We are taking a family trip (2 adults, 2 teens) this coming April to Prague, Vienna and Budapest. We are flying into Prague and out of Budapest. I had planned on train travel from Prague to Vienna and then Vienna to Budapest. We have traveled in Europe before and we usually take 2nd class tickets. However this time, because the train trips will be longer, and because we want to keep an eye on our luggage, I thought we should go first class. Am I right in thinking that this will give us our own compartment? Where we can have our luggage with us? And what is the best way to get tickets? I usually purchase them when we arrive in Europe, but since I am looking for first class, should I get them in advance? Any good websites for that? Thanks, Susan

We traveled Vienna-Prague-Munich last June by train, first class. We did keep our bags with us, in the compartment. We purchased our tickets in advance through Euraide.com. They got a better deal than I could find for even second-class, because they know how to work the Prague Pass. Try their website, and there's an 800 number you can call, too. They charge same fare as you'd get at the window yourself, plus a $45 shipping and handling fee. It was well worth it to us, to have the tickets in hand in advance.

susan - my family (2 adults,2 teens and 1 child) visited Prague in Jan. We travelled by train to Vienna (stayed 2 nights) then on to Budapest (stayed 5 nights) We travelled 2nd. class and each time could have had a compartment to ourselves, but chose a more open carriage. The journeys are only about 4 hours each and they pass quite quickly. We had our luggage with us. We found the compartments a bit claustrophobic (not to mention that delightfully lingering cigarette smell!) Of course, the trains were not crowded in Jan. so there was plenty of room in the carriages. We bought the tickets in the city previous to our destination each time. We had a fabulous time and I can give you more exact info. on those cities if you would like.

Be aware that the type of rolling stock and the configuration of the coaches on these trains may vary. I've been on several in which the First Class coaches had "open" two + two seating; others had the more well-known 6-seat compartments.

I honestly do not understand why you think you can keep a closer eye on your luggage in First Class as opposed to Second. I usually always travel in FC on trains but have seen little, if any, difference in luggage storage areas.

I agree with intrepid1 about the ability to keep an eye on the luggage better in 1st than 2nd. I have found no difference. I looked into the train and found the car rental to be MUCH more economical. I am going next weekend from Vienna then on to Bratislava then ending in Budapest. The car rental for us was MUCH cheaper and not at the mercy of the train schedule etc.

About keeping an eye on the luggage - I guess I was wrong, but when we traveled in Italy we traveled 2nd class and our bags were on racks at the ends of the train car - our seats were no where near the bags. I guess I incorrectly thought that if we were in a first class compartment that our bags would be with us and therefore in sight. A logical guess, but it seems to not be the case. Maybe it is just us, but we were not very comfortable having all of our luggage out of sight.

And yes, piccolo, I would love information on your trip. I just now trying to figure out what we will want to see and how to fit it all in - any suggestions and your thoughts on the trip would be greatly appreciated!

We took this same trip in 2003. I researched which trains we wished to take online, printed my selections and took them with me. While in Prague we went to the Cedok Travel Agency and in less than half an hour had our tickets for both legs of our trip. I showed the English-speaking agent my print-outs and she agreed they were good choices. I can't remember if we went 1st or 2nd class. I'll check and post again.

We had a compartment on our train from Prague to Vienna and our bags were above our seats on racks. However, the train from Vienna to Budapest didn't have compartments. One bag went overhead on a rack and the other was stored between back-to-back seats.

Both trips were very pleasant, although the scenery wasn't spectacular on these routes. I'll go through my albums and try to give you the website I used to pick the trains and also the class we used. Feel free to email me if I can help with other information. I have a page of URLS for Prague/Cesky Krumlov.

hi Susan - we stayed in an apartment in Prague and Budapest and a family room at the Hostel Ruthensteiner in Vienna. All three were fantastic places to stay. We actually had 2 flats in Prague with a connecting foyer. This sounds a bit complicated but the flats were in the basement and you opened a door to the foyer and then there were 2 separate doors for the apartments which we kept open the whole time (just shutting the basement door) Ideal for a family situation and cheaper that any single apartment in the main area which would fit us all in. You can email the owner at [email protected]. The apartments didn't have much in the way of cooking equipment, but we found it we had cereal and toast in the morning, we ate out the other meals. Cheapest meals in all our travels! The apartment in Budapest was great too but nothing fancy. We had a bedroom and there were three beds in the large lounge room. Once we got the hang of where we were it was very easy to catch the tram to get around. Once again we did very little cooking but you certainly could if you wanted too.(Szeremi Apts. [email protected] ph. Zoltan +36304543017) All three cities are fantastic and you will have a wonderful time. We let our 2 teen wander around by themselves a fair bit - especially in Prague. Feel free to email me if you want more info. ([email protected])