Train EIC131 Varsovia Warsaw to Budapest

[D1009]

I'm planning a 2 week European bash over Christmas, which will include 2 countries I haven't previously visited, Poland and Hungary. To get between them I'm looking at travelling throughout on EIC 131, and was wondering whether anyone on here has experience of this train. I will be using FIP coupons, but it's compulsory reservations, and looking at Youtube videos it has 6 coaches including one first class and a restaurant. I'm wondering how wedged it gets and whether it's worth upgrading to First.

 

[ianhr]

About 10 years ago I did Warsaw-Bratislava, I think with a change at Brno as this train went to Wien, on a train called the "Jan Sobieski" in late June. I think it followed a similar route and it was a daytime journey. It was comfortable with modern side corridor stock + restaurant car and not at all crowded (a window seat in a quiet compartment). Although advertised as all reserved I bought the ticket at the international ticket window at Warsaw Centralna about an half an hour before departure with no problem.

 

[Zamracene749]

Here is the current composition

http://www.zelpage.cz/razeni/13/vlaky/cd-131

CD stock, mostly open apart from one second class aircon compartment.

I'd go first class, just for the bigger seat, extra peace and quiet and it's not that expensive.

 

[D1009]

Here is the current composition

http://www.zelpage.cz/razeni/13/vlaky/cd-131

CD stock, mostly open apart from one second class aircon compartment.

I'd go first class, just for the bigger seat, extra peace and quiet and it's not that expensive.

Thanks for the info, but are you talking generally or from experience of this particular train. I ask this as I have found first class in some Western European countries to be busier than second, and therefore not worth the upgrade.
Thanks also for the link, does the graphic correctly reflect the appearance of the locomotives used on the train?

 

[Zamracene749]

Hi, the stock, locomotives and diagrams shown on Zelpage are usually very accurate- it'd be lovely if we had pages like that for all of Europe and the UK!

I haven't used EC131 in particular but I do travel fairly regularly in the Czech republic and occasionally in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.

Services within Poland can get absolutely packed in both classes; in CZ, Slovakia and Hungary it tends not to be so bad but 2nd class still gets fairly busy, especially on EC and Express services.

HTH

 

[D1009]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it even more now!

Would you happen to know what sort of service is offered on Christmas Day in Hungary?

 

[dutchflyer]

On both Christmas days-in about the whole of the continent, the normal sun/hols service runs. Maybe with some minor restrictions, by that time the usual routeplanners will give full info. To watch out for-again you Brits have to adapt!- is Xmas EVE=24/12, which is in many countries a much more important celebration and may lead to near complete cancellation of service-the same as you Brits want to do on 25/12. Also in some countries eve of 31/12.

 

[D1009]

On both Christmas days-in about the whole of the continent, the normal sun/hols service runs. Maybe with some minor restrictions, by that time the usual routeplanners will give full info. To watch out for-again you Brits have to adapt!- is Xmas EVE=24/12, which is in many countries a much more important celebration and may lead to near complete cancellation of service-the same as you Brits want to do on 25/12. Also in some countries eve of 31/12.

Thanks, I'm actually well aware of the services run in Western Europe at Christmas as for the last six years I have been going there to avoid the total 2 day shutdown here! I was simply asking whether Poland and Hungary were any different.