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Train Tickets: Buy in Advance or at the Station

In September and October, I'll be taking trains in the countries below with my bicycle while cycling through the Balkans:

  1. Hungary
  2. Croatia
  3. Slovenia

And yes, I've verified that I can take my assembled bike aboard each of my desired routes, while paying a small fee for the bike.

Having cycled in many Western and a few other Eastern European countries, I know that it's as easy as showing up at the station shortly before departure, buying a ticket and putting the bike on board. I hope that's the case here too but....

As a first-timer to the Balkans, I want to avoid any unpleasant surprises and unnecessary costs. So:

1) Can I simply do as I've always done in each of these countries? In one or more of them, but not the other(s)?

2) Or, must - or should - I buy my tickets in advance (while at home) and either print them out or pick them up at a station's ticket machine the day of travel?

Thank you for your advice!

Posted by
16895 posts

I recommend buying train and bus tickets at stations as you go in this region, for maximum flexibility and affordable prices. See 2nd-class ticket price estimates on the regional maps at http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/cost-maps. The national rail way web sites for these three countries may or may not offer advance-purchase discounts, and may or may not work well in English and with US credit cards, but I don't think it's worth your time to try them.

Posted by
512 posts

Thanks, Laura. I'll do just that. The fares Rick shows on that link just about match those I found on each country's rail sites.

Given that I'm buying individual tickets from three different rail lines, is it necessary to get each ticket validated before boarding, as it is with a Rail Pass? Or, can I just hop on board?

Posted by
14980 posts

Hi,

In none of these countries are reservations mandatory. In that sense you can just hop on with your ticket or Pass. I prefer getting the point to point ticket for these countries.