Overnight Train - Prague to Krakow
May 20th, 2015, 03:40 AM
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Overnight Train - Prague to Krakow
Hi, my friend and I (both under 26) are interested in purchasing the overnight Prague-Krakow train on 15 Jun 22:01. However we don't know if we should reserve it online on the CD website or just purchase it over the counter when we arrive in Prague 2 days beforehand.
I tried checking it up on the website, and if I don't choose any sleeper or compartment, the 2nd class reservation per person is 530 CZK. But if I want a sleeper or compartment, it appears the price increases substantially!
This is what the CD customer service told me:"One way ticket from Prague to Krakow ( via Zebrzydowice GR ) for one person is 1211 CZK / 43,40 EUR.
a price Seat reservation is 3 EUR / per person, couchette in compartment with 6 couchette is 9,4 EUR / per person, couchette in compartment with 4 couchette is 14 EUR / per person, berth in compartment with 3 berths is 14 EUR / per person."
Could anyone recommend me a course of action? I would ideally like a couchette/berth, but if it comes at an exorbitant price, I guess I'll have to go with the 530CZK reservation. Thanks!
I tried checking it up on the website, and if I don't choose any sleeper or compartment, the 2nd class reservation per person is 530 CZK. But if I want a sleeper or compartment, it appears the price increases substantially!
This is what the CD customer service told me:"One way ticket from Prague to Krakow ( via Zebrzydowice GR ) for one person is 1211 CZK / 43,40 EUR.
a price Seat reservation is 3 EUR / per person, couchette in compartment with 6 couchette is 9,4 EUR / per person, couchette in compartment with 4 couchette is 14 EUR / per person, berth in compartment with 3 berths is 14 EUR / per person."
Could anyone recommend me a course of action? I would ideally like a couchette/berth, but if it comes at an exorbitant price, I guess I'll have to go with the 530CZK reservation. Thanks!
May 20th, 2015, 05:04 AM
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You pay an extra 9.4 euros for a place in a couchette plus the normal rail fare of 43.40 plus a 3 euro seat reservation fee - how is that - a total of 54 euros outrageous for all expenses needed to travel on that night train - fail to see exorbitant aspect?
If you've never taken an overnight train check these sites to be familiar with different sleeping options - from just a seat in a regular car - not to be advised IME - risk of theft while sleeping and just not comfy - to couchettes - uni-sex compartments with 6 berths usually, etc. - check these sties: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You apparently could save about 600 CZK by now reserving online or pay 1211 ZK on a wlak-up basis - plus with either extra for sleeping options. Anyway seems a pittance compared to night trains in most of Europe.
If you've never taken an overnight train check these sites to be familiar with different sleeping options - from just a seat in a regular car - not to be advised IME - risk of theft while sleeping and just not comfy - to couchettes - uni-sex compartments with 6 berths usually, etc. - check these sties: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You apparently could save about 600 CZK by now reserving online or pay 1211 ZK on a wlak-up basis - plus with either extra for sleeping options. Anyway seems a pittance compared to night trains in most of Europe.
May 20th, 2015, 10:42 AM
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I have found Czech trains nice enough, also, and they are very cheap compared to some other countries. I agree with PalenQ, those prices seem very reasonable, so I'm not clear on why you think they are so exorbitant. And of course it costs substantially more to have a bed than to sit in a seat all night. If you will make do with the couchette, that cost is really low for such a long trip, and including a berth!
I've book trains in Prague a few days in advance with no trouble but not an overnighter like that so I have no idea how booked up it might be. NOr the cost difference, that always seems to matter now.
As a word of advice, if you do wait until Prague, I found it easiest to book train tickets in the Cedok travel agency rather than the rail station. They are very helpful, and more likely to speak English and less lines (at the main rail station, there was one clerk who was the "international" clerk, guess he spoke English, and the line was very long and the place rather confusing). Cedok charges a small fee for booking rail tickets, but not very much at all, really. There is one near Powder Gate.
Cedok used to be the state-run travel agency under Communism, still very big and good. HEre's the address
ČEDOK a.s.
Na Příkopě 18, 110 00 Praha
tel +420 221 447 242
fax +420 224 216 324
e-mail: [email protected]
www.cedok.com
I've book trains in Prague a few days in advance with no trouble but not an overnighter like that so I have no idea how booked up it might be. NOr the cost difference, that always seems to matter now.
As a word of advice, if you do wait until Prague, I found it easiest to book train tickets in the Cedok travel agency rather than the rail station. They are very helpful, and more likely to speak English and less lines (at the main rail station, there was one clerk who was the "international" clerk, guess he spoke English, and the line was very long and the place rather confusing). Cedok charges a small fee for booking rail tickets, but not very much at all, really. There is one near Powder Gate.
Cedok used to be the state-run travel agency under Communism, still very big and good. HEre's the address
ČEDOK a.s.
Na Příkopě 18, 110 00 Praha
tel +420 221 447 242
fax +420 224 216 324
e-mail: [email protected]
www.cedok.com
May 20th, 2015, 11:19 AM
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www.seat61.com has some suggestions as well on what agencies can help to secure tickets - there is always the chance a certain train may be full buyt I think that would be a rare occasion - some soccer game or something in the destination city or the start of a long holiday weekend, etc.
May 20th, 2015, 07:14 PM
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Here's the relevant instructions for booking this train online, with photos of what this particular Czech sleeping-car looks like inside: http://www.seat61.com/international-...#Prague-Krakow
Don't just book a seat, always book a safe and comfortable sleeper or couchette. A sleeper is significantly nicer than a couchette and only a tiny bit more expensive, but either is fine.
The big Europe-wide timetable change happens on 13 June, and it's highly likely (read: Dead cert) that they won't maintain the 60-day booking horizon for dates immediately after that change, so online booking may only open as late as early June. But don't worry - here in Europe people don't generally book trains eons ahead, as we don't plan our daily lives months and months ahead!
Don't just book a seat, always book a safe and comfortable sleeper or couchette. A sleeper is significantly nicer than a couchette and only a tiny bit more expensive, but either is fine.
The big Europe-wide timetable change happens on 13 June, and it's highly likely (read: Dead cert) that they won't maintain the 60-day booking horizon for dates immediately after that change, so online booking may only open as late as early June. But don't worry - here in Europe people don't generally book trains eons ahead, as we don't plan our daily lives months and months ahead!
May 20th, 2015, 07:15 PM
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I should add that this train usually has places available, but in summer HAS been known to leave fully-booked, as it is one couchette car and one sleeping-car. So booking a little way ahead, rather than an hour before departure, is a good idea.
May 21st, 2015, 04:36 AM
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Yes NEVER sleep in an open car such as this train has - lots of reports of thefts from cars that are open access to all. Pay the extra at least for a couchette - those compartments have doors that lock from the inside as do of course private singles, doubles and triples in the sleeping car.
