Train from Prague to Athens
Mar 25, 2008, 2:20 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,293
I did an Interrail trip 3 years ago, and took a night train from Belgrade to Podgorica on (then) Yugoslavian stock. Very comfortable.
Also, the Split to Zagreb night train in Croatia was the best of that trip in either west/east Europe.
I didnt think there were any more gauge changes unless one goes inside the old USSR (incl.Lituania/Latvia/Estonia).
Also, there is no more border between Czech Rep and Hungary
My only concern with this through coach is that its fine if its a sleeper, but otherwise I dont know if I d be willing to do 31 hrs in a regular 2nd class coach.
*I meant Skopje not Sofia in my original post, probably because I found Sofia a far more interesting place. I would definetly break the journey at least once in either Budapest or Belgrade, even if it meant one less day in either Prague or Athens (5 days in Prague alone would be way more than enough for me!)
Also, the Split to Zagreb night train in Croatia was the best of that trip in either west/east Europe.
I didnt think there were any more gauge changes unless one goes inside the old USSR (incl.Lituania/Latvia/Estonia).
Also, there is no more border between Czech Rep and Hungary
My only concern with this through coach is that its fine if its a sleeper, but otherwise I dont know if I d be willing to do 31 hrs in a regular 2nd class coach.
*I meant Skopje not Sofia in my original post, probably because I found Sofia a far more interesting place. I would definetly break the journey at least once in either Budapest or Belgrade, even if it meant one less day in either Prague or Athens (5 days in Prague alone would be way more than enough for me!)
Mar 26, 2008, 5:45 am
#18
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
To be fair, gauge changes, on an entirely national scale, are extremely unlikely to have happened in this time...
And she's right, the 1520mm gauge is really only used in the CIS within Europe, plus Finland (but not the Kaliningradskaya Oblast). The other anomalies are Iberia, until recently using 1668mm (new high speed lines are the European standard 1435mm) and Ireland, using 1600mm.
Any changes currently taking place are to the 1435mm standard.
And she's right, the 1520mm gauge is really only used in the CIS within Europe, plus Finland (but not the Kaliningradskaya Oblast). The other anomalies are Iberia, until recently using 1668mm (new high speed lines are the European standard 1435mm) and Ireland, using 1600mm.
Any changes currently taking place are to the 1435mm standard.
Mar 26, 2008, 10:42 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
(Sorry - should have read stut's post before answering! Thanks for coming to my defence, much appreciated)
Last edited by Aviatrix; Mar 26, 2008 at 10:43 am Reason: Failure to read other posts properly! :-)
