We are a couple traveling on europass and czech flexipass. We are initially traveling from Munich to Prague by train. We are wondering weather the conductor of the train in the Czech Republic will validate our Czech excursion pass on the train...it is a direct train you see...fom Munich to Prague. Will we have to stay on board? <BR>Also, anyone has a clue on how much a taxi drive would cost from the train station in Prague and Hotel Pariz? <BR> <BR>thanks, <BR> <BR>Sandra

Sandra, You don't have to get off the train as you cross rhe border into the Czech Republic a new crew will come on board and check your tickets and your passports will also be looked at. To work out your timetable and if you have to do any changes use the following URL to get information of the exact route you will be taking. <BR>http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/detect.exe/bin/query.exe/en (just copy and paste this URL) <BR>We travelled all over Eastern Europe using timetables printed up from this site. It solved a lot of problems when we were in areas where English was seldom spoken. <BR>Taxi fares are not dear, just make sure you ask how much, before you get into the taxi. The public transport is fabulous, get a three day travel pass, which covers buses, trams and the metro, and a map and travel all over for next to nothing. Peg.

Check at the station in Munich. The personnel there should be able to validate your pass there for Czech travel if you have concerns about the Czech train personnel.

I wouldn't worry about getting things validated on the train from Germany-Czec. Enough people getting on to check your passports, visa and tickets. <BR> <BR>You'll be fine. I remember we had the same concerns before we went on our trip.. but it was fine. <BR> <BR>Amanda

Sandra, Be VERY careful about taxis in Prague! We did the same trip two years ago - train from Munich - your papers will be checked several times - no problem. At the train station in Prague, we took a taxi to our hotel, Grand Bohemia, right across the street from Hotel Pariz. We had been warned about the taxis and tried to get a firm price but the drivers just kept pointing to the meter in the car. The less than 10 minute ride cost us $58.00 U.S.!!! Complaining did no good of course. The hotel told us it's a very big problem. The taxis are not regulated in any way, so they're not doing anything illegal. The meters are often "adjusted" to run much faster than they should. <BR> <BR>Best advice I can give you is to call your hotel from the station and have them send a taxi for you. The fare should be about $8.00 U.S. That is what we paid to return to the station. Other than the taxis, Prague is a WONDERFUL city!! Our taxi experience is now our "funny story" of that trip.

The taxis at the train stations in Prague are awful. We took a cab from the Hotel Pariz to Hlvani Nadrazi [sp.] which was 260 koruna. We did our business and then went to the taxi stand. We asked how much... they said 700 koruna! We finally managed to get one down to 300. <BR> <BR>Moral: know what it SHOULD cost and then bargain to get it close enough! Don't get in a taxi at a train station without setting the price. Don't...don't...don't!

My wife and I are planning on flying into Frankfort, then traveling on to Berlin, Prague, Krakow and Budapest in late Sept. or early Oct. We are torn between renting a car and driving or taking trains. Any suggestions, recommendations and experiences. THANKS!