I looked for a chance to use FIP train tickets. There was a European basketball championship 2025. The Slovenian team was playing in Katowice, Poland. I bought a ticket at Nomago for the Saturday game against France, 400 PLZ (90€). I decided to stop on my way to Poland in Brno and visit some friends. So that was the plan for Brno and Katowice 2025.
Friday
I left the office early and ran to the train station in the rain, where I took the train to Villach (paid to Jesenice 7.5€). It was on time. The ride lasted 1.5 hours. The next train to Vienna was 15 minutes late. I had to change seats as I didn’t have a reservation. For the 3rd train, I had a few minutes to stretch my legs before continuing to Breclav. The last train for today was tricky. I was late by 30 minutes, but the train from Budapest to Brno was late by 40 minutes, so I didn’t need to wait for the next train for 15 minutes.
Finally, I was in Brno. There I met with Tomaš and Štepan. After a short walk to the hostel in bunker 10Z, I left my bag after check-in, 35€ plus a 10€ deposit. Interesting place to stay.
We had dinner in U trech čertu (at 3 devils). I ordered Pivovarský guláš z bratčického černého piva, houskový knedlík (goulash in local beer with knedli-dumplings). It was tasty, a bit spicy, and big enough for dinner. Tomaš paid, the meal was around 11€, and the Bratčice beer was less than 2.5€. Štepan left, and with Tomaš we went for another drink at Radegast sportspub before going to bed. They just accepted cash, I paid a huge fee for ATM, and beer was around 2.3€. Nice talk again (life, kids, work, travel, cars …). It is always great to meet people from Brno.
Saturday
Waking up early, after not great sleep on a hard mattress in a cold room inside a sleeping bag. It was an OK option for one night because of the experience, but I wouldn’t take a longer stay here. After the bathroom, I left the hostel and walked to the train station. Otherwise, breakfast and the tour are included in the price.
Back to Breclav, 1st class, I ate canned tuna and got some water. There I waited less than half an hour before taking another train to Katowice. There, I had enough time for a short walk. The last train arrived 2 hours late in Katowice.
I had time for lunch (tuna pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, tuna, artichokes, olives, red onion; nothing special, 48PLZ, a bit over 11€) and Raciborskie beer (16PLZ, almost 3.8€, also not great) with Andrej and his group at Placek. Outside, I met Ivo and we walked to the interestingly designed arena Spodek (looks like a UFO). We had a beer at the platform before entering, 60PLZ (15€) for 4.
We entered and took our seats behind the basket, 4th row, Maruša was in 5th. I didn’t have high hopes for the game, but Dončić was great, and we lost in the last few minutes of the game as he couldn’t continue at the same pace. Beer inside was 20+10 PLZ (7€ with cup).
Because of the basketball championship, there was no room for a decent price in Katowice. I took another train to Gliwice, 25km in 30 minutes, some rain. I slept in a nice Diament Economx Gliwica 3-star hotel for 45€, good price performance. I stopped in the shop on my way (beer, cigarettes, sandwich) and paid 10€. After a shower and a power nap, I went out to check nightlife. Nothing special, at 3 am bars are closed and just kebab is open.
Sunday
Again, woke up early and ate tuna before I checked out. In light rain, I walked to the old town’s main square, Rynek, and took Uber to Gliwice radio station (the reason for the beginning of WWII) and from there to the train station, 7€. It was time for the first out of 4 trains.
Local train in light rain, 30 minutes. Before the next train, a quick walk in Katowice’s old town. On the next train, I was in 1st class and I stretched out on 3 seats, got a bottle of water. In the restaurant, I ate pierogi for 200CZK (8+€). In Vienna, I ran to the next train, again 1st class. I enjoyed Tatra beer and nuts. On this ride, the interesting part is the Alpine Railway around Semmering (steep, curvy, many nice views, tunnels, …).
For the last train, I had just 5 minutes transfer time; any delay would mean waiting for a long time for the next transportation option, which cost 13.5€. I arrived before 8pm in Ljubljana, where my sister picked me up and drove me home. I watched TV and fell asleep on the couch.
Summary
Transportation was almost free (FIP tickets with card 20€, train in Slovenia to Jesenice and from Maribor another 20€, and Uber 7€). Together, less than 50€ for 12 transports, 1200km in 30 hours. For accommodation, I paid 80€ for 2 nights. Food (breakfast – canned tuna and bread 2€, club sandwiches 2€, 3 main dishes for 32€) and drinks (water I got for free on train, beer was from 1€ in shop to 7€ on game, less than 3€ in Brno and over 3€ in Katowice in general), 100€ together. With a game ticket (90€), the total amount was less than 320€.
Tiring but nice experience, the game was great, but meeting friends in Brno and Katowice was even better.
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