Query: Prague - Dresden day trip

[jamesontheroad]

Hello everyone.

As part of the day job, I'm escorting some university students on a five day trip to Prague in January.

I'd like to offer an optional day trip to Dresden during the time that we're there.

This would involve taking either EC176 (Praha 0828 / Dresden 1043) or EC174 (Praha 1028 / Dresden 1243) and returning on EC179 (Dresden 1908 / Praha 2127).

I expect to take no more than about 20 students, and I want them to book their own tickets.

So a few questions -

• Do DB Sparpreis fares between Germany and the Czech Republic sell out as quickly as our own Advance fares? Will 20 students, if they book early, be able to get the lowest fare?
• Do these trains require reservations? Will we likely find seating or compartments together?
• What are my chances of finding a seat in the restaurant car on either of these trains? Getting a meal on the way back is a big deal for me.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[MisterT]

For 20 people? Just give DB Gruppenreisen a call. They can arrange the whole journey for a special group discount and they can make special arrangements for the whole group.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

For 20 people? Just give DB Gruppenreisen a call. They can arrange the whole journey for a special group discount and they can make special arrangements for the whole group.

By far the best option, those trains can be busy so wise to get a party rate and reservations.

The buffer etc car is open to all , so position yourself nicely at Dresden - the train formation is shown on the departure sheets....Enjoy ...

 

[jamesontheroad]

For 20 people? Just give DB Gruppenreisen a call. They can arrange the whole journey for a special group discount and they can make special arrangements for the whole group.

Thanks. I'll give them a try, *but* this trip is self-organised / self-funded by students. If I do it this way, I'll have the added burden of collecting cash, etc.

I will investigate and see if it's much cheaper.

 

[30907]

Given that you are starting from Prague, it would make more sense and might be cheaper) to book with CD - their website is easy enough to use.

However, getting 20 seats together without a group reservation strikes me as optimistic, I would guess especially so on the later departure from Prague, so the point about group bookings is still valid.

The views are on the right going towards Dresden; it will be dark on the return - even if you come back 2 hours earlier.

The CD restaurant cars have a 2-tier pricing scheme euphemistically called "happy hour" which means it's much more expensive while you're in Germany.

 

[jamesontheroad]

However, getting 20 seats together without a group reservation strikes me as optimistic, I would guess especially so on the later departure from Prague, so the point about group bookings is still valid.

Thanks for the feedback. Personally, my students are adults and they don't need to hold hands or have me frog march them from place to place, so seat reservations together aren't essential.

DB's group booking engine returned a fare per person that was exactly the same as the best currently available Sparpreis, so I will contact them by phone to see if that's the best they can do.

 

[30907]

n that case. you probably cant beat the EUR23 (approx) CZK 634) return CD are offering. The registration process on the CD website IIRC is slightly more complex than with DB, but not difficult.

 

[dutchflyer]

MOre cheap-faster too and easier to book, will be one of the loads of ''Fern''busse (coach) like Flixbus or Regiojet. Or you can combine and compare afterwards. (those going south are often late).
Sometimes CD offers special low fares of just 9 eur for Pr-DD. Its always best to start checking the local railway from starting station and maybe afters the other one.