Train from Dresden to Krakow - No Seat Assignment
May 5th, 2014, 07:44 AM
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Train from Dresden to Krakow - No Seat Assignment
My first-class train ticket from Dresden, Germany, to Krakow, Poland, was mailed to me by Rail Europe (with SNCF at top). I purchased the ticket for a particular date and time (May 14th). I “thought” I requested a seat assignment. The ticket came to me with no seat assignment and a wide range of dates and times. From everything that I have read, I believe this is fine. No other information is on the ticket. My question is how do I know which section of the train to get onto? Do I look for a “1” for first class?
May 5th, 2014, 07:57 AM
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The cars will have either a 1 or 2 on the outside.
I would not want to be on multiple trains for 10 to 11 hours with no seat assignments. You may be fine but why take a chance. Call RailEurope and get seats.
Why didn't you fly as it's a long train ride.
I would not want to be on multiple trains for 10 to 11 hours with no seat assignments. You may be fine but why take a chance. Call RailEurope and get seats.
Why didn't you fly as it's a long train ride.
May 5th, 2014, 08:18 AM
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Are you on the 8:09 regional train to Wroclaw, changing to the TLK train to Krakow? According to www.bahn.de, the TLK train (831000) does require compulsory reservations. I'm surprised you were able to buy a ticket without doing so. But if so, it looks like you'll have two hours to change at Wroclaw, anyway, to go sort it out before you get on the train. (Otherwise, I would recommend taking a tram into Wroclaw from the station to check out the city for a half hour.)
May 5th, 2014, 08:46 AM
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Yes, Andrew, it is the 8:09 train to Wroclaw. I posted a photo of the train ticket on FB.
I called Rail Europe, but was not given an option to speak to a real person. I did contact them through their messaging system.
We have planned to spend some some in Wroclaw.
I called Rail Europe, but was not given an option to speak to a real person. I did contact them through their messaging system.
We have planned to spend some some in Wroclaw.
May 5th, 2014, 08:58 AM
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If you do actually talk to someone at RE they will say a seat reservation itself costs about $15 above the train fare and then if you order now you will also have a handling fee I think - just in Berlin take your ticket up to the ticket window and make the reservation, option it seems, for a few euros.
If you have a first class ticket there will always IME be seats available on these trains so really no need to reserve but if you want a window seat, etc what's a few euros. But forget RE or pay a heft price for something you can easily do in Berlin.
Check these superb sites for answer to questions like how do I find my train car - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com.
Generally with an open ticket sans reservation you yes just look for a large 1 in a circle on gthe outside of the car or also in the entrance to the car - you can of course also sit with a first-class ticket in a 2nd class car if need be - rare that would be.
If you have a first class ticket there will always IME be seats available on these trains so really no need to reserve but if you want a window seat, etc what's a few euros. But forget RE or pay a heft price for something you can easily do in Berlin.
Check these superb sites for answer to questions like how do I find my train car - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com.
Generally with an open ticket sans reservation you yes just look for a large 1 in a circle on gthe outside of the car or also in the entrance to the car - you can of course also sit with a first-class ticket in a 2nd class car if need be - rare that would be.
May 5th, 2014, 09:07 AM
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I did that route (changed trains at Gorlitz) and I got a seat reservation, for sure, but I bought the ticket myself. I think I bought it in Germany when I was in Dresden for a few days. this was a few years ago, but that Polish train was not real modern and was really slow (the one between Gorlitz and Wroclaw). It was pretty crowded, also, the day I went. They had 4-6 seat compartments rather than open seating. I don't really like those compartments myself. I'm sure I bought first class given the trains there not being so great and the tickets are pretty cheap.
I don't know what you mean about SNCF at the top of your ticket. SNCF partially owns Raileurope, I think, so is that maybe what you mean?
I don't know what you mean about SNCF at the top of your ticket. SNCF partially owns Raileurope, I think, so is that maybe what you mean?
May 5th, 2014, 09:10 AM
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I think the Polish train requires reservations. I don't recall any option not to get reservations when I traveled on these trains in Poland (unlike the German IC trains, where I never paid for reservations and just found a seat). I also don't recall any way to tell on a Polish train which seats were reserved and which not, unlike the German trains. It could be if you get on the Wroclaw train to Krakow you can just sit anywhere in 1st class (probably not full) and just move if someone gets on at another stop claiming their reserved seats.
The train from Dresden to Wroclaw is a regional train without reservations. If it's like the German regional trains I rode last month, mid-week the 1st class section may be completely empty. Note that some of these regional trains may have 1st class and 2nd class in the same car, so don't be perplexed if you see a 1 and a 2 on the same car.
The train from Dresden to Wroclaw is a regional train without reservations. If it's like the German regional trains I rode last month, mid-week the 1st class section may be completely empty. Note that some of these regional trains may have 1st class and 2nd class in the same car, so don't be perplexed if you see a 1 and a 2 on the same car.
May 5th, 2014, 09:38 AM
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Thanks to all. Before departing from Dresden, I will ask about seat reservations and pay the extra amount. That way we will be able to maximize our time for our two-hour "layover" in Wroclaw! 
Kim
Kim
May 5th, 2014, 09:38 AM
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The RE Dresden-Wroclaw is a diesel unit, 1st and 2nd class in the same car, separated by a glass door. 1st class here is a total waste of money. No seat reservations possible on this leg of the trip, but you won't have any problems finding a seat if you board it in Dresden.
