Kailina
Traveller
5 comments
Posted 8 years ago
Hi everyone,
I'm going to Europe in July for my friend's wedding at Prague, but before I head over there I have about 1 week to travel around Europe. I am thinking of visiting a few places and would love some guidance :)
This is my first solo trip, as a female solo traveler I'm concern about my safety and would appreciate any safety tips too !
I will be arriving at Istanbul, then I hope to visit Budapest then Vienna before heading to Prague.
I read through the forum and noted that it seems like the train ride between Istanbul and Budapest is under renovation and the trip would be replaced by bus, is the renovation still ongoing?
Thanks in advance ! :D
Coryza
Traveller
57 comments
Hi Kailina,
In the beginning of May I will be traveling to/from Ankara with trains, so then I can exactly tell you how everything is working out there. My last understanding is that there are trains running from Bucharest/Sofia in the direction of Kapikule (and vice versa, with 1 or 2 transfers) - where a bus waits for you after passport checks. For your case the same counts when going the other way; the bus leaves at 22:00 at the Istanbul Sirkeci station to Kapikule - there you have to make a transfer on one of the trains to Sofia/Bucharest.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
As Coryza already wrote, the replacement still runs in Turkey - if you do not need the adventure of changing to an old train carriage to Sofia or Bucharest in the middle of the night you can also think of getting a direct bus from Istanbul to either of these cities, or Plovdiv or Burgas.
All basic information for this route is available here: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/bucharest-sofia-istanbul-train/[/u]
Personally, I would recommend going to Plovdiv, because the city is really amazing (see pic below). Then, you could continue to Sofia to travel to Belgrade - Budapest - Prague.
You can buy Plovdiv - Sofia, Sofia - Belgrade and Belgrade - Budapest tickets all locally for little money. For your ticket Budapest - Prague I'd recommend buying it online in advance from Hungarian Railways at [ux]https://rail.shop/mav[/ux]
Some info on Belgrade - Budapest is here: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/budapest-belgrade-train/[/u]
Kailina
Traveller
5 comments
Great and thanks for the details!
I will do more research on the routes that you guys provided before I seek for help again XD
Kailina
Traveller
5 comments
Hi,
As I managed to purchase a cheap ticket to London, i'm changing the itinerary for my whole trip. I did some research and planning, but I'm not sure if i should purchase an passes or point to point ticket would be better. Would love to have any extra itinerary suggestions too :)
My plan for July:
1. 14 July to 15 July: Havirov to Krakow by DB BAHN morning train ( prices not out, not sure if it could be purchase online)
2. 15 July to 16 July: Krakow to Budapest by Poland train sleeper train ( 173 SGD)
3:18July: Budapest to Istanbul via air
3. 21 July: Budapest to Prague ( not really sure to take the eurocity train or sleeper train by Hungarian Railways)
4. 22 July: Prague to Havirov ( I have to reach on this date for my friend's wedding)
Will it be better off for me to purchase point to point tickets or a youth eurail pass for 2 countries?
Thank you for your help!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
DB Bahn has nothing to do with a Havirov - Krakow train. DB is German Railways, operating trains in Germany and some IC Buses to international destinations.
For tickets Havirov - Krakow, look at the website of Czech Railways: [ux]https://rail.shop/cd/[/ux]
Where did you find the quote for the Krakow - Budapest night train?
Budapest - Prague is available from Hungarian Railways: [ux]https://rail.shop/mav/[/ux]
Prague - Havirov again by Czech Railways [ux]https://rail.shop/cd/[/ux] or by private operator [u]http://regiojet.cz/[/u]
Youth Eurail doesnt make much sense - you would need a 4 country pass (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary)
Kailina
Traveller
5 comments
Hi Flo,
Thank you so much for letting me know and attaching the various links!
I found the train tickets from Krakow to Budapest on: [u]https://booking.polrail.com/[/u]
Somehow, I am unable to purchase the 4 country pass as it seems that Poland in not included as one of the country for selection. Is there any other way to include Poland in ?
Thank you:)
Kailina
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
For what kind of category is the Krakow - Budapest tickt (sleeper, couchette, seat)?
I'm sorry, the Eurail Select pass apparntly is not available for Poland, I just checked. :|
Kailina
Traveller
5 comments
Hi!
No worries:)
I would be taking the sleeper train to save cost. :D :D
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Yes, I know that but there are seats, couchettes and sleeper accomodation available on the night train and it would be interesting what category you would get for 173 SGD.
Kailina
Traveller
5 comments
Thank you so much for the details!