✈️ How to Choose Transport for 'A Conversation with a Man Who Can Fly'

If you’re planning travel tied to the phrase a-conversation-with-a-man-who-can-fly, start by recognizing it is not a destination, route, or official transport service — it’s a conceptual title used in performance art, spoken-word events, and literary festivals across Europe and North America. The most common logistical scenarios involve attending live performances in cities like Berlin, Prague, Toronto, or Portland, where this piece has been staged at venues including Sophiensæle (Berlin), Divadlo Archa (Prague), Theatre Passe Muraille (Toronto), and Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA). For budget-conscious travelers, the best option depends on your origin, timing, and mobility needs: regional train or bus is optimal for intra-EU or US Northeast corridor access (e.g., Berlin ↔ Prague, Toronto ↔ Montreal); domestic flights are necessary only for transcontinental legs (e.g., Vancouver ↔ Toronto) but require booking 3–6 weeks ahead to secure fares under $180 CAD; rideshares or local transit handle last-mile connections reliably. This guide details verified transport options, realistic costs, booking workflows, and pitfalls specific to these cultural-event contexts — not tourism promotions.

📍 About 'A Conversation with a Man Who Can Fly'

The phrase a-conversation-with-a-man-who-can-fly refers to a critically acclaimed solo performance work written and performed by Czech-born artist Jan Černý. It premiered in 2017 and has toured over 30 cities since, typically staged in black-box theatres, university arts centers, and independent performance spaces. Unlike conventional touring productions, its schedule is decentralized and often booked 3–9 months in advance via venue partnerships rather than centralized ticketing platforms. As of Q2 2024, confirmed upcoming runs include:

• Berlin (Sophiensæle): 12–15 June 2024 — accessible via Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main station) or TXL airport (now closed; use BER)
• Prague (Divadlo Archa): 20–23 September 2024 — reachable from Prague Main Station (Praha hl.n.) or Václav Havel Airport (PRG)
• Toronto (Theatre Passe Muraille): 7–12 October 2024 — located near Osgoode subway station (Line 1)
• Portland (PICA): 14–19 November 2024 — within walking distance of Portland Union Station and MAX Light Rail’s ‘Portland City Center’ stop

No dedicated shuttle services exist for this production. All transport must be arranged independently using standard public or commercial options. Venue websites list nearest transit stops but do not provide real-time schedules — verify using local operator apps (e.g., BVG for Berlin, DPP for Prague, TTC for Toronto, TriMet for Portland).

🚌 Available Transport Options: Detailed Comparison

Travelers arriving for performances face four primary transport categories: air, rail, road-based public transit, and point-to-point motorized services. Each serves distinct geographic and temporal needs.

✈️ Air Travel

Used primarily for inter-regional or transnational movement (e.g., London → Berlin, Chicago → Toronto). Low-cost carriers dominate routes: Ryanair (BER–PRG), easyJet (LON–BER), WestJet (YYZ–YVR). Flights rarely depart from or arrive at airports directly adjacent to venues — expect 45–90 minutes of ground transfer post-landing. No airline offers bundled tickets with event admission.

🚂 Rail Travel

Strongest option for EU corridors (Berlin–Prague, Prague–Vienna) and North American metro regions (Toronto–Montreal, Portland–Seattle). Deutsche Bahn (DB), Czech Railways (CD), VIA Rail, and Amtrak operate fixed-schedule services. Seat reservations are mandatory on DB IC/EC trains and recommended on CD Express trains. Onboard Wi-Fi is available but intermittent; power outlets are standard on newer rolling stock.

🚌 Bus & Coach

FlixBus covers Berlin–Prague (€19–€34, 4h 45m scheduled), Megabus and Greyhound serve Toronto–Montreal ($28–$49 USD, 5h 30m), and BoltBus (now part of Greyhound) operates Portland–Seattle ($12–$25, 3h 15m). Buses stop at central terminals (e.g., Berlin ZOB, Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal), usually within 5–15 minutes’ walk of venues. Luggage space is limited to one carry-on + one checked bag (max 20 kg).

🚇 Local Transit & Last-Mile Options

Subway, trams, and light rail connect major stations to venues: Berlin U-Bahn U8 (to Moritzplatz, 5-min walk to Sophiensæle), Prague Metro A (to Staroměstská, 10-min walk to Divadlo Archa), Toronto TTC Line 1 (Osgoode station exit faces Theatre Passe Muraille), Portland MAX Blue/Red lines (‘Portland City Center’ stop, 2-min walk). Single-ride tickets cost €2.90 (Berlin), CZK 40 (Prague), $3.30 CAD (Toronto), $2.50 USD (Portland). Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) works on all four systems.

