OT - Train Travel in Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic

[Nitwit]

Has anyone traveled by train between Prague, Vienna, and Budapest? I’m heading to Europe soon and have an itinerary which has me booked on trains between the major cities I plan to visit, the aforementioned ones plus Salzburg. Are the trains nice? Do they run on time? Are the food and beverage options adequate? I’m hoping for some good scenery as we travel. Thanks

 

[ClarkstonMark]

No help on trains, but I would guess you'll be fine.

In Salzburg, go here ....
https://www.augustinerbier.at/?L=1

 

[Frabjous]

Daughter took the train from Munich to Innsbruck and back. Top class all the way. The ride back to Munich let her rest before the flight back to the US, an unexpected bonus.

 

[psugo]

Has anyone traveled by train between Prague, Vienna, and Budapest? I’m heading to Europe soon and have an itinerary which has me booked on trains between the major cities I plan to visit, the aforementioned ones plus Salzburg. Are the trains nice! Do they run on time? Are the food and beverage options adequate? I’m hoping for some good scenery as we travel. Thanks

Traveled by train from Vienna to Salzburg, piece of cake. Trains were on time and clean. No idea of Prague or Budapest. Not as scenic a ride as you would expect in the mountains.

 

[PSUSignore]

It's been a while, but I've been to Bratislava on business a few times and took trains to Vienna, Prague and Budapest while there. It was quite easy and I never encountered major scheduling issues, but I'm sure they can happen on occasion. The one country I ran into late trains with was Amsterdam. Unsurprisingly the one country where the trains operated on time to the minute was Germany.

BTW, I loved visiting each of those cities immensely, I love the way European cities are pedestrian centric and have a central "old town" district. All 3 of those cities are gorgeous places, but each in their own way. You'll have a great trip.

 

[Raffycorn]

Slightly biased, but I’ve found that rail is by far the best way to travel in Europe. No better method of immersion than to pull into a new city and get spit out right in the middle of town in a beautiful old rail station.

 

[RochLion]

I did the train from Prague to Vienna and back a couple of years ago. Very easy and comfortable close to the center of each city. Should be decent food and drink options at a pretty reasonable price. I also did the train from Prague and Olomouc and the food was very good and the waitress/conductor was hot! Food and lodging in Czech Republic is very inexpensive.

 

[jim73]

We've done the trains from all three of your cities including an overnight one from prague to budapest, every one of them was exactly on time, smooth and comfortable ride whether you opt for first class or not, with clean restrooms. This (in Europe) is a great way to travel, much faster , more efficient, and just better than flying unless you are going too far for the train to be feasible.

 

[Nitwit]

Thanks, I’m booked on 1st class from Saltzburg to Budapest (5 hours), and 2nd class on the Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Salzburg legs, but that’s only about 90 minutes I believe. We’ve got a good agent who has selected our hotels for us, and they’re all in central locations with 4 or 5 stars. Not cheap but that wasn’t my intention. She also gets us a private driver for all the transfers so I don't not have to haul luggage.

 

[LionJim]

Slightly biased, but I’ve found that rail is by far the best way to travel in Europe. No better method of immersion than to pull into a new city and get spit out right in the middle of town in a beautiful old rail station.

Absolutely.

 

[RochLion]

Thanks, I’m booked on 1st class from Saltzburg to Budapest (5 hours), and 2nd class on the Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Salzburg legs, but that’s only about 90 minutes I believe. We’ve got a good agent who has selected our hotels for us, and they’re all in central locations with 4 or 5 stars. Not cheap but that wasn’t my intention. She also gets us a private driver for all the transfers so I don't not have to haul luggage.

Wow, incredible trip ... let us know how it goes!

 

[Thus Spoke Mainer]

Took the train 7 years ago from Vienna to Prague. No problems I recall.

 

[IrishHerb]

Did the train between Budapest and Vienna. Trains ran on time, were clean, and food was adequate. Views weren't that exciting.

Would I take the train again? Definitely. Easier and more relaxing than driving.

 

[PineIslandLion]

Did train from Vienna to Prague 4 years ago. Very easy trip, about 4 hours as I recall. You also mentioned Salzburg...one of my favorite European cities. If you have a chance, take a trip to Hallstatt...unbelievably beautiful and charming little lake village, only about 30 minutes or so from Salzburg.

