We will be taking a train from Warsaw to Krakow and on another day several trains from Krakow to Prague. We have received our tickets and reservation coupons. Do we need to check in at the train station with anyone or do the tickets need to be validated before we get on the train? Thank you.

No. Check the train departure time, read the destination and platform information. At Warszawa Centralia it is over stairs to trains. Other signs on platform notify of next train and identify it. 2 kind of cars, 1st and 2nd. If you have reserved seats, determine car #. Board and find compartment and seats. Often seats will be occupied. Resolve. If you don't have reserved seats, board and find seats. Do not allow bandits to trap you between entrance and aisle. They try to pretend they are just passing each other. One safety precaution..bury papers etc., in large piece of luggage. <BR>Krakow...bandits spot targets, then approach as he/they are boarding. At Krakow, if you are staying in Old Town hotel it is easier to walk than hassle with taxi. Don't miss the art gallery in the Sukiennice. Matejko pictures are worth whole trip.

George, thank you so much for your response. One more question - The last leg of our train trip is rather long (Ostrava to Prague), and I am sure we would enjoy spending some of that time in the dining car. In view of the theft problems, should we take our luggage with us? We each have a 24" with wheels and a small carry-on bag.

Ms. Annie, I have not heard of luggage thefts from the overhead racks..but! Do not leave anything of high value in luggage. Carry it in shoulder bag. Good Travels. Caution, (observe others, see how they manage security) Do not leave papers in coats that you hang up or do not have direct control of.

What I do is ask a Czech in the same compartment kindly to care for my bag while I have lunch.<BR><BR>If your Krakow hotel will name you a safe taxi firm you can arrive in style if you leave the train, wheel your bags on a trolley to the lift, go up to the station roof, which is a car park, and drive to the hotel. You can ask the driver to stop at a bankautomat (ATM) on the way to collect Polish money. In any car, if you arrive at your hotel and wait while one of you goes to hotel reception, you can ask reception to tell you the correct fare, and pay the driver just that.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR>

I took the train in reverse (Prague to Krakow) and did not have any problems nor observe any bandits, nor were there any unsavory characters trying to block people, etc. I do disagree with the remark about walking from the train station to Old Town due to dishonest Polish cab drivers. I stayed just off the main square a block or two (Hotel Pod Roza) and took a cab from the train station there, and it was considerably farther than I think anyone would want to walk with baggage, particularly if the weather is not good. The cab fare was very low (Krakow is a very cheap city), the driver very nice, and I know I have read somewhere that Polish cab drivers are generally reliable and honest (I don't believe they have a bad reputation as in some countries). The taxi stand is on the roof, as I recall, that you reach by elevator. There are ATMs in the Krakow train station where you can get money, as I did. There was no "hassle" with the taxi, it was just like taxis everywhere -- you go to the taxi station, there are cabs waiting, you get it and show him your address.

What I do is ask a Czech in the same compartment kindly to care for my bag while I have lunch.<BR><BR>If your Krakow hotel will name you a safe taxi firm you can arrive in style if you leave the train, wheel your bags on a trolley to the lift, go up to the station roof, which is a car park, and drive to the hotel. You can ask the driver to stop at a bankautomat (ATM) on the way to collect Polish money. In any car, if you arrive at your hotel and wait while one of you goes to hotel reception, you can ask reception to tell you the correct fare, and pay the driver just that.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR>

We took one of those bike locks that are heavy covered cable and a lock and just locked things up in our cabin. Also had locks on each bag. FYI - I have had people come into our compartment while we were sleeping trying to steal stuff. Luckily my friends was a light sleeper and jumoed up and made a commotion that scared the kids away. Also keep you really important papers either locked away or on your body secured under your clothes. Pickpockets can easily nail you at train stations and many hang around just looking for Westerners. That said I've taken the train from Warsaw to Krakow and Warsaw to Prague and had a blast. Bring wine, breads, cheeses and meats...we met some hysterical guys from New Zealand and Australia and had a great time talking.

What "papers" are you speaking of??What do you need to get into Poland besides a passport?And now the trains in Poland sound well something I need to stay away from.Insight pleeze<BR>Jason

Jason, I would think that the "papers" that George referred to were train tickets, airline tickets, passports, reservation vouchers, etc. There are usually "papers" involved with travel.<BR><BR>I appreciate all of this info and we will use the suggestion of taking a bike lock, wine and cheeses along with us.

yeah, you don't need anything but a passport (if you are a US citizen, I don't know about others). I think the train issue may depend a lot on the type and quality of train you are on and where it is coming from. I was on a nicer train originating in Vienna to Krakow (type EC, I think) and was in first class. It was perfectly nice and like trains anywhere I've been in Europe. Perhaps locals or cheaper trains can be more dangerous. I did not take an overnight, either, you obviously may want exra precautions there (I was with my bags the entire time, they were in my compartment).<BR><BR>As I said before, there ARE ATMs in the Krakow train station -- you do not have to get a cab to take you to an ATM to get Polish money, unless they are broken, I suppose.