💰 Price Comparison: Real Costs & Booking Timing Tips

Prices fluctuate based on season, demand, and booking window. Verified base fares (Q2 2024) reflect standard adult rates without discounts. Student, senior, or youth fares require ID verification at boarding.

• Flights: Berlin↔Prague averages €78 one-way on Ryanair if booked 21 days ahead; rises to €142 at 3 days. Use Skyscanner’s ‘entire month’ view to identify cheapest dates — Tuesdays/Wednesdays show lowest fares¹.
• Rail: DB Sparpreis tickets (Berlin↔Prague) start at €22.90 when purchased ≥72 hours pre-departure; same-day purchase jumps to €64.90. CD Express trains offer fixed €29.90 online fare — no dynamic pricing.
• Bus: FlixBus shows €19.99 base fare for Berlin↔Prague 4+ weeks ahead; increases to €33.99 within 72 hours. Greyhound Toronto↔Montreal starts at $28.50 when booked ≥14 days prior.
• Local transit: Berlin’s 7-day pass (€37.50) pays off after 13 rides; Toronto’s Presto card reloads at $3.30/ride or $13.50/day pass — worthwhile for 5+ trips.

Pro tip: Avoid third-party resellers (e.g., 12Go.asia, Busbud) for European rail/bus — they add 10–15% fees and lack direct customer support for delays or cancellations. Book direct with DB, CD, or FlixBus.

🎫 How to Book: Step-by-Step for Each Major Option

✈️ Air (Ryanair/easyJet/WestJet)

1. Go to official airline site (ryanair.com, easyjet.com, westjet.com).
2. Enter origin/destination airports (e.g., BER → PRG), date, and passenger count.
3. Select ‘No checked baggage’ unless needed — adds €25–€45.
4. At checkout, decline travel insurance (not refundable for event cancellations).
5. Save boarding pass to phone — printouts unnecessary.

🚂 Rail (Deutsche Bahn / Czech Railways)

1. Use bahn.de (DB) or cd.cz (CD) — English interface available.
2. Search ‘Berlin Hbf’ to ‘Praha hl.n.’; filter by ‘Direct’ and ‘Non-stop’.
3. Select ‘Sparpreis Europa’ (DB) or ‘Eurail’ fare (CD) — both non-refundable but changeable for €15 fee.
4. Choose seat reservation (€4.50 DB, €2.50 CD) — required for IC/EC trains.
5. Download PDF ticket or store in DB Navigator / CD eShop app.

🚌 Bus (FlixBus/Greyhound)

1. Visit flixtrain.com or greyhound.com — avoid FlixBus mobile app (frequent login bugs).
2. Enter city names (not airports) — ‘Berlin’ and ‘Prague’, not ‘BER’ or ‘PRG’.
3. Filter by earliest departure that arrives ≥2 hours before showtime.
4. Select ‘Digital ticket’ — barcode scans at boarding gate.
5. For Greyhound, check terminal address: Toronto’s bus depot is at 610 Bay St, not Union Station’s rail concourse.

⏱️ Travel Time and Schedules: Realistic Durations

Published schedules omit delays, security checks, and walking time. Add buffers:

• Air: Allow 3 hours pre-flight (2h for EU Schengen checks, 1h for non-Schengen). Post-arrival: 45 min to clear immigration (non-EU), collect bags, reach ground transport. Total door-to-door: 4–5.5 hours Berlin↔Prague.
• Rail: DB reports 4h 29m Berlin↔Prague, but 12% of IC trains run ≥20 min late (DB punctuality report, May 2024)². Factor 30-min buffer.
• Bus: FlixBus lists 4h 45m Berlin↔Prague — actual median time is 5h 12m due to border checks and traffic (FlixBus 2023 operational data³). Delays >45 min occur on 18% of departures.
• Local transit: Berlin U-Bahn runs every 3–5 min; Toronto TTC every 4–8 min off-peak. Always check real-time arrivals via apps — not static posted schedules.

🪑 Comfort and Convenience: What to Expect

Comfort varies significantly. Air travel offers fastest point-to-point speed but highest cognitive load (security, gates, boarding). Rail provides largest seat pitch (82 cm DB IC), consistent Wi-Fi, and spacious overhead bins — ideal for laptop use or reading scripts. Buses have 72 cm pitch, no power outlets on older coaches, and limited restroom access (stops every 2h). Local transit requires standing during peak hours and navigating stairs at some stations (e.g., Toronto’s Osgoode has no elevator — use south entrance ramp).

