Europe Trains Guide Forum
General discussion => All other train travel questions => Topic started by: lynn on August 28, 2011, 05:56:26 pm
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[Hi, We (a couple) are planning to travel from Zagreb on 14 Oct to Budapest then to Slovakia and then Poland. Please comment on the 2 routes below:
Option 1- Budapest-Bratislava-Budapest-Eger-Miskolc-Koslice-Poprad-then to cross border to Zakopane- Krakow- Warsaw
Option 2- Budapest-Eger- Miskolc- Budapest-Bratislava-Koslice- Poprad-Zakopane- Krakow- Warsaw
Please advise:
1. Which is better and cheaper or do you have recommended route in terms of comfort, cost and time.
2. What mode of transport to use to travel the places? Example, I should buy a return ticket for Budapest and bratislava on bus or train? What bus or train etc? Any discounted rate etc
3. Is it advisable to get European Eastern pass?
4. Also from zagreb to budapest, is it advisable to take local train or bus to croatian border and then walk over the border before boarding bus or train to Pecs and stay for a nite before continuing journey to Budapest? What is the best mode of transport?
Thanks.
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1. Which is better and cheaper or do you have recommended route in terms of comfort, cost and time.
In terms of travel time legs Budapest-Bratislava and Bratislava-Poprad/Kosice have more frequent train connections, while between Budapest/Miskolc and Kosice run only two trains per day (in the morning and evening). So in case you choose option 1, then you might need to organize your sightseeing plan in a way to catch either of those trains.
While in terms of ticket fares, we have as follows:
Option 1 (all fares per person, rail tickets unless noted): 16 EUR (Budapest-Bratislava-Budapest)+from 2160 HUF or app.8 EUR (Budapest-Eger)+ 1470 HUF or app.5.4 EUR (Eger-Miskolc)+ 6 EUR (Miskolc-Kosice)+ 5.1 EUR (Kosice-Poprad). In total it sums up to app.40.5 EUR.
Option 2: from 2160 HUF or app.8 EUR (Budapest-Eger)+ 1470 HUF or app.5.4 EUR (Eger-Miskolc)+ from 3360 HUF or app.12.4 EUR (Miskolc-Budapest)+ from 2300 HUF or app. 8.5 EUR (one way bus ticket is best offer if you don't plan to go there and back in case of Budapest-Bratislava)+ 17.2 EUR (Bratislava-Kosice)+ 5.1 EUR (Kosice-Poprad). In total around 57 EUR, which is rather essentially higher sum comparing to the total from the option 1.
2. What mode of transport to use to travel the places? Example, I should buy a return ticket for Budapest and bratislava on bus or train? What bus or train etc? Any discounted rate etc
In most cases trains either the only travel option or at least the most comfortable and cheap. The only segment where bus is preferable is the one way Budapest-Bratislava. Also possible to use bus connection inside Slovakia, but we find trains a better option there.
In case of non arbitrary segment Poprad-Zakopane bus is your only option, while already from Zakopane you can use train, connections to Krakow are rather frequent.
3. Is it advisable to get European Eastern pass?
No, definitely no. It is way to expensive in your case.
4. Also from zagreb to budapest, is it advisable to take local train or bus to croatian border and then walk over the border before boarding bus or train to Pecs and stay for a nite before continuing journey to Budapest? What is the best mode of transport?
Well, Pecs is actually quite far from the direct route from Zagreb to Budapest, thus makes sense to included it only in case you specifically want to visit it, in other cases you should count on standard route via Koprivnica-Nagykanizsa.-lake Balaton shore-Budapest.
Breaking ticket via the border won't win you a lot, since domestic Hungarian train tariff isn't that cheap in comparison with Croatia-Hungary rail tariff discount, plus you will have much more hassle with that. So probably it's just better to go with direct trains and 30 EUR ticket
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Thanks tUt for your prompt reply. Will opt for option 1. Now, we will be flying in Vienna. Thus, need to travel from Vienna to Zagreb. Also to travel from Krakow to Vienna to catch the flight home. Please advise what is the best mode and route and cost?
So it is advisable to take direct train from Zagreb to Budapest at 30euro and I can buy the ticket from Zagreb train station? Can I confirm that the prices quoted are all based on 2nd class ticket? Are they okay?
Thanks.
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Now, we will be flying in Vienna. Thus, need to travel from Vienna to Zagreb. Also to travel from Krakow to Vienna to catch the flight home. Please advise what is the best mode and route and cost?
