I'm looking to take the train from Prague to Krakow late September. I have read over Seat 61's page on "Prague to Krakow by train" several times, and my plan was to take the EC 115 Cracovia at 10:22. This train is still listed as in service on cd.cz, however it seems as though tickets cannot be purchased online through cd.cz for this train for many dates. I realize late September is technically not on sale yet, but dates that should be available now are not available either (many dates this month, dates for early September which are less than 60 days out). Also, the EC 113 Silesia at 06:22 seems available for purchase online for most of the dates where the Cracovia is not. The Leo Express is not running on the day I need to travel and the overnight train does not interest me.
Seat 61 mentions a third party agency (www.czech-transport.com) though I would rather not book with them if I don't have to. Tickets seem available through DB of all places, but you can't reserve a seat and seat reservations are mandatory for journeys to Poland. I could reserve in person when I arrive in Prague though I would rather have everything booked before I leave so I can concentrate on sightseeing and not be worrying about transportation/ticket availability.
Does anyone have any advice?