RSSBudapest – Munich – Zurich
The fun thing about night trains is that since you will be sleeping, you can be flexible and consider different routes: I board the night train from Budapest to Munich, on the way to Zurich. There’s a direct night train that departs Budapest each day at 18:05, arriving in Zurich at 6:05. But I am running late, and take instead the other western-bound night train that leaves Budapest each night at 21:05, on its way to Munich. I will connect in Munich in the morning on my way to Zurich.
Train Tip: Consider NOT buying a bed reservation in advance. In the summer season, on weekends, and holidays, it’s a MUST if you want to be sure to get a bed. But one of the joys of traveling off-season, during the week, is that you can hop on and off trains, including night trains, more freely. During these non-peak times, I have found it’s more comfortable to walk on and buy the bed reservation on the train, because the conductor will often put you into an un-occupied sleeping cabin, whereas the computers at the train station will often automatically place you into free beds without consideration of how many people may already be in the sleeping cabin.
In Gödöllő, Hungary
Gödöllő is a charming Hungarian town and the most popular destination for Austrians visiting Hungary, because of the large baroque palace where Austrian royalty once lived.
Built in 1740, the castle was originally the home of a Hungarian Count, but was given to the Habsburgs as a gift after the creation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
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Budapest to Gödöllő, Hungary
Train Tip: Hungary has great public transportation, a hold-over from the Communist days where anyone was expected to be able to get to work at any hour. This creates many travel options for most trips. Gödöllő is one of those examples, but Eurail Pass holders need to take note.
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In Visegrad, Hungary
Train Tip: There may be no more beautiful view in Hungary than the Danube bend at Visegrad. The curve in the bend can be best seen from the castle remains atop the hill.
To get there, take one of the taxis at the ferry station that make the trek up the hill. There’s not much to do besides see the view, but the view is beautiful, especially now as the leaves are blooming and the air is warming.
Budapest – Visegrad, Hungary
Train Tip: Don’t go looking for Visegrad on a train map. It doesn’t exist. Instead, take one of many trains that leave from Nyugati Station to Nagymaros. The trip takes one hour. Once there, walk under a pedestrian bridge towards the river. There you will find a barge that crosses the river every hour on the hour to Visegrad.
In La Louviere, Belgium
La Louviere is not a place of castles or riches. It’s a former industrial town, thirty-one miles south of Brussels.
Once burgeoning, now trying to find it’s way into this new century, like so many former industrial towns. No one would say that this town of 80,000 is beautiful, but the spirit of its people seems unbreakable. It’s “the ambience,” I hear so many say when describing what makes La Louviere special.
And that “ambience” takes center stage during the town’s three day carnival, called “Laetare,” from the Latin meaning “delight yourself.” The festival itself is older than the town. Around 1850, as so many immigrants from Central Europe arrived to work in the factories, they brought along their mid-winter customs. Half-way through Lent, this town erupts in joy for the coming summer.
The festivities begin with the drinking of a secret milk-based alcoholic drink.
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Zurich – Basel – Brussels Midi – La Louviere
Train Tip: Take note that Brussels has as many different train stops as any city I’ve seen. Brussels Midi is what looks like the main station to me, but there are several others where you may connect. Ask to be sure you are getting off in the correct station to make your connection.
Bremen to Hannover to Basel to Lucern
Traveling back into winter and these Swiss houses seem built to appear in the winter landscape.
About the Eurail Blog
Benjamin Thomas from the USA has been using Eurail Passes to explore Europe. On this weblog he shares his (train) travel experiences. Intro
This blog is recommended by Eurail.Com.
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