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Itinerary help and advice on route/trains

Posted by (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on

I am travelling to Europe at the end of June and am trying to figure out what makes most sense and works with my budget. Just wondering if this makes sense:

Flying from toronto to frankfurt and then staying there for about a day or two and then taking a sleeper train to Prague. Flight to Prague is a bit out of my budget. Does anyone know whether a sleeper train from Frankfurt to Prague for a single traveller is safe?

From Prague to Vienna, then Vienna to Budapest and then Budapest to Croatia. I know i can take a train to zagreb and then i think a bus to dubrovnik.

I guess my concern is whether it makes most sense to fly into frankfurt and take the sleeper train (9 or 10 hours) or if there are other places to fly into that aren't too expensive. I've looked into flying into Vienna and it is about the same costs to flyiing into Prague (British Airways).

Also how many days would you suggest staying in each place (i know everyone is different) just some input would be cool too.

Thanks!!

Posted by
162 posts

I think sleeper trains are safe, but everyone has a different sense of safety and everyone has a different comfort level. There are cheap flights within Europe, but I'm a rail user, not a flyer so someone else can answer this question.

This sounds a lot like my trip this summer. I'll spend about 5 days in Prague, Vienna, Budapest. I'm flexible, so I don't know how long I'll stay in Dubrovnik.

Posted by
8700 posts

If you haven't booked the direct Frankfurt-Prague night train yet, do it NOW at www.bahn.de. I just checked some dates at the end of June and first part of July and found that your choices are very limited at this late date. Do NOT book the day couch reclining seat. It's cheap, but not a good choice for a single woman or for keeping your luggage secure. Couchettes and sleepers lock from the inside and you can request a female-only compartment.

There are no budget airlines that fly Frankfurt-Prague, but you can fly Frankfurt Hahn-Prague on Ryanair. Be aware, however, that Hahn is a long way from Frankfurt and you'll need to take a bus to get to the airport.

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks for all your replies. Now another question, I finally got the eurail global pass and am trying to reserve the night train from frankfurt to Prague and am getting really confused on payment? Is there anywhere online you can reserve your ticket and use your pass? I am confused....
Thanks!

Posted by
590 posts

I know some people have had bad experiences with Rail Europe and paid steep prices, but I paid around 35 dollars each for a 3 person sleeper compartment for overnight night trains to Prague-Krakow and Krakow to Budapest. With shipping and handling it came to around 130 dollars. When I booked a 3 person sleeper overseas for Budapest-Brasov and Sighisoara-Vienna it was around 30 dollars. Not much different except of course for shipping and handling. I don't know if I just got lucky though.

I am like Chris in that I prefer rail travel or airplane and I can manage to get some sleep on trains. If you book a sleeper compared to a couchette they will automatically put you in a female compartment. Couchettes both sexes mix. I would pay the extra few dollars for a sleeper, because even in a 3 person one I found it a little cramped. I never experienced any problems and loved that you can lock the door from the inside. I agree with Tim to not book a reclining chair for the overnight trip. Chance of theft is high and you won't get such a great sleep.

I stayed 4 nights in Prague, Vienna and Budapest and never felt rushed. I even had a chance to go on a day trip in each place.

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