I will be in Europe this May and one of the stops will be Krakow, which I am very excited about! I think my route will be from Frankfurt to Prague to Krakow, but I haven't been able to find any online prices for the train into Poland. I'm a little nervous, I don't want to spend $1000 on trains over the two weeks that I will be in Europe. Does anyone have any suggestions for figuring out the train issue? DB Bahn doesn't give me fares for several trips. I don't want to buy tickets in advance, but I would like to get a price idea. Will buying a ticket at the station be an issue? I'm not nervous about much related to the trip aside from the trains! Any and all tips are welcome! I'm also thinking about taking a day time train from Prague to Krakow, instead of the night train, so I can look out the windows and see the country side, but maybe the night train would be better so I don't waste all that time on the train? Thoughts?
Posted by
Minneapolis/St. Paul
129 posts
There is only one direct train from Prague to Krakow, leaving Prague at 20:17 and arrive in Krakow at 7:14 the next day. I'd recommend that over wasting a day on multiple trains. Plus in my opinion the view from the train isn't anything special, or terribly different from what you'd see in the Czech Republic on the train from Frankfurt. If you plan on visiting Auchwitz (which I recommend on a trip to Krakow), you'll see the Polish countryside on the way there. Google "Train Prague to Krakow" and the first hit should take you where you need to go to buy tickets. Have fun!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Czech Airlines will fly you non-stop from Prague to Krakow for around $200, and you'll be there in just over an hour. Why fool around with trains?
Posted by
OP
Trinidad, CO, USA
2 posts
I find the idea of taking a flight in Europe daunting. I can't imagine it would be a smooth trip through customs. I am definitely going to Auschwitz, so I really like the idea of being able to see the country side during that trip and taking the night train, since I have to sleep sometime I might as well do it on the train! With the night train, if you book a sleeper cabin for two people do you have to pay for two people even if it's only just me, or can they put another person in with me? I would like to buy this in person the day I'm ready to go, is that likely to be a problem? Thank you so much!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33513 posts
Jasmine, to your most recent questions: I find the idea of taking a flight in Europe daunting. I can't imagine it would be a smooth trip through customs. Internal EU flights have neither customs nor immigration. They do have security checks. taking the night train, since I have to sleep sometime I might as well do it on the train! That assumes you can sleep on a night train. Many can't or do but fitfully. If you have to change trains in the middle of the night you won't either. I find that when the train stops in a station or freight yard I wake up from whatever level of sleep I was in and look to see where I am and what time it is then hopefully return to drowsyness. I always get up tired. I've done it several times around Europe. No more for me. Maybe your sleep will be better. With the night train, if you book a sleeper cabin for two people do you have to pay for two people even if it's only just me, or can they put another person in with me? Your choice, but if you don't buy it out you may find you do have a neighbor in the 2 bed or 2 neighbors in the 3 bed. I would like to buy this in person the day I'm ready to go, is that likely to be a problem? Yes. It most likely will be sold out; if you do get a room it will be at full price.
Posted by
San Francisco
14794 posts
Jasmine, Aside from the option of taking the direct night train from Prague to Krakow, I suggest the (day) 10:17 departure as the best day option. You transfer only once in Katowice (Kattowitz/Oberschlesien), arriving in Krakow at 18:47. No need to reserve from (day) from Prague-Krakow. You can get this ticket in Prague. Train travel in Poland is pretty cheap relative to western Europe.
Posted by
Denver, Colorado, USA
143 posts
For a fellow Coloradoan! I love trains myself but sometimes the most efficient way from Point A to Point B, especially when crossing borders is by plane. If I were you, I'd call Rick Steve's ETBD tomorrow and ask to speak to the rail expert. Several of the employees are Rick's companies are experts in European train travel. I'm almost positive though that if you are going to take any night trains, you will want to book those in advance. Krakow is one of my favorite cities in Europe as is Prague. I am sure you will have a great time!