... in response to Budapest to Yalta or bust, posted by AllenB on Sep 10, 2005I returned two weeks ago from Ukraine, and I took the train from Khmelnitsky to Budapest which took 18 hours (there are apparently some direct trains but I had to change trains at Chop on the border which was a couple of hours' connection.) So I imagine the train to Yalta would probably take the best part of two days, and I would imagine there would be at least one change. There is definitely direct services Budapest-Kiev (approx 18 hours) and Kiev-Yalta (probably same again) unless you already have another route in mind. If time is not critical, an overnight (preferably 24 hours)stop in Kiev or Odessa, depending on your route, should be welcomed. Even if you an sleep on the train, you will be itching for a shower after 18 hours believe me. Otherwise if you arrive in Yalta in the same shape that I was in when I reached Budapest, you will spend the first few days recovering from the trip. On the plus side, my 18 hour trip cost a total of $50 (I would have paid the extra for First Class if had been available, and would advise you to do likewise - see earlier post.) First Class would have been around $90, so expect $150 to Kiev, and o that basis I guess $100 for the next leg to Yalta, so plan on $500 round trip for two. Even with an overnight in Odessa you should save around $900 against air travel at those prices, which will buy a few bottles of Ukrainian bubbly in Yalta, but it will cost you 4-5 days travelling in total. My impression of Ukrainian rail travel is that you can get anywhere for next to nothing, if you have all the time in the world to do it.
