Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Prague-Budapest Train

Search

Prague-Budapest Train

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 20th, 2005, 10:54 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Prague-Budapest Train

Hello,
My wife and I are planning a trip to Prague and Budapest and were thinking of taking an overnight train from Prague to Budpest in late May. Most of the train information I have gathered is from RailEurope.

It seems that flights from PRG to BUD can be expensive and none of the low-cost airlines fly that short route. So while the train is pricey as well, you do maximize the day sightseeing and save on hotel costs.

Does anyone have any recommendations on other forms of rail travel between the 2 cities? Also, we were planning on getting a double private compartment but is that worth it instead of a "couchette." With all taxes, etc. the cost of 2 round-trip tickets to Budapest from Prague including couchette reservations is about $600.

Does anyone have any alternatives? Also, we were thinking of splitting our trip 4 days in Prague, 3 days in Budapest? Any experiences?

Thank you!
sshoboken is offline  
Old Mar 20th, 2005, 11:20 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ttt
Intrepid1 is offline  
Old Mar 20th, 2005, 11:28 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Iassume you are going overnight to maximize sightseeing time. The fastest direct (with no changes) service takes 7 hrs and 21 minutes).

I have used RailEurope in the past BUT if you are going to be in Prague for several days prior to the departure for Budapest you would save money if you were able to book this trip as soon as you arrive in Prague either by going to the RR station or through a local travel agent. Somehow I don;t think you'll have trouble getting space.

I have no idea how fast this train might sell out but in late May you might not have as much trouble as you might later in the "tourist season."

As to coucheet vs. First Class (I assume) private compartment...if the coucheet has two other berths besides your own you may end up sharing the space with others. Frankly, if you are going to spend the money for this I would opt for the private compartment..somewhat more secure and no worries or concerns (if these are issues) as to who might also be sharing...if anyone shares at all.
Intrepid1 is offline  
Old Mar 20th, 2005, 11:30 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry for the typos..obviously I meant to type "couchette."
Intrepid1 is offline  
Old Mar 21st, 2005, 05:56 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Intrepid,
Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated!
sshoboken is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2005, 07:59 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for asking this. We are going in NOvember and I'm not too keen on a 9 hour train ride (or 7.5). We were thinking of stopping in Bratislava. Not sure and open to ideas.
eroz is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2005, 01:09 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Am also planning a Prague - Budapest trip this Sep-Oct and am not keen on the thought of of a 7.5 (or 9 hour) train journey from Prague to Budapest.

Like eroz, I am also thinking of stopping in Bratislava for a couple of days in between Prague and Budapest.

I managed to find the details of the Euro City / Inter City / Express connections online but not the price. Would anyone know how much first class tickets for the journeys listed below would cost?

Prague - Bratislava - direct Euro-City train (EC 135), a 4 hour 18 min trip.

Bratislava - Budapest - direct Express train (Ex 279), a 2 hour 29 min trip.

susumiki is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2005, 02:18 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Last year I went mid-week return from Bratislava to Budapest; it took about 2.5 hours. That may be an "express" train but it was old and dingy. I paid about 20 US$ return.
tedgale is offline  
Old Jul 20th, 2005, 01:51 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello:

Can you tell me how your train trip between Prague and Budapest turned out? I am also thinking about taking the night train from Prague to Budapest this fall (mid to late October), because I hear it is a 7 hour journey. Is there at least one night train daily between the two cities? What is the fare? I assume one cannot use the flexipass or other discount pass if one goes overnight. Any experience or recommendations you can provide would be appreciated. Also, we are planning to fly into one city, take the train across, then fly directly out of the second city (rather than do a round trip train ride, we would do a one-way fare).
subwaygirl is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2005, 08:25 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Their is one overnight train from Prague to Budapest. Leaving Prague at 23:23 and arriving in Budapest Keleti station at 8:18 the next day. You can use a flexipass for overnight trains. If a train is leaving after 19:00 you enter the next day on the pass. As for the cost of the train ticket I am not sure. I had the eastern rail pass last year and it worked great.
DrewMpls is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ButterFlyTravel
Europe
4
Jan 25th, 2016 02:32 PM
Piya
Europe
6
Aug 13th, 2009 06:58 AM
homersimp
Europe
8
Sep 1st, 2008 09:14 PM
beanweb24
Europe
9
Jun 28th, 2007 04:40 AM
Austin
Europe
4
May 14th, 2003 01:18 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -