Train to Prague - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Documents: Czech Republic is in the Schengen area - ID is sufficient, passport not required.

• Best time to go: May and September - fewer crowds than in summer, accommodation prices are lower than in high season.

• Local transport: metro, trams and buses all operate on a single ticket - a single ticket is a few zlotys, a daily ticket a dozen or so zlotys.

• How much to go for: a weekend is enough for the main attractions, and with 3-4 days you will also see Vinohrady and explore the city unhurriedly.

• Practical tip: from the train station to the centre, walk along Washington Street and then Jindřišská Street.

The best choice is May or September, as it is pleasant during the day and the crowds are smaller than in the middle of summer.

Spring (March–May)

• In May, the Prague Spring festival takes place – classical music concerts at the Rudolfinum and other historic venues.

• The royal parks and gardens are in full bloom, with temperatures rising from 8°C in March to 19°C in May.

• Accommodation prices in May rise with tourist traffic, but queues to attractions are shorter than in July and August.

Summer (June–August)

• In July and August, the crowds on Charles Bridge and Old Town Square are the biggest of the year – before 8am you can cross the bridge without a crush.

• In June, Museum Night takes place – museums stay open until late.

• Daytime temperatures reach 23–25°C, but afternoon thunderstorms occur regularly – bring a light rain jacket.

Autumn (September–October)

• September is a good compromise: it is 20°C during the day, tourist traffic decreases and accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• In October, Letná and Stromovka parks display autumn colours, but temperatures drop to 14°C and rain becomes more frequent.

• It is easier to find a table without a reservation in restaurants and beer bars outside the city centre.

Winter (November–December)

• Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Václav Square run from late autumn until the end of December – here you can buy mulled wine, trdelník and handmade decorations.

• Daytime temperatures are 0–8°C, the sky can be grey and the days are short – sightseeing is best planned between morning and early afternoon.

• Accommodation prices rise around the markets in December, but in November they are among the lowest of the year.

Direct trains to Prague run from several major Polish cities, and you alight at Praha hlavní nádraží station in the centre.

From Wrocław to Prague

• The journey takes approximately 4 hours directly.

• The route passes through Kłodzko and the Sudeten Mountains – you pass mountains and valleys along the way.

• Departing in the morning allows you to reach Prague before noon.

From Poznań to Prague

• From Poznań, you travel about 5–5.5 hours directly via Wrocław.

• Trains departing from Gdańsk also run on this route.

• Along the way you pass through Lower Silesia and the Sudeten Mountains.

From Katowice to Prague

• Around 5.5 hours separate Katowice from Prague on a direct connection.

• The route passes through Silesia and Ostrava.

• Departures are spread from morning to afternoon.

From Kraków to Prague

• From Kraków you travel approximately 6 hours directly, via Oświęcim, Czechowice-Dziedzice and Ostrava.

• You can also board the same train from Rzeszów and Przemyśl.

• Several connections are available throughout the day.

From Warsaw to Prague

• From Warsaw you travel approximately 8.5 hours on a single train.

• You can depart in the morning and arrive in the evening.

• A WARS restaurant car operates on the Polish section of the route.

From Gdańsk to Prague

• From Gdańsk you travel about 9 hours directly via Poznań and Wrocław, then through the Sudeten Mountains to Prague.

• Along the way you can also board at Sopot, Bydgoszcz and Gniezno.

• You arrive in Prague in the evening.

From Łódź you travel with one change in Warsaw – total journey time is around 10 hours. You change trains at the same station.

You can buy tickets on Europodróże without creating an account – your ticket is sent to your email and by SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you receive a reminder with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg. You can check the refund and exchange rules on the ticket refunds and exchanges page – with PKP Intercity, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure.

There is a metro station beneath Praha hlavní nádraží, and trams and buses stop in front of the building.

Prague has an integrated public transport system: the metro, trams and buses all operate on a single ticket. A single ticket costs a few zloty and a day ticket costs several zloty. For several journeys per day, it is better to buy a day or three-day ticket – check current prices before you travel.

Prague city centre is perfectly walkable on a city break. Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and Prague Castle are all within 2–3 km of the station. By tram you can reach more outlying districts such as Vinohrady or Petřín Hill.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available – a ride to the Old Town costs roughly a dozen or so to several dozen zloty. Check the current availability of apps on the ground.

Where to stay:

• Old Town (Staré Město) – you will pay more, but you can walk to the main attractions in just a few minutes.

• New Town (Nové Město) – close to the train station, good tram links and lower prices than in the Old Town.

• Vinohrady – a quieter district with local cafés and bars, and accommodation prices here are lower than in the Old Town.

Charles Bridge (Karlův Most)

This Gothic bridge from the 14th century is 516 metres long, with more than 30 Baroque statues along the railings. Entrance is free. The tour takes 30-60 minutes. Go in the morning before 8am or in the evening after 6pm - during the day the crowds are so thick that it is difficult to stop at the statues. The bridge offers a view of Prague Castle and the Vltava River.

Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

One of the largest castle complexes in the world stands on a hill above the Vltava River. Inside you will see St Vitus Cathedral with its Gothic stained glass windows, the Golden Street with its colourful houses and the Old Royal Palace. Entrance to the castle grounds is free and there is a fee to enter the buildings. The tour takes 2-3 hours. The changing of the guard takes place at a full hour and lasts a few minutes. From the castle courtyard you will see a panoramic view of the whole of Prague.

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

On the tower of the Town Hall you will see the Astronomical Clock from the 15th century - every hour there is a mechanical show with figures of apostles. Come 15 minutes before the full hour to get a good seat. Also on the square is the Church of Our Lady in front of Tyn with its distinctive two towers. Entrance is free. A tour of the square and its surroundings takes 1-2 hours.

Jewish Town (Židovská čtvrť)

In the Jewish Town you will see six historic synagogues and an old Jewish cemetery with layered tombstones - some of the best preserved Jewish cultural monuments in Europe. There is an entrance fee and several sites are included. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours. The sites are closed on Saturday, so if you're going on a weekend trip, plan your visit for Friday or Sunday.

Petřín Tower (Petřínská rozhledna)

A lookout tower modelled on the Eiffel Tower stands on a hill above Prague and is 60 metres high. There is a fee to enter. You will ascend the hill by cable car from the Újezd tram stop, and the climb itself is already an attraction with a view of the rooftops of the city. At the top you will see a 360-degree panorama of Prague. In good weather, the visibility reaches tens of kilometres.

Plan for day 1

In the morning, go to Charles Bridge before 8am, when it's still looser than later. From there, walk to Old Town Square and watch the Astronomical Clock display at the full hour. For lunch, choose a traditional beer bar in a side street - goulash with noodles and Czech beer. In the afternoon, take the tram to Prague Castle and spend 2-3 hours there. In the evening, return for a stroll through the Old Town - the illuminated streets look different from the daytime.

Plan for the weekend

Friday evening: After arriving by train, walk around Václav Square and have dinner at one of the restaurants in the New Town.

Saturday: In the morning, walk to Charles Bridge, then to Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock, have lunch in a beer hall and in the afternoon visit Prague Castle. In the evening, stroll through the Old Town. Plan the Jewish Town for Friday or Sunday, as it is closed on Saturday.

Sunday morning: Take the train up Petřín Hill and visit the observation tower. After descending, take the tram to Vinohrady - have a coffee at a local café and see a quieter part of the city. Then return to Praha hlavní nádraží station for the afternoon train.

What to eat

Guláš s knedlíky – beef goulash with bread dumplings, a staple of Czech cuisine. The dish is served either inside a bread loaf or on a plate.

Vepřo knedlo zelo – roast pork with cabbage and dumplings. Portions are generous, so one dish is plenty for a hearty lunch.

Smažený sýr – breaded fried cheese, served with plum jam and chips.

Česnečka – garlic soup with croutons and cheese. A great choice in winter or after a long day of sightseeing.

Trdelník – sweet pastry rolled around a cylinder and coated in sugar and nuts. It tastes best warm, straight from the fire.

Where to eat

U Fleků brewery has been in operation since 1499 and brews its own dark Flekovské beer. Traditional goulash and ribs are on the menu, and it is worth booking a table in advance.

Lokál is a restaurant chain with several locations across Prague. Here you can enjoy traditional Czech cuisine, drink fresh tank-conditioned beer and pay less than at the most touristy spots in the centre.

Vinohrady, around Vinohradská Street, is a neighbourhood full of local bars and cafés. It is well worth taking the tram here in the evening for dinner.

Outside the city centre, prices are often noticeably lower than near the main attractions.

Souvenirs

• Bohemian garnets – deep red gemstones mined in the Czech Republic, sold as jewellery. Buy them from certified shops.

• Chocolate from local brands – Czech confectioners offer bars and pralines in decorative packaging.

• Traditional ceramics – hand-painted mugs, plates and bowls in distinctive patterns.

• Astronomical Clock figurines – miniature replicas and ornaments inspired by Prague's most famous clock.

The budget option assumes a hostel in Vinohrady, meals at beer bars and fast-food outlets, a day ticket for public transport and 1–2 paid attractions plus free walks. The mid-range option includes a three-star hotel, a mix of restaurants and cafés, and several paid attractions such as Prague Castle, the Jewish Town and Petřín. The comfort option means a four-star hotel in the Old Town, mid-range restaurants and all the main attractions.

Accommodation prices in the centre, especially in the Old Town, are higher than in Vinohrady or the New Town. The difference can reach 30–50%. The figures in the table are indicative and refer to a single night's stay.