Krakow - One Challenge 2008

[spylaw4]

But I have found that it is frequently cheaper overall to travel by air, at least if one is using the budget carriers.

[andybarton]

Yes, but...

Erl's choice of carrier from Morocco is likely to be limited, so he will need to get the train from Warsaw.

I'd use the train if I had the time.

[erl]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

How cheap is cheap Erl?

I guess if I can still hear a canary when I am in my room, it is cheep . . .cheep!

I suppose I really mean budget by local standards.

[stunsworth]

Expedia has a place called "The Secret Garden Hostel" for £18 a night - I'm guessing 40 AUD. Won't get much cheaper than that.

[erl]

Originally Posted by andybarton

Yes, but...

Erl's choice of carrier from Morocco is likely to be limited, so he will need to get the train from Warsaw.

I'd use the train if I had the time.

Actually, I plan on departing Mebourne (Oz) and flying to Warsaw via Paris. Then train to Krakow. I will then return to Krakow and fly to Casablanca after the 'Challenge'. Won't be able to post my entry until the first week in November. I hope that fits within time constraints of the Challenge.

[stunsworth]

Erl, after your 'problems' the year before last when we met in Paris, I'm sure we can extend the end date for submissions.

[spylaw4]

Erl - your travel plan seems intriguing, but complicated. LOT (Polish airline) flies direct Krakow - Paris. Currently £160 return. So unless you intend to spend time in Warsaw...?

[erl]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

Erl, after your 'problems' the year before last when we met in Paris, I'm sure we can extend the end date for submissions.

Steve, I am returning to Morocco for about 3 weeks, after Krakow, to 'fix' the problem of lost/stolen films from 2 years ago. Upon my return to Melbourne I can edit and submit my entry ASAP. This time it will all be digital I think, for obvious reaons.

[erl]

Originally Posted by spylaw4

Erl - your travel plan seems intriguing, but complicated. LOT (Polish airline) flies direct Krakow - Paris. Currently £160 return. So unless you intend to spend time in Warsaw...?

Nothing locked in yet, but as I will be flying Air France all the way, they only fly to Warsaw. It's partly a question of 'fly-buy' points. I will however look into the feasibility of switching to LOT for the sidetrip. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Tim Delbeck]

erl, i just tried out 'hostelbookers.com'. if i can make it to krakow (and i hope i will), i'll book my accomodation via that system.
cheap should be no problem

[erl]

Originally Posted by Tim Delbeck

erl, i just tried out 'hostelbookers.com'. if i can make it to krakow (and i hope i will), i'll book my accomodation via that system.
cheap should be no problem

Hi Tim, I have been looking at that site too. Have you seen anything you fancy there? I have been comparing a number and looking at their relative locations on Google Earth. prices seem to be (logically) dependent on how far from the city square. Google Ertth also allows you see if the hostel is on or near a busy freeway (noise etc).

I will, later today, check a bit more detail and pass on my findings. Still locking in my travel dates. Looks like I might arr. KRK on Oct 8, and Dep. Oct 12, for Morocco!!

[erl]

Just a simple thought. Has anyone decided or have opinions on where we meet initially, and dine after the shoot? I bet it has been posted and I missed it! (Egg on face syndrome rears it's ugly head. )

[spylaw4]

Originally Posted by erl

Nothing locked in yet, but as I will be flying Air France all the way, they only fly to Warsaw. It's partly a question of 'fly-buy' points. I will however look into the feasibility of switching to LOT for the sidetrip. Thanks for the suggestion.

Logical! Thus it may in fact be as cheap to go W - K by train - and possibly more interesting!
Don't forget tho' to check other carriers than LOT - if there are others on that routing - this site may be of help?

[andybarton]

Just been exploring flights (again..)

WizzAir fly to Katowice (some 100k from Cracow)

Anyone any experience of driving in Poland? Was considering hiring a car anyway, but if the motorways are anything like ours (esp on a Sunday morning when we need to get back to the airport...), then I may seek an alternative route.

Edit: maybe we'll take the bus... Driving in Poland

V cheap though - £40 return from Liverpool, with sensible flight times.

Edit: Not cheap enough if the above website is anything to go by

[stunsworth]

Andy, they also fly from Coventry directly to Krakow.

Coventry airport is easy to reach - M6, M42, A45. I know this because I've recently spent some time at a hotel at the end of Coventry airport runway - the airport's used for mainly light aircraft thankfully.

[andybarton]

Steve - that's the same airport... They use the RyanAir method of saying where they are flying to. But at least it's in the same country.

[stunsworth]

Well, it's as far away from Krakow as Beauvais is from Paris I suppose.

Thanks for the heads up, I'd almost considered booking with them.

[andybarton]

They do a transfer bus from Katowice to Krakow, but that takes an hour and a half.

Without Easyjet, I am struggling to justify this at the moment, I have to say.

[erl]

Originally Posted by spylaw4

Logical! Thus it may in fact be as cheap to go W - K by train - and possibly more interesting!
Don't forget tho' to check other carriers than LOT - if there are others on that routing - this site may be of help?

Thanks again spylaw4. I checked that site, but it came in $'s higher than what I found going direct to LOT!! LOT will sell return CDG to KRK for Euro199. I will be using Paris as my "sidestep" point. Trouble is, Krakow is a R.H. turn from Paris, but Casablanca is a L.H. turn. Makes the travel a bit expensive but how long am I going to live anyway.

Following up an earlier post re. accommodation. I have checked out a number of hostels in KRK and I am becoming impressed with one called "Hocus Pocus Hostel". Ignoring the name, it seems exceptionally well placed geographically and prices are very tolerable. 4 bed dorm @ Euros16/night or private twin for Euros20/person/night.

Anyone sniffed out something better or more appealing?