Overnight Train Tickets

You really do need to book an overnight berth ahead of time. They can be all gone by the time of your visit. I also would suggest having a travel agent make these arrangements.

Definitely reserve ahead of time. You can go to Raileurope.com and either buy a pass (European East which is $299 for 5 days of travel) and book your reservations, or do the point to point tickets with the sleepers online. If you plug in your itinerary, they will tell you which choice is cheaper.

I like taking overnight trains as a way of saving time and money on a hotel. The best way to save money on the trains themselves is to buy a multi-country railpass. Then make your reservations for a private couchette and pay only the reservation fee & upgrade fee. If you are visiting 3 countries which touch each other, you just choose the three countries you want on your pass. It's a great deal. I buy them sometimes when only visiting two countries because it's cheaper than buy two seperate country passes.

Before you buy a pass, check the cost of the overnight tickets separately. With only two journeys, it would probably be far cheaper to simply buy two point to point tickets, than a pass plus supplement for your sleeper/couchette.

Thanks everyone who replied to my post. I am thinking of buying a Eastern Europe five day and five country pass. I will be passing thru four out of those five countries including two night trains between Prague to Krakow and Krakow to Budapest segments. My other travel will be during the day thru Austria. I will go ahead and buy a pass and book my reservations. This forum truly has wealth of invaluable information. Thanks again.

MJ:

I just got back from 3 weeks all over Eastern Europe. I picked up the Eastern Europe Pass for $209 from Rick Steves shop, and it is easy. Do not worry about getting reservations until you get there. Book your reservations when you get there. I was there in the middle of the summer andd had no problems.

Big time tip here MJ. If you speak Polish or Czech disregard. Otherwise go into train station at Hlvani Nadrazi station when not packed and buy reservation for both trips there. The cost in the Czech Republic for seat reservations is less than others.

I f you need to get seat reservations in Krakow go to Orbis Travel in the Main Square in Krakow for good English and easy tickets with out long line at Glowny Station with limited English Speaking attendants.

Cheers,
yeahfoy

I second that. I worried endlessly over not being able to make advance reservations before my trip, but when we went in late May-early June this summer (to Budapest, Krakow and Prague) we had no problems getting any tickets/reservations just the day before departure. Also, Orbis Travel in the Main Square in Krakow is definitely a handy way to get tickets without the hustle and hassle of going to the main train station.

I'd just buy them when I get there.

September? That's shoulder season. Lots of space on those trains when I rode them in May (again, shoulder season).

Buy both tickets at the Wasteels office in the Hlavni Nadrazi station in Prague. They speak good English, and are very helpful.

Again, do not buy the tickets for the Krakow-Budapest train in Poland. I've had two experiences buying in Krakow, and neither was good.

The Orbis suggestion is okay BUT I tried them out in May and was told that Couchettes DO NOT EXIST on the Krakow-Budapest train, and that no special fares were available.

At the Krakow station, I found out that Couchettes did exist but initially was quoted a very very high price for the tickets (high enough that I walked away to conference with my travel partner).

The next day, after much stress, I went back, ready to pay the crazy high price. I got a different lady behind the window, and she found a "special price" (spar-night) non changeable fare (the one that was "not possible" the previous day).

I'd just stick with the guys in Prague. They'll check all kinds of special fares for you (when I traveled Prague-Krakow, the issued the couchette reservation, a Czech Railways only special price ticket for two traveling together on Czech ticket stock from Prague to the Polish border, and a global price ticket from the Polish border to Krakow) and they're helpful.

And I wouldn't worry about a sell out in September, as long as you try to make the reservation when you get there.

Also - investigate Eurolines and Orangeways bus service between Krakow and Budapest. Its cheap, takes only 6-7 hours, and runs through the scenic tatra mountains. It may be a better deal than the train, if you set your schedule up correctly (the bus is not daily).

We used the Wasteel agency in July on the day before departure and was able to easily book couchettes for Prague to Krakow and Krakow to Budapest. We had five people in the group.