EuroCity train from Prague to Budapest
 

 Český Krumlov...

A day trip to Český Krumlov for €25

The UNESCO-listed town of Český Krumlov is the second most-visited place in the Czech Republic after Prague, and it's easy to see why.  It's picture-postcard perfect.  You don't need an expensive tour, nor do you need to endure a bus.  You don't even need to book in advance.  Just buy a round trip train ticket in advance or on the day, it cannot sell out - and hop on a comfortable train through the Bohemian farmland and forests.  The train ride is part of the fun, and you might even discover where Budweiser beer comes from on the way!  You can go to Český Krumlov and back in a day, or stay over and make it a 2-day trip.

small bullet point  Train times

small bullet point  How much does it cost?

small bullet point  How to buy tickets

small bullet point  A day trip to Český Krumlov in pictures

small bullet point  Travel tips & useful links

Train times there & back

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

A day trip to Český Krumlov in pictures

You leave from Prague's main station

You leave from Prague Hlavni, Prague's main station just 15 minutes walk from the old town square.  Inside the main entrance is a modern shopping centre, but upstairs you'll find the faded grandeur of the historic station.

Main entrance to Prague Hlavni station

Prague Hlavni, main entrance.

Old historic station entrance

The old main hall at Prague Hlavni, with the Cafe Fantova.  Make sure you go up and have a look (and perhaps a coffee!)

By direct Intercity train from Prague to Cesky Krumlov

A once-daily direct Intercity train runs from Prague to Cesky Krumlov every morning.  With free WiFi & a bistro car, this is the one to take!

The direct train from Prague to Cesky Krumlov

Above, this is the daily direct Intercity train from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, calling at Ceske Budejovice station.

Czech bistro car   Dinner in the bristro

1st class seats on the direct train from Prague to Cesky Krumlov are located in the bistro car.  These seats on one side of the central kitchen are for 1st class passengers only.  A steward takes food & drink orders from the menu and serves them at your seat.

Dinner in the bristro   Czech bistro car

Bistro seating. On the other side of the kitchen in the other half of the bistro car is a small 12-seat area next to the serving counter.  This area has the same leather seats as in 1st class, but 2nd class passengers are free to sit in this section when consuming food & drink from the bistro.  In principle, you must return to your seat when you finish your food.

2nd class open saloon seats   6-seat compartment on train to Krakow

2nd class seats come in a choice of two types of car:  Open-plan cars (above left, see larger photo), and classic 6-seat compartments cars (above right, see larger photo).  I personally prefer the open-plan cars, but compartments can be fun if you're a family or small group.

Scenery seen from Prague to Cesky Krumlov train

The train snakes through Bohemian farmland and occasional forest.

More scenery seen from Prague to Cesky Krumlov train

The rolling farmland keeps on coming.

Scenery from the train to Cesky Krumlov

More farmland and sometimes forest.

Arrival at Cesky Krumlov station

Arrival at Český Krumlov station. There will be taxis waiting, just hop in one to the old town square - the old town is pedestrianised but the taxis are allowed in.  Our Czech taxi driver spoke excellent English, with a Lancashire accent.  "Fifteen years living in Preston..." he explained.  See map of Český Krumlov showing station.

Visiting Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov town square   Cesky Krumlov castle tower

Český Krumlov's delightful old town square.

 
The castle tower  

The castle tower.

River view   Cesky Krumlov castle

View from the river bridge.

 

The castle, seen from the top of the tower.

View from tower   View over Cesky Krumlov from tower

Views of Český Krumlov old town from the top of the castle tower.

Inside the castle, outer courtyard   Inside the castle, inner courtyard

Český Krumlov castle, outer courtyard.

 

Inner courtyard.

Inside the castle   Inside the castle

The castle's third courtyard.

 

And beyond.

Return by GWTR local train to Ceske Budejovice

A beer at the station!   Boarding the train back to Prague

When it's time to go, hop in a taxi from the old town square to the station.  Allow plenty of time for traffic in summer - don't worry if you get there early, a rustic bar at the station serves several types of ice cold Kozel beer.  Cheers!

New GWTR train from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov

The branch line trains between Český Krumlov & Ceske Budejovice are 2nd class only, but come with luggage space, toilet, power sockets and (allegedly) free WiFi.  Private company GWTR took over the line with new regional trains in December 2017, in distinctive orange & green colours.  Changing trains at Ceske Budejovice simply means stepping off one train, walking through the subway to the next platform over, and stepping onto an other train.  It only takes 2 or 3 minutes.

Ceske Budejovice GWTR ticket office   Ceske Budejovice GWTR ticket office

GWTR ticket office in Ceske Budejovice station hall.

 

On board the GWTR train.

Inside Ceske Budejovice station   Ceske Budejovice station exterior

You may have time to grab a coffee inside České Budějovice's impressive and historic station dating from 1908.  The departure screens clearly show the platform for our onward express train to Prague.

Think you've never heard of České Budějovice?  Think again, I bet you have.  It's former German name might be more familiar:  Budweis.  Yes, that's right, home of the original Budweiser beer!  Although you can read up on the argument between Czech Budweiser and the American version at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser.

...then express train back to Prague

Changing trains at Ceske Budejovice

A simple matter of going down the steps, through the subway and back up onto an adjacent platform for the train to Český Krumlov.

Arriving back into Prague

Safely back to Prague.  We stayed at the Esplanade Hotel, just across the road from the station.

Travel tips

Useful links


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