Train to Brno - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Czech koruna (CZK) - the Czech Republic is not part of the eurozone

• Booking a place: compulsory on the foreign leg

• How much to go for: a weekend (Friday evening - Sunday) is enough for Špilberk Castle, Villa Tugendhat, Náměstí Svobody and the Cathedral; an extra day is worthwhile for Moravian Karst

• Luggage lockers: there are lockers at the train station, so you can leave your suitcase before your tour

The best time to visit is April, May or September, when the daytime temperature is 14–19°C, tourist traffic is lower than in summer and accommodation prices are lower than in high season.

Spring (April–May)

• The daytime temperature is 14–19°C, so you can take long walks around the centre and the gardens of Špilberk Castle.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in July and August.

• It is easier to book guided tours at Villa Tugendhat.

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime temperatures reach 22–24°C, and the Moravian Karst and restaurant terraces are in full season.

• Most outdoor events take place in summer, so it is worth booking accommodation in advance.

• If you are planning a day trip out of town, set off in the morning, as popular spots get busier later in the day.

Autumn (September–October)

• In September the daytime temperature is 19°C and you can walk around the centre without summer heat.

• From Špilberk Hill you get a fine view of the autumn colours of the parks and the rooftops of the old town.

• In October it is cooler and rain is more frequent, so bring a waterproof jacket.

Winter (November–February)

• Christmas markets operate on Náměstí Svobody in December.

• January and February are the low season, so accommodation prices are the lowest of the year.

• In winter it is easiest to plan your itinerary around museums, galleries and cafés.

The shortest journey from Poland takes around 3 hours, and from most major cities you travel to Brno with one change.

From Wrocław to Brno

• The journey from Wrocław takes around 3 hours.

• The route runs through Międzylesie and the Polish–Czech border.

• Several connections are available daily.

From Katowice to Brno

• From Katowice the journey takes approximately 4 hours.

• The route runs through Silesia and across the Czech border.

• You change trains once.

From Kraków to Brno

• From Kraków the journey takes approximately 6 hours.

• The route passes through Silesia.

• In most cases you change trains once.

From Poznań to Brno

• From Poznań the journey takes around 7–8 hours.

• You connect via Wrocław.

• You change trains once, at the same station in Wrocław.

From Warsaw to Brno

• From Warsaw the journey takes approximately 10 hours.

• The route goes via Wrocław.

• In a typical option you change trains once, at the same station.

The earlier you buy your ticket, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. Seat reservations are compulsory on the international leg. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registration – you receive it by email and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure an SMS reminder arrives with a link to your ticket. With PKP Intercity tickets refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure – see the refund and exchange rules for details.

After leaving Brno hlavní nádraží station, walk along Nádražní street towards Náměstí Svobody. The walk takes about ten to fifteen minutes, and you can get there in just a few minutes by tram.

Trams are the backbone of public transport in Brno. A single ticket costs a few crowns and a day ticket a bit more. Check current fares and transport conditions before you go on the DPMB website. Uber and Bolt operate in Brno.

Náměstí Svobody, the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and the Old Town Hall are all close to each other, so you can explore the centre on foot.

• Špilberk Castle: you can walk uphill in about 20 minutes or take the tram.

• Villa Tugendhat: reachable by tram in around ten to fifteen minutes; address Černopolní 45

• Moravian Karst: take a train from Brno to Blansko (about 45 minutes), then continue by bus or taxi

Where to stay:

• Old Town - around Náměstí Svobody, from where you can walk to the main attractions

• The area around Husova and Moravské náměstí - quieter, and you can reach the centre in just a few minutes

Špilberk Castle (Hrad Špilberk)

This medieval fortress from the 13th century stands on a hill above the centre of Brno. Inside is the Brno City Museum with exhibitions on the history of the city, and from the bastions you will see a panorama of the whole area. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There is an entrance fee. It is best to enter in the morning when there are fewer groups on the tour.

Villa Tugendhat (Vila Tugendhat)

This is one of the most important modernism monuments in Europe and a UNESCO-listed site. The tour is guided, so it is advisable to book your ticket in advance, especially in summer. The tour takes 1-1.5 hours. Address: Černopolní 45.

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Gothic cathedral towers over the old town together with Špilberk Hill. Entrance to the interior is free, and you pay separately to climb the tower. The tour takes 30-60 minutes.

The main square (Náměstí Svobody) and the Old Town Hall

This is the historic centre of Brno and the best starting point for a walk around the city. The Old Town Hall is distinguished by its asymmetrical tower and Gothic portal and, according to local legend, the crooked pinnacle was the revenge of a builder who was not paid in full. It takes 1-2 hours to walk around the market square and the surrounding area. There is an exhibition in the town hall and entrance is charged.

Moravian Karst

This is one of the most interesting excursions outside Brno. The karst reserve lies 30 km north of the city and includes more than 1,600 caves, some of which are open to tourists. The temperature in the caves is 10-12°C all year round, so even in summer bring a warmer sweatshirt. The tour takes a full day.

Plan for 1 day

In the morning, start at Náměstí Svobody and the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul - both places are close to each other, so you can visit them in 1.5-2 hours. Before noon, climb Špilberk Castle and spend time at the museum and the view from the bastion. In the afternoon, go to Villa Tugendhat or take a walk around the Old Town Hall and the Vegetable Market. In the evening, return to the market for dinner.

Plan for the weekend

Friday evening: choose a walk around Náměstí Svobody and dinner on Masarykova Street.

Saturday: in the morning, visit Špilberk Castle with its museum and in the afternoon visit Villa Tugendhat. In the evening, you can choose a performance at the Mahena Theatre and book a ticket on the theatre's website.

Sunday: set aside a full day for the Moravian Karst, or stay in town and choose to walk around Botanicka, the Vegetable Market and souvenir shops.

What to eat

Svíčková - beef in a creamy cream sauce with cranberries, served with dumplings.

Guláš - pork or beef goulash with bread or dumplings.

Trdelník - buy it at the stalls in the centre - it tastes best when still warm.

Brno has a strong brewing tradition. In the hospodas you will find local pilsners, porters and IPAs, and half a litre of beer costs from a few to several zlotys. At the bar, you order like a local and communal tables are part of the local atmosphere.

Where to eat:

• Masarykova Street - it brings together restaurants and cafes close to Náměstí Svobody, so it's easy to plan a lunch here between sightseeing

• The area around Botanická and Svoboda Orchards - more cafés, bistros and vegan cuisine establishments

This is a historic market square not far from the centre. You can buy local cheeses, vegetables, flowers and small snacks here in the morning, and the market itself has been operating here for centuries.

Souvenirs

• Bohemian beer - a classic souvenir of the region's strong brewing tradition

• Becherovka - a popular Czech herbal liqueur

• Ceramics - local products available on Náměstí Svobody and Masarykova Street

• Souvenirs with motifs of Špilberk Castle and the Old Town Hall - found in shops on Náměstí Svobody and Masarykova Street.

You can expect to spend approximately 240–350 PLN per day in the budget variant and 390–540 PLN in the mid-range.

Brno is cheaper than Prague and Vienna, so you will pay less for accommodation and restaurants than in many regional capitals. A weekend city break in the mid-range will cost around PLN 800–1,100 per person for two nights. If you plan to visit the Moravian Karst, add the train ticket to Blansko and the cave entrance fee.