 

[Thus Spoke Mainer]

Did train from Vienna to Prague 4 years ago. Very easy trip, about 4 hours as I recall. You also mentioned Salzburg...one of my favorite European cities. If you have a chance, take a trip to Hallstatt...unbelievably beautiful and charming little lake village, only about 30 minutes or so from Salzburg.

Hallstadt! You must be a Rick Steves fan!

 

[stater02]

I was just in Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg last month. Rail travel is super easy. I’d recommend the West Bahn over RailJet - its much nicer, cleaner, and better amenities.

Budapest to Vienna is a 3 hour trip. Scenery is really nice.

Vienna to Bratislava is 1 hour. Scenery is not very nice. I wasn’t a big fan of Bratislava but it’s an OK day trip.

Vienna to Salzburg is 2.5 hours. The scenery is surprisingly “meh” until you get close to Salzburg.

I didn’t like the rail options from Vienna to Prague. I found that it was faster and cheaper to fly, and a better option for my schedule, too.

Spring for the nicer trains. RailJet doesn’t have much for amenities. The nicer rail options have solid food and beverage, along with WiFi and charging. I’d recommend buying food and drink at the station. Each will have a little store where you can buy some beer for the ride.

 

[N&B4PSU]

I so wish we were back and weighing the options considered... we had to choose between a stilted ride from budapest to dubrovnik (overnight, swtiching trains at midnight... that kind of thing) or ponying up for a driver. We chose the latter and it worked out incredibly well.

But i yearn for a European train adventure. Comments here only reinforced my resolve (thanks to all Budapest to Vienna just sounds... sweet!

 

[Sharkies]

Shit - train in Europe is a luxury. Back when I was still a student at Penn State I took a bus from Prague to Bratislava to Budapest and then up to Krakow. I thought the bus was great because I had been used to Greyhound - I'm sure the train will be even better!

Side note - if I had to do the trip again, I would have skipped Bratislava and spent more time in Budapest. Just my opinion!!

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Hallstadt! You must be a Rick Steves fan!

Rick Steves is such a dork, but his travel methods are well-conceived. Packing light, staying flexible and using the hub and spoke method to day trip is the way to go. I see so many American still traveling way too heavy - steamer trunks and shit practically.

I took two 6-8 week trips around Europe post-college and pre grad school. Had some crazy adventures - one time shared a couchette from Venice to the heel of Italy with 5 tall Norwegian girls. That was fortuitous.

I’m going on a business trip next month to Copenhagen. Taking the train to Stockholm for a few days afterwards. Can’t wait - I haven’t done the train thing in over a decade.

On my 2nd, longer trip, I made great use of the Thomas Cook rail guide. Saved my ass a few times when traveling to non-touristy areas. Caught a few trains just as they were releasing the breaks and pulling out.

 

[Raffycorn]

Rick Steves is such a dork, but his travel methods are well-conceived.

I took two 6-8 week trips around Europe post-college and pre grad school. Had some crazy adventures - one time shared a couchette from Venice to the heel of Italy with 5 tall Norwegian girls. That was fortuitous.

I’m going on a business trip next month to Copenhagen. Taking the train to Stockholm for a few days afterwards. Can’t wait - I haven’t done the train thing in over a decade.

On my 2nd, longer trip, I made great use of the Thomas Cook rail guide. Saved my ass a few times when traveling to non-touristy areas. Caught a few trains just as they were releasing the breaks and pulling out.

Enjoy Copenhagen. Their rail system is a dream, and their central station right across the square from Tivoli Gardens is a delight.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Enjoy Copenhagen. Their rail system is a dream, and their central station right across the square from Tivoli Gardens is a delight.

Yeah, I love the classic stations. I first went to Copenhagen when I was 5 in 1972, then went in 1992. I’m going to try and go to Tivoli to take a pic where I stood 47 years ago for a family pic.

From Greece in the South, Poland in the West, Denmark up North, and Ireland to the East, there isn’t a country I haven’t spent at least a few days in. I’ve been in most of the main train stations.

Aside from Denmark, I never got to Scandinavia while a student because it’s so expensive. Now, work will require a trip to HQ every year, so I’m going to make the most of it. Hit Norway next year, probably Finland and Estonia the year after

 

[aferrelli]

Just generally speaking, train travel in Europe is prompt, clean, very smooth and quicker than ours. The seats are very comfortable and have areas in front of you to eat, drink, read, etc. The stations are also very user friendly, and offer much more than our outdated stations. European trains are much better than anything in the US. Unfortunately our trains seem to be stuck in the dark ages, and haven’t changed very much in the last 50+ years.