Hmm... in case you start in Vienna, then it seems that you might have two rather different options here. First (and apparently the simplest one) just to purchase in advance discounted 29 EUR (per person) ticket Vienna-Zagreb for the direct train. Or alternatively do a small trick and from Vienna go to Bratislava (14 EUR per person for the train ticket or <10 for the one way bus ticket), then just go to Budapest (either already mentioned one way bus ticket, 16 EUR by direct train or trick with Sturovo-Esztergom (more on the bottom of this post - http://europetrainsguide.com/forum/index.php/topic,154.msg689.html#msg689)). And afterward just buy 30 EUR return ticket Budapest-Zagreb and use it both ways. So at the end, when you will be back to Hungary you won't need to do a side trip to Bratislava anymore, since you've visited it on the way from Vienna. Such trick will save you time and money.
For the Krakow-Vienna segment there is also a limited number of discounted tickets available, but unfortunately you can purchase them only from the ticket counter in Poland (and will need to do it at least 3 days in advance and no guarantees that any still left at that time). While standard direct full fare ticket cost almost 64 EUR, which is a bit a lot for Central Europe, thus you might also do a small trick here as well. Trick with purchasing direct ticket Krakow-Breclav (28 EUR) + discounted ticket from there to Vienna for 9 EUR (here you will find more detailed description - http://europetrainsguide.com/forum/index.php/topic,67.msg261.html#msg261)
So it is advisable to take direct train from Zagreb to Budapest at 30euro and I can buy the ticket from Zagreb train station?
Yes, in your case it seems to be the best compromise. No problem to buy it at Zagreb (or Budapest) train station, the only nuance is that the sum equivalent to 30 EUR you will have to pay in kuna (forint) and not euro.
Can I confirm that the prices quoted are all based on 2nd class ticket? Are they okay?
In the previous post we quoted fares based on 2nd class tickets. You can check most of them yourself on MAV (http://elvira.mav-start.hu/elvira.dll/xslms/) and ZSSK websites (http://www.zssk.sk/)
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Thanks again.
Can I check how long is the train ride from Krakow to Breclav and Breclav to vienna? Is it worthwhile to stay 1 night in Breclav?
Thanks.
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Can I check how long is the train ride from Krakow to Breclav and Breclav to vienna?
Krakow-Breclav takes app. 6-7 hours depending on train choice. While Breclav-Vienna is almost nothing - less than hour and a half, for most trains it's around 80 minutes.
Is it worthwhile to stay 1 night in Breclav?
Not really, nothing special there, but you can always enjoy a stay in the neighboring Brno, the town is much more interesting and ticket fare to Vienna still 9 EUR in case you purchase it in advance online.
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Thanks for your reply.
Now, slight modification to plan.
Is it better and cheaper to go From Vienna to Krakow and then from Krakow come down to Budapest or is it better from Budapest to Krakow? I checked the train from ebb from Vienna to Krakow and it is at 39 euro. is it just coach? Very confused on the way the schedule are shown.
thanks.
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Is it better and cheaper to go From Vienna to Krakow and then from Krakow come down to Budapest or is it better from Budapest to Krakow?
The answer here depends on your starting point. In case you start from Vienna, then obviously it makes sense to travel Vienna-Krakow-Budapest (especially since for both these segments you can purchase discounted fare tickets) and then continue to Zagreb instead of Vienna-Budapest-Krakow-Budapest-Zagreb etc.
And only in case you aren't able to buy cheap discounted tickets it makes sense to consider some tricks involving return tickets (but even here better probably to use ZSSK-PKP instead of MAV-PKP)
I checked the train from ebb from Vienna to Krakow and it is at 39 euro. is it just coach? Very confused on the way the schedule are shown.
Yes, it is discounted fare for the seat in seating carriage. What specifically seems confusing about schedule? OeBB in the second column precisely notes travel time and number of changes. For instance "Valid connection: from 22:23 to 07:17 (08:54) Changes 0" or "Valid connection : from 07:33 to 15:41 (08:08) Changes 1" etc. After you choose it, they will show precise itinerary and station to change trains.
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THanks for your reply. What is ZSSK-PKP?
During purchasing of ticket in EBB website, they ask if I want saloon coach or compartment coach? WHich is more comfortable and better option for 2 pax?
Should I tick with reservation or without reservation? Is the cost inclusive?
Under 'free seat' column, it is written as 3 or 4. What does it mean?
By the way, is the coach comfortable for the journey? How far down can the seat be adjusted downwards to sleep comfortably? Or is it better to opt for 1st class? what is the difference?
Do they have couchette for 2 pax on offer? How to find it?
Lastly, when there is change for the journey, do we actually have to change train middle of the night?
