Long taxi ride in Europe

[camfused]

Our Danube cruise stops in Germany, and I have booked (via booking.com) a taxi from the cruise ship terminal to our hotel in Prague (about 3.7 hours / 250km). The alternative is to take a 6.5 hours bus/train (mostly trains) journey, with 3 changes. Is this a good idea, to take such a long taxi ride, or would we be better off on the trains?

 

[RetiredHappy]

Have you priced out the taxi fare? I would think that train will be way cheaper.

 

[Drake3287]

Trains are a way of life in Europe and taking that taxi ride would be super unusual not to mention expensive. I'm going to Europe next week and I think we'll be on 9 or 10 different trains/connections. Pretty typical and I'm not worried about it. Still a lot cheap than a taxi not to mention the trains are an enjoyable experience for the most part.

 

[tulak]

Where at in Germany? I’m guessing Passau?

Personally, I would take the train. You’ll likely have to transfer in Regensberg (easiest route) or Linz.

I’m seeing around 5.5 hours through Regensburg.

The taxi could be fine, but I’ve never done a transfer like that, so idk.

You can lookup timetables on Ceske Drahy’s (Czech Railways) website: Connections and tickets | ČD

Edit to add: I found a single transfer in Linz that gets you to Prague in just over 5 hours, but up to 6 is more common. It also looks like tickets through Linz are cheaper, but that will depend on the day/time.

 

[SecondCor521]

I like using Rome2Rio for this sort of thing. You put in your start and destination, and it gives you the various transportation options and will give advice on fastest, cheapest, best, etc. It knows about planes, trains, buses, subways, and maybe other forms of transit. You can drill down and look at alternatives and schedules and even buy tickets.

For Passau to Prague, it recommends Flixbus at just under 4 hours and about $23 per person.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Passau/Prague

 

[tulak]

I always prefer trains over buses, even if it takes longer, but that route would be tempting.

Many years ago I took the bus from Munich to Prague and it was fine. At least a couple of hours quicker than the train.

 

[oiseux]

Some people are very happy with Flixbus, others find it problematic. It depends on the route.

An alternative to a taxi is a private transfer or transfer tour. There are several on Viatour (typically GetYourGuide has more, with better pricing). A transfer tour will plan a stop or two along the way at some sight, typically with an english speaker driver (or guide and driver). This of course is a costlier option.

 

[marko]

Have you considered a short-hop flight?

 

[camfused]

A few more details:
- I booked the taxi just before the war broke out, so it is $200. The train price is $300.
- This is in mid-June. For some reason, the weeks before this, the train price is about $125, but they jump up (lucky me) on the week (and following) that I need it. I've been watching this for many weeks and the price is not dropping.
- The port is in Vilshofen, which is sort of near Passau, but the 20 min taxi ride from there to Passau Hbf is $227 + the price of the train from Passau to Prague.
- A couple concerns about the taxi: 1) Will the company driver be pissed off, since they are probably doing this at nearly a loss (due to the price of petrol now), and 2) you never know if you get a driver that thinks he is Mario Andretti
- I love train travel in Europe, but it is over twice as long as the taxi solution, and a bit more money, plus the taxi is door to door at the hotel
- There are no flights in the area
- Will check out Flixbus and Rome2Rio

 

[Teacher Terry]

I have never had any problems with FlixBus in the states. When I got left at a rural hotel by my tour group because of having Covid, they wanted me to get myself to Dublin to take the plane. Because I was in such a rural area it was going to involve many different types of transportation and transfers.

I told them absolutely not that I was a senior and they are the ones that chose to leave me in such a rural area and I expected them to hire me a private driver and drive me to Dublin, which I think was a 5 Hour Dr. and they did. The driver was very professional and drove very safely. He also told me a lot of information about Ireland that I did not know. That was four years ago and the cost was 1K but I didn’t have to pay for it.

