Originally Posted by
allset2travel
I am concern about Regensburg to Prague journey as it seems to invlove changing trains (or even bus) and different ticketing schemes etc..
The suggestion of having a beer enroute sounds great, but I am nervous about missing the train
My time of travel can be flexible to accommodate the most straight forward (aka simple) journey. Avoid crowded train if possible. Are there such thing as "rush hours" on Regensbourg-Prague & Prague-Berlin segments?
Sorry, I didn't mean to put you off by making it sound too complicated.
If you want to keep it simple:
- There are two direct trains each day between Regensburg and Prague:
ALX/EX355, dep Regensburg 10:31, arr Prague 14:51
or
ALX/EX351, dep Regensburg 18:35, arr Prague 22:51
Personally, I would choose the earlier train (10:31), to avoid arriving in Prague too late at night.
- There shouldn't be any need to purchase tickets in advance for either of these trains - you can just get them on the day of departure (either at the station, or even on the train). One ticket will cover you all the way from Regensburg to Prague:
In second-class, the 'Prague Special' ticket gives a slightly discounted price of €43.
In first-class, the regular fare is €73.40 (as mentioned in your original post).
- I'm not sure, but I doubt the 10:31 train would be too crowded (unless you're travelling on or just before an important holiday or event), although it may fill up as it approaches Prague.
Two Other Straightforward Options
- If you want to travel at a different time of day, there are two other fairly straightforward options, both involving a change of trains in Schwandorf:
RE 3692, dep Regensburg 06:28, arr Schwandorf 06:54
ALX/EX357, dep Schwandorf 07:05, arr Prague 10:51
or
RE 3696, dep Regensburg 14:31, arr Schwandorf 14:57
ALX/EX353, dep Schwandorf 15:08, arr Prague 18:51
- You probably need to change platforms in Schwandorf, but it's a fairly small station, and they'd probably hold the ALX for you, if the RE train is running a few minutes later, and you tell the conductor you have a connection to make.
- If you are really worried about the connection time in Schwandorf, you could take a slightly earlier train from Regensburg (05:21 for the early morning connection, or 14:21 for the afternoon connection).
- The fare for these options would be the same as above (but note you'd have to buy it at the station, you can't buy a ticket on the RE train).
Other Options
Personally, I would avoid any of the bus options, which involve going into Nuremberg (ie: the wrong direction) and then back out again.
The options for using split tickets (with one ticket to Plzen, and a different ticket onwards to Prague) is only if you're really interested in saving a few euros.