Well I've now just booked a wonderful place to stay in Prague so now I get to figure out how to best get there. Is one mode faster than the other? I really do enjoy being on trains. I read it's a 8 hr trip by train and that I can't use a Euro Pass, that is needs to be a different train. That's as far as I've gotten. Any tips from anyone that's done it or know's a thing or two would be most helpful. Thanks. Jacque
Posted by
PA
2753 posts
Check Student Agency, Euroline, and Ornageways bus. As fast or faster than the trian because of less stops and also a direct route. Way less expensive. Can buy ticket with reserved seat online.
Posted by
Normal, IL, US
6 posts
I just took the trip by train last weekend. I compared all of the bus agencies Larry listed, but decided the train was better for my situation. It was a direct shot with no changes--took just under 7 hours. This is the same as the trip by bus. MÁV, the Hungarian railway company, has pretty good specials for international travel. For most trips, there are a number of "SPAR DAY" tickets that are really reasonably priced. If you are able to get these tickets, it is about the same price as a bus. In a busier season, I would buy in advance, but I bought mine about an hour before the train left with no trouble. The ticket was 19 EUR or about 5500 HUF. Bus tickets will run between 4700 HUF and 6000 HUF--so a difference of a Euro or two. (Moral of the story--if you can get the discounted fare, the tickets are evenly priced. If you can't, the bus is much cheaper--but they're not hard to get). For me, the comfort of the train--being able to stretch out across the compartment, get up and walk around, and use the WC really swung the decision. So, for me, given the equal times, cost, and preference for the train--it made for an easy choice. If you're planning a trip for a more touristy season, I would try booking either ticket at least a few days in advance, as they may sell out.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Train and bus take almost the same in time and money. So comfort will decide and that would be (at least for me) train. Once I took Student Agency bus (Yellow bus) from Brno to Prague. It was supposed to take 2.5 hours but it took 5 because of big traffic jam before Prague. That can happen for bus travel on that route relatively often (depending on time and day of the week).