Cheap Day Trip to Pilsen - Czech Republic

On this thread it got mentioned that DB's Schönes Wochenende ticket is valid in the Czech Republic as far as Pilsen.

Anybody up for a longish day trip:

Departure Munich 0644, arrive Plzen Hln 1101
Departure Plzen Hln 1858 arrive Munich Hbf 2326

or possibly an overnighter on a Saturday at the end of April? 23rd or 30th ?

Plenty to do and see, less annoying English and German speaking tourists than in Prague and of course as much a beer capital as Munich.

Lemme check my diary coz it sounds *fabulous*

30th sounds nice

P

30th for me, too
23rd is crap for me, my exam is on 26th

I'm also very interested, although 30th April is too far ahead for me to confirm anything right now.

Should this thread be rename the Neuhausen School Trip?

P

But with cheaper beer!

Aye, I'd be interested! I think an overnighter would make more sense since we could do more interesting things like drinking and eating!

30th would be good with me, IF I can get the time off

As discussed over many a cocktail last Friday night, I'll be up for this. Sounds fantastic. A day trip would be better for me, but am willing to consider an over-nighter. Oh, 30th works for me too.

Right. You guys suck. I've been itching to go back to the Czech Republic for months now and you're planning on going when I can't go. Grr! Have fun anyway. On the 30th I'll be at the greatest bar in the world: The Hop Leaf, Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago, for those keeping score.

Can someone rename this?
The TTNeuhausen Committee has renamed this as follows:
"Neuhausen Czechs It Out"

I found the leaflet last night at home.

You might get some more tourist info at

Plzen City Council's website.

Theres one of the largest synagogues in Europe, the tallest climbable tower in the Czech Republic and a kid of underground grotto / catacombe thingy that loos interesting.

And beer!

Im definately up for this trip, count me in!

as this will be my last day in munich this sounds nice... i would love to go on a day trip

most of the indians dont have the required visa to cross that border.so i think most of us will have to stay home.
stupid rules and regulations

I had been to Pilsen. It is really nice.

@bonydebbie.. u r right..we need a visa. u can get the visa in couple of days. The embassy is in munich only.

My feeling is it is worth visiting CZECH . So why not give a try.

The TT: Prague Weekend trip scheduled for Apr.8-10 has been canceled in favour of this one due to lack of intrest. Should more people like to do a Fri-Sun trip to prague, perhaps I can schedule a new date.

Ok Seeing as this event is getting closer, lets go ahead and start-up an official Sign-up list...

I'll be the first

Darkknight

Wow, the ticket costs just €32.-! Who can resist? Please count me in. Has it been decided whether it's a day trip or an overnighter? I'd vote for day trip if it's still undecided.

As mentioned before, please count me in.

I'd like an overnighter if anyone else wanting to stay. Thought of 10 hours on a train in one day is... well... urgh!

Not to exclude anybody on purpose, but for the Indians in the group, if you wish to go on this trip makesure you have the propper Czech visa in hand/passport, or your trip may be shorter than the others..

Thanks for mntioning that DarkKnight. Anyone who is not an EU Citizen needs to check if there is a visa issue for them. Everyone needs to remember to bring their passport as both the Germans and Czechs do a full passport check at the border.

Has a date been decided? Is it an overnighter or what? I'm very interested any how.

Think it's gonna be on 30th

The date is Saturday 30th April. Day trip or overnight it's up to you.

I've never been to the clubs of ill repute in Plzen so I might stay overnight.

OK, count me in as a definite. Not sure if want to do day trip or overnighter. Can decide nearer the time, eh? So, Topsy, you in? Katrina? Butterbean? Blimeygirl and Tom? et al?

I'm definately in for the 30th. Like petal i'm curently undecided about day trip of overnighter, probably an overnighter!

YES

I think I'm gonna be in, I just have to do a spot of liaising with a few peeps before I can say 100% for sure...

Gotta talk to the footie...cos only the footie knows

But Tom and I briefly discussed it and it sounds cool. Probably not an overnighter though. Taking trains with loads of people is actually fun

This trip sounds good for me, but I'll have to consult with my calendar when I'm back in Munich on Friday to confirm my availability.

Cheers,
Dave

So here's the list so far (*) Maybe/Still Checking
----------------------------------------------------------------
grtho
pootle
Topsy
Darkknight
Petal
Chewy
Plane Girl
Kat
Katrina
Topsy *
Katrina *
pepper *
Kebab Meister *
Blimeygirl *
Davo *

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hotels in Pilsen

For those looking @ an over nighter Have a look at these prices.
Both hotels offer discounts to groups, so if all you "Over nighters"
choose the same hotel, then it might be cheaper..

