We are planning an early spring trip and plan to visit Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. We wanted to go in that order but it appears the train tickets are cheaper if we go in the opposite order starting in Budapest and ending in Warsaw. Is this correct? Why would they not cost the same? Specifically, the ticket from Prague to Krakow on the night train appears to cost 49 euros and a ticket from Krakow to Prague on the night train appears to cost 100 euros. This is for a two sleeper birth. Can someone tell me if I am doing something wrong or if this is correct. Thank you.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I think this is actually correct. In 2012, I paid 257 Kc, then 14.28€, in Prague, for a ticket from Prague hl.n. to Bad Schandau on the morning EC. I don't remember the price from German Rail at the time, but I know it was more than the Czech price. The current price for this ticket from German Rail is 27,20€, about twice.
Bayerisch Eisenstein and Zalezna Ruda Alzbetin are twin towns on the German/Czech border and share a station building. On the Czech side you would pay 282 Kc, about 10,44€ today, for a ticket to Praque. On the German side (or at least from Bahn.de), a ticket from Bayerisch Eisenstein to Prague would cost 30,40€.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Rail is tricky. A cross-border ticket can be cheaper in country A than in country B. Countries with strong economies charge more than countries with lesser wealth. Also you'd have to take into consideration all sorts of regional passes and discounts. And sometimes geographic detours might even turn out to be the cheaper option.
You've got a great trip coming up seeing some of Europe's most beautiful and exciting cities. Unfortunately you will have to deal with every country's individual rail website plus the German one on www.bahn.de.
Posted by
OP
Maricopa, AZ
10 posts
Thank you for the info. We looked and regional passes would cost way more then the individual tickets for the various legs. However, I just had a friend tell me not to take the night trains between Vienna and Krakow and then Krakow to Prague because the beds are so uncomfortable and you will not sleep at all. Anyone else have this experience? We just thought we would pay the extra and it would serve the same as a hotel stay.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Another possibility is that for the time you want to travel the cheap fares have sold out in one direction and not for the other. If so, just be thankful that you did get a cheap fare in one direction.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20213 posts
Check out Orangeways Bus as well. Also if you can leave Budapest for last, it is the most laid back of your destinations and a good place to wind down after an active trip.