I'm planning on taking the 16:40 train from Prague (Holesovice) to Budapest (Keleti) during our June trip. Train EC175.

I checked on the German railway web site and it mentions "Eurocity please reserve".

This train originates in Hamburg at 9:22, leaves Prague at 16:40 (after a 13 minute stop) and arrives in Budapset at 23:22.

I have been trying to find out if this train is a 1st or 2nd class train and if "please reserve" actual means reserved seating.

I tried contacting the Czech railway, Cedok, Euraide, RailEurope among others.

Does anybody know the answer or how I may find out?

Thanks in advance.

This is a train I know well. 'Please reserve' simply means that the railway company would rather like it if you reserved seats in advance. But Praha Holosovice station is utterly uncontrolled, so no-one will stop you boarding the train there if you do not have a reserved seat. The train has both first and second class carriages, plus a decent restaurant car, if you want to have dinner on the train. If you do feel you want to be assured of a seat, simply stop in any of the main stations in Praha a day or two prior to your intended departure, and make the necessary seat reservation. Expect to pay about €2 per person for the privilege of that security. By the way, Holosovice station in Praha is not in the city centre, but about a twenty five minute walk northeast of the city (or an easy three stop hop on Praha's excellent metro system).

I do hope these few quick comments help. Enjoy your trip.
Nicky Gardner
hidden europe magazine
http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk

Nicky,
Thank you very much for the valuable info. For a couple of Euros I feel it is a good idea to reserve seat.

What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class. Since we will be travelling with leggage, will 1st class provide better luggage room, etc, etc?

I thin Cedok may be the most convenient location to purchase tickets. I assume I could buy tickets and reserv seats there.

You mentioned "But Praha Holosovice station is utterly uncontrolled, so no-one will stop you boarding the train there if you do not have a reserved seat."

Does this result in any danger? Will there be any issues if soemone is sitting in our seats.

I know on some trains in Europe, when a seat is reserved, a tag is placed on the head-rest indicating that the seat is reserved. Anything similar here?

Any other info about this train?

Thanks.

PRAHA TO BUDAPEST

Myer
Perhaps I made it sound as though Praha Holosovice station was in some measure dangerous. I didn't intend that. What I meant was that tickets are checked on the train, so no-one controls at all whether or not you have a reservation as you board.

The difference between first and second class is slight. A little extra space, lots of foreign tourists and less contact with local travellers. All depends on what you prefer. I personally would only very exceptionally pay the extra for first class - hardly ever, perhaps 1 trip in 50.

I guess you might be able to buy tickets through Cedok and other agencies that cater to overseas visitors. I suppose they might charge a fee. Personally, I always just buy tickets at the station.

Finally, had you realised that there is also a direct train from Praha Holosovice to Budapest at 12.40 pm daily, that arrives in Budapest at a more civilised time in the evening? And, this is quite a pleasant journey, scenery-wise, esp.the last couple of hours into Budapest, which will all be in darkness if you take the later train. Both trains have good restaurant cars serving lunch and dinner en route.
Nicky
hidden europe magazine
http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk

Nicky,

Thank you very much for your response.

From what I understand, Cedok charges very little above the actual train charge. Also, I want to be able to charge the tickets on my credit card and I may not be able to do that at the train station.

Yes, I am aware there is an identical, direct train leaving at 14:40 arriving at 19:22 (the 16:40 is also direct).

However, our stay in Prague is half the day of arrival, 3 complete days and the last day which is a travel day to Budapest. By leaving at 16:40 we still have much of the last day in Prague for sightseeing. If we were to take the 12:40 train, essentially the last day is a totally lost day.

Thanks for the excellent information.