train from krakow to prague
 

I know there is a lot out there on this, but im still confused. Is there only an overnight train from Krakow to Prague? Or are there trains during the day too?
What's the most convenient train to take and the most comfortable? Can anyone post a link to that train's website?Thanks so much!

Use www.bahn.de to check on most European trains. Change it to English when you get to it. It looks like there are numerous trains -- you can see for yourself.

And look at seat61.com for info and pix and links to national railway cos.

bahn.de shows two daily trains that require no changes.

6:53am, arr 13:54
22:15, arr 6:54am

and several other options requiring 1 or 2 changes but also take longer.

For me the 6:53am departure that gets me into Prague early afternoon would be the obvious choice. I don't particularly like overnight trains, especially those that don't leave until 10pm.

Those are great websites, thanks! I learned that you can travel from Krakow to Prague by modern air-conditioned EuroCity train 'Comenius', leaving Krakow at 06:53 and arriving at Prague's Hlavni station at 13:54. Ha sanyone traveled on this train?I guess EuroCity is comparable to EuroRail in western europe?Does anyone know if there is wireless capability?

How expensive is the train ride? You can get one-way flights for about 100 EUR. Even if the train is 1/2 of that, the flight is worth it because it's about one hour, not seven.

Dear Cara,
EC is a common European wide designation for long distance trains between major cities.

There is no such thing as EuroRail trains. EurRail is a marketing company that sells train passes for use on trains throughout much of Europe. Eurail passes have certain benefits but also a lot of limitations and aren't useful for everybody.

I would not expect wireless internet capability.

"the flight is worth it because it's about one hour, not seven." - It may be one hour in the air, but it's hardly one hour in terms of travel time. You have to travel to the airport, arrive at least an hour ahead of time if not two, possibly wait for luggage at the other end, and then travel into town. I recently had a two hour flight from London to Nice that with delays was actually eight hours travel time. This train is city center to city center.

The train fare bought at the station in Pargue or Krakow is about 30 euro.

For the night train, add either 10 euro for a basic bunk in a 6-bunk couchette or 18 euro for a bed in a 3-bed sleeper or 25 euro for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper (all per person per berth).

As thursdayd says, that 1 hour flight actually takes 4 hours once check-ins and getting to and from remote airports is added. Also add the cost of buses or taxis to and from the airports (often not inconsiderable). So flying is 3 times the price, staring at the inside of a Beoing is hardly a unique European experience, and frankly flying is sheer hassle these days compared to a painless train ride, centre to centre with no check-ins.

Thursdays: don't be overly selective in quoting.

If the flight is comparably priced, which was my condition in the earlier post, it is better value because you get three or more hours of time on the ground in your destination that you would not have otherwise. Moreover, (1) the romantic notion of riding the rails is a bit less alluring in Eastern Europe where the trains are slow and often uncomfortable for long journeys--our trip from Budapest to Prague was fine for 7 hours because we had the berth to ourselves and the train was fairly roomy, but the one-hour trip we took from Gdansk to Malbork (also on a long-distance intercity train) sucked because the berth was smaller and full; (2) delays can happen on the train just as easily as they can in the air, and the train can't make up time because track speed maximums are hard-and-fast limitations, flight plans can be more flexible.

That said, if the fare is 30E, that's a far bit lower than 100E.

Any thoughts on the views? Can we expect nice views during the day from Krakow to Prague?

I took the night train RT Prague/Krakow/Prague, with a private sleeper, and it was very comfortable.

I inquired about scenery from several people in Prague, including the ticket agent who sold me my ticket and I was advised that the scenery was nothing special and not worth wasting a day of travel on.

I heeded their advice so I did not see for myself and can't comment on the scenery.

panecott, I have been looking for information on the web about the private sleeper (I am assuming that you mean a single sleeper cabin) and I can't find anything. Do any fodorites have any information about this? Also, is it essential to book tickets in advance? I plan on flying into Prague and leaving on the sleeper the same day.

The sleeper runs daily, you can find the times at www.bhn.de.

The daytime options now all require a change of train, as the through cars of the Comenius were withdrawn on 13 dec 2009.

It's usually easy to buy tickets on the day at the station, approx 30 euros for a 2nd class ticket plus either 10 euos for a couchette in 6-berth economy compartment or 17 euros for a bed in a 3-bed sleeper or 25 euros for a bed in a 2-bed sleeper. Sole occupancy of a 1-bed sleeper requires a 1st class ticket plus about 50 euros sleeper supplement (the only accommodation requiring 1st class tickets on the train).

Try the Wasteels agency inside Prague Hlavni station, they speak good English and are very helpful.

I booked a berth 2nd class sleeper and only paid for 1 bed. I was assured when I booked that my companion would be the same sex. It didn't matter as I had the 2 berth to myself for the entire trip. Maybe I struck lucky but this was in July. It was a pleasant journey and I would do it again.

I have also taken the train in the opposite direction via Olomouc. I stopped in Olomouc for 1 night wich was very enjoyable but the scenery on the train journey was nothing special.