commutes to Warsaw every few months for business, sent me an e-mail last time:

"It's time for me to come home -- Warsaw is starting to look attractive."

If I had 15 days I would not want to attempt more than Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest and Prague -- maximum.

I agree with others that you may find difficulty in getting the agreement of "western" rental companies to allow their cars to travel to B'pest, Prague etc.

Anyway a car is a great bore, indeed a nuisance, in those latter cities. And I have read that car theft IS a real problem.......

WE've driven in all these areas but it has been because we wanted to visit other places outside of the cities. Driving is no problem at all. My question would be what would you do with the car in the city. Cars in large European cities re nothing but a hassle.

Hi Bricaro,
I see you have gotten advice already but I want to put in my 5 cents: Why don't you divide the trip into two and skip Warsaw? I would recommend doing Prague, Budapest and Krakow now before the crowds discover them and before Prague gets much worse and leave Vienna and Salzburg for the next year. I would definetely cover the inter-city distances by night trains (if you get 1st class, sleeping cars it is quite comfortable and actually fun) to save time. Krakow and Salzburg are my favorites on your list. Have fun!

On the face of it, taking cars from city to city makes no sense, and you've got way too many distant cities on your list to make them all, find a place to park, find transportation into the city (where you can't really drive or park), find a place to sleep, and then - then what? Spend a few hours looking around and leaving again?

But if you reduce that list of cities, and rent a van, you'll save a lot of money, because trains are expensive - multiply the train tickets times six and you come out with a figure that exceeds the van rental by far I'm sure. But don't take my word for it - find out what the trains would cost you for the intended route, and then for a route that goes, say, Prague - Vienna - Salzburg - (Vienna) - Budapest. If you can get a plane ticket with an open jaw, flying into Prague and leaving for home from Budapest, or the other way around, you'll be even better off.

Poland will still be there next time around.

If it's the van, you'll have to compromise - take a hotel not quite in each city center, take a tram or bus into the center, so there will be days when the van stays idle. But you'll probably still save money.

Plan where you'll pick it up and where you'll return it, and make sure you are covered regarding taking it into the Czech republic and into Poland if you insist on going there...

WK

I think the people in this thread might be misinformed about whether or not it's possible to take a car from, say, Austria into Hungary. It's entirely possible. I rent cars in Budapest all the time and drive them to places like Romania and Serbia -- *outside* the EU -- and it's no big deal. Just make sure you ask the rental agency that it's OK to take the car where you want to go, and ensure that they give you the border crossing permit for the car.

Re. whether or not six of you should take the train or the car -- well, depends on what you want! Driving in Central Europe can be fun and more of an "adventure" than sitting on trains, which can be boring, unless there's a good bar car. If you do end up renting a car, just take some care to adjust your route so that it follows the green scenic roads on the map. (Vast tracts of this region can be hideously ugly, and are best avoided.)

And re. car theft -- it's not nearly as big a problem in the new EU countries as it used to be, and if you're worried about it, simply park it in a garage. They're widely available in the various city centres.

And re. your itinerary -- I think the posters in this thread are quite right in advising you to skip Warsaw on account of it being a depressing architectural nightmare. As well, it's pretty far out of the way. On the other hand, I think the Poles are the warmest and most fun-loving people out of the countries you plan on visiting. Tough choices!

If you hire a van you will need a big one to carry 6 legally & safely, with luggage, or perhaps hire two vans. With rail tickets, some bargains can be had for group travel but it varies, also specialist tickets like eurodomino can be very useful & quite flexible. Arrive relaxed, & save time if sleep on trains (but DO get couchettes or beds, don't try to sleep in a normal seat!

I'm jumping back in. We've rented cars in these areas numerous times and have had no problems. Just make sure that you get a car from an agency that will allow the car to go into all these countires.

I am also going to suggest a varation on your itinerary. These are all big cities. There are other lovely places in between these cities. You may want to consider eliminating Warsaw, Vienna and Salzburg and concentrate on fewer large cities and add in a few charming smaller areas like Cesky Krumlov, Eger, the Danube Bend, the mountainous areas of southern Poland etc. Just a thought. We've been to all these places except Warsaw and it has taken 3 trips to see them all.