Family of four, with kids age of 14 and 11. Plan to travel to Berlin, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Krakow. Will fly in and out from Berlin. I spent lots time looking at train arrangement and got very confused with which train, what pass, Night train or not.
The Eurail 4 country pass doesn't include Poland.
So, I am thinking drive. What's your suggestion? total travel time is about 2 weeks.
Thank you.
Based on experience in Scotland and Italy, I would to anything to avoid driving. Driving (and parking) is great in the countryside, a nightmare in the cities. I don't know much time I wasted in Edinburgh and Siena trying to figure out how access in the inner city rental car return. The train may be more expensive for the four of you, but whoever would be stuck driving and navigating will be grateful.
Check out the Student Agency bus company (Czech based) for inexpensive, great bus connections between Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest. They I don't go to Poland and not sure of Berlin.
Buses are clean and new with free wifi and some have tv's with American movies.
Forget about rail passes. Point to point tickets are a much better deal: when bought well in advance (2 to 3 months) they usually come with huge discounts. For a random date in June Berlin to Prague costs EUR 78. For the whole family together.
Look at www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml for timings. (This is just a train planner. Tickets must be bought with the respective national railway companies. The present schedule runs to mid-June, but it gives a good impression.) A quick look shows that Berlin-Prague-Bratislava-Budapest can all easily be done by day trains. Budapest-Kraków is best be done by night train. Kraków-Berlin can be done by day train. It's a 8-hour trip. I love it, some hate it.
Hi Vermeer. Don't rule out driving; consider the pros and cons of each; or maybe part train, part car. There are hotels in or just outside cities that have parking. A big factor is whether you only want to see cities, or whether you would enjoy exploring the countryside also. A car is a hassle in cities, but gives so much flexibility and ability to see other things. A couple of other points: if you do rent a car, check to see country restrictions; some rental car places will charge extra to drive into certain countries. Also, if you haven't, consider alternate cities to fly home. No need to go back to original city to fly home unless you have a specific reason. Enjoy your trip!
The only pass that would cover your whole trip is the Eurail Global pass for 6 travel days within a month (currently, if you purchase before April 29) at about $430 per person in 1st class and free for the youngest child. Regular, 2nd-class tickets for your destinations would be cheaper, even if you just buy them as you go.
Trains from Krakow to Berlin currently require one or two connections, depending on departure time, or there is one daily direct bus, operated by German Rail and for sale through their train schedule link.
Hi,
Based on your itinerary, you can do Berlin to Budapest, and Budapest-Krakow by night train. Keep in mind that getting a rental car in Germany might have the "prohibition" of taking this car into Poland, ie, not allowed. Take the train and/or bus unless you intend on seeing villages in the Gross-Berlin area. You won't have pay for gas by the liter. I use a rail pass but wouldn't get one with your itinerary and two weeks time span.
Hello!
I could also recommend you to go by bus. Most of the times it is a reliable and comfortable travel.
It takes you longer but it will be a lot cheaper then by train.
Have a look at those websites:
http://www.polskibus.com/pl/index.htm
http://meinfernbus.de/en
Good luck and have fun!
"For a random date in June Berlin to Prague costs EUR 78. For the whole family together."
Please let me know where to buy tickets like this? Thank you very much.
I have driven my family of 5, boys 14,12 and 6, from Munich to Budapest, Prague, Cesky Krumlow and Augsberg. It was a great trip. We got lost in the heart of Budapest at night but the locals were all anxious to steer us to the B & B we had rented. The roads are either great or good and if you are used to driving in the US it will be a snap. I do not know about restrictions in Poland but check it out as the trains get to be a bit confusing at times, although SO much better and on time than here in the US. Good luck, Chris
Please let me know where to buy tickets like this?
Www.bahn.de. And I know myself corrected: on that Saturday 11th June the afternoon train costs only EUR 58 for the whole bunch.
Poland ... as the trains get to be a bit confusing at times
I have some experience with trains in Poland. How small the line might be and how slow the train, they are always on time. The one exception I had, was with major works on the line. And even in that case the connecting train was patiently waiting.
The platform information is confusing when you're not used to it. The track numbers seem to be at random. Just obey the platform and track numbers.
