To the learned Fodorites,

I'm booking my first trip to Europe and from my apt. in Los Angeles (where I'm writing this) I'm stuck in Krakow on April 5th our checkout date.

I've never done an overnight train so I figured this would be a good (first) experience. On the budapesthotels.com site I found "MAV" which I believe is the state run railways. I found the "Cracovia" train that goes to Budapest (12 hour ride). It leaves Krakow at 22:30 and has no train changes - which is a good thing as I hope to be sleeping through some of the ride. Plus I get the added benefit of saving a nights hotel rate. Our Krakow hotel will hold our bags til we leave that evening.

My dilemma: where do I buy the Krakow ticket? Do they have options 1st, 2nd class, our own sleeper? What's a couchette? etc. etc.. Does anyone know of an agency online that books this train? Or, whilst in Krakow (we'll be there 3 days) should I just take a trip to the station and book it there? I'm afraid if I wait to book a train 1 or 2 days before departure I may not get what I want.

Help!!

I checked the Polish railway site pkp.com.pl, it has an English version, but neither in Polish or English version is there a possibility to buy a ticket online, so you have to buy it in Krakow. They do recommend a sleeper - but it won't be your own - there are usually four passengers in a sleeper. . A couchette is a semi-sleeping arrangement with 6 berths - cheaper.
There might be Polish travel agencies in the USA (for example in Chicago or on Greenpoint in New York) that book this train. I might try to do a search in Polish for you if you like, but my feeling is that you'll be fine booking it in Krakow. On the worst case, if this train is booked, there is another one, around 9pm through Katowice. There are two train changes, but only at the beginning of the trip from Krakow to Katowice and at the very end in Hungary, so that you can still sleep all night.

Balm,
Thank you so much for the response. Do you know the price range on these trains?

Larry,

You will find prices at www.raileurope.com They may be a little more expensive than booking point to point in Krakow.

I am doing a very similiar trip myself in July. I think you can also book your tickets here but I haven't tried so can't say for sure.

Helen

Can't help you on the train. However I flew from Krakow to Budapest last March for under $100.00. Don't remember the exact price (Malev Air) but the flight was short.
I can;t sleep on trains!

for agency with European train reservations, including night trains such as yours i always recommend BETS (800-441-2387) - i've dealth with for years - call and ask your questions about various sleeping options on the train then compare with online booking if you can - but by buying in US you'll be mailed your ticket and just have to board the train. May cost a few more bucks here but for the convenience...

Thank you all for the responses. Great ideas and real world experience - a big help!

I'm teetering between the train and plane just as I did booking transportation from Prague to Krakow - I wound up booking a flight to save our limited time for sightseeing instead of sleeping.

Money and time.... money & time.....