In May, my husband and I (in our 60's) will be taking the train from Krakow to Katowice where we will transfer to a train going to Vienna. In Western Europe, we have always purchased second class tickets. Should we purchase first class on these trains? Do you suggest buying the tickets when we reach Krakow or buying online? Many thanks for the help.
Ellen
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
We went the other way, Vienna to Krakow, last October. Second class is rudimentary, and we won't do that again. Buy first class if you can afford to. I don't know for sure, but I think you can buy the first class tickets at Katowice. There is an ATM in the ticket counter area. Our train wasn't crowded by a long shot. In our second class cabin someone had taped up an old calendar picture to liven up the decor. It didn't help much. Another thing, Poland is not part of the Eurail ticket system, but Austria is. We found out the hard way and had to buy a Polish ticket once we were on the train in Poland. The conductor was more than polite. I didn't have quite enough Euros and he said "Just give me all of it" which was bit short of the price. He gave us the ticket and everyone was happy.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
In Katowice you will board an international express Warszawa - Wien (Vienna). Second class is perfectly OK. If you want to spend 50% more, buy first class. You can buy your tickets when you are in Krakow.
Posted by
columbus, nc
294 posts
My wife and I did the same in Nov.2011. We went second class all the way. We left Krakow early and the train had plenty of room. At Katowice we had a problem because the station was under construction and finding the proper platform and train required some help from others. From Katowice to Vienna was very nice and we arrived in Vienna around 13:30. We bought our tickets in Krakow. We are also in our 60's.