 

[audreyh1]

Some people are very happy with Flixbus, others find it problematic. It depends on the route.

An alternative to a taxi is a private transfer or transfer tour. There are several on Viatour (typically GetYourGuide has more, with better pricing). A transfer tour will plan a stop or two along the way at some sight, typically with an english speaker driver (or guide and driver). This of course is a costlier option.

That’s probably how I would try to do it. It’s a more expensive approach, but I think we would find it more enjoyable. Otherwise we would take trains even if more $$. A couple of years ago we took a direct train to Prague from Vienna and that was enjoyable.

Passau to Prague with one change in Linz seems to be available at several times a day,

 

[Sunset]

I'm amazed your taxi is so cheap.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the taxi never showed up, or it shows up and the driver says it can't be done for that price and will cost a lot more or no go.

Be sure to have a back up plan, to maybe take a train/bus , even if it was just take 1 train to get most of the way and finish off with a taxi.

 

[Aerides]

Plan a good tip if it all goes as planned!

 

[tulak]

I went the opposite direction last year, Prague -> Linz -> Salzburg, with a transfer in Linz. It was around $44 a ticket.

Time on a train never bothers me. I took the train from Barcelona to Paris a few years ago, even though flying would have been quicker.

 

[audreyh1]

I find European trains quite relaxing once you get on board. I never tire of watching the countryside scenery.

 

[tulak]

In a month from now I’ll be enjoying a glass of French wine and views of the countryside while taking the train from CDG to Lyon.

Last year, I did the same to Bordeaux.

What a great way to start a trip!

 

[RetiredHappy]

The only issue with trains are the luggages. If you can ship most of them and do not need them for the next leg, then you only have a small roller bag or a duffle bag which makes it way less stressful.

 

[COcheesehead]

Taxi in Europe is sacrilege. Use the trains.

 

[audreyh1]

The only issue with trains are the luggages. If you can ship most of them and do not need them for the next leg, then you only have a small roller bag or a duffle bag which makes it way less stressful.

We took a long trip using a lot of trains in Europe a few years ago. We switched to more compact luggage which made it pretty straightforward for getting on and off trains. It worked out very well. It helped that it was summer and we didn’t need to pack warm clothes.

 

[COcheesehead]

We took a long trip using a lot of trains in Europe a few years ago. We switched to more compact luggage which made it pretty straightforward for getting on and off trains. It worked out very well. It helped that it was summer and we didn’t need to pack warm clothes.

The last piece of luggage DW and I bought was an international carry on size compliant bag. Combined with compression packing envelopes, we can pack for 10 days in a small carry on.

 

[tulak]

Same here, international carry on size luggage and a backpack. It’s more than enough space and no concerns lugging stuff around. We’ll book an Airbnb occasionally so we can do laundry.

 

[ABQ2015]

I booked a private car (my hotel recommended the service) from Florence to Siena for $150 on my last trip. It was not a great distance but was supposed to take 1 1/2 to 2 hours by train and maybe a change. Between the hassle of handling my luggage, cost of taxis from train station to hotels, and the fear of missing my connection or having my luggage stolen, I was happy to pay the extra money. The driver spoke English and we had a good conversation. My experiences with trains have not been the best. Missed one train when I could not find the right platform and noisy children hitting against the back of my seat on another.

 

[camfused]

All, we decided to go with a private car service (not the original taxi), via viator, and not the train. I love trains, especially in Europe, but twice the time to take the train vs the car service is tough to get over. This will give us over 3 additional hours in Prague in that day, and we are only there 1.5 days.

We will still keep the train solution as plan B, if the car doesn’t work out.

 

[tulak]

Good call. Have fun in Prague. It’s a wonderful city.

 

[camfused]

Well, plans change. We just switched to using the Avalon airport transfer bus to Munich airport, then we will hop on a DB train to Prague from there. The private car solution was making DW nervous. We figure this new way has the most comfortable seats and the least chance of something going wrong.