Train Prague to Krakow

Hi Terry kathryn, For the Prague to Krakow leg, are you looking for information on the direct night train? If so, you may want to have a look at this post from TripAdvisor.com, as this is a subject that comes up regularly over there (the poster GCEK is a train whiz): Prague to Krakow Night Train There are day trains, too, but none of them are direct and the minimum travel time would be about 8 hours. I've done the night train and, well, it's a night train. I didn't get much sleep and we were deposited in Krakow around 7:00 am. I'm not sure I'd be the first in line to do that again. As for Krakow to CK, it can be a complicated route that will involve changes. The easiest way would be to return to Prague and take the bus to CK. Again, from Krakow to Prague there is a direct night train, or you could take day trains that will involve changes and take minimum of 8 hours. The return train from Krakow to Prague is higher priced than the reverse route, see here: Krakow to Prague Trains

(continued...) Once back in Prague, you'd want to transfer to the bus station and take the direct bus to CK. The bus is not expensive, and will be around $10-15/person. Student Agency Bus is one company I know that does that route. If you decide to take the train the most direct route will involve one transfer (in Cesky Budejovice) and cost about $15. All things being equal, and knowing your propensity to drive in Europe, I'd honestly recommend you drive. Plus, if you drive from Krakow to CK, you could stop in Brno along the way, a fantastic - and not often visited - town my husband and I spent time in last year. Oh - and please note that none of the int'l train routes listed above can be purchased online in advance directly from the national rail websites. Speaking of which, the website for Czech Rail is www.IDOS.cz. Hope this helps! Edited to add... I think I already know the answer to this, but is there any way you could start the trip out in Krakow and then work your way west? Also, you may want to price out round trip air tickets between Prague and Krakow. Maybe there's a last-minute deal out there...?

Thanks so much for the info... I thought I was not understanding it correctly. I think with 4 people going on this venture we will definitely be more comfortable and it will cost less with a car. Also, the villages sound very interesting on the way. We cannot change our start point as that is where I am ending a photography tour and my students/participants are leaving after 10 days and I and 3 friends are going on to Poland and CK. So, it sounds like Tuscany where I will be better off with a car to explore. Thank you so much for clarifying this for me.
(Definitely will not do night trains... I need my sleep!)

In thinking about this, I felt it prudent to add that I've never driven in Poland or the Czech Republic, so my nod to driving above should be tempered with that fact... In any event, I hope you have a fantastic trip!

Thanks Angela... I have driven all over except downtown Rome & London, so I think I will be fine. Not expecting anything out of the ordinary. I will not have the car in Prague (no need) so only on the way out. I am looking forward to exploring some smaller places people have recommended! Guess I should start packing...leave tomorrow!

I have used the Warsaw to Krakow train - very simple - very cheap - direct daytime service when I did it. Didn't book in advance, just bought the ticket at the station.
Roger