I'm looking at the train as probably being the only way to get from Budapest to Krakow in the middle of July. Anyone know if buses exist, and if they are any better/worse?
The air fares seem crazy. Either pay $400+ or spend a whole day flying to Stuttgart and then back east again, or something similar.
You could use popular and cheap PolskiBus company.
Here is their website:
http://www.polskibus.com/en/index.htm
It takes around 7 hours and costs around 8-10 euros at the moment.
I took Lux express bus a few days ago the other way. Bus was clean and had Power Points and tv screens. Paid 14 euros.
Wendy
A private transfer (car and driver) will cost you about 400 euro a car. I have some names if you are interested. For a group of 3 or 4 it really isn't bad. AND, you get to stop along the way and maybe see something interesting. I love Slovakia.
I'm taking that trip next year - and I'm planning on the Polski bus. They're hard cities to link, even though they're not that far apart.
Polski bus can't be beat, especially price wise (and it's direct). Get your ticket as early as possible to get the best fare, but it will be quite inexpensive compared to other options. It's about 245 miles between the two cities.
Slovakia has become one of my favorite destinations. Its a shame to just drive through Slovakia. Slovakia has some great villages, some amazing castles and amazing scenery. If you can arrange it stop for a night. If you have the funds, hire a guide with a car to do the transfer over a two day period. I know a name for that too if you are interested.
I researched this a few months back, from Krakow to Budapest. What I learned: the buses are comfortable, the journey is scenic, there are 3 bus lines with varying schedules but the journey's about the same length, the buses are cheap. There are no direct flights or trains. Using either of those options, it will take as long, require going way out of your way, and cost a lot more.
It may be too late for you now, but we visit in August. Two of us are flying on Germanwings, taking the evening flight at 9:15 pm to Stuttgart, spending the night at a hotel close to airport, and taking the morning flight to Krakow, arriving at noon. The price was reasonable, I think about $250 for 2 of us, maybe less (I booked several months ahead, hence price). Originally we were scheduled for an early morning flight, but that was eliminated. Since we had already booked it, Germanwings paid for our hotel in Stuttgart. All other flights took too long or were too expensive. The overnight train was not guaranteed to have electrical plugs, and my husband needs for sleep apnea. I wanted to minimize the time traveling around Europe, so we are using budget airlines rather than the train. I love the train, but in 16 days, the idea of giving up 5 days traveling around on 10-14 hour rides didn't sound appealing.
allisonsk, thank you. Excellent idea.
Just arrived this afternoon in Krakow from Budapest. Awesome ride with Polski bus. Only. 55 zlt, about $15 USD.
One tip I might share, we weren't exactly sure where to catch the bus, nor was another young lady who was also waiting, but we discovered the actual bus pick up point is out front of the old train station, to the right of the city bus parking lot.
A wonderful 7 hr ride for a fraction of the cost for the train and 3-4 hours faster. Highly recommended.
Michael,
Great to know this was such a good option for you. Was the scenery along the ride nice? And did the bus make any pit stops (I assume, yes?).
I'm jealous. Wish I could "say 7 hour ride" and "wonderful" in the same sentence. I would have so many more options.
@ Michael...Thanks for the info....another choice option. I am used to the 10 hour ride from SF to Los Angeles on Greyhound, so am positively sure that the Polish bus is way superior to Greyhound. Given this bus choice with the 7 hour ride vs the night train, I'll take this bus ride. Any ride bus ride I've done in Europe from city to city (Poland, France, Germany, Sweden,) was nice and pleasant.
(I'm just a little claustrophobic. I'm just as bad on a flight) I was serious. I am jealous wish I could do it. I wont even ride a train for more than 4 hours. I think its great advise. Krakow is such a great destination that gets skipped because it isn't well connected. Its great to get the options out there. Fred, I love ya man; but I couldn't lead your life. This too I am jealous of. I miss so much by being as screwed up as I am.
I am not much into 7 hours ride on the bus. But in this case it's not so bad. Ride through Slovakia has mostly superb scenery. As I already said in some other posts I am surprised that there is so little interest in Slovakia on this Forum.
Ilja, you know I love Slovakia. Now, a 3 hour ride into the country, a night or two fishing, and then a few more hours on to Krakow would be an ideal trip. Trouble is the fishing is so good that we keep skipping the drive on to Krakow in favor of another few days on the river. We've been there 3 times in the last 5 years. One pure sight seeing and twice sightseeing and some dang fine fly fishing. My guess is we will be back mid to late next year.
@ James ....Thanks for the compliment. Going to Los Angles one has 4 choices, fly to LAX (I've done that, obviously), drive..yes, that too, take the Greyhound...did that last in 2010, take the train, which I've not done.
