Day trips from Prague

BySamantha King Published: Updated:
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - Buildings on the Old Town square Staromestska Namesti with Tyn Church in Prague during sunset, Czech Republic.

Prague, the beautiful, mystical capital of the Czech Republic is attracting tourists with its unique architecture (Romanesque churches meet Baroque palaces and mingle with Art Nouveau buildings) and the city’s many historic gardens and parks like the popular Wallenstein Gardens. On top of that, the city is tempting the visitors with a vibrant cultural and art scene.

Whether you are looking for a place to go on a family holiday or maybe want to add a fun stop to your Europe-road trip, Prague is a great choice. We have prepared for you a list of the best day trips from Prague to make your experience with the Czech capital even more exciting things such as the best Czech castles!

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Day Trip from Prague to Český Krumlov

One of the most popular attractions among tourists visiting the Czech capital is day trips from Prague to Český Krumlov. Krumlov is a town in the South Bohemian region, well known for its historic city centre with Český Krumlov Castle.

Since 1992 the castle has been featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and not only is it famous for the palace itself, but also for the charming rococo gardens that surround the palace.

Inside the castle, you will find the Church of St. Vitus (Kostel Sv. Víta). It dates back to the 15th century and its frescoes from the same period are truly remarkable! Another well-known part of the castle is the Baroque theatre.

Very well preserved, the theatre still has its original stage, coulisse and machinery. It is still in use, but only for special occasions (there are three shows a year, but only two are open to the public).

Enthusiasts of modern art will be happy to learn that Český Krumlov is home to Egon Schiele Art Centrum. The painter, known for his provocative, frivolous artworks often depicting young women, moved to Krumlov in 1911.

His free way of living troubled the inhabitants though and Schiele left the Czech town after just one year. The artist passed away in the year 1918 at the age of twenty-eight, leaving behind (in spite of his young age) a broad artistic legacy, part of which can be viewed in Krumlov today.

Due to convenient railway connections and several daily departures, Český Krumlov day trip from Prague is easy to arrange. A direct line to Krumlov is now open, and the journey from the Czech capital takes less than 3 hours.

The train ticket price drops down to 195 CZK (approx. 8,5 USD) one way if you book more than 24 hours in advance. For tickets purchased less than 24 hours before the departure, you must pay 275 korunas (approx. 12 USD) each way.

There are also regular trains (with one easy interchange at České Budějovice). The journey with regular train takes 3 hours 30 minutes for a price of 165 korunas (7,15 USD) for an early-bird booking or 265 korunas (11,5 USD) for same-day booking.

Upon your arrival in Český Krumlov, you might want to take a bus or a taxi to the old town, as the railway station is about 2 kilometres away from the centre. There will be taxis around the railway station: a taxi ride to the city centre will cost you around 100 CZK (4,3 USD).

Day trips from Prague to Český Krumlov:

CESKY KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - Summer view of Cesky Krumlov old town on August 1, 2014. Cesky Krumlov is a small city located in South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic

Day trip from Prague to Kutná Hora

Have you heard of the ancient silver mining town called Kutná Hora? Silver was discovered in the area as early as the 1200s, and in 1300s the king established a royal mine there, which has drawn a lot of attention (and wealth) to the humble Czech village.

The mines have a turbulent history, they were passed to the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy and both destructed by floods and devastated by fires. In the late 1700s, the mines were abandoned.

Re-discovered in the second half of 20th century, the remains of the once great silver mine are now a part of Hrádek (little castle) – the Czech Museum of Silver (České Muzeum stříbra).

We recommend checking the website of the Hrádek Complex for detailed information about opening hours as they vary with the season. Regarding ticket fees, we also suggest reading up on the different packages (self-guided vs. 2,5 hours-long guided tour with fixed visiting times for which a reservation prior to your arrival is strongly recommended) offered by the museum.

Do note that children below the age of 6 must not enter the mine even if accompanied by their parents or guardians!

Less than 3 kilometres away from the Silver Mine Museum, another very famous Kutná Hora site is located – the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady at Sedlec. Now designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cathedral is a part of a larger Cistercian Monastery Complex that was established in the early 1300s by Bohemian (the predecessor of modern-day Czech Republic was called the Kingdom of Bohemia) King Wenceslas II.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is open for visitors every day, but Sunday forenoon is dedicated to the Holy Mass, and the church opens for visitors at 11 am. There is an entrance fee of 50 CZK (approx. 2 USD) for adults and 30 CZK (approx. 1,3 USD) for children and students.

