Czech Republic Trains

Useful Tips
How to Get a Cheaper Fare?
International Fares
Useful Dictionary

Trains in the Czech Republic are operated by České dráhy (Czech Railways). The train is a common means of transportation in the Czech Republic. All Czech cities, towns and many villages have their train stations and are interconnected well enough to make train travel a convenient way of getting from one place to another.

Train Departure Schedule at a Prague Train Station

myCZ tip: Online Schedules and Connections
You can look up train schedules and connections for the Czech Republic and Europe at idos.cz. The results will show all available connections for your route. See "Useful dictionary" on the bottom of this page for some terms you may need.
 
myCZ tip: Train Ticket Fare Calculator
Visit jizdenka.cz to calculate the fare between any two cities in the Czech Republic or Europe.
 
myCZ tip: Advance Reservations Online
Visit the Czech Railways website to read about advance seat reservations.

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How to Get a Cheaper Fare?

Czech Pendolino TrainGroup Tickets
One common discount is the group ticket, which you can buy if you are taking the same trip with at least one other person. For example, you and your friend are traveling from Prague to Brno. When buying your ticket, simply say dvakrát Praha - Brno (two for Prague - Brno) and the ticket seller should automatically issue one ticket marked with a sleva pro skupiny (discount for groups).

Return Tickets
Another way to save money is to buy a return ticket. In this case, you have to go there and come back within 24 hours when traveling in the Czech Republic or within two months in case of international travel. When buying a return ticket for Prague - Brno, ask for zpáteční Praha - Brno (return Prague - Brno).

In-karta (Customer Card)

The In-karta was introduced on June 1, 2006, and replaced the Z-Card. Information on the In-karta can be found on the Czech Railways website.

Prepaid card (kilometrická banka)

Kilometrická bankaThe prepaid card (which is really a booklet) offers a very handy and cheap way to travel by train, but you should only buy it if you plan to use the train frequently or on long distances.

The kilometrická banka (literally "kilometer bank") is sold for 1600 CZK and gives you 2000 kilometers of train travel. 1 km therefore costs 0.80 CZK. The minimum distance you can deduct each time is 100 km and the maximum is 400 km. The card expires six months from the date of first use. The booklet can be purchased at the train station ticket window. You will need to tell the ticket seller on which date you plan to use it for the first time so that the date can be marked inside. Each time you travel, you'll need to fill out a field for that trip in the booklet. The conductor will then deduct the appropriate number of kilometers and mark the remaining kilometers into the booklet.

The prepaid card is not only a good value but is convenient as well because you don't have to buy a ticket when traveling. All you need is a pen.

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International Fares

Below are the fares you should expect to pay when traveling from Prague to selected European cities. The prices are in euros and do not include any discounts or seat reservation fees. A complete up-to-date price list can be found on the Czech Railways website.

  One-Way Return
(1 pax.)
Return
(2 pax.)
Duration
(approx.)
 Germany        
 Prague - Berlin 45 71 113 5 hrs.
 Prague - Munich 48 76 121 6 hrs.
 Prague - Frankfurt 66 104 165 8.5 hrs
 Prague - Nuremberg 35 58 97 5 hrs.
 Prague - Dresden 19 32 54 2.5 hrs.
 Prague - Hamburg 79 122 189 7.5 hrs.
 Austria        
 Prague - Vienna 30 51 98 4.5 hrs.
 Prague - Innsbruck 63 99 182 8.5 hrs.
 Prague - Salzburg 40 64 119 6.5 hrs.
 Poland        
 Prague - Warsaw 40 61 121 9.5 hrs.
 Prague - Krakow 29 48 95 8 hrs.
 Slovakia        
 Prague - Bratislava 18 23 44 4 - 5 hrs.
 Prague - Zvolen 26 35 67 9 - 10 hrs.
 Prague - Košice 31 46 86 10.5 hrs.
 Hungary        
 Prague - Budapest 45 65 129 7 hrs.
 Russia        
 Prague - Moscow 72 144 288 31 hrs.
 Prague - St. Petersburg 77 153 305 36 hrs.
 Switzerland        
 Prague - Zurich 90 141 259 11 - 13 hrs.
 The Netherlands        
 Prague - Amsterdam 111 170 271 11.5 hrs.
 France        
 Prague - Paris 131 262 524 14 - 17 hrs.

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Useful Dictionary

vlak - train
(vlakové) nádraží - (train) station
Odjezdy - Departures
Příjezdy - Arrivals
nástupiště - platform
zastávka - stop
jízdenka - ticket
jízdenky - tickets
místenka - seat reservation
pokladna - ticket window
povinně místenkový vlak - seat reservation necessary on this train
neúplná cena - incomplete price (usually with international connections; may only show the cost of the ticket within the Czech Republic, not past the border)
Vlak nečeká na žádné přípoje. - The train will not wait for any connections.

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