Day train to Krakow from Budapest

Anyone leaving in July might want to consider this http://www.mavnosztalgia.hu/en/menu/241/esemeny/621

Oh, and to the question. Never done it but have ridden trains in the area and yes, it is safe. Geerally there isnt much difference between first and second class but the price isnt much different either so i generally spring for first class; but it isnt great use of money (but its my vacation so....)

Trains are safer than cars (but no one thinks twice as they get into a car and buckle their seatbelt)

Just a wild guess here but I think the concern was more about the other passengers than about the equipment. I wouldn't worry at all on a day train in this region. You might actually meet some pretty nice people.

We are leaving in September 21013. I want to thank everyone for your information. I know we will have a good time. The reason I ask about the Day train because all the guide books are recommending the Night train.
Cathy

I think they recommend a night train because the theory is that you save on a hotel room for one night and you wake up after a good night's sleep in the place you want to see. Personally I don't think I would get a good night sleep. The train leaves at 8 pm and gets in at 6:30 am. I did some quick random checks and there don't appear to be any day trains. http://www.mav-start.hu but i might not have hit on the right day of the week. Other options are Orangeways Bus. These busses are reportedly as comfortable as a train http://www.orangeways.com/en/budapest-krakkow and are faster (about 7.5 hours). I keep avoiding Krakow because "you can't get there from here" and I have some issues with place in general. However if I were to go (and someday I will) I would make the trip across Slovakia as important as Krakow itself. Slovakia I have spent some time in and I have gotten within a few hundred kilometers of Krakow in the process. It's a stunning country full of mountains, castles, towns and villages. If you have some $$$ you could take the train from Budapest to Kosice, spend the day and then have the driver from the Grand Kempinski High Tatras pick you up. Spend a night or two in one of the most wonderful hotels in Central Europe http://www.kempinski.com/en/strba-strbske-pleso/grand-hotel-high-tatras/welcome/ and then have the hotel driver drop you off in Krakow. Actually if you are going to the High Tatras (the mountain chain not recognized by Bill Gates) you need to spend a few days sightseeing. The hotel can arrange that too; but $$$$. So far in my life Slovakia has intercepted a couple planned trips to Krakow and will again in a few weeks.

And mid September to mid October are sort of the prime times to be in this part of the world.

They offer several day trains on Polrail, check out the site.
Cathy

I see that they do, but with 1, 2 or 4 transfers. That might actually be a good thing on a 10+ hour ride. Give you the opportunity to get out and stretch. Here are a few photos of what you will be passing through http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/slovakia

Air Berlin has a flight with one change. Takes 3.5 hours and less than $200. The added prep time for the flight makes it equivalent to about a 6.5 hour train ride.

Cathy, I asked the same question myself when traveling from Krakow to Budapest. I went in Sept. of last year. I voted in favor of flying with Ryan Air. It was my first time in flying commuter flights in Europe, but it did go smoothly. The days and times are limited, but you might want to look into this as an option if you decide that you do not want to travel this route via rail.

Hi Kaz, I checked with Ryanair, I don't think they fly from Budapest to Krakow, just to Warsaw. Can you check that for me.
Thanks, Cathy

Cathy, Unfortunately, you are correct. I looked it up and did not see it. It looks like they discontinued the Budapest/Krakow route. Bummer! It was very convenient. This is the one of the downsides to these types of airlines. Others such as Wizz Air, EasyJet & SmartWings I don't believe ever offered this route. It was worth a look, anyways!