joe7f

Hey guys,

My train from Krakow to Budapest was filled so rather than wait another day, I booked a ticket down to Vienna where I know a guy from my former job. He and the three of us toured around town and we got some interesting surprises.

First, for anyone who has been to Stephansdom (and let's face it, if you have been to Vienna, you have) there is an outline of a cathedral next to the metro. Apparently that was a cathedral that was later destroyed. If you walk into the metro though, there is a window that opens into the basement of the place. Apparently it was forgotten about until the metro work began and workers stumbled across a cavernous open space. Take a swing by if you get a chance.

Second, there is a little church in the center of town called Minoritenkirche (Minority Church). If you go in, there is mosaic of the Last Supper which is in exceptional shape (a contrast to the original in Milan). I think I read an article in Sky Magazine that Napoleon intended to swap out the original for it.

--Joey

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Elizabeth

wow crazy the train was full! great tips...I wasn't too impressed with Vienna but I wanna give it a second chance

are you going to bratislava or are you going straight on to budapest? you should stay in goat hostel that way you can tell me if the travelpunk sticker i put up is still there =] where are you heading after budapest?

aliz

cool stuff, I'll check it out. can I just ask, why was the train full, and did you find this out the day you wanted to travel or had you tried to book a seat before? I'm really worried about trains not working out when I'm there in summer, we have all our accommodation booked and not a lot of time to see everything so I don't want to have to miss any trains!

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joe7f

I liked Vienna but it certainly wasn't my favorite city in Europe. This time around I am enjoying it more. I am not sure if I can make it to Budapest. I would like to, but given my time I may skip it in favor of Adriatic facing countries.

Apparently this is mostly a problem with Poland. The guy I know here in Vienna says when a train sells out in the morning they add another car with more capacity. You may not always get your preference of seat/bed but there is always something. The bus service was spotty too, so I would suggest making your reservation early on your departure day or even the day before.

Also, I am starting to question the wisdom of skipping a rail pass even in Eastern Europe. My train ride was about 55 euros from Krakow to Vienna. From Krakow to Budapest (which I assumed would be cheaper), it is almost 70 euros.

On the other hand my trip from Prague to Krakow was only 25 euros.

--Joey

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Countries visited: USA, Netherlands, Norway, France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain (and Gibraltar), Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, Ireland, UK, Japan, Canada , Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Andorra, Croatia, Montenegro

Next up: Mongolia, China

"I sought trains; I found passengers" - Paul Theroux

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Esterina

^^^Poland's level of life is getting as pricy as in Western Europe. The more south or east you'll travel, the lower the price for transport and everything will get.

Don't know if you are on a tight budget though, but if so did you know that the ex-Yugoslavia countries are surprisingly expensive, compared to the rest of Central and Eastern Europe? For example, I've read that a low budget room costs around $25 in Croatia and that Slovenia's daily expenses sum up to $60-$75 (low budget travel daily average)... So going to the Adriatic countries might eat up bits of your budget.

Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria are more affordable, and you can relax by the Black Sea.

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joe7f

My budget isn't too tight but I planned 50 euros in Western Europe, 30 in Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, that was in the the Euro Dollar exchange rate was about 1.3 instead of 1.6.

Poland is still cheap (Kebab's in the main square are 2,50 euros instead of 3,50 or 4 full meals for 8 euros at a sit down restaurant etc) but it is getting more expensive.

--Joey

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Countries visited: USA, Netherlands, Norway, France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain (and Gibraltar), Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, Ireland, UK, Japan, Canada , Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Andorra, Croatia, Montenegro

Next up: Mongolia, China

"I sought trains; I found passengers" - Paul Theroux

Help Travelpunk's continued existence with a small donation