TravelGuides

(TGA) - I am hoping to spend a few days in the Slovakia mountain area in about 2 weeks time.

We will be arriving from Prague heading through the Slovakia mountains then heading to Poland, preferably by train.

If anyone could recommend which are of Slovakia mountains would be the best as well as things to do/ see as well as being able to get to Poland easily that would be much appreciated.
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The most spectacular of the Carpathians are near Poprad. There are several trains a day from Prague to Poprad. (Change at Zilina.)

There are also several (with multiple changes) from Poprad to Krakow.
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Quite a long trip - 8hrs...Prague to Poprad; I did not check all trains, & just punch in Date Nov. 10 , 9am...There is a Pendolino train to Ostrava (Northern Bohemia), then to Zilina & Poprad... You can check it for better connection, if there is one... Dep. 09:23, gets to Poprad @ 5:21pm (17:21)

jizdnirady.idnes.cz/vlakyautobusy/spojeni/ (use google translate)

or www.idos.cz (link to same), general info. www.cd.cz/static/eng/onlineservices2.htm

also: general + links

http://czech-transport.com/index.php?id=593

Slovak Rail: http://www.zsr.sk/anglicky.html?page_id=124

www.slovakia.org/timetables-slovak-railways (general info)

Polish Rail with links to European Timetable: polrail.com/sections/travel/timetable.html

Map of cz railway system: czech-transport.com/images/czech-train-map-w…

Map showing 3 countries: cz,pl,sk.

I am sure you can google others...

Just don't forget the names of town are in their language...e.g. Praha for PRG.
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www.europeanrailguide.com/maps/poland.html

(map of the 3 countries)...sorry, I wanted to include it...
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I recommend the direct train from Prague to Poprad - there are couple of them (day or night), for example very fast (7hrs) and comfortable Eurocity train leaving Prague at 11:09.

This year the winter came soon to the High Tatras and there is snow which probably remain. Since November to June many trails are closed. However there is still a lot to do - you can walk to the mountain lakes Popradske pleso and Strbske Pleso.

Travel from Poprad to Poland is better by bus. There is a polish company Strama providing the direct bus from Poprad to Zakopane (polish center of the High Tatras) - I guess they work also in the off season.

From Zakopane you have many buses and trains to Krakow.
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http://europetrainsguide.com/

There are also good night trains which arrive in Poprad in the morning (there are a few options) - you can buy a discounted couchette ticket here https:/… - for a couchette it is 500 Crowns (€19 - less if there are more than one of you).

If you want a sleeping berth you can book the sleeping berth reservation (316 Crowns) and then you buy the actual ticket on the day as usual (about 900 Crowns) so it works out a lot more that way and a couchette is absolutely fine.

Poprad to Krakow is a bit more complicated due to the Tatras being in the way, but check out that bus mentioned above - here is the timetable strama.eu/content/blogcategory/18/91/lang,pl/ (only the ones marked 'ax' run in the winter) and it costs €4,70

If you feel that your Polish is up to it, you can buy this ticket on-line bilety.rez.pl/bus/…SearchNationalBus.aspx but you will be able to pay the driver on the bus.
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Thanks for all the information, really helpfull and much appreciated!

Will probably get the night train seeing how it is 7/8 hours between Prague and Poprad. Or maybe will break up the journey by stopping off somewhere on the way if there is anywhere good to go on the way.

Are there plenty places to stay around Poprad? Would we be okay just to turn up rather than book in advance?
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Poprad is not blessed with a huge amount of places to stay - you should be ok just turning up, but it might be best (and cheaper) to book something in advance. Try www.booking.com - they usually have some good deals. NB the 'plusher' hotels in Poprad are near the Aquacity, which isn't exactly central. but it isn't a big place anyway, in fact it is tiny :)
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I guess turn up is OK. Couple of reviews about places to stay you have right on Probably you can google it...Unless there is a large group scheduled to arrive in Poprad, no reservations are necessary..
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Thanks for the advice :o)

I guess with it being early november it wont be peak season so places should not be too full.

Poprad the best place to stay or somewhere more in the mountains?

Think a plan is finally coming together!!
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