I would like to travel from Prague to Warsaw by train. The schedule suits me the best is a train with one stop transfer at Ostrava hl.n. in late morning.
Has someone traveled this route or does someone know if the 15 minute transfer time is enough to make the connection at that station? I don't speak any Czech unfortunately.
Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Assuming your train from Prague is not delayed, 15 minutes is enough to make a transfer. It looks like you will be coming by Pendolino - that's the fastest connection between Prague and Ostrava and it's usually not late. First stop in Ostrava is Ostrava -Svinov, 8 minutes later Ostrava hlavni nadrazi (Main Train Station). Unlike many other stations where you go down to the underground tunnel to get to other platforms here you will go up on stairs to cross over the tracks on a bridge. However it is possible that your train to Warszawa will come to the same platform. In big stations like Ostrava hl.n. announcements for international trains are also in English. Just in case write on a piece of paper Warszawa and ask people. Young people speak at least some English. They have it at school.
Posted by
OP
USA
8 posts
Thank you, Iija! Every piece of information given here is very helpful.
Do you also happen to know that on this line, in case the first leg of the train is delayed causing you to miss the connection to Warsaw, do they automatically allow you to take the next train to Warsaw even though that train normally requires reservation?
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Ann, it's not very likely that your train Pendolino will be delayed. It's the fastest train between Prague and Ostrava and you pay more for it. They would rather delay other trains. Pendolino would be the last. It needs to have reputation so people will be willing to pay more for it. Pendolino is not waiting for any connecting trains however your train to Warsaw is not marked like that so if the unlikely delay of Pendolino is not too big nothing is lost, your train to Warsaw would wait. In the worst case scenario there is another train leaving Ostrava at 13:50 arriving to Warsaw at 18:17. That train actually originates in Prague at 10:07. Because of the delay caused by railroad they have to accommodate you in the next train without any additional fees. If that happens go immediately to the International Train Tickets window (Mezinarodni jizdenky) and get booked on the next train. Somebody should speak English there.
Posted by
OP
USA
8 posts
llja, I really appreciated this detailed and thoughtful explanation. It feels like a good education. I have more confidence with this ride now. :-)