Train or plane in Germany

[Thomas the Tank]

We are organising a Danube and Med cruise for mid 2018 and have to get from Budapest to Vienna. Flight is $280 each and train $180 each. Another advantage is there is an overnight train departs 5.30PM. Thus saves a hotel room and will be able to see some country side before night fall.


Anyone know if one has to separately book a seat/sleeper after obtaining a ticket? We found this in Spain some years ago at Cordoba. Nearly missed the train because although we had return tickets purchased in Seville we needed to obtain a seat reservation in Cordoba. Perhaps it was only needed because of the return?

 

[mhubert]

Absolutely - trains over planes. Just did the Berlin - Paris train. There's no comparison - when you total the travel time & the "being treated like a sheep" factor with planes, you're crazy to fly. Sure, that trip was maybe 2 hours longer overall, but 1) you get fed, 2) minimal security, 3) book 3 months ahead & First is cheap, 4) no need to take off shoes, belts, all that cough, 5) fellow passengers are less stressed, 6) excellent legroom & you can walk around anytime, 7) free wifi if you need it - we called home while on a German train at 300km/hr.

Trains are civilised. Do your research to make sure you get the seats you want.

I agree with previous posters - Man in Seat 61 site is brilliant. Book through him if you can otherwise trainline.eu is great.

 

[mhubert]

it varies with the operator. have a look at trainline.eu they have more seat info than others plus you can reserve most seats at the time you book

 

[flyer001]

There are several advantages to train travel, center of city to center is one, less overall time another, we also found if you are a tourist and not a business traveller the scenery from trains is far superior than from a plane.
The price difference between second and first class is very little as hardly any Europeans travel first. the trains try to encourage first by lowering the price. We, amongst other trips recently travelled Paris to Zurich by train, first class was about 10 Euro more, when in the carriage we had luxurious seating, the latest English papers were brought to us and an excellent waiter service provided a pretty good meal including wine and unlimited coffee, all included in the first class ticket. nothing like sitting in comfort sipping a glass of wine while the conductor made an announcement 'we are now traveling at 320km but don't worry, during testing the train exceeded 500km'

 

[andrewlorien]

I also love the trains - travelling across Germany into Czech (and then Poland or Hungary) is a great way to watch the gradual change from Western to Eastern Europe. Experience the difference between the London-Paris supertrain with all the security of an airport and the 1950s Czech train, much more stark than the globally identical airorts. And you can observe locals of every social class commuting and holidaying. And maybe even start a conversation (babies are great for that).

Berlin to Prague by train is a great idea - because of the trip from Dresden (which is a fantastic city) to Prague along the river. Make sure you do it in the daytime. Look out for castles. If six hours seems long, stay a night somewhere along the way (Dresden is convenient, but any little town with a Unesco World Heritage tag is worth visiting). The train might be a bit old and clunky, but you get a proper dining car with doilies on the tables. Then step off the train right into the Prague old city.

But I agree that the trains can often be late. You'll probably have to change at least once - missing that connection is quite possible, and while your ticket will still get you on the next train it can mess up your plans. So it's worth planning some time off anywhere you have to change. If you're nervous about buying tickets (it can be really hard if you're buying a cross-border ticket in languages you don't know), +1 for Jeffrey Dobek's Polrail service Polrail Service-Rail travel in Poland and beyond.... And another +1 for the man in seat 61.

 

[timster]

I have come around to trains as the preferred option in Europe. But I do find they require more homework. Planes and airports work much the same way everywhere. Trains and stations and conductors don't.

A few things I have learned ...
- when booking a particular class on a particular train, know exactly what type of seating and other facilities you are getting. Sometimes different types of trains travel the same route, and some are much better than others.
- it's generally cheaper to book early. Sometimes vastly so. Always book a reserved seat.
- most (local) people in Europe travel with luggage that they can lift into the overhead racks. A big suitcase can be a hassle. There may be difficult stairs to climb into the carriage. Don't assume you will be able to keep big luggage by your seat. Know where the floor-level luggage rack is in the carriage you are booking, if there is one (most trains have carriage layouts online), and reserve a seat near it. A chain to lock it to the rack is not a bad idea, especially if you plan to sleep or walk around. Or use it to chain your kid to their seat.
- know the local ticket conventions. ie do you need to punch the ticket on the platform before boarding ? will the conductor accept a crumpled printout, or a ticket on your phone ? or does it need to be an original ticket or clean printout ?
- for a train that does not originate at your station (ie passing through), know exactly where your carriage number is going to be. Some platforms have a train map that will show you whether your carriage is at one end of the train or the other, so line up in the right place.
- for long trips, know where you can get food on the train, or whether you are better off bringing it with you.

 

[CaptBob]

We are now confirmed Train people. We fly Business class and train first class. Most places in the world its city centre to city centre. 500 Km on a non stop high speed train is only 2 1/2 hours and very scenic and comfortable. Food, drink and plug ins are generally available with a large table. Decent sized washrooms. Europe is great for trains, but dont overlook the fabulous high speed systems in China and Japan. Bonus, you can normally take a high speed subway from the airport to your hotel. Example, Pudong airpot in Shanghai, 77 Km in under eight minutes ( 434 Km per Hr ), that cant be beat !! See you on a train somewhere.......