Another famous place in Sedlec is the Church of Bones, also known as Sedlec Ossuary. Looking like a regular church from the outside, the inside of the chapel is truly remarkable, as it is decorated with more than forty-thousand human skeletons!

The most well-known part of the church is a big chandelier. Every human bone was used in its construction at least once! One might wonder how the chapel could gather that many human skeletons.

In 1278 the abbot of the Sedlec Cistercian Monastery was sent to Jerusalem by the King of Bohemia. He came back with a jar of soil from Golgotha (the hill on which Jesus is believed to have died on the cross). People then wished to be buried in Sedlec – where “The Holy Soil” was stored.

For centuries, the bones stayed in the basement that was used as an ossuary, and in 1870 a woodcarver was appointed to place the bones in order. Even his artist-signature on one of the walls is made of neatly arranged bones!

Kutná Hora is located approx. an hour away from Prague. With daily departures, every two hours in the morning and early afternoon and hourly departures during peak commuting hours, taking the train from Prague Main Railway Station to Kutná Hora is recommended.

The fee is around 100 CZK per person each way (approx. 4,5 USD). Since the main Kutná Hora station is located around 4 kilometres from the city centre, we suggest transferring to a local train upon arrival in Kutná Hora. The ride into town takes only six minutes, and if you make sure to buy your ticket from Prague to “Kutná Hora město”, the fare will also cover the journey with the regional train.

Day trips from Prague to Kutná Hora:

KUTNA HORA, CZEСH REPUBLIC - Unknown tourists are located in historic center of small town of Kutna Hora, Czech Republic. Cathedral of St. Barbara

Day Trip from Prague to Karlovy Vary

Get ready to meander around beautiful Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings with colourful facades in the centre of Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad. Located in the western Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, the city is famous for its spa culture!

Abundant with mineral springs, wellness centres and hotels, it is a perfect spot for a relaxing 1 day trip from Prague. Prepare to treat your body with hydrotherapy and drink special mineralized water for its countless health benefits.

Curious about where to have a taste of the famous water? Go to the Mill Colonnade, it is an emblematic site, a walkway surrounded by 124 columns in the very centre of the old town. 5 out of 13 hot springs of Karlovy Vary emerge there. By each spring you will find a sign explaining the temperature and mineral content of the water. Bring your own cup and sample your way through!

If you aren’t afraid of heights, you should check out the Diana Observation Tower. At 1800 feet, it is the highest point in Karlovy Vary. Diana Observation Tower can be accessed by a funicular; after just 15 minutes you will be in for a breathtaking birds-eye view of the town.

For a round trip, adults must pay 90 CZK (less than 4 USD), whereas children ride for 45 korunas (around 2 USD). Families can benefit from buying a ‘family ticket’ (2 adults and 2 children) for 180 CZK (7,8 USD). Hiking enthusiasts can choose to walk up the marked forest path and enjoy the serenity of the woods.

Diana Observation Tower is a part of Diana Tourist Complex containing a butterfly house, a mini-zoo and a restaurant – another reason for travelling families to visit the site!

Getting from Prague to Karlovy Vary is both easy and inexpensive. There is a railway and bus connection, and for this trip, we recommend choosing the bus. Approximately every hour, a bus leaves from UAN Floren Prague to Karlovy Vary bus terminal.

The journey is 2 hours 15 minutes long, and the ticket prices start at 12 € (approx. 13,5 USD). Newspapers and free coffee are offered on board, which makes the bus ride pleasant and comfortable.

Day trips from Prague to Karlovy Vary:

KARLOVY VARY, CZECH REPUBLIC - Karlovy Vary view from river Tepla

Day trip from Prague to Karlstejn Castle

Less than 30 kilometres away from the Czech capital you will find a magnificent, medieval castle built on the order of Roman Emperor Charles IV. The emperor’s plan was to use the castle to safe-keep relics, and the Czech crown jewels were stored there as well.

Whereas several of the castle rooms and halls are now closed to the public, Karlstejn is spectacular from the outside! Get ready for stunning views of a Disney-like palace surrounded by green meadows and vineyards.

One of the most remarkable parts of the castle (and the first part of it to be erected) is the Well Tower, which also turