Getting from Zagreb to Vienna to Cesky Krumlov to Prague, etc.
Sep 11th, 2014, 09:55 PM
#1
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Getting from Zagreb to Vienna to Cesky Krumlov to Prague, etc.
My group trip to Croatia and Slovenia ends in Zagreb on October 1 and I have extended the trip to go to Vienna (3days), Cesky Krumlov (2days), and Prague (3days) on my own. I have a few questions:
1. Is bus or train the best way to go from Zagreb to Vienna? I don't want to rent a car and drive.
2. What transfer do you recommend from Vienna to Cesky Krumlov?
3. What transfer do you recommend from Cesky Krumlov to Prague?
4. I have a US passport and have only flown between countries and wonder what occurs when taking bus or train between countries? Do I just need to show my passport? Are customs involved? Is luggage safe on both bus and train? Is it easy to get a taxi from bus and train to hotel?
5. I'm checking out tours now on TripAdvisor, Viator, and Fodor's and can plan my own, but if you have any best tours recommendations, please advise.
6. Is it fairly easy to get money from ATMs in these cities?
7. Is it fairly easy to take public transportation or does one need more language facility?
8. What's the weather like in these places in early October? I plan to bring a small umbrella.
9. Do you have any other highlights or advice or what to look out for, what to buy (souvenirs) or where to eat?
10. Are there any ex pats or others traveling to these spots who would like to meet up for a meal or tour? I'm a retired teacher. Thanks. Barbara
1. Is bus or train the best way to go from Zagreb to Vienna? I don't want to rent a car and drive.
2. What transfer do you recommend from Vienna to Cesky Krumlov?
3. What transfer do you recommend from Cesky Krumlov to Prague?
4. I have a US passport and have only flown between countries and wonder what occurs when taking bus or train between countries? Do I just need to show my passport? Are customs involved? Is luggage safe on both bus and train? Is it easy to get a taxi from bus and train to hotel?
5. I'm checking out tours now on TripAdvisor, Viator, and Fodor's and can plan my own, but if you have any best tours recommendations, please advise.
6. Is it fairly easy to get money from ATMs in these cities?
7. Is it fairly easy to take public transportation or does one need more language facility?
8. What's the weather like in these places in early October? I plan to bring a small umbrella.
9. Do you have any other highlights or advice or what to look out for, what to buy (souvenirs) or where to eat?
10. Are there any ex pats or others traveling to these spots who would like to meet up for a meal or tour? I'm a retired teacher. Thanks. Barbara
Sep 12th, 2014, 05:52 AM
#2
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For info on trains and buses in those links check out these info-laden sites: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. As for buses vs trains - I find trains infinitely more comfy than buses, where you are stuck in your seat the whole time - that said from Chesky Krumlov to Prague the bus is better than the train perhaps since it takes a more direct route.
For train schedules check www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways web portal for schedules of all European trains - if your date is too far in the future put in a dummy date that is on the system - trains rarely change times very much throughout the year.
For train schedules check www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways web portal for schedules of all European trains - if your date is too far in the future put in a dummy date that is on the system - trains rarely change times very much throughout the year.
Sep 12th, 2014, 07:01 AM
#3
I'll jump in for 4,6,7, 8, 9, and 10.
4. I hold a US passport and an Austrian residency card. Austria, Czech Republic, and Croatia are all EU, meaning that in general travel is unchecked between the countries. I've trained from Vienna to Zagreb without a passport check (Summer 2013), and routinely travel between Austria and CZ with no issues at the largely-unstaffed borders. We have felt safe on ÖBB (Austrian rail) and Croatian trains leaving our luggage in the racks provided; our trips to CZ are mostly day trips without luggage.
6. Yes. Almost always there is the option to conduct your transaction in English, as well.
7. Public transportation is easy to understand in Vienna and Prague. Zagreb is compact enough to walk most everywhere (in the Old City). Cesky Krumlov is too small, I think, to have public transportation. Perhaps others can chime in. Keep in mind that the countries are on separate currencies. Austria, the Euro; Czech Republic, the Koruna; and Croatia, the Kuna.
8. Who knows. Our first October in Vienna brought snow; the second was picture perfect autumn. Expect rain, and plan to layer.
9. True Viennese products include Pez (yes, Pez is Austrian!) and authentic snow globes filled with alpine water (snow globes were invented in Vienna, too!) Manner wafers and cookies travel well, as does Julius Meinl coffee. Milka is German chocolate; Lindt is Swiss. Heindl is Austrian.
10. If our calendars mesh, I would be happy to meet for lunch at my favorite place in the InnerStadt for Backhendl (Styrian fried chicken, and way better than Schnitzel.)
4. I hold a US passport and an Austrian residency card. Austria, Czech Republic, and Croatia are all EU, meaning that in general travel is unchecked between the countries. I've trained from Vienna to Zagreb without a passport check (Summer 2013), and routinely travel between Austria and CZ with no issues at the largely-unstaffed borders. We have felt safe on ÖBB (Austrian rail) and Croatian trains leaving our luggage in the racks provided; our trips to CZ are mostly day trips without luggage.
6. Yes. Almost always there is the option to conduct your transaction in English, as well.
7. Public transportation is easy to understand in Vienna and Prague. Zagreb is compact enough to walk most everywhere (in the Old City). Cesky Krumlov is too small, I think, to have public transportation. Perhaps others can chime in. Keep in mind that the countries are on separate currencies. Austria, the Euro; Czech Republic, the Koruna; and Croatia, the Kuna.
8. Who knows. Our first October in Vienna brought snow; the second was picture perfect autumn. Expect rain, and plan to layer.
9. True Viennese products include Pez (yes, Pez is Austrian!) and authentic snow globes filled with alpine water (snow globes were invented in Vienna, too!) Manner wafers and cookies travel well, as does Julius Meinl coffee. Milka is German chocolate; Lindt is Swiss. Heindl is Austrian.
10. If our calendars mesh, I would be happy to meet for lunch at my favorite place in the InnerStadt for Backhendl (Styrian fried chicken, and way better than Schnitzel.)
Sep 12th, 2014, 03:11 PM
#5
@fourfortravel:
Don't know about the OP, but I'm going to be in Vienna from 25 Oct to 30 Oct and would love to meet up with you.
@bgmoxie:
1. I'm a very big fan of train travel but that's a long trip. Unfortunately, you've left it too late for cheap flights. You need to spend some time on seat61.com figuring out how to buy your train tickets before they get really pricey, too (may be too late...). Your best bet is going to be the InterCity leaving at 7:25, but it will still take six and a half hours.
2. That will be a pain as a train trip, I'd look for a bus. Maybe Eurolines?
3. Probably train, but you need to check the schedules both ways. Do you have a good guidebook? It should tell you about the trains and buses (I usually use Lonely Planet).
4-10: What fourfortravel said. If there is an immigration check at the border you just need to show your passport. Your luggage should be fine, although I always worry more about it on a bus, where it's out of my sight. Taxis should be plentiful, but at least in Prague may try to rip you off. I usually book hotels where I can take public transport or walk. Your hotel may be able to arrange a pick up.
Don't know about the OP, but I'm going to be in Vienna from 25 Oct to 30 Oct and would love to meet up with you.
@bgmoxie:
1. I'm a very big fan of train travel but that's a long trip. Unfortunately, you've left it too late for cheap flights. You need to spend some time on seat61.com figuring out how to buy your train tickets before they get really pricey, too (may be too late...). Your best bet is going to be the InterCity leaving at 7:25, but it will still take six and a half hours.
2. That will be a pain as a train trip, I'd look for a bus. Maybe Eurolines?
3. Probably train, but you need to check the schedules both ways. Do you have a good guidebook? It should tell you about the trains and buses (I usually use Lonely Planet).
4-10: What fourfortravel said. If there is an immigration check at the border you just need to show your passport. Your luggage should be fine, although I always worry more about it on a bus, where it's out of my sight. Taxis should be plentiful, but at least in Prague may try to rip you off. I usually book hotels where I can take public transport or walk. Your hotel may be able to arrange a pick up.
Sep 14th, 2014, 08:29 AM
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2. That will be a pain as a train trip, I'd look for a bus. Maybe Eurolines?>
Well not so hard by train - take train Vienna to Linz then get train to Czech Republic going to Prague and switch off to a sideline to C Krumlov - buses would be better IF there were a direct Vienna to C Krumlov bus but I think that there may well be none - Eurolines I thinks serves mostly major cities and main routes. But it could be a longish train ride from Vienna so yes check if there are buses from Linz, Austria to C Krumlov, not far over the border. Cross border vcuses I think may be rare in that area however.
