Prague to Vienna: Bus or Train?

I'm taking the bus from Vienna to Prague in October, but only with a large backpack. It takes about the same amount of time by either bus or train. The train is way more comfortable than bus but it comes at a high price. Quote for train was $274 from Europe Rail for two people and bus from Eurolines was $36 for two people. No contest price wise.

I can't read German but the online price looks like it would be less than 50 for one person..according to the OBB site. Could not see a price on the IDOS (Czech) site.

My advice on using buses. Your bag is safe as long as you watch it. I always stand at the side of the bus until the driver places my bag in the storage compartment under the bus.

Then I take my seat on the same side of the bus and watch to see that no one takes it.

You cant be too cautious when traveling because in their eyes you are the "rich American."

If you take the train, watch your transfer times carefully. There is a daily train that requires no transfers from Prague to Vienna, but most require transfers and some are really short. We had six minutes to change at one station last month when going from Prague to Nurnburg and were hard pressed to make it. To buy tickets with really short times can be nearly impossible unless you have 30+ minutes. We used a Visit Prague pass, which was a bit pricey, but great to use (like the Eurail pass).

I traveled from Prague to Vienna last April, and I took the Eurolines bus. As everyone here said, it is indeed much cheaper, but be careful if you decide to this. The Eurolines station I left from in Prague seemed like an unsafe part of town, plus the bus driver I had was a real jerk. Make sure to have some extra Czech money if you're gonna need to use the bathroom b/c the bus driver won't let you use the toilet on the bus until 30 mins w/ in the ride, I really do suggest you use it in the station; this is where the Czech money will come in handy. It's a long ride, so be sure to have some food, music, and a book, otherwise it will drag on forever. When I was doing this trip, Prague had just joined the Schengen zone (sp?), but they still checked everyone's passports at the Czech/Austrian border, so be sure that you have that handy.

All in all, it's worth to save the money (the train is like twice as much if not more), but the ride seems longer in a bus for some reason (usually, my preferred form of transportation is train but I did bus for this trip b/c I was on a very very tight budget), and it's not the most comfortable ride.

Gute Reise!

Personally, I would take the direct train - no changes that departs Praha-Holesovice @ 08:23 and arrives (Vienna) Wien Südbahnhof Bstg.@ 12:28...4 hours and 5 minutes.

There is 2nd direct train - same stations that departs Prague @ 10:23 and arrives Vienna @ 14:28.

There is 3rd direct train - same stations that departs Prague @ 13:33 and arrives Vienna @ 18:03.

There are wire cable locks that are made for travel. We looped them through our suitcases and attached to the luggage racks that were near the doors of the train. Much safer than just leaving them loose.

Hope this infor is helpful.

PacSafe and REI have cable locks for luggage. The trains last month were so empty that we had our luggage right next to us, so didn't have to use them.

I havent seen the wire cable locks that are made for travel. I recommend buying one just to have when on a train or bus. I have always had trouble watching my luggage on trains; I would welcome cableing them together and going to sleep.

If you are willing to book your train ticket in Prague, at one of the stations, you will pay a much much lower price than quoted in some of the responses. Train travel is what the locals do and Czech money does not go very far for the folks who live there. You will be paying the same as the locals. Try to find a very central station that is more likely to deal with tourists, with an English speaking agent.

Check if you can reserve a seat, for a small extra charge. On most trains you can. If seats are not reserved, it is expected, by local custom that you ask people in the compartment if the seats are available for your use, don't assume just because they are empty, that they are.

Lifting heavy luggage into a train is difficult, I had to do it alone but found many people ready to help in all the cities/trains I went on. Most have good solid racks above seats you can store your large suitcase on. You may want to strap it down, in case of sudden stops.

Stay away from the bus.

try www.mike-chauffeur.cz or mike.chauffeur@cmail.cz

found mike in one of rick steves' book. he picked us up in vienna and drove us to prague. 4 days later, he picked us up in prague and drove us back to vienna via cesky krumlov where we stayed for 5 hrs, he waited for us. his price was for one-way each. we made arrangements by email. he is very reliable and nice. try him.

I took a non-stop train from Vienna to Prague last October and it only cost me $76. I bought the ticket at the Vienna train station. I was going the opposite direction, but I wouldn't think the price would be too different going from Prague???? I took 4 hours 25 minutes. I never used a cable lock on my luggage as I just watched it, but it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Thanks for the responses. I was able to get 2 direct train tickets while in Prague for 108 USD. It included 20 USD reservation charge because I traveled mid-day and needed a reservation (assigned seat) for that specific train; I got the lower group rate for the travel within Czech. Republic. Train time was about 4 1/2 hours.