Thanks
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What is ZSSK-PKP?
Slovak and Polish railway companies. Thus we meant to proceed Vienna-Bratislava and purchase there return ticket to Poland, then come back to Bratislava with the same ticket, and afterward travel to Budapest.
During purchasing of ticket in EBB website, they ask if I want saloon coach or compartment coach? WHich is more comfortable and better option for 2 pax?
Saloon it's like in the airplane, but just 2+2, usually you will face the back of the seat in front of view, but also can be face to face. While compartment is enclosed space for 6 people facing each other (3+3).
Should I tick with reservation or without reservation? Is the cost inclusive?
If you want a guaranteed seat then yes, with your seat reservation you will have specific seat assigned to you. While others just will enter the carriage and take any free seats left.
Under 'free seat' column, it is written as 3 or 4. What does it mean?
That is the number of seats left, which are sold under specific tariff plan. Thus in your case, that will be the number of discounted tickets left for the chosen connection.
By the way, is the coach comfortable for the journey? How far down can the seat be adjusted downwards to sleep comfortably? Or is it better to opt for 1st class? what is the difference?
It's difficult to answer such questions since everything depends on type of carriage, but in most cases 1st class ain't that better since it also might have 2+2 composition, but just slightly more space.
Do they have couchette for 2 pax on offer? How to find it?
Actually for the direct overnight connection Vienna-Krakow there are only couchette and sleeper carriage available, thus no seating carriage ;)
Lastly, when there is change for the journey, do we actually have to change train middle of the night?
Yep, when you choose such connection with change OeBB will show you exactly where and when you will need to make that change. For instance, most connection Vienna-Krakow require change in Katowice etc.
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Thanks alot for your prompt reply and kind patience.
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Thanks alot for your prompt reply and kind patience.
No problem ;)
We are always happy to help fellow travelers. Good luck in your trip
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Hi,
I need to take the train from Vienna to Budapest. As I want to go to Nyugati train station finally, should I stop at Deli or Keleti train station?
Secondly, I realised that for the OEBB, for the same route, those with 1 change has a shorter journey duration compared to those with 0 change. Why is that so? Do I actually have to vacate the train with those with 1 change and wait for another train on the way?
Regards,
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Hi,
Further to my query above, I have have problem buying my ticket via mav website. After choosing the date and train, it proceed to another page which require registration which I am not able to continue. Is there any email which I can buy my ticket via email instead?
I am trying to get my 1st class discounted ticket return ticket for Budapest and zagreb trip.
Regards,
Lynn
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As I want to go to Nyugati train station finally, should I stop at Deli or Keleti train station?
All the direct trains go to Keleti, plus it's closer to Nyugati, you can even walk since it's a bit more than 2km, so probably this option tends to be better ;)
I realised that for the OEBB, for the same route, those with 1 change has a shorter journey duration compared to those with 0 change. Why is that so?
Are you sure? Since we just checked and all the options with change is basically offer change within boundaries of Wien and doesn't win you any time. Maybe you can be more specific about your desired connection which is faster with a change?
Do I actually have to vacate the train with those with 1 change and wait for another train on the way?
Yes, if OeBB offers connection with change it means you need get off one train and wait for the other one. But usually it's not very complicated procedure, since in many cases it will even be the same platform.
I have have problem buying my ticket via mav website. After choosing the date and train, it proceed to another page which require registration which I am not able to continue. Is there any email which I can buy my ticket via email instead?
No, MAV online ticket sale interface is the only option. But why you can't register, then simply login and buy your ticket? Or, as we already said, discount offered for Budapest-Zagreb connection is permanent, thus no need to buy anything in advance since the fare will stay the same no matter when your purchase your ticket.
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Hi,
Thanks for your assistance.
I gotten my ticket from vienna to budapest in keleti- pu. Horray, one down! Soirry I did not dig back into the website as I finally gotten the ticket via email.
Ok, will get my ticket for budapest/zagreb return when I arrive in Budapest from Vienna.
There is a bit of change to my itinerary. After I return from Zagreb to Budapest, I would like to take an overnight train from Budapest to Krakow. Can you advise if I can get a cheap ticket when I arrive Budapest for a sleeper for 2 pax.
After spending in Krakow, we would take a train down from Krakow to Zakopane, then to propad and then to Kosice before coming to Bratislava. Is it a good option?
Regards.
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After I return from Zagreb to Budapest, I would like to take an overnight train from Budapest to Krakow. Can you advise if I can get a cheap ticket when I arrive Budapest for a sleeper for 2 pax.