 

[Magoo]

@Thomas the Tank

That $180 each quote for a train Budapest to Vienna seems inordinately high. Where did you find that price?

Using the Austrian website ÖBB - Home, I see the highest price for a trip today is EUR39.20 (flexible) in 2nd class, and the most common is just EUR29. 1st class is +EUR15. Even if you are looking at return tickets, the price wouldn't go that high. Booking 2 months in advance, the fares are even cheaper. Prices were much the same using the Hungarian site given in Seat61.com.

These prices make the 2h,41min train trip even more attractive.

 

[Thomas the Tank]

Thanks Magoo. I did a bit more research after I posted and I agree. I found prices as you note. We are looking at day Budapest - Vienna 2h 41m then either Sleeper to Venice or O/Nite in Vienna and day to Venice. We have to lose a day somewhere to suit cruise depart from Venice. The Austrian railjet/nitejet service we are looking at for the day to Vienna gets in the arvo the Cruise departs so it could be cutting it too fine although the Station and Cruise terminals are close. Too early to decide yet.

 

[Magoo]

We've done that overnight from Vienna and it didn't fill us with joy. In first class, the cabin was just OK. There was no light in the toilet at the end of the corridor, which led to some (not so) humorous situations. There was no hot water in the shower - also not fun. The conductor was not able to remedy these problems.

Flights Budapest to Venice are around $180 with Alitalia (if the are still flying?)

 

[Thomas the Tank]

We've done that overnight from Vienna and it didn't fill us with joy. In first class, the cabin was just OK. There was no light in the toilet at the end of the corridor, which led to some (not so) humorous situations. There was no hot water in the shower - also not fun. The conductor was not able to remedy these problems.

Flights Budapest to Venice are around $180 with Alitalia (if the are still flying?)

What rail company did you use? Seat 61 reported on the Austrian Coy. Railjet/Nightjet.

 

[Magoo]

Yes - we booked through OBB - the Austrian company

 

[Maca44]

You tend to see a lot more scenery in a train than at 35000ft. Trains stations are in the centre of cities, you can walk around, no seat belts and hardly any turbulence.
I use to always fly when in the USA, but due to my experience in the past few trips, in August this year I am taking the Amtrak Coast Starlight from LAX along the coast to Seattle which takes about 36hrs in a sleeping roomette for US$430 including meals.
Again, much better scenery than flying. That is the reason you go on a holiday to see things, not just stand around in airports etc.

 

[Virgin Bart]

That is the reason you go on a holiday to see things, not just stand around in airports etc.

Speak for yourself!

 

[CaptJCool]

Train, train, train.

Biggest Tip is book as far ahead as possible. Great fares as others say.
on the ICE you could probably book an entire compartment . And plenty of space to walk a toddler

I found this website decent as a cross-check on pricing Rail Europe - Rail travel planner Europe - Train travel in Europe (Eurostar – TGV – Eurail – Eurorail). Did Brussels London Paris Antwerp triangle booked that way. And yes first class meal and alcohol is free. Best extra 10 euros I spent

so for example Cologne to Berlin in October one way is 36 euros second and 40 Euros first That's about $60 per adult. Kids under 3 fly free lol

i hope to get to Munich / Vienna later this year in November so this is a timely thread ! Thanks Great

 

[JessicaTam]

I will just leave this here:

Train!

Oh, and booking three months out is the sweet spot for fare pricing.

 

[cutz]

I agree, trains are best. We have had some wonderful train trips from Milan up into Switzerland and done the Zurich - Salzburg / Vienna trip twice. The Austrian Alps train trip is spectacular.Also then on to Prague once and Budapest the other. Man in seat 61 was hugely helpful. Point to point tickets direct with the rail operators works best price wise. We did a Eurail pass on one trip and it worked out more expensive. As others have said the train station are in the middle of the city, so if you are planning to stay in the City, they work a treat. Comfortable seats, good food / wine service and also the food available at most train stations is really good and reasonable cost if you want to take your own on board. We travelled during the day always (usually leaving at say 10am-midday and arriving at say 3-6pm and that seemed to avoid the main rush and worked in well with checking in / out of accommodation.

 

[animusmh12]

Agree with Train. So easy and you get to enjoy the view out the window. I do the Train between Frankfurt and Amsterdam every couple of years and really enjoy it as well as having done trips within Germany. Good Friends of mine live in Frankfurt and use the train to travel within.

 

[andrewlorien]

We did a Eurail pass on one trip and it worked out more expensive.

I've done the maths on the Eurail pass a few times, and they only seem to be worth it if you get on a train every couple of days for the whole duration of the pass.

Also nobody has mentioned Rome2Rio.com - Melbourne company, has the most realistic comparisons between every form of travel possible, indexing thousands of timetables all over the world including point-to-point travel and wait times. Berlin to Prague

 

[seanpodge]

I've done the maths on the Eurail pass a few times, and they only seem to be worth it if you get on a train every couple of days for the whole duration of the pass.[snip]

Strongly agree. The way they are structured, it is very difficult to end up in front with them unless you're virtually living on the trains, although I'm sure that some are better than others. That plus all the exclusions, conditions "reservation fees" and fine print in them would make me very wary about them. I strongly doubt that the OP would end up in front using a pass vs buying individual regular tickets.