3* Hotel Slovan
Single - 48 Eur including Breakfast Buffet-In Room Bathroom
Double - 70 Eur including Breakfast Buffet-In Room Bathroom
Single - 18 Eur Breakfast separate cost-Sink in Room/Common Shower/WC room on Floor
Double - 28 Eur Breakfast separate cost-Sink in Room/Common Shower/WC room on Floor

4* Hotel Irida
Single - 58 -Complete In Room WC/Shower/Etc - Included Breakfast
Double - 83 -Complete In Room WC/Shower/Etc - Included Breakfast

And for those that need a visia, Go and get them here:

Generalkonsulat der Tschechischen Republik
Libellenstr.1
80939 München - Freimann,
Tel.: 089-95837232
Fax: 089-9503688
e-mail: munich@embassy.mzv.cz

Most/All EU citizens don't need a visa Only National ID Card/Passport
No EU-Nationals from certain countries only need a Passport
All others will require a visa.
Contact the CZ Embassy for more Info.

Have A Look at the Travel Schedule..

You could also return from an overnighter on the 18xx train.
The early morning departure might be a bit too early!

There are other departures during the day that all involve changes.

just mailed the Czech embassy regarding the visa. Will get back here once i get a response.

'Buzz

Just got the reply from the Czech embassy regarding visa rules for the peeps from India.

Their answers to my questions are given in bold below.

1.Do I need a Visa to enter Czech? with indian passport - YES
2. If I need a Visa, what is the minimum validity period that I can apply for? (e.g. 1 month, 6 months etc) 1 year - simple entry
3. How much does it cost? simple entry 40,- EUR, multiple entry 100,- EUR
4. How long will it take to get the visa? 1 week
5. What are the documents required? see the attached file (only in german)


I think i will be going to Prague sometime later in summer... so i think spending 100 euros now for a multiple entry visa is too steep for my budget... so got to skip this one..

Have fun there people!

'Buzz

PS: tried attaching the file for the visa form.. but the site wont allow that format. sorry

Very interested for the day trip - have some Korunas left over from my Prague trip that I would like to use up (buy lots of Pilsner Urquell cans).

Guess some of us can make the day trip and some can stay overnight for beer/absinth if they prefer.

Will confirm closer to date, any need to buy tickets early, grtho?

No need to get tickets in advance, we can get them on the day.

@grtho

If you'll notice the "Return for overnighters" area, the entire listing
is surronded by a blueish box, meaning they can return whenever they want..
Not just the early morning trains..

But you fail to mention the Sunday 1858 departure which is straight through to Munich!

Doesn't arrive till quit late into HBF but I can crawl home in 10 minutes from there.

For those who might be running "Just on time" on departure day, you
might want to save some time and get your tix, the day before (or 2),
that way there is no way you will miss the train, or hold-up the others.

Casue I don't know how good/busy the DB Counters will be at 0630 in the morning on a Sat.

@grtho
I only included a particial sunday sched. For those looking to come back @ a different time, they can go to the DB web site and print off their own sched.

Nah I'm much more relaxed about this (i.e. pootle knows that I only ever turn up 2 mins or less before departure having phoned him from the taxi - or at least this is my usual method which always works).
The Andechs day trip also worked fine with buying tickets on the day (and seeing as these tickets are ones that you can get from the machines I don't see the need for fuss) so I will be sticking to that method.

The SW ticket is cheaper from a machine not a counter.

Nearer the day I'll do a roll call and work out how many tickets we need and get them in advance.

You are right, DK I wouldn't leave it to the last minute. The train DEPARTS HBF at 0644!

There's sometimes a Czech Railways restaurant car on the train with nice stuff at nice prices.

Was gonna say get them from the machine on the day as well but Katrina and grtho beat me to it. There's never more than a 5 min queue anyway even on a busy saturday.

nope, not in. will be in Paris.

Pfffft. Like that's an excuse

Only 2 weeks left (1 if you count the booking requirements of the hotels)

So all you "Over Nighters", need to get together and figure out which Hotel you want, so reservation can be made without any surprises...

Remember It's better to Reserve as a group for a better chance of discounts..

At Czech prices, I'm not too bothered about group discounts! I'm also not willing to book rooms for people I don't know well personally as it is far too easy to get stung by people not turning up or deciding to stay somewhere else (have had it happen too many times).
My preference is to find a few places near to each other in different price brackets (due to the diverse group - there are students who want cheap and basic and those like myself who left the days of basic behind long ago) and then as people make their own bookings, they let others know where they are staying. Then it is up to the people concerned to organise themselves.
That is less complicated.
grtho, you go to the Czech Republic more than most, do you have any specific hotel tips? Cheers!

I've only once stayed in Plzen that was years ago. I'm in Plzen a lot but mostly just to change trains so I'll be looking forward to the sites as much as anyone else.

If I remember correctly the Hotel Slavie mentioned above seems nice.