If you have an extra day in Prague, here are couple of cool ideas for day trips from Prague. Prague is a central European city known for its rich history, architecture, and vibrant culture. While there is plenty to do and see in the city, there are also many nearby day trips that are well worth exploring. We did a day trip to Vienna and to Dresden from Prague. Here are ideas from best day trips from Prague.
5 best day trips from Prague
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the capital of Austria and is known for its grand architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. It’s approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) from Prague and can be reached by train, bus, or car. A direct train takes around 4 hours, while a bus journey takes about 4.5 hours. Once you arrive in Vienna, there are plenty of attractions to explore, including the Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Prater amusement park.
How to get to Vienna from Prague
To travel from Prague to Vienna by train, take a direct train from České dráhy (Czech Railways) or ÖBB (Austrian Railways). Trains leave from Prague Main Railway Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) at Wilsonova 8, 110 00 Praha 1. The trip takes about 4 hours, with many trains running throughout the day. The trains are comfortable and have Wi-Fi, power outlets, and food service. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets ahead of time online or at the station. When you get to Vienna, you’ll arrive at Vienna Hauptbahnhof, the main train station, which has easy connections to local transportation.
Day trip from Prague to Vienna: Our Experience
While it might sound crazy to spend 8 hours on a train for a day trip to Vienna from Prague, we did it ! We took the first train from Prague to Vienna at 6:30 am and arrived by 10:20 am. Then, from the train station, we walked to the Belvedere. And spent a couple of hours there (yes, you could easily spend the entire day).
Then, we had lunch at a public market and spent the rest of the day exploring the city. We had dinner near the Rathaus. Later, we took the evening train back to Prague at 7:30 pm, arriving late that night. You can read about how to plan your Vienna day trip from Prague here.
Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora is a historic town located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Prague. The town is famous for its medieval architecture, including the Gothic St. Barbara’s Church and the Sedlec Ossuary, a small chapel decorated with human bones. You can reach Kutná Hora by train or bus from Prague, with the journey taking around 1-2 hours.
How to get to Kutná Hora from Prague
To get to Kutná Hora from Prague by train, start at Prague’s Main Railway Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) at Wilsonova 8, 110 00 Praha 1. Take a direct train operated by České dráhy (Czech Railways). The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Trains run frequently, so you can easily find a convenient time. When you arrive at Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží (Kutná Hora Main Station), you can take a local bus or a short taxi ride to the town center and visit attractions like the Sedlec Ossuary and St. Barbara’s Church. You can buy tickets online or at the station for a smooth trip.
Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov is a picturesque town located in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) south of Prague. The town is known for its medieval architecture, including the impressive Český Krumlov Castle and the Old Town Square. You can reach Český Krumlov by bus or train from Prague, with the journey taking around 3-4 hours.
How to get to Český Krumlov from Prague by train
To get to Český Krumlov from Prague by train, start at Prague’s Main Railway Station (Praha hlavní nádraží), located at Wilsonova 8, 110 00 Praha 1. You’ll need to take a train operated by České dráhy (Czech Railways) to České Budějovice first. The journey to České Budějovice takes about 2.5 hours. Once you arrive in České Budějovice, transfer to a local train heading to Český Krumlov. This leg of the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Trains run frequently, but it’s a good idea to check the schedule and buy tickets in advance online or at the station. The total travel time is around 3.5 to 4 hours, including the transfer.
When you arrive, take a short bus or taxi ride to the town center and explore its charming medieval streets and historic sites.
Dresden, Germany
Dresden is the capital of the state of Saxony in Germany and is located approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) northwest of Prague. The city is known for its baroque architecture, including the impressive Frauenkirche, the Zwinger Palace, and the Dresden Castle. You can reach Dresden by bus or train from Prague, with the journey taking around 2 hours.
How to get to Dresden from Prague by train
To get to Dresden from Prague by train, start at Prague’s Main Railway Station (Praha hlavní nádraží), located at Wilsonova 8, 110 00 Praha 1. Take a direct train operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB) or České dráhy (Czech Railways), which run frequently throughout the day, offering convenient travel options. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, providing a comfortable and scenic route. You’ll arrive at Dresden Hauptbahnhof (Dresden Main Station), which is centrally located and offers easy access to the city’s attractions.
Day trip from Prague to Dresden: Our Experience
Our day trip to Dresden was fantastic. Similar to our trip to Vienna, we took the early morning 6:50 am train to Dresden and arrived around 9 am. From the train station, we walked to the city center and explored the area, enjoying the beautiful architecture and lively atmosphere.
We had lunch at a fantastic restaurant and visited the stunning opera house. Unfortunately, many museums were closed on Monday, so we didn’t have a chance to visit them. This gives us a great reason to return one day.
Karlštejn Castle
Karlštejn Castle is a medieval castle located approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Prague. The castle was built in the 14th century by King Charles IV and is known for its impressive Gothic architecture. You can reach Karlštejn Castle by train or bus from Prague, with the journey taking around 40-50 minutes.
Overall, these five day trips from Prague offer a great mix of history, architecture, and culture. Whether you’re interested in exploring nearby towns, visiting neighboring countries, or seeing impressive castles and palaces, there is plenty to do and see within a few hours’ journey from Prague.