Yes, you definitely can. But remember that the number of such discounted tickets is limited, thus nobody guarantees that they won't be already sold out. So again formula 'earlier you buy the better chances you have' works here 100%. Also, in case you decide to 'fight back' MAV online ticket purchase system, you can as well buy Budapest-Krakow discounted tickets there ;)
After spending in Krakow, we would take a train down from Krakow to Zakopane, then to propad and then to Kosice before coming to Bratislava. Is it a good option?
Yep, why not. Route Zakopane-Poprad is quite picturesque, as well as scenery around Poprad. In terms of ticket, we just want to remind you to avoid 'Ex' trains on route Krakow-Zakopane since those are expensive ones which in this case cost up to 4 times more (in comparison to 'Regio'), but basically doesn't win you any time at all. Thus for this connection cheaper to use either 'Regio' or 'TLK' trains. Bus Zakopane-Poprad is cheap anyway, while for domestic segments within Slovakia your choice is regular tickets.
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Hi TUT,
Thanks for email.
Sorry, I do not understand what you mean "in case you decide to 'fight back' MAV online ticket purchase system, you can as well buy Budapest-Krakow discounted tickets there" in your reply.
My dates are quite fixed but I am not able to buy now as I am not able to do so via the MAV online ticket purchase system. If possible, is it possible to teach me how to buy the ticket now so that I can get discounted ticket earlier? Or can I buy the discounted rate via email as I did for the vienna -budapest train ticket?
It is cheaper to buy one-way or return ticket for this with sleeper for 2 pax? How much is it?
We are also toying with the idea of going to Lviv, Ukrania from Krakow. What is the best way to go there and how much and how long is it? Any problem with the border clearance. I heard a lot of them talking about smuggling and chaotic situation at the border.
Thanks and regards.
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Sorry, I do not understand what you mean "in case you decide to 'fight back' MAV online ticket purchase system, you can as well buy Budapest-Krakow discounted tickets there" in your reply.
This is precisely in regard to I am not able to do so via the MAV online ticket purchase system. If possible, is it possible to teach me how to buy the ticket now so that I can get discounted ticket earlier?
First you need to register on MAV website (https://jegyvasarlas.mav-start.hu/eTicketV2/JegykivalasztasNk), the page is in Hungarian, but you can manage ok with google translator. Then go back, chose the train option you need, afterword websites redirects you to the page where you need to login, do it and follow the further instructions. After the payment is done you will get a code, using which you can print you ticket in Budapest.
Or can I buy the discounted rate via email as I did for the vienna -budapest train ticket?
No, not possible via email, only at the ticket counter in Hungary, from MAV website or 'money sucking' agencies, which might charge you even more than you save with such discounted ticket.
It is cheaper to buy one-way or return ticket for this with sleeper for 2 pax? How much is it?
Here it's one-way only. Discounted Double sleeper Budapest-Krakow - 49 EUR per person, while standard full fare for the route is 79 EUR per person + 21 EUR per person for the sleeper reservation. Thus basically two discounted tickets save you around 100 EUR.
We are also toying with the idea of going to Lviv, Ukrania from Krakow. What is the best way to go there and how much and how long is it? Any problem with the border clearance. I heard a lot of them talking about smuggling and chaotic situation at the border.
Well, doubt you'll have any big problems with the border, smugglers times are almost gone and anyway most of that was done on foot border crossing and almost minimal on long-distance buses or trains. More question arise in regard to transportation, since lately UZ (Ukrainian railways) announced rather essential cut of international trains (including this route), thus changes are expected. As of now direct overnight trains #35/36, which used to be everyday (22:15-6:03) is listed as once per two days and only till the end of October, instead the old #51 we will see the afternoon option 12:52 from Krakow and midnight in Lviv.
But such train options aren't the only one, there are everyday overnight bus, which btw cheaper (around 25 EUR one-way vs. around 40 EUR for the train ticket). Also you can always catch domestic polish train till Przemysl (from 32 PLN and 4:30-5 hours) and bus to Lviv from there (run like every two hours during the daytime).
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Hi,
Thanks to your advice, we are now in Krakow and we enjoyed the overnight train ride with sleeper in a compartment for 2.
Now, we are planning to go the Kraclaw for 2 nights middle of the week. Please advise the fastest and best type of train to buy? Also how long is the train ride? Is there a spar ticket for such journey?
After that, we will go from Kraclaw to bratislava. How long is the train ride and is there a spar ticket and how much? Can I buy it in Krakow?
Lastly, we need to make our way from Bratislava to Vienna airport to catch our flight back home. What is the best way to go, how much and how long?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Regards.
