FIRSTCLASSX
Traveller
2 comments
Posted 12 years ago
VENEZIA-BARI-PATRAS-ATHENS-SOFIA-BEOGRAD-BAR-BUDAPEST
Hi, I have FIP Free Coupons and FIP 50% Reduction in Europe, now I know this site is more orientated to Interrail etc, but your advice on my route would be appreciated.
I am flying Leeds-Venice, then by train to Bari via Bologna, Attica ferry to Patras, train to Athens, overnight bus to Sofia, sleeper to Belgrade, day train to Bar, then direct sleeper train Bar to Budapest (D1136), plane to Manchester.
I need help with:
1) Are there direct trains from Patras to Athens? The DB Planner I use shows nothing and the OSE site appears to be broken.
2) I intend to get the 19:00 coach departure from Athens to Sofia ran by http://www.union-ivkoni.com/home. Anyone know how you book it, how reliable it is or a better alternative?
3) When my train crosses borders, is my passport checked and stamped? For example, the UK FCO advise you must get an entry stamp for Serbia or face serious problems getting back out again. Will my passport be stamped accordingly on the train? Same for Montenegro (Bar) etc...Presumably I will get a Serbian entry stamp on the Sofia to Belgrade train, then an exit stamp on the Belgrade-Bar train, and then another entry stamp on the Bar-Belgrade service, then another exit stamp leaving Serbia on the Budapest train?
Would appreciate all help! Bit concerned over Visa/passport issues. I have a UK Passport.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
1) The Patras - Kiato section is being currently under construction and being converted to standard gauge. From Patras to Kiato a bus replacement service is operating, from Kiato you can use the suburban trains to Athens. There should run several express buses all the way to Athens as well.
Departures from Patras at 0650, 0850, 1130, 1350, 1630, 1850; travel time 1h30 - 2h30...from Kiato suburban trains run hourly (xx36) and take ~1h30 to Athina Larisa.
2) I have no experience with the buses in that area...I think it would be best to contact them via email.
3) It depends on whether you are travelling within Schengen area or not. When going to Serbia by train there will be a border control on the train and your passport will be checked and stamped. This also happens on night trains, this means you might have to get up in the middle of the night for border control (eg at Subotica (Serbian control) and Kelebia (Hungarian check) on the Bar - Budapest night train). It should work as you said above, you will get an entry/exit stamp on every border crossing. No problem with that, only if you was to visit Kosovo, it could be problematic to travel to Serbia afterwards but this apparently is not the case. ;)
On night trains within Schengen area usually your passport plus ticket is collected by the conductor during the night and he does all formalities at the border so you can sleep through.
Apart from that there shouldnt be any Visa/passport issues. If you stay longer in Serbia you have to register within 24 hours at a police station but this is usually done by your accomodation. Same applies for Montenegro if I'm not mistaken.
Flo 8)
FIRSTCLASSX
Traveller
2 comments
Thank you very much for your help!
With regards to the police station, I assume we just pop in to any and show our passports? I hope there is no variety of police forces like in the UK, (Transport Police, Nuclear Police, Regional Police, MOD Police etc!!).
If anyone else on this forum has any FIP knowledge I'd be grateful of your assistance with regards to booking train tickets in Serbia!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej,
well, yes I assume you just go to the police...if you are arriving at Belgrade, there is a police office right at the station. However, as pointed out above the registration is usually done by the hostel/hotel you are staying at.
Regarding FIP tickets...I assume it is the same as in every other country...just go to the station with your FIP card and get your discounted ticket.
Flo 8)
FIRSTCLASSX
Traveller
2 comments
Thanks again Flo!!
My problem is that I will not be staying in Serbia overnight at any point.
I will arrive into Belgrade around 4am (Sofia-Belgrade sleeper), then I go straight to Bar around 10am. However, to exit Serbia into Montenegro, I apparently need to have some sort of foreigner registration card.
On the way back I will get a direct sleeper train from Bar to Budapest so will again enter into Serbia and exit in the same day, to transit only. How can I register in order to exit, if I'm on a direct train to Budapest?
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej,
no problem with transit. I have been in Belgrad for just one day last december: Arriving in the morning from Zagreb, leaving in the evening for Vienna - no problems, got my entry and exit stamps at each border station and that was it. :)
Flo 8)
nltrainer
Traveller
1416 comments
I guess you have to pay for FIP-and in this areas this is mostly a waste of money-unless you are hellbent on training it. For staff/FIP etc try railforums.co.uk- there seem to be several helpfull colleagues there for you.
@1. Normal buses-express run Patr-Ath ev 30 mins or so- not the OSE train/bus combo, but ''national express'' KTEL (probably not on web-and not really needed either) Most ferries have connecting direct buses shipside on arrival.
YOu seem grossly overworried about border checks etc-unneeded-police will look very strange if you happen to find them and explain your story+wish in Serb to them. By now I think they do not even stamp passpts anymore-an if, what the heck is the problem?
IN the Schengen zone-well, the idea there=-here is that those checks are no more-the UK could well join it for ease.
Be aware that 99.99% of trains in Serb are grossly late-many hours and that-just like in the UK-express buses duplicate all routes and are often faster and ontime and much more frequent.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
I have been to Belgrade in December, my passport got stamped when I entered the country in Sid. The hour long delays do not fully represent the truth, as the services to Montenegro which were often delayed in the past are now reported to run on time again.
Why would a FIP reduction be a waste of money...?
By the way, this is a website dedicated to train travel...