Eastern Europe’s Cheapest Scenic Trains: Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia

Let me tell you a secret: You don’t need Swiss bank account vibes to ride jaw-dropping alpine trains.

Eastern Europe’s Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia serve up scenic railways where €10 tickets buy you misty mountains, fairy-tale castles, and zero crowds.

I’ve haggled with babushkas for pierogi, napped in vintage train cars, and chased sunsets over the Tatras—all without blowing my budget.

Ready to trade overtourism for authenticity? Let’s go.

1. Poland: Kraków to Zakopane – The Tatra Mountains on a Shoestring

The Route
Climb aboard the Polregio train at Kraków’s main station, and in 3.5 hours, you’ll swap Gothic spires for the jagged peaks of Zakopane. The journey hugs the Dunajec River, passes wooden villages, and offers glimpses of Lake Czorsztyn—a turquoise gem straight out of a postcard.

Budget Win
Tickets start at €7 one-way if booked via Polregio’s website. Pro tip: Skip the pricier InterCity trains—the regional ones have the same views but cost half as much.

Best Time to Go

• September–October: Golden larch trees and crisp air.
• December–February: Snow-dusted peaks and cozy mountain huts.

Don’t Miss
Hop off at Chabówka, a tiny station with a steam train museum. For €3, you can pretend you’re a 19th-century coal baron.

2. Czechia: Prague to Český Krumlov – Castles & Countryside

The Journey
Czech Railways’ Os 1563 departs Prague’s Hlavní nádraží at 8:01 AM, winding through South Bohemia’s rolling hills. In 3 hours, you’ll arrive in Český Krumlov, a UNESCO town where the Vltava River loops like a ribbon. The train? A no-frills Regional Express with huge windows—perfect for spotting deer in the forests.

Cost Saver Alert
A one-way ticket costs €8 if booked on České dráhy. Splurge on a first-class seat (€12) for extra legroom and fewer school groups.

Unique Experience
Time your trip for the Five-Petaled Rose Festival (June), when Český Krumlov transforms into a medieval carnival. Jousting, mead, and all the trimmings.

Eat Here
Krčma v Šatlavské serves roast pork knee for €6. Eat it by the river and pretend you’re in a Renaissance painting.

3. Slovakia: Bratislava to Košice – The Tatra Electric Railway

Why It’s Epic
Slovakia’s Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) runs this 6-hour ride from Bratislava to Košice, but the star is the Tatra Electric Railway stretch between Poprad-Tatry and Štrbské Pleso.

Vintage blue-and-yellow trams cling to cliffs, offering views of the High Tatras that rival Switzerland’s Glacier Express—for 1/10th the price.

Budget Hack
A full Bratislava-Košice ticket costs €15, but break it up:

• Bratislava to Poprad-Tatry (€10, 4h).
• Poprad-Tatry to Štrbské Pleso (€2, 30 mins).

Best Time to Ride

• July–August: Hike to glacial lakes like Velké Hincovo.
• January: Frozen waterfalls and thermal baths in Aquacity Poprad.

Pro Move
At Štrbské Pleso, rent a rowboat (€10/hour) and paddle under the shadow of Krivan Peak.

4. Poland’s Secret Gem: The Pomeranian Coast from Gdańsk to Hel

The Route
This 2.5-hour ride on Polregio’s SKM trains starts in Gdańsk, skirting the Baltic Sea to the Hel Peninsula. You’ll pass dunes, fishing villages, and WWII bunkers reclaimed by pine forests.

Why It’s Cheap
Tickets cost €5 one-way. Yes, you read that right.

Must-Do
Stop in Sopot for a dip in the Baltic (brrr!) and a photo op at the Crooked House.

Eat Like a Local
Grab a smoked fish sandwich from Bar Przystań in Hel—€3, and the seagulls will serenade you.

5. Czechia’s Karlštejn Line: Prague to Beroun

The Quick Escape
Just 40 minutes from Prague, this route on České dráhy’s S7 trains feels like a portal to Middle-earth. The highlight: Karlštejn Castle, a 14th-century fortress perched on a limestone cliff.

Cost & Tips

• €2 one-way (yes, €2!).
• Sit on the right side for castle views.
• Hike from Karlštejn station to the castle (20 mins) for free cardio.

Hidden Gem
Visit in November for misty mornings and zero tourists. The castle’s Gothic chapel? Spooky perfection.

6. Slovakia’s Čierny Balog Railway: A Steam-Powered Time Machine

The Experience
In Slovakia’s Horehronie region, the Čierny Balog Heritage Railway chugs through fir forests on narrow-gauge tracks.

The steam engines date to the 1920s, and the vibe? Thomas the Tank Engine meets The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Budget-Friendly
A 20-km round-trip costs €10 (book at Čierny Balog).

Best Time
October: The beech forests blaze red, and the train stops for mushroom foraging.

Don’t Miss
The Volovec Loop, where the train spirals up a hill like a cinnamon roll.

Pro Tips for Riding Eastern Europe’s Rails

Let’s be real: When’s the last time you saw a €5 train ride in France? Or a castle without a queue in Germany?

Eastern Europe’s railways are a time capsule of affordability and raw beauty. So, next time someone says, “But isn’t Poland cold?” smile and say, “Yeah—cold hard savings.”

1. Buy Tickets at Stations
Online fees can add €2–3. Cash-only kiosks often have lower prices.

2. Pack Snacks
Most trains lack dining cars. Stock up on Oscypek (smoked cheese) in Poland or Trdelník (sugar-coated pastry) in Czechia.

3. Learn Basic Phrases
“Dziekuję” (Poland), “Děkuji” (Czechia), and “Ďakujem” (Slovakia) mean “thank you.” Use them—it’s golden.

4. Travel Off-Season
May and September offer mild weather, empty trails, and hotel deals.

Final Thoughts: Why Eastern Europe Beats the West

Let’s be real: When’s the last time you saw a €5 train ride in France? Or a castle without a queue in Germany?

Eastern Europe’s railways are a time capsule of affordability and raw beauty.

So, next time someone says, “But isn’t Poland cold?” smile and say, “Yeah—cold hard savings.”