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Now, we are planning to go the Kraclaw...
Kraclaw??? What destination exactly you mean? We are kind of Ok with Central Europe geography, but having trouble finding such destination anywhere ;) Maybe you meant Wroclaw?
Lastly, we need to make our way from Bratislava to Vienna airport to catch our flight back home. What is the best way to go, how much and how long?
It's really easy and cheap. You can take either train (run every hour from Bratislava main station or Bratislava-Petrzalka), 1:11 in first case or just 57 minutes in later, cost 11 EUR and you can purchase such ticket any time, even 5 min. before deprature. Or take a bus (http://www.slovaklines.sk/index_en.html) also run like every hour during the daytime, take 1:25-1:30, full adult one-way ticket is 7.7 EUR
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Hi,
Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes I mean Wroclaw.
I need to know how best to travel from Wroclaw to Bratislava. I went to the Krakow station just now and they advise the overnight 2nd class train from Wroclaw to Bratislava is at about PLN 300 + each person.
Please advise the best and cheapest way to travel or should i buy the train ticket from Wroclaw to Bratislava only when I arrive Wroclaw? Is there a cheap ticket for 1st class sleeper or 2nd class train or alternative? how much and how long as the personnel in the train station do not speak much English.
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
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Well, for the connection Krakow-Wroclav at the moment you can save a bit in case you'll use InterRegio (IR) train instead of TLK, it will save you app. 7 PLN since ticket for the TLK train cost 48.5 PLN and for IR 41 PLN, while travel time is app. the same, IR even wins in many occasions.
In case of Wroclav-Bratislava you'll anyway will need at least one change since there is no direct train, but the rest (fare and timing) depends on whether you want to travel overnight or during the day. Overnight option is to dep.Wroclav 19:36, wait an hour for the change in Katowice and arr. to Bratislava 5:40am, so basically around 10 hours in total. While during the day you actually can travel faster - from 7 to 8:30 hours depending on dep./arr. choice.
In terms of tickets obviously it doesn't make sense to purchase one through international ticket for 300+ PLN (as PKP ticket counter proposed). First of all, because there are discounted tickets available for direct trains from Katowice to Bratislava/Budapest. And in case they are still left for your desired date and train, ticket counter in Krakow can sell. Then you'll need just to purchase additional domestic ticket Wroclav-Katowice (from 32 PLN). Another simple trick to travel cheaper is to 'break' your tickets via border. Ideally Wroclav-last polish station before border (with Polish domestic fare), international cross-border ticket and another one from first station after the border to Bratislava. Depending on route you choose total will be different, but all around 30-35 EUR max. (app. 130-150 PLN). If the last proposal seems way to complicated, then you can do an easier trick - purchase international ticket Wroclav-Bohumin (for the direct trains from Katowice to Bratislava Bohumin is the first station after Polish border), then all those direct trains have a long stop (around 1 hour) in Bohumin, that is totally enough to visit ticket counter and purchase ticket Bohumin-Bratislava. In such case total will be around 40 EUR (app.175 PLN)
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Hi
Thanks. Will go to Krakow train ticket and check for discount ticket from katowice to Bratislava.By the way, how is the condition of the train first class and 2nd class for overnight? Does it come with sleeper and how much is the discounted ticket?
Thanks.
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Will go to Krakow train ticket and check for discount ticket from katowice to Bratislava.
You can try, but we can't guarantee you the availability, since the number of discounted tickets per each train is limited, plus, as we already mentioned few weeks ago, the rule of buying at least three days in advance applies in case of this Poland-Hungary offer. So it makes sense to ask for such tickets only in case you'll travel >3 days from the time of purchase.
how is the condition of the train first class and 2nd class for overnight? Does it come with sleeper and how much is the discounted ticket
Condition??? It's hard to guess which carriage exactly will be in service in your particular case, but according to the scheme there is everyday one polish 2nd class seating carriage, two couchette carriages and two sleeper carriages, thus making it 5 carriages in total.
Also remember that officially discounted offer is for Poland-Budapest connection, while Bratislava just happened to be on the way. Actual discounted fares are the same as those we already noted in case of Budapest-Krakow discussion (couchette from 39 EUR, sleeper from 45 EUR), but just besides two carriages Krakow-Budapest there will be also 3 carriages Warsawa-Budapest (including 2nd class seating carriage), thus from Katowice you can also get seats from 29 EUR. Offer itself is called 'SparNight' (it will allow you to make sure cashier understands you correctly in terms of what you want from them ;), train #407, dep.Katowice 23:43-arr.Bratislva 5:40
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thanks. good night. will try tomorrow. :)