How to get from Lviv (Lvov) to Krakow by train on the cheap?
There is a direct train 051 from Lviv to Krakow; yet it is quite slow (9+ hours for the entire journey), expensive (it seems that tickets start from 60EUR); while the reservation is compulsory, there is no way to purchase tickets online (or is there?); and they say that on the border custom officers literally tear the train apart to fight the smugglers (which should be quite an unpleasant experience).
On the other hand, Lviv is just 90km from the border, and there are fast (4-5 hours) and cheap (9EUR) PKP Intercity trains from Przemysl to Krakow, with tickets available for online booking on PKP website.
It seems that the easiest way to get to Krakow would be to somehow get to the border, pass it by feet, and get to the Intercity train. However, it is unclear:
1) How to get from Lviv to the border? There are some commuter trains from Lviv to Mostiska (2hrs), and some buses from Lviv to Scheginy (1:30hrs), but how reliable are these?
2) Is it hard to get from said train/bus to the checkpoint itself, and from the checkpoint to the Przemysl station?
3) How long does it usually take to cross the border? Or, put in other words, how long in advance should you arrive to the checkpoint (or Mostiska or Scheginy stations) to safely reach Przemysl station in time for the Intercity train?
Best Answer
'Ukrainian international trains' and 'cheap' is something incompatible, unfortunately. Domestic train tickets can be purchased online but international AFAIK cannot, at least it was impossible spring 2015.
Use bus to get to Przemysl / Rzeszów, it would be quite convenient. If you want it extremely cheap then
From Lviv to Shegyni (??????) ~2hrs ~14uah from central railway station
Sheginy-Medyka, the border. Time to pass may vary, my experience 1..4 hours
Medyka-Przemysl ~2zl by bus, ~20min to ride but it may take about a hour to wait the departure.
if you like Przemysl-Rzeszów http://www.e-podroznik.pl/
I definitely would NOT buy a ticket on the polish side in advance because of unpredictable time on the border (guard on both sides may be very slow, at least if you're not EU citizen, unsure about USA/Canada/etc)
So, it'd be safe to start from Lviv early morning, then you'll be at your hotel before night.
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How do I get from Kraków to Lviv?
Bus, train via Jaros\u0142awHow do you pay for trains in Poland?
Unless you have a rail pass, you are going to need a ticket. All major stations have ticket offices, and you can make your purchase there. You can also purchase a ticket from the conductor on the train (except on EIP-category trains). There is a surcharge for this if the station you left from had an open ticket office.Is there train from Ukraine to Poland?
Is there a direct train between Ukraine and Poland? No, there is no direct train from Ukraine to Poland. However, there are services departing from Khreshchatyk and arriving at Warszawa \u015ar\xf3dmie\u015bcie peron 2/3 via Kyiv Pass and Warszawa Wschodnia. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 16h 15m.How long is the train Kraków to Lviv?
Trip Summary Traveling by train from Krak\xf3w to Lviv usually takes around 7 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest Leo Express train can make the trip in 7 hours and 30 minutes.Cheapest way to travel from Lviv to Krakow
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