A coupla months ago, we booked Andrew Durman to drive us from Krakow to Auschwitz in the morning, and then to Budapest in the late afternoon. He now informs us that he will be on vacation then, but has arranged for a (presently unnamed) "codriver" who he describes as a young student to handle the assignment. Anyone have any experience with Andrew's codriver? Andrew gets rave reviews on this and other travel sites, but should we be concerned?
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
Is the young student just a driver from point A to point B, or are you expecting him to be a full-fledged tour guide, similar to Andrew? If the latter, ask Andrew about his tour guide credentials. By the way, if it doesn't work out, you really don't need a driver to either place - both are well served by public transit.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
I've emailed with Andrew before for some trip planning and found him helpful and responsive, but I don't know if I'd proceed with this unnamed driver in his place. I had gotten a quote for a drive from Krakow to Budapest and it's much pricier than other options like the bus companies. I had considered paying it but I'm opting for a Euroways bus for our trip in the fall of 2017, I think. It's $80 per person, door-to-door.
I can't recall what Andrew quoted me for the drive from Krakow to Budapest. What's he quoting you?
Posted by
OP
US
4 posts
Valerie-
Did you get a quote from someone other than Andrew for the Krakow - Budapest drive? If you found this to be a good alternative, please provide contact information.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
Polski Bus (long-distance bus company) is an embarrasingly cheap option from Krakow to Budapest. I would not hesitate to take this bus (I'm Polish myself). The trip takes about 7 hours - but it would be the same with a car. Another alternative is a train (look at Polrail website below for schedule and pricing).
http://www.polskibus.com/en/index.htm
https://booking.polrail.com/
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
Well, I can't find those old emails with the price quote, but HOLY COW, check out the Polski bus that Agnes mentions. She may be spot on with that. I was going to use Euroways because it's door to door and I've been dropped off at some far away places and had to transit it and I thought it was a hassle.
But that Polski bus looks to be about $5 per person. Pick up in Krakow is right by the train station. Drop off in Budapest it 2 miles from the apartment we're going to rent (which is pretty central)....looks pretty easy.
I think I'll probably go with Polski bus and save the $75 per person.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
I take a similar bus from DC to NYC several times a year (Bolt Bus) - about $16 one way - but you have to jump on the cheapest tickets early. Not as comfortable as train but 90-95% on time, (unlike Amtrak which is chronically late and much more expensive), clean, neat and free wi-fi. Bathroom on board and bus stops for break every 2-3 hours. The prices can't be beat and you can stow luggage underneath bus. You'll likely see a lot of young people on the bus but they're listening to music or on their laptops most of the time, so they shouldn't be a bother at all.