May 5th, 2014, 11:59 AM
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This is the e-mail that I received from Rail Europe today:
>>>>>Thank you for booking online with Rail Europe. Your train route involves regional trains that are open seating with no reservations. You would just board the trains with your tickets and sit at any available seats. Each ticket was $154.00, as there was no reservation fees.
Thank you again for booking online with Rail Europe. <<<<<<<
>>>>>Thank you for booking online with Rail Europe. Your train route involves regional trains that are open seating with no reservations. You would just board the trains with your tickets and sit at any available seats. Each ticket was $154.00, as there was no reservation fees.
Thank you again for booking online with Rail Europe. <<<<<<<
May 5th, 2014, 11:59 AM
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1st class here is a total waste of money.>
But a previous poster said first class was always almost empty on those trains - is that not a good reason to maybe go first class - or are you saying 2nd class is also almost always empty.
I'd rather be in a sparsely full car on a fairly long trip rather than one pretty full - with luggage in first class I can always be sure, almost, of putting my bags on an empty nerby or adjoining seat - first class always has benefits - the prime one being many more empty seats IME.
I'm not sure first class is a complete waste of money in any situation for this reason.
But a previous poster said first class was always almost empty on those trains - is that not a good reason to maybe go first class - or are you saying 2nd class is also almost always empty.
I'd rather be in a sparsely full car on a fairly long trip rather than one pretty full - with luggage in first class I can always be sure, almost, of putting my bags on an empty nerby or adjoining seat - first class always has benefits - the prime one being many more empty seats IME.
I'm not sure first class is a complete waste of money in any situation for this reason.
May 5th, 2014, 12:30 PM
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The German train was very nice, the one leaving Dresden. But it wasn't the same train I was on in POland, so I was on a different type train. I had to transfer in Gorlitz. The day I wanted to go, they didn't have any direct trains, or else those are new. I think the direct trains don't run every day.
I think whether you need a reservation or not depends on the type of train you have booked, the direct ones are REs.
I think whether you need a reservation or not depends on the type of train you have booked, the direct ones are REs.
May 5th, 2014, 01:41 PM
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All the Polish trains I've been on are slow and not modern. They were all compartment trains. Use the facilities before you change in Wroclaw.
Buy food and beverages in Dresden before leaving. If you've had breakfast then just bring some bottled water.
The main square in Wroclaw is gorgeous.
Buy food and beverages in Dresden before leaving. If you've had breakfast then just bring some bottled water.
The main square in Wroclaw is gorgeous.
May 5th, 2014, 01:42 PM
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Yes, the Polish trains I took (including one from Wroclaw to Krakow) were not very nice or very fast. This is one country where it REALLY pays to upgrade to 1st class (and doesn't cost much more). Even first class compartments have three seats across each side of the compartment (second class has four seats across - a bit cramped!). You might think of Polish 1st class as equivalent to German trains' 2nd class.
I learned later that there are cheap express buses between Wroclaw and Krakow that can beat the train by about two hours. I still may have taken the train on that occasion, just because I enjoy a relaxing train trip. The scenery between Wroclaw and Krakow isn't exactly stunning, though. If I were doing the trip again, I might take the bus.
Despite what Rail Europe said, the Polish train does technically require a reservation. I'm guessing it is already included in the ticket price, but their computers were unable to do it. I'd guess almost for sure that the Polish rail service could just add reservations to this ticket for free. You might even email PKP and ask - if you get someone who speaks English maybe they can even do it now via email.
I learned later that there are cheap express buses between Wroclaw and Krakow that can beat the train by about two hours. I still may have taken the train on that occasion, just because I enjoy a relaxing train trip. The scenery between Wroclaw and Krakow isn't exactly stunning, though. If I were doing the trip again, I might take the bus.
Despite what Rail Europe said, the Polish train does technically require a reservation. I'm guessing it is already included in the ticket price, but their computers were unable to do it. I'd guess almost for sure that the Polish rail service could just add reservations to this ticket for free. You might even email PKP and ask - if you get someone who speaks English maybe they can even do it now via email.
May 5th, 2014, 01:52 PM
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There was hardly anyone on the Wroclaw to Krakow train that I took. We were the only two people in the train car (not compartment but the entire 1st class car). There didn't appear to be many people in 2nd class either.
May 5th, 2014, 03:03 PM
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<i>Train from Dresden to Krakow - No Seat Assignment
Posted by: KL467 on May 5, 14 at 11:44am
My first-class train ticket from Dresden, Germany, to Krakow, Poland, was mailed to me by Rail Europe (with SNCF at top). </i>
I suggest that you return the ticket and get your money back. In Dresden book the 19:06 to Prague arriving 21:27, and book the night train departing Prague at 22:26 arriving Krakow at 06:36. For an illustrated introduction to train travel in Europe see http://tinyurl.com/eym5b.
Posted by: KL467 on May 5, 14 at 11:44am
My first-class train ticket from Dresden, Germany, to Krakow, Poland, was mailed to me by Rail Europe (with SNCF at top). </i>
I suggest that you return the ticket and get your money back. In Dresden book the 19:06 to Prague arriving 21:27, and book the night train departing Prague at 22:26 arriving Krakow at 06:36. For an illustrated introduction to train travel in Europe see http://tinyurl.com/eym5b.
May 5th, 2014, 09:40 PM
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$154? Holy Cow! There's a special offer for Dresden - Wroclaw: Round trip ticket for a single person 39 Euro. Even if you use it only one way and then buy the ticket from Wroclaw to Krakow in Wroclaw that would be much cheaper.
