European Rail Travel - Praha to Budapest sleeper ?

Found a sleeper that leaves Prague's main train station about 23:00 and arrives in Budapest about 8:30, but it looks like it has a couple of train numbers and about 10 stops. And of course there is no pricing or purchasing for this train online, though it looks like some others may be available.

I will arrive in BUD in late June and return from there on July 5, but plan on spending most if not all my time in Bratislava and Prague, perhaps some other parts of former Czechoslovakia (ya, ya, I know Budapest and Hungary are worth a visit as well).

Most likely will take bus or train to Bratislava as my flight arrives just after noon. But was thinking of the overnight sleeper for the way back, partly in order to save on one night's hotel.

Oh yes, my flight leaves BUD at 11:00, so that should give me more than enough time to get to the airport, especially since I only have carryon.

Don't speak Hungarian, Czech and Slovak should be no problem. And did send an email to info@cd.cz, so we'll see what they have to say, if anything.

TIA, EmailKid

Night trains have a nasty habit of being late. Not always, but not infrequently - and when they are late, they can be very late (an hour or more).

This is not just a Prague to Budapest train - by the time it gets to Budapest, it consists of four portions: from Berlin, Prague, Warsaw and Krakow, which are joined together at various points in the journey. It only needs one portion to be significantly delayed to affect the whole train - hence the risk of late arrival in Budapest is increased.

Under normal circumstances, you would have plenty of time to get to the airport, as you say. However, if this a flight you can't miss, I would be wary about it.

four portions: from Berlin, Prague, Warsaw and Krakow, which are joined together at various points in the journey.

Ah yes, completely forgot about this, the joining and disjoining of trains.

Well, guess I can always spend a few hours or a day in Budapest.

Edit to add email from Ceske Draky:Dobrý den přeji,

cena jízdenky jednosměrné je: 1430,- + 14 eur cena lůžkového příplatku v jednom směru - jízdenku je možno zakoupit na mezinárodní pokladně ČD na vlakovém nádraží


S přátelským pozdravem

Markéta Gajdošíková

Kontaktní centrum ČD
840 112 113

So the price is 1430 CSK, or about $83 plus 14 € supplement for the sleeper, which can be purchased at the main train station. No mention of advance purchase requirement.

EmailKid

Ah yes, but what they did not tell you:

http://www.cd.cz/en/mezinarodni-cestovani/jizdenka/slevy-evropa/-8984/

A certain number of tickets on each train are sold at a discount (so: 29 euros for a seat, 39 for 6-berth couchette, 69 for a 2-bed sleeper). They are only available at a CD international ticket counter. They can sell out, which puts you back to the fare they quoted you above.

Well, rather than risking a late train, this looks rather appealing:

Typical price per night for a standard room (including taxes & charges): £19.83 for a houseboat hotel (http://promos.opodo.co.uk/travel/hotelDetails/EX-234428) :)

And a regular train and/or bus.

Thanks for the suggestions.

EmailKid

FYI, day train also has discount fare available for 19 euros, but have to buy 3+ days in advance and do it online...

Ah yes, but what they did not tell you:

http://www.cd.cz/en/mezinarodni-cestovani/jizdenka/slevy-evropa/-8984/

A certain number of tickets on each train are sold at a discount (so: 29 euros for a seat, 39 for 6-berth couchette, 69 for a 2-bed sleeper). They are only available at a CD international ticket counter. They can sell out, which puts you back to the fare they quoted you above.

Well, at least the Czechs do the decent thing and publish information about international special offers in English too. The same can't be said about the Hungarians, who only publish this information on their website in Hungarian (their English website is woefully basic).

Well, at least the Czechs do the decent thing and publish information about international special offers in English too. The same can't be said about the Hungarians, who only publish this information on their website in Hungarian (their English website is woefully basic).

Folks are catching up! :) Not more than 2 or 3 years ago the Czech site was basically not functional for English speakers.

Well, at least the Czechs do the decent thing and publish information about international special offers in English too. The same can't be said about the Hungarians, who only publish this information on their website in Hungarian (their English website is woefully basic).

Folks are catching up! :) Not more than 2 or 3 years ago the Czech site was basically not functional for English speakers.

I'd rather have the Hungarian site available in English :eek:

But Google Chrome web browser does an amazing job of translating some Russian web sites. My Russian never was that good and I don't have to bother with reading Cyrillic :)

If Magyar rail wants to stiff me, I'll just take a bus. It's a short ride to Bratislava.

EmailKid

I'd rather have the Hungarian site available in English :eek:
........
If Magyar rail wants to stiff me, I'll just take a bus. It's a short ride to Bratislava.

Actually, Budapest - Bratislava train fares are incredibly cheap - €16 for a walk-up, round-trip ticket. ;)

So the price is 1430 CSK, or about $83 plus 14 € supplement for the sleeper, which can be purchased at the main train station. No mention of advance purchase requirement.


...other than that if you try to book on the day it may be full.

Neil