Not really a question but a heads up. They are doing a major upgrade on the line from Prague through Plzen to the German border. We were detoured from Plzen through Kartovy and then back to the mainline on a twisting little local line. We arrived an hour late at the German border. Good news is that the scenery along the detour is fantastic and judging by what's already completed the upgraded line will be as good as ICE. Conductor said work will be going on intermittently all summer. If you're on a schedule it would be best to check on work schedules before you commit. If you have the time though, it's a nice trip.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
There is no Kartovy in the Czech Republic. You probably mean Klatovy or Karlovy Vary. Both would be possible as a detour and are the closest in spelling to Kartovy. Both have beautiful scenery around.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19269 posts
She is right. The line from Pilsen to Munich goes through Domazlice on it's way to the border crossing at Furth i Wald. The most direct way from Pilsen to Domazlice is through Nyrany and Stankov, but there is a nearby, almost parallel line that goes through Klatovy. That must have been the detour. But all this has me wondering. Are they improving the line through the Czech Republic to accommodate ICEs, or are they just going to make it faster. If they take an hour off the time through the Czech Republic, the regional rail connection will be as fast as the bus from Nürnberg. Right now, Munich to Prague is €30 with a €24 Bayern-Böhmen-Single ticket to Pilsen and a €6 (equiv in Kc) ticket from Pilsen to Prague or €23 per person for two splitting a €34 Bayern-Böhmen-Ticket and and €6 to Prague. That's competitive with the lowest advance purchase fare for the ICE/bus and you can purchase your tickets just before travel.
Posted by
OP
Purcellville, Virginia, USA
2 posts
You guys are right. I checked the map again and the detour was Plzen>Klatovy>Domazlice. The Klatovy>Domazlice leg was the really slow (but really scenic) one. Lots of tight radius turns and grade crossings.