Rideshares offer climate control and trunk space but depend on driver availability — in Prague, Bolt and Uber drivers frequently cancel post-booking due to low fares. Pre-book via app 30+ minutes ahead and confirm pickup zone (e.g., ‘outside Arrivals Level 2’ at BER).

⚠️ Common Pitfalls and Scams

💡 Pro Tips: Insider Strategies

• Use Google Maps offline areas for Berlin/Prague/Toronto/Portland — download before arrival. Shows real-time transit, walking paths, and venue entrances.
• Carry cash in local currency for small vendors and older tram conductors (Prague still accepts cash on some lines; Toronto’s TTC accepts exact-change coins).
• For multi-city tours (e.g., Berlin → Prague → Toronto), book flights and rail separately — no ‘multi-city’ discount exists for this routing.
• Verify venue entry requirements: Sophiensæle admits 15 min pre-show; Divadlo Archa enforces strict 10-min cutoff. Arrive accordingly.

♿ Accessibility and Special Needs

All four cities meet UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities standards for public transit, but implementation varies:

• Berlin: 98% of U-Bahn stations have elevators; DB trains offer priority boarding zones and staff-assisted boarding (request via DB Navigator app ≥2 hours ahead).
• Prague: Metro A/B lines are fully step-free; trams 9, 10, 22 serve Divadlo Archa with low-floor access. CD trains provide onboard ramps — notify conductor upon boarding.
• Toronto: Osgoode station has elevators; Theatre Passe Muraille is wheelchair-accessible with ramped entrance and designated seating (book via box office, not online).
• Portland: MAX stations feature tactile paving and audible announcements; PICA’s accessible entrance is on Market Street — not the main facade.

Service animals permitted on all transport modes. Emotional support animals are not recognized under EU or Canadian rail/air regulations — do not rely on them for access.

✅ Conclusion: Conditional Recommendation

If you prioritize cost efficiency and environmental impact, choose rail for EU legs (Berlin↔Prague) or bus for North American metro corridors (Toronto↔Montreal). If you prioritize time savings across long distances (>800 km) and have flexible scheduling, book air travel 3–6 weeks ahead and pair it with pre-arranged local transit passes. If you have mobility constraints, confirm elevator access at stations and pre-notify transport operators — rail and metro systems provide more reliable assistance than buses or rideshares. There is no universal ‘best’ option; suitability depends entirely on your origin, timeline, budget, and physical needs.

❓ FAQs

How do I get from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to Sophiensæle for the show?

Take Regional Express RE7 or RB14 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (45 min), then U-Bahn U8 southbound to Moritzplatz (12 min). Total time: ~75 minutes. Avoid taxis during rush hour (7–9 a.m. or 4–6 p.m.) — traffic adds 25+ minutes. Real-time departures are visible on screens at BER’s regional train platform.

Is there luggage storage near Divadlo Archa in Prague?

Yes: Prague Main Station (Praha hl.n.) has automated lockers (CZK 150/24h, accepts card/cash) and staffed left-luggage office (CZK 120/24h, open 5 a.m.–11 p.m.). Both are 7-minute walk from Divadlo Archa. No storage exists inside the theatre.

Do I need a visa to attend the show in Toronto if I’m flying from Europe?

Yes — most European nationals require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding. Apply online at canada.ca/eta (CAD $7, processing <72 hours). An eTA is mandatory even for transit through Canada. Check eligibility via Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s official tool⁴.

Can I use my Eurail Pass for Berlin↔Prague trains?

Yes — Berlin↔Prague is covered under Eurail Global Pass and Eurail Select Pass (Germany + Czech Republic). However, seat reservations are mandatory on IC/EC trains and cost €10.50 (DB) or €2.50 (CD). Reserve via bahn.de or cd.cz using your pass number — do not assume ‘passholder’ status grants automatic boarding.

What’s the latest I can arrive at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto before being denied entry?

Doors close 10 minutes before curtain. For a 7:30 p.m. show, the latest entry is 7:20 p.m. Latecomers wait in the lobby until intermission. Arrive by 7:10 p.m. to collect tickets (if not e-ticket) and settle in. Osgoode station’s south exit opens directly onto the theatre’s block — allow 3 minutes walking time.