London to Prague, by train. Anyone done it?

[SebastienClement]

I have been tasked with working out a trip to Prague by train later on this year. For reasons outside of my control, flying is not an option.

This seems to be the best route that I can come up with so far:


One night in Cologne - which is a city that I'd like to see anyway, and then a long stint to Prague the next day. My only reservation is a 3 minute connection on the way back (6 mins on the way there) at Schwandorf - although it looks like the trains we'll need are either side of the same platform.

Has anyone done this trip? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[SpidersWeb]

Have you looked at the website, The Man in Seat 61? That website is a damn good resource for international train travel.

www.seat61.com/Czech.htm#london-to-prague

[ecsrobin]

Don’t expect German trains to run on time. We had a 7 minute connection the other week that suddenly reduced to almost nothing. Fortunately the connection train was 1min late so got us some time to run.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

SebastienClement said:

I have been tasked with working out a trip to Prague by train later on this year. For reasons outside of my control, flying is not an option.

This seems to be the best route that I can come up with so far:


One night in Cologne - which is a city that I'd like to see anyway, and then a long stint to Prague the next day. My only reservation is a 3 minute connection on the way back (6 mins on the way there) at Schwandorf - although it looks like the trains we'll need are either side of the same platform.

Has anyone done this trip? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

It would be a bold man to hinge on a 3 and 6 minute connection

[TwigtheWonderkid]

07:40 Eurostar, arrive Brussels 10:05
10:25 Brussels, arrive Cologne 12:15
12:45 Cologne, arrive Berlin 17:04
17:16 Berlin, arrive Prague 21:24

3 changes but all done in 13hr20. 12 mins to change at Berlin is tightish.

Return
06:28 Prague, arrive Berlin 10:42
10:56 Berlin, arrive Cologne 15:15
15:29 Cologne arrive Cologne Ehrenfeld 15:34
15:47 C. Ehredfeld arrive Brussels 17:35
18:51 Brussels, arrive St Pancras 19:57

4 changes and 14:29 total trip time.

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Thursday 9th May 16:24

[TownIdiot]

SpidersWeb said:

Have you looked at the website, The Man in Seat 61? That website is a damn good resource for international train travel.

SEAT 61 - link deleted as I can't currently post links

this is a fantastic website and I thoroughly recommend it.

We regularly travel by train in Europe for holidays and use this as the starting point every time.

[romft123]

SpidersWeb said:

Have you looked at the website, The Man in Seat 61? That website is a damn good resource for international train travel.

www.seat61.com/Czech.htm#london-to-prague

I love his website. Have used it for trips all over the EU, China, Thailand etc

[Puggit]

There is now a Brussels to Prague sleeper... not cheap, but as a big group that might make it more palatable.

[Ynox]

Puggit said:

There is now a Brussels to Prague sleeper... not cheap, but as a big group that might make it more palatable.

Great fun doing a sleeper with friends also. Few drinks then get your head down. I'd rather this than a day run.

[Whataguy]

Have you thought about driving? I did it when the Volcano grounded the flights.

Just sit for maybe 10 hours each way at 82mph on the motorway the whole way (European speed limit.) Plus some parts through Germany at whatever speed you want.

I drove out on a Saturday and back the next day, hardly any traffic jams - it really was one of my easiest drives.