Train Travel in the Czech Republic

Travel on Czech railways is cheap in comparison with western Europe. This coupled with the country's dense rail network makes the train an excellent travel option within the Czech Republic.

The fastest trains are called Rychlík and require a small supplement, slightly slower are the spìzný trains. The slowest trains are the local osboní.

Reservations are compulsory if your departure is indicated on the timetable by an R in a box. An R (without a box) indicates that reservations are recommended.

Prague has several train stations. The biggest is Hlavní Nádrazí (also known as Wilsonova station). This centrally located station handles most international trains and domestic trains serving the south of the country. Other international routes operate out of Nádrazi Holesovice which has trains to northern and western Europe including trains bound for Berlin, Hamburg and Scandinavia. Domestic services, including those to Brno and Liberec, leave from the central Masarzkovo station (metro Námìsti Republiky). Some other domestic trains use Smíchov station (Smíchovské nádrazi).

Both Eurail and InterRail passes are valid in the Czech Republic in addition to the Czech Flexipass.

KARTA Z

This discount card is worth buying if you don't have a rail pass and are planning on travelling more than around 200km in the Czech Republic. It costs 100 Kc, is valid for 12 months and entitles its holder to a 40% discount on train tickets.

Most train stations can issue a Karta Z. Just bring your passport and passport photo to the train station and ask for "Karta Zet, proseem".

EURAIL CZECH REPUBLIC PASS

The Eurail Czech Republic pass allows three to eight days travel in a one-month period.