I have a mental block when it comes to rail travel between Central Europe countries. I’m probably making it more difficult than it really is. Can you help me sort it out?
I want to first travel from Prague (Malostrana) to Częstochowa in southern Poland. Can I wait til arrival in Prague before purchasing a ticket?
Then Częstochowa to Krakow Kasimiersz (that one should be easy.
Then Krakow to Kufstein, on the German border between Salzburg and Innsbruck. How the heck do I do that?
Then Kufstein back to Prague.
Whew!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7717 posts
Try reading this, for starters: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/buying-tickets
Then read the appropriate sections of this site: https://www.seat61.com/
When in doubt, go to the official website for the rail company for the country you will depart from or arrive in. Buy your ticket in advance if there is a cost saving (but be aware of restrictions), or buy in person at the station.
Posted by
Lake District, England
12419 posts
Krakow Kasimiersz does not have a rail station of that name, it seems. You book to Krakow Glowny then take a local tram (paid for locally).
So Częstochowa to Krakow Glowny can be booked with PKP (Polish Railways) within 30 days of travel.
Prague hl n (Main Station) to Częstochowa can be booked with CD- Czech Railways. Prague Malostranska (spelling) to Prague hl n is by city tram- buy locally.
Krakow to Kufstein book as a through ticket with OBB (Austrian Railways) likewise Kufstein to Prague (or that should also be possible to book with CD- Czech Railways)
Posted by
🌲🌲🌲
13100 posts
Isn31c above has a response for you that should hopefully answer your questions. He is probably more knowledgeable about trains than anyone here, so I would pay attention to what he says. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask them.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you Mardee!
I certainly appreciate the help from CJean, WengenK and isn31c. I have travelled within Central and Eastern Europe but that was 30+ years ago and then only with my US EUCOM unit - never on my own.
Posted by
Wengen
4218 posts
My advise is always:
- Start your search on the website of the national railway of the country your trip starts in. However sometimes picking the other end is better. For most trips to and from Austria you are almost always best off on ÖBB for both directions.
- Try to book the whole trip on one booking. That way you have the best protection as a passenger.
- Don't overthink this. Buying train tickets close to travel is perfectly normal. You do not need to have it nailed down months in advance. If trains regularly sold out weeks in advance they would be useless.
And yes, you can always just go to the station, and buy tickets there. Buying tickets on the day itself is even perfectly normal. However buying in advance allows you to save money, and reserving seats gives you some peace of mind, that you will have a place to park your posterior.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19781 posts
Since 2000, I've made well over 100 trips by train in Germany. Most have been with regional or local transport with tickets I've bought just before travel or using regional passes like the Bayern-Ticket, which I've also bought just before travel. In all that time, I've only bought tickets in advance five times; four were to take advantage of advance purchase discount tickets for the few long distant segment I've made.
One time, when I was arriving in Frankfurt just after a bi-hourly, long distance train to the Black Forest was supposed to leave, I bought a full fare, fully flexible ticket in advance, just so I wouldn't have to stop and buy the ticket if I arrived early and could make that train, and stopping would mean missing it and having to wait two hours. But we didn't arrive early, and I had to wait. But the advance purchase ticket was full fare and valid all day.
Other than that, I've made 12 trips outside Germany (Austria, Italy, Czechia, and Switzerland), and I've always bought tickets there, just before travel. Never had a problem.
Other than advance purchase, discounted tickets, I don't see any need to buy tickets in advance.