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[doyve]

hey were planing a trip to a few of the major cities around central europe. hopefully heading out early september time. so far were looking to see prague, krakow, budapest, bratislava and vienna. were not sure of which yet, any recommendations would be cool.

but yeah were looking for some advice on cheap travel between the locations. weve been looking at orangeways.com, and a few train sites. but was hoping for some reccomendations from insiders.

any help would be great, cheers.

[starlagurl]

I just checked out some blogs for you

These people are driving...
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...83280/tpod.html

This guy took a train to Krakow from Warsaw:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...24400/tpod.html

This lady also took a train to Budapest:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...21760/tpod.html

[starlagurl]

Thanks turistka, for your great advice!

[doyve]

those blogs are pretty good. especially the first. ive never looked through many before but im quite impressed.

i didnt realise how cheap the trains were either. i suppose the charges creep up crossing borders. ?

[starlagurl]

Good question, I have no idea, I can't imagine it would cost that much. Anybody know?

[lar4290]

I've actually found traveling buses between Central European cities to be easy and efficient. Try checking www.eurolines.com for prices. Many Americans have stereotypes about travel by bus, but I've found Eurolines coaches to be clean and quite nice. Plus, buses are often faster because they stop at fewer stations. I've travelled by bus from Prague to Munich, Bratislava, and Budapest, and would recommend that over travel by train (which I did to Vienna). Round trip tickets to Munich (with a youth rate) were under $50. I also like taking night buses. That way, you have your hotel covered for a night, and you don't miss any time during the day. Travel between Prague and Munich/Budapest/Vienna is perfec this way, when you leave at midnight, you arrive between 5-8am. I'd book ahead.

I also took buses to some places around the Czech Rep and found it fast and easy. Pus travel to Plzen (home of Pilsner Beer) was only about $10 round trip, and we bought tickets right at the bus. For domestic westward travel, however, be aware that you might have to leave from Zličín (last metro stop on Yellow line) instead of the main one at Florenc.

Hope this helps!

[dancera]

I will agree with lar. Buses, especially between Poland and Austria and Czech, is cheaper and probably more safer. I felt safer on buses. They may not be as comfortable as sleepers in trains but the ride is smooth with only a few stops.

[starlagurl]

That's some great advice guys, thanks.

[durnadupa]

The train system in the Czech Republic is pretty well put together, just be prepared for delays and track changes. Continue looking at the updated schedule in the station, as they do often change tracks last minute. Also be prepared for the possible train strike... But they are really cheap, and go everywhere you need to go.

Between Vienna and Bratislava there is a boat running, I believe it's called Twin City Liner. Only about 13 Euros and you get a nice view along the way.

Try not to take a train from Vienna to Budapest, it is more expensive than travelling from Bratislava to Budapest. So somehow work on the itinerary so that you go from Bratislava to Budapest.

[peter47]

Hi

This is a highly informative posting which contains details that many of us would not be aware of. I would surely check out the link.

Thanks