Can anyone please tell me the best way to get to Krakow from Budapest on a train with a layover? We have been convinced that the night train isn't the best option for a lack of sleep. I will be traveling with my mother and 10 year old son so the layover, I guess would need to be in Slovakia about mid distance between Budapest and Krakow. I am having a really hard time figuring out the connections on the train. I though Zilina or Kosice in Slovakia might be okay but it appears that from either of those two places its quite a distance still to Krakow. Nobody in my family is really that excited about being on the train for more than 4-5 hours at a time. Anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
What's the problem with the night train?
We're going to be on that night train this summer, hoping to sleep. What do you know about that I don't?
Fly?
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
You can have a layover in Olomouc. You can read about it in Rick Steves book Prague & the Czech Republic. Unfortunately direct train is only the night train. Otherwise you'll be changing trains in Katowice. From Olomouc to Budapest you'll be changing trains in Breclav. Olomouc is approximately half way between Krakow and Budapest. Timetable is on Deutschebahn website.
Posted by
Winnipeg
590 posts
Randy: I took that night train in reverse and it was not a problem at all. But I also sleep well. If you aren't a good sleeper it probably would be best to fly or try day time options like Kerry.
Posted by
Tulsa, OK
276 posts
Kerry,
The problem with the night train is that it also hauls cargo, so there is a lot of stopping and starting as well as noisy unhooking and rehooking of cars along the way. Ilja had a good suggestion, but it might be easier in the long run to deal with the night train. It's not that bad if you're prepared for it.
Enjoy Budapest and Krakow; they're both great cities!