Post by @algernon@come-from.mad-scientist.club

2026-04-23 05:49 UTC

Frequent travelers of Fedi, I seek your help. I need to get from Budapest to Utrecht on May 18, and return on the 21th. As far as I see, a plane will have to be involved (the train route with the fewest transfer includes four different trains, and some of the transfers are rather tight, and the whole trip is ~16 hours - possible, but not really a viable option). With plane, there are direct flights to Amsterdam1 and Eindhoven, and from there, train to Utrecht. Looks like the trip via Amsterdam would be the simpler, because the train station is right at the airport, while I'd have to take a bus in Eindhoven. But the Eindhoven flight is cheaper. So... the real question is: is it worth looking into the Eindhoven path, or should I stick to Amsterdam? Additionally, if I'm looking for a place to stay for three nights, in Utrecht, what options do I have? Do I trust Airbnb? It's... been a while I had to arrange my own travel. ...and I have a one-time transfer option via Warsaw, which is longer, but only ~4.5 hours, the transfer time is okay, and the trip's slightly cheaper. ↩︎

Replies (6)

@seindal@mastodon.uno 2026-04-23 05:52

@algernon @jon is the Fediverse specialist on anything related to trains and borders, so he might know how to do it.

Open ##1695737
@samuel@social.whatshouldyoueat.com 2026-04-23 05:58

@algernon trains are expensive in holland 🫢️ so you might not be cheaper off flying to eindhoven. also airbnb is crazy expensive, and utrecht in particular. a regular hotel might be more viable, in the utrecht area.

Open ##1695738
@iris@neuromatch.social 2026-04-23 05:58

@algernon trains are normally more reliable and almost always more comfortable than buses in my experience, but I'm very biased as I get carsick on buses. Also consider what backup options are for each leg in case one is very delayed or cancelled. Airbnb has gotten way sketchier and there are now scams where the host has some issue on short notice, they "upgrade" you to another property, it's actually much worse but since you agreed you're contractually bound to pay full price for the completely different booking. And often no cheaper than hotels now.

Open ##1695740
@terts@mastodon.online 2026-04-23 06:46

@algernon For hotels / airbnb you could also look for something in a city close to Utrecht. If there's a train connection then you won't have much of an issue getting to Utrecht. The Amsterdam route is the most convenient if you have to fly indeed. There are reasons directly to Utrecht from Schiphol Airport. I've never been at Eindhoven airport so I don't know about that one.

Open ##1695741
@zhenech@chaos.social 2026-04-23 08:28

@algernon Amsterdam.

Open ##1695742
@mei@donotsta.re 2026-04-23 23:25

@algernon hm, you could take a train to Vienna and then change onto the direct sleeper to Utrecht, I suppose? not sure how that'd work out budget-wise though

Open ##1695743