Well not so hard by train - take train Vienna to Linz then get train to Czech Republic going to Prague and switch off to a sideline to C Krumlov - buses would be better IF there were a direct Vienna to C Krumlov bus but I think that there may well be none - Eurolines I thinks serves mostly major cities and main routes. But it could be a longish train ride from Vienna so yes check if there are buses from Linz, Austria to C Krumlov, not far over the border. Cross border vcuses I think may be rare in that area however.
Sep 14th, 2014, 12:17 PM
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It is about 4.5 hours from Vienna to Ceske Velencia and Ceske Budejovice - simple changes at smallish stations. You can leave at 10:29 weekdays and be in C Krumlov at 14:56 - no problem buying those tickets in Vienna - probably no reason to buy early.
Sep 14th, 2014, 03:20 PM
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1. Is bus or train the best way to go from Zagreb to Vienna? I don't want to rent a car and drive.
Definitely train...
6. Is it fairly easy to get money from ATMs in these cities?
Absolutely...
8. What's the weather like in these places in early October? I plan to bring a small umbrella.
Weather Averages for Zagreb in October
Temperature 11°C / 52°F
Low Temperature 7°C / 44°F
High Temperature 15°C / 59°F
Sunshine Hours 7 hrs
Rainfall 54mm
Rainfall days 15.6 days
Weather Averages for Vienna in October
Temperature 10°C / 50°F
Low Temperature 6°C / 43°F
High Temperature 14°C / 57°F
Sunshine Hours 7 hrs
Rainfall N/A
Rainfall days N/A
Weather Averages for Prague in October
Temperature 9°C / 48°F
Low Temperature 5°C / 41°F
High Temperature 13°C / 55°F
Sunshine Hours 4 hrs
Rainfall 30mm
Rainfall days 13 days
Definitely train...
6. Is it fairly easy to get money from ATMs in these cities?
Absolutely...
8. What's the weather like in these places in early October? I plan to bring a small umbrella.
Weather Averages for Zagreb in October
Temperature 11°C / 52°F
Low Temperature 7°C / 44°F
High Temperature 15°C / 59°F
Sunshine Hours 7 hrs
Rainfall 54mm
Rainfall days 15.6 days
Weather Averages for Vienna in October
Temperature 10°C / 50°F
Low Temperature 6°C / 43°F
High Temperature 14°C / 57°F
Sunshine Hours 7 hrs
Rainfall N/A
Rainfall days N/A
Weather Averages for Prague in October
Temperature 9°C / 48°F
Low Temperature 5°C / 41°F
High Temperature 13°C / 55°F
Sunshine Hours 4 hrs
Rainfall 30mm
Rainfall days 13 days
Sep 15th, 2014, 12:01 PM
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7. Is it fairly easy to take public transportation or does one need more language facility?>
I have never had a problem speaking only English and crude French taking any train or transport in Europe - there ubiquitously are pictograms - international symbols posted around stations, like for the Exit; Luggage Storage (shown by a drawing of a suitcase); Bank (some coins and bills in the picture); the ticket window (picto of a ticket); the Information Office - shown by an i with a circle around it, etc.
There are posted schedules for trains with track numbers, etc.
No worry in that regard and many train and station personnel speak some tourist English IMO as do many locals.
I have never had a problem speaking only English and crude French taking any train or transport in Europe - there ubiquitously are pictograms - international symbols posted around stations, like for the Exit; Luggage Storage (shown by a drawing of a suitcase); Bank (some coins and bills in the picture); the ticket window (picto of a ticket); the Information Office - shown by an i with a circle around it, etc.
There are posted schedules for trains with track numbers, etc.
No worry in that regard and many train and station personnel speak some tourist English IMO as do many locals.
Sep 15th, 2014, 01:13 PM
#12
@fourfortravel - sure. I'm leaving next week, but it will take a while for me to get to Austria.
@bgmoxie - about item 7. If you're buying tickets at th station, just write down what you want:
From where to where, what day and time the train leaves, what time it arrives, and the train number if you know it. Don't forget to put the date in European format - day/month/year.
@bgmoxie - about item 7. If you're buying tickets at th station, just write down what you want:
From where to where, what day and time the train leaves, what time it arrives, and the train number if you know it. Don't forget to put the date in European format - day/month/year.
