We will be traveling from Salzburg city (hear HBF train) to Krakow city (near Glowing train) on a Saturday in September.
We are trying to decide on train with several changes, overnight train or a flight.
Any suggestions what has worked well for you?
I doubt there will be a direct flight, Lufthansa offer connections via Frankfurt several times a day not sure about weekends. There are also several flights from Munich but it will take best part of 3 hours from Salzburg to the desk checkin by train - centre to centre the overall time is not much shorter than by train! Vienna airport is slightly longer by direct train from Salzburg and may have a cheap Ryanair flight at the right time but read their conditions and extra charges very carefully. Austrian also have a couple of fllights a day but not always good times.
The problem with the day train itineries is that they have very optimistic connection times at Vienna and Breclav which I wouldn't rely on, which is a pity because there are some reasonable fares and the trains are decent quality.
The night train arrives at Krakow a little early but not enought of put me off. But it only has ONE sleeping car (10 compartments) and one couchette car so early booking would be a good idea. There are also seating cars but it would be a rough journey.
You dont have to read Ryan's fine print. Because the post it big as day. Nothing deceptive about it.
I have been told this week that true "travelers" see Europe by train. But I would find the best air route (cost and time) and be happy being a true "tourist".
Wow. It looks like the best daytime train option is over 8 hours with one change. I like trains, but not that much.
Overnight train is around 10 hours with 11 intervening stops. I would think about trying but only if I could get a get a sleeping compartment.
I most likely would go train to Munich or Vienna and then take a flight. Flying out of the Salzburg airport tends to be a pricey proposition.
if you wan to put the 8 hour train ride into perspective try checking the total city centre to city centre journey of the "from Salzburg via Frankfurt" flights!
Anyway, I've found flixbus have a direct bus, it costs about €45 and takes 11 hours and 10 minutes!!! If that doesn't sap the will to live, it leaves at 01:00, and from Salzburg Sud not the city centre. Suddenly the train ride looks much more attractive.
As for "true travelers see Europe by train" , true European travellers would look at this journey and ask if there was somewhere else they could go instead!
Not all doom and gloomy but does depend on the date. Munich airport is 2 hours and the direct flight is under 2 hours. Or from Sakzburg with one change in about 5 hours. I would do either before sitting in a train for 8 hours. But it's a preference thing.
