1

I flew to Prague and took the night train to Krakow. It was fine. I reserved a three birth sleeping compartment.

I purchased my ticket the day before at the Wasteels office in the central train station. The only drawback is you arrive in Krakow around 5am.

Good luck.

2

That is early! I see the train now arrives around 7am. Which is still early. What do you do at that hour?

3

Seven would have been great. I had nothing to do for several hours. Fortunately I learned a long time ago to travel very light. All I travel with is a 35L backpack.

I walked around the square and killed a few hours before going to my hotel.

4

Hi....

It appears (looking at http://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml) that there is only one direct train....

Dep. Prague 20:17 - Arr. Krakow 06:58.

5

Either way is fine - just depends on the time of arrival and departure and which suits you better.

And Cesky Krumlov is definitely worth it, though it is a long trip for just a day. Better to spend the night and see the nearby city of Ceske Budejovice (where the original Budweiser beer comes from - much better than the American version) and/or the Hluboka nad Vltavou castle. If you want a more manageable day trip from Prague, try Kutna Hora.

6

you should take a day trip to kutna hora when you are in prague-not karlovy vary and then get the EX Silesia train which departs Praha hl.n to Krakow Glowny station at 20:17 and arrives at 07:14,book a couchette so you can sleep, the ticket costs 42.60 euros...when you land in prague go straight to the tourist booth and buy a 3-day travel pass for 310kc so you can commute anywhere and do the jazz boat too and book the day trip with one of the travel agencies in the center..as for krakow, book a room with Good Bye Lenin Hostel or Momotown Hostel...they are both close to the Jewish Quarter where the nightlife is and they're cheap and comfy...there are free tours every morn at 10 starting in front of St . Mary's or the Tower Clock ..i don't remember which..look for the guide with the umbrella and free tour t-shirt...take a day trip to Auschwittz and the Wieliczka Salt mines-it's 210 PLN for both..book with cracow city tours..they're good!prague is far more expensive and touristy then krakow..the food and beers are amazing in both countries..try Krucovice and Hron..have fun!

7

I totally agree with Kelly about Kutna Hora ad the day trip. It is really a beautiful town and far more interesting then any other day trip I have taken in Czech.
That said, Cesky Krumlov is nice too.
Bone church of Kutna Hora
The Beautiful Town of Kutna Hora

here is what you will find in these two links to help you make your decision. Cheers