Transportation by Train
- The train is the easiest (if not the cheapest) way to get from Western Europe to the Czech Republic.
- Train fares in Europe are lower than those in the United States.
- There are some 18 rail crossings into the Republic and it has one of the most extensive railway networks in Europe.
- You can reach almost every small town by rail and trains are indeed a romantic way of traveling around the country.
- Travel can be rather slow, however, often involving several changes.
- The quickest way of traveling along the major lines are the expres or “rychlík” trains.
- Local trains (osobní vlak) stop everywhere and are very cheap.
- Somewhat faster are services called “spesny vlak” which stop less often but cost the same as local trains.
Distances
- Because European countries are compact, it often takes less time to travel city-to-city by train than by plane.
- Prague is about 5 hours by train from Munich, Berlin, and Vienna.
- Direct trains to Prague depart daily from Paris (via Frankfurt) and Berlin (via Dresden).
- An ultramodern, high-speed, passenger-only train travels from London Waterloo International Station to Europe, the Eurostar, at www.eurostar.com or by calling tel. 01777-777-878.
- Trains connect Prague and Vienna five times daily; the 5 1/2-hour trip.
- Trains leave Prague to Warsaw two times daily; the 9-hour trip.
- Trains connects Prague and Munich three times daily, with the 7-hour trip.
- Trains connects Prague and Frankfurt two times daily, with the 7 1/2-hour trip.
Train Passes
- Note: most foreign train passes are not valid in the Czech Republic!
- The Czech Republic is NOT covered by the Eurailpass.
- The European East Pass and the Austrian Czech Railpass are accepted.
- The InterRail card widely used in UK and Europe isn’t valid for travel in the Czech Republic.
Main Railway Stations in Prague (with international train connections)
- Hlavni nadrazi Prague 1, Wilsonova 16, 221, tel 615 108
- Nadrazi Holesovice Prague 7, Holesovice, tel 221 615 865
Other Train Stations in Prague
- Nadrazi Praha Smichov Prague 5, Nadrazni, tel 221 615 086
- Masarykovo nadrazi Prague 1, Hybernska 13, tel 221 615 076
Time Table: http://jizdnirady.idnes.cz/connform.asp?tt=a&cl=E5&p=MF
- Information on traveling on Ceské dráhy (Czech Railways) on www.cd.cz.
- Info Line: Czech Railways’ White Line, +420 840 112 113
- Rail Europe, toll-free number 1-800-848-7245, 1-800-4-EURAIL
