Budapest to Prague by Train (6 Hours a forgettable experience)

We checked out from Hilton Budapest , and we were delivered by taxi to the Budapest Central Station which serves both international and regional trains. The Station has been refurbished but there are no staff, everything is automated. Our Train isn’t in the Station upon our arrival.

Our train is scheduled to depart at 11.35am for a 6 hour and 30 minute trip to Prague the capital of the Czech Republic. The trip has mixed reviews with the carriage being described as ancient and poor as to aircondiotoning and service and resturant is said to be sub standard.

The train is slowly reversed into the Station and we are in coach 1 at the front nearest the engine. The eayts are comfortable. Ken struggles but gets our heavt cases up the 4steps including the first which is a metal grate. We store our luggage in the storage compartment and then we find our seats at the other end of the carriage. It isn’t in the classo f the ICE in Germany and France, but it passes. We then experience the poor/ sub standard air conditioning which fails to work effectively for most of our journey.

Fortunately, we purchased rolls and cakes and a drink outside the station at a nearby restuarant / cafe in Budapest. A really smart decision.

We then experience a rude ticket inspector, who demands that we have to pay another fee for our seats, despite us having tickets. We didn’t know but had to date had no issues with our tickets etc. We paid the equivalent of A$18 per person. All good. She was just grumpy.

Trin arrivec 40 minutes late having been losing time all day. Ken struggled and manouvred our luggage of the Carriage onto an even lower platform and then we walked to the Exit. Here we used lifts to get us to the ground level, where we made our way to the exit. Taxis were in plentiful supply. We are staying at the Hilton Old Town in a great location. a 15 minute drive, check in as Hilton Honors elite and we are in a very comfortable suite inside half an hour of departing the train. Our time is short here with tonight when we decide to eat in the hotel.

Tommorow is a full day of tours and excursions to .the Old Town , Hop on Hop off bus, dinner at a recommended local restaurant. drive by the river areas.

The Follopwing day we depart Prague by travewl to the airport for our flight to Istanbul, where we will have 3 night.

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