Train to Olomouc - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Documents: all you need is a valid identity card - a passport is not required.

• Currency: Czech koruna (CZK) - payment cards are accepted in most places, and small change in CZK will come in handy when buying public transport tickets.

• When to go: the best time to go is May or September - daytime temperatures are 12-22°C and there is less tourist traffic than in the middle of summer.

• How long to go for: a weekend, i.e. 2 nights, is enough for the Upper Square, cathedral, crypts and one museum.

• Practical tip: Olomouc is a student city associated with Palacký University - restaurants and cafes outside the square cost noticeably less than establishments in the strict centre.

The best choice is May or September, when daytime temperatures are 12-22°C and queues to attractions and accommodation prices are lower than at peak summer.

Spring (March-May)

• In April, the parks around the Old Town turn green and there are still few tourists.

• In May, the Olomouc Festival takes place with concerts on the Upper Square.

• In May, you will also catch the Night of Museums with free admission to some venues in the evening.

Summer (June-August)

• In June, the Upper Square hosts the Festival of the Flavours of Central Europe with stands featuring regional cuisine.

• In July and August, tourist traffic is at its highest and accommodation prices rise.

• Long days with sunsets after 9 pm allow visitors to explore until late.

Autumn (September-October)

• September resembles May in temperature, but autumn colours appear in the parks and there are fewer crowds.

• The Olomouc Marathon takes place in October, so some streets in the centre are sometimes closed to traffic.

Winter (November-December)

• In December, the Upper Square hosts a Christmas market with mulled wine and trdelník.

• In November, the weather can be foggy, but accommodation prices drop to their lowest level of the year.

You will travel to Olomouc directly from Katowice, Kraków and Warsaw, and from Wrocław with one change in Bohumín.

Katowice - Olomouc

• You travel 3 hours without a change.

• The route goes through Tychy, Pszczyna and Zebrzydowice, and on the Czech side through Petrovice u Karviné.

• Several direct connections per day allow you to choose either a morning or afternoon departure.

Krakow - Olomouc

• You can travel directly from Krakow in 4 hours.

• On the way, the train passes through Oświęcim, Czechowice-Dziedzice and Zebrzydowice.

• You can also take the same train from Katowice.

Wrocław - Olomouc

• You will travel from Wrocław with one change in Bohumin in 4-5 hours.

• The Bohumin - Olomouc section takes 1.5 hours.

• You change trains at the same station.

Warsaw - Olomouc

• From Warsaw you travel directly 6 hours.

• The route goes through Zawiercie, Sosnowiec, Tychy, Katowice and Zebrzydowice.

• With a morning departure, you arrive in Olomouc in the early afternoon.

A change in Bohumin is also useful if you are travelling from Rzeszów, Przemyśl or another city without a direct connection. You will cross the border near Zebrzydowice and Petrovice u Karviné, so have your identity card with you - the services may check your documents during the journey. Reservation of a seat is compulsory on the foreign section. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registration - you enter your e-mail and phone number and the ticket goes to your mailbox and SMS. 30 minutes before departure you get an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket, so you are not looking for it in your emails. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. You can return your PKP Intercity ticket up to 20 minutes before departure and exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure - see our returns and exchanges policy page for details.

If you're planning more than one destination in the Czech Republic, also read our article on train travel to Prague.

From Olomouc hlavní nádraží (Olomouc Central Station) you can walk or take the tram to the Upper Square. Olomouc has a population of around 100,000, and the main attractions can be found in the Old Town.

Public transport is provided by trams and buses. A single ticket costs a few zlotys in conversion, and a daily ticket costs a dozen. For several journeys a day, a daily ticket will be more convenient.

Taxis are available at the train station.

Get around Olomouc on foot and by public transport - you can get around the centre in an hour, and take the tram to further districts.

Where to spend the night:

• The area around the Upper Square (Horní Náměstí) - the most convenient base, as you can walk to the attractions of the Old Town.

• Districts closer to the train station - if you want to spend less, choose this option with good tram access.

If you are looking for a different destination in Moravia, read the article on train travel to Brno.

You can see the most important sights of Olomouc in one day, as most of them are located within the historic centre.

Horní Náměstí (Upper Square) with the Holy Trinity Column

Baroque column dating from 1754, listed by UNESCO. The tour takes 30-60 minutes. Admission to the square is free, and there is a fee to climb the column. You'll encounter fewer tourists here in the morning, and it's worth returning in the evening for the illuminated column and fountains.

St. Václav Cathedral (Chrám sv. Václav)

A Gothic building from the 14th century with a 100-metre-high tower, the highest in the Czech Republic after St Vitus Cathedral in Prague. The tour takes 45-90 minutes. Admission to the nave is free, while entry to the tower is paid and available in the summer season. From the top, you will see the entire city and surrounding Moravia.

St Michael's Chapel with underground crypts

You can only enter here with a guide. The tour takes 60-90 minutes and there is an entrance fee. It's worth booking an appointment in advance as groups are small. Wear shoes with a good sole as the stairs in the crypts can be slippery.

Museum of Art (Muzeum Umění Olomouc)

Here you will see Czech art from the Middle Ages to the present day. The tour takes 90-120 minutes and there is an entrance fee. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Archdiocesan Museum

Here you will find sacred art, manuscripts and historical collections. The tour takes 60-90 minutes and there is an entrance fee. There are fewer tourists perusing this museum than other sites, so even in high season you visit in peace.

Plan for day 1

Start in the morning at the Upper Market Square - see the Holy Trinity Column, the fountains and the Town Hall with its astronomical clock. From there, walk to St Václav Cathedral in a few minutes. In the afternoon, go down to the crypts of St Michael's Chapel or choose one of the museums. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the student quarter, where restaurants cost less than at the market square.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: Arrange the same as the 1-day plan.

Day 2: Choose Bouzov Castle, 25 km from Olomouc, which you can reach by train or bus. Tours are guided, entrance is charged, and the castle is open from April to October. If you prefer a quieter day, go to the Vodní Mlýn Park on the Morava River in the morning, and check out the Archdiocesan Museum in the afternoon.

What to eat

Olomoucké tvarůžky - famous small ripened cheeses with an intense aroma and flavour, a speciality of the region. You can find them in restaurants fried, on bread or in a salad, as well as in shops. The original packaging makes a great souvenir.

Svíčková na smetaně - beef in a creamy sauce with cranberries and bread dumplings. This classic Czech dish is available in regional restaurants.

Moravský bramborák - thick potato pancakes served with sour cream or mustard. A traditional Moravian delicacy, filling and good for a quick lunch.

Český guláš - beef goulash with bread or dumplings. Restaurants serve different versions of this dish, and it works particularly well in colder weather.

Where to eat:

• Cafes on the Upper Square - they have a view of the UNESCO Column, but prices are higher.

• Restaurants on Neklanova Street and in the student quarter - serve the same dishes for less in a more local atmosphere.

Souvenirs

• Olomoucké tvarůžky - in boxes, available at the train station and in shops in the centre.

• Becherovka and Pilsner Urquell - classic Czech spirits.

• Czech ceramics and porcelain - sold at the market.

A main course in a restaurant costs approximately 20-40 PLN in conversion, with beer noticeably less.

In Olomouc, you usually pay less for accommodation and restaurants than in Prague and Brno at a similar standard.

Add the train ticket to the cost of your stay - the earlier you buy, the better the price. For tips on planning a trip abroad, see the article abroad for less than 100 PLN.

You will usually pay less for accommodation and restaurants in Olomouc than in Prague and Brno at a similar standard.