We are going to be in Prague for 12 days and would like to take three days to visit Krakow. What would you recommmend for transportation. Train, bus private car and driver or rental car? What would be the most economical round tip?? We will be leaving Fl on Wednesday Oct 17th
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I have done this drive with a rental car and it was a fairly easy drive. Rented at the airport in Prague and returned there also. No problems. I am not sure if it is more economical for you , but definitely is for me because I want the flexibility of traveling when and where I want. We went to Auschwitz and the Bone Church on the way, so it worked for us, and really was not very expensive. Parking was about $5 a night in Krakow with our hotel and it is a smaller city so was easy to drive in, although you will not need your car for the days you wander around Krakow.
Posted by
OP
the villages, FL, usa
5 posts
what were the rental rates and what side of the road do they drive on??? How long did it take to get from Prague to Krakow and what is the driving speed allowed?
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
All continental Europe drives on the right side of the road. Speed limits (if not posted) are 50 km/h in towns and villages, 90 km/h outside towns, 130 km/h on freeways. Unless you want to do a lot of stopping between Prague and Krakow then the most economical and comfortable way of travel is train.
Posted by
OP
the villages, FL, usa
5 posts
thanks a million for the info.....
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32841 posts
Poland's speeds on highways are different than noted above, unless they have changed recently. 140 (motorways) 120 (dual carriageway expressways) 100 (single carriageway expressways) Czech are also restricted. 80 (urban expressways & motorways)
130 (rural).
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
If you want to know exactly, google speed limits for Poland and also for Czech Republic. Wikipedia will give you the most accurate answer.
Posted by
OP
the villages, FL, usa
5 posts
Thanks to all who have responded. It's a big help
Posted by
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
we hired Mike's Chauffeurs to drive us - took MAYBE 7.5 hours with stop at Auschwitz. We hit a bridge out and some closed roads (flooding) glad we had a driver. It was a long trip but we loved Krakow so it was worth it.
Posted by
OP
the villages, FL, usa
5 posts
Where did you find Mike's chauffeurs and what was the cost??? We need to return to Prague for a couple of days to get our flight home so we need a round trip. Perhaps it's better to take a couple of days tour with a local travel company. At this late date that probably would be our best bet. thanks everyone for your help .
Posted by
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Mike's was recommended (I believe) in Rick Steve's Eastern Europe book. This was 2009. Price quotes are in Czech currency. Very nice and reliable. I want to say we paid $500 but can't be sure. Whatever it was, at the time it made much more sense than paying for a car rental plus gas or taking the night train and then spending our next day backtracking to Auschwitz www.mike-chauffeur.cz