kl 1 or kl 2 ? First Hand Experiences please....

That's on the PKP Route Planner .. Should I assume that it is I class or II Class??

And with a family of Four, would both kl1 and kl2 be OK? (read as "safe"?)

And how important it is to book beforehand? (And how easy or difficult is it to book online?)

Yes, it is 1st or 2nd class. Both are perfectly safe - you get a bit more room in 1st. Unless you're travelling on really popular dates (just before/after a big holiday) I wouldn't bother booking ahead - I travel to Warsaw from Krakow regularly and just buy tickets before I get on the train.

That's really reassuring! :)


Guess the Polish Kids will be let loose in Feb 09 for their Vacations... If so, then my return dates (05-06 Feb) would be right amidst the "popular dates"!

In this scenario, is there a feasibility of me booking my return tkts from , say, Zakopane, immediately after landing there (31 Jan?)

Thanks inkrakow for ur time!!

If you plan to take the train from Zakopane toward Krakow I'd recommend not to. You'd better off to take the bus to Krakow - many daily departures and your trip would be shorter and likely cheaper, too.

As for PKP trains - unless you travel more then 3 hours taking 1st class doesn't make that much difference - 1st class has 6 or 4 passengers while 2nd has usually 8.

Most likely you'd be traveling just with your family as trains are not overcrowded. Not sure about "popular dates" . Now school kids from 2 regions (mazowieckie and slaskie) are starting their winter holidays and for some the destinations would be Zakopane for sure. Trains are then likely to be somewhat crowded on weekends.

Thanks Kowalski.. all these clues are precious!


My return journey plans are from Zakopane till Malbork. heading towards Kaliningrad ... would you now recommend taking a direct train from Zakopane to Malbork (P35702, the PKP timetable says)and then a connection to Kaliningrad?


so what's your take on this?

Thanks again..

^
Yes, direct train is the best option here.
The bus trip from Zakopane - Krakow would run some 2 hrs compared to over 3 hours by train but I wouldn't bother saving that time with such a long trip you are to take.

As your trip to Malbork would take some 13 hours
I recommend early booking your seat for MIEJSCE DO LEZENIA -Couchettes- or more expensive -SYPIALNY- Sleeping-car.
Couchettes are some 20-25 PLN extra and have no beding, ask for 4 people room (there are 6 and 4)
If you decide on traveling on regular ticket-seat no need to buy your ticket early as seats are not reserved on this train.
The train you are to take has only class 2 seats.

I know that's pretty long but well, we are prepared !! :)


that's the "main task" that I hope I can do when I leave Kaliningrad and reach Krakow.. I hope the 4-days-in-Advance booking would be enough!


Can't help it... with regards the time, that's most convenient for us (hopefully the baby will sleep through the night!) Hey... but will i atleast have the options of "MIEJSCE DO LEZENIA -Couchettes- in this train?

^
You should be fine, your train has several wagons with Couchettes
PKP info on your train: intercity.pl/?page=rozklad_jazdy&ph_center_start=show&tsr_id=1248

Thanks again Kowalski..I did quite an analysis on that and have come out much more enlightened!