Krakow to Budapest

Whatever is situation now nobody knows what it will be in late November. I think from Krakow to Budapest is and will be without problem. Hard to say what will be the situation between Hungary and Austria.

We too decided to switch plans somewhat due to the crisis. However, we are struggling to find a way from Budapest to Krakow. One of the bus services recommended was booked, we could do the overnight train, however, we would like to "See" Slovakia. I have contacted Eurobuslines, but have not heard anything back. Ideally we would like to leave Budapest early afternoon and spend the night somewhere, then go to Krakow. I have found a couple of transfer services, but they are quite pricey. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We are planning travel on October 19th-20th.

James is right. Hotel Kempinski is on the top. We spent there one night. Mainly because I wanted to see why James is singing so much praise about it. Well, they deserve it. After that night I was poorer exactly by three hundred Euro. But you get what you paid for. As James says you can go to Kosice. From there to Poprad (direction to Bratislava or Prague). In Poprad you change to little electrical train to Strbske Pleso where the hotel Kempinski and also many quite cheaper hotels are. If you want something cheaper than private transport, ask about buses. I don't know if there are any in late November. You can take taxi to Zakopane (we took it the opposite direction - if I remember correctly it was 300 zloty, which is much less than 200 Euro), from Zakopane there are plenty of buses to Krakow.

This is great and exactly what we want to do. Hotel Kempenski is open, Patria is not. Do trains run from Budapest to Koscice. Can I buy tickets in Budapest or should I do ahead of time? As far as private transfers from Kempenski to Krakow would I be able to find them once I get there? Thanks in advance. I guess I will need to bring some warmer clothes.

Yes. Trains are going from Budapest to Kosice. Migrants are not interested going to Slovakia. You can buy ticket once you get to Budapest. You can arrange your private transportation from Kempinski to Krakow once you get there.

Oh I am not in the mode of spending 200 USD a night for a hotel... this is a splurge! I did find one transfer from Kempinski to Krakow (~200 USD?.. seems a bit much). But I will check into the transfer from Budapest to Kempenski, unless we should stop in Koscice to tour?

The train from Krakow to Budapest goes through Vienna. You may want to consider this in planning your itinerary - we changed ours based on this.

Polski Bus goes from Krakow to Budapest direct. The fare is very inexpensive. 7 hour trip.

http://www.polskibus.com/en/index.htm

No train from Krakow to Budapest goes via Vienna. There is only one direct train a day - overnight. Other trains - change once or twice. Nevertheless all this is irrelevant because Jim (OP) already did his trip in late November.