Until recently, there were three "direct" regional train connections from Munich to Prague. Two went all the way to Prague; the other had a dedicated transfer in Schwandorf to a similar train from Nürnberg. The trip took about 6 hours. Trains left Munich at 9:01, 12:44, and 17:02 By using a Bayern-Böhmen-Ticket (a Bayern-Ticket with part of the Czech Republic included, €24 Single, €34 for 2-5 P) to Pilsen and Czech Rail tickets (about €6 in Czech Koruna), a single person could go from anywhere in Bavaria to Prague for €30; two people cost €23. Bayern-Böhmen-Ticket are always available on the day of travel. They never sell out and the price never goes up. A year or so ago, German Rail instituted an intercity coach from in front of Nürnberg station to Prague. Combined with an ICE from Munich to Nürnberg, the trip takes 5 hours, one hour less than the regional train. HOWEVER, the ICE/bus combination has a full fare of €91 in 2nd class. That's the only fare you can get up to three day before travel. Munich to Prague by the bus can also be purchased in advance online, starting 92 days out at €29 per person for a non-refundable ticket. Prices quickly go up. Today you would have to purchase for Oct. 4 (87 days in advance to get that €29 price; Oct 5 has already gone up for some times. A month from today, tickets for some popular times are already €69! (Cont'd)
Posted by
OP
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Clearly, the bus was only a good deal if you could purchase far in advance. As your travel date approached and the bus fares went up, you could always rely on the regional train. An hour slower, but it's fares never went up - €30 for one person, €23 ea. for two, just over €17 ea. for three, about €13 ea. for five. Apparently, the Bahn bus could not stand the competition. The train was too good a deal, so the Bahn has discontinued those regional trains, replacing them with slower (by ~1-1½ hr) connections. Wheras you previously could leave Munich at 12:44, change trains in Schwandorf, cross over the border at Furth im Wald without changing trains, and arrive in Prague just before 7 PM, now you have to start an hour earlier, at 11:44, change in Regensburg (17 min) before changing in Schwandorf, then spend 54 min in Furth before a Czech train takes you to Prague as before.
Posted by
OP
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
For Ansbach to Budapest, for less than three weeks from now, I found Europa-Spezial tickets for 2 adults and 2 children under 15 for €118 each way. James, you have a somewhat different perspective, living in Germany and owning a car. Certain expenses, like depreciation, taxes, licensing, and insurance are already paid. All you see, in the short term, is fuel. I can see why you would prefer to drive your own car. I have friends in Germany who do the same. OTOH, for somebody visiting, a car costs $40 a day, or more, even if you're in town and not using it. I've carefully calculated public transportation vs a rental car for my last four trips and I think I've saved enough to pay for the ground part of my next trip. "But Ansbach-Berlin on local transport takes 9 hours! vs a 5 hour drive." By local transport you must mean regional trains only, for which the fare would be less than €90 each way with Länder tickets, less with a Schönes-Wochenende or Quer durchs Land Ticket. The express trains only take 5 hours and, with advance purchase, you can do that trip for less than €100, round trip. But, the purpose of this thread was to inform people about the Munich to Prague changes.
Posted by
OP
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
If faced with an advance purchase, non-refundable, ticket for two for the bus for €138 vs the regional train (2 hours longer) for €46, I know what I'm going to choose. Stick the bus in your ear, Bahn.