Getting Around the Czech Republic

Road Network, Traffic

Car, Camper Van

As is often the case in Europe, having your own vehicle is a good option for exploring the country, especially if you don’t want to limit yourself to just Prague. Moreover, given its central location, the Czech Republic is never far from other European countries—Paris to Prague is just 1,000 km (barely more than Paris to Nice). Another advantage is that there are no special formalities for vehicles already circulating within the Schengen Area. However, be aware that to drive on Czech motorways and dual carriageways, you need a vignette, which can be purchased at border crossings or service stations. Payment must be made in cash (euros accepted) for validity periods ranging from 10 days (12 €) to one year (55 €). Without a vignette, you risk a fine.

Rental

Bus

The country has a well-developed bus network (see schedules and routes) with numerous national and international connections operated by various companies of all sizes.

You can easily travel by bus throughout the country, including off the beaten track. Buses are also affordable, with prices roughly matching those of trains—around 3 to 5 € per 100 km. You can choose between the two, though for travel between major cities, direct trains are faster, while buses often offer better value for other routes, which typically involve transfers and multiple stops for trains.

Two Wheels

Motorcycle

Bike

The Czech Republic is one of those countries that’s easy to explore by bike, even in its mountainous regions. There are plenty of cycling paths or marked trails for leisure rides. If needed, you can also take your bike on trains.

Note that the Czech Republic is crossed by several routes (4, 7, 9, and 13) of EuroVelo, the extensive European network of cycling routes covering tens of thousands of kilometers across most of the continent.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is still possible, though increasingly replaced by carpooling, as in many other countries.

Trains

The Czech Republic has one of Europe’s densest railway networks, with nearly 10,000 km of tracks. It serves almost the entire country, with modern express trains on major routes between large cities, though secondary lines are often slower, less comfortable, and less frequent. In short, trains are best suited for main routes.

Since 2011, the Czech rail network has been operated by one public company and two smaller private ones:

• České dráhy: The national railway company and the country’s primary rail operator, which long held a monopoly on passenger transport. Its network is by far the most extensive.

• Leo Express: Similar to RegioJet, operating a single train line from the capital eastward (Ostrava and beyond), supplemented by a small bus network.

• RegioJet: Operating in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the company currently runs only one train line between Prague and Ostrava, continuing into neighboring Slovakia. This single route is complemented by a small bus network.

Overall, Czech trains are quite affordable—expect around 3 to 5 € per 100 km. Various discounts are also available from the operators. The Czech Republic is included in the InterRail pass, at least for the České dráhy network, as the two private operators are not covered.

Boats

There are no regular boat services in the country. The only exception is the Bata Canal, which can be explored by small boats as part of excursions.

Domestic Flights

The country is small, and the only domestic route offered is Prague-Ostrava, operated by the national airline CSA.

In Towns

Taxis

Other Options

Generally, urban public transport is very affordable—expect to pay less than 1 € per trip without discounts.

Urban buses:

Trams:

Metro:

Bike: Bike rental has become well-established in Prague and a few other cities.

On foot:

What to Choose for Getting Around?

As is often the case in Europe, having your own vehicle remains the best way to explore the country. Otherwise, a combination of buses and trains works well for those without a car.

Distances Between Cities

Distances (km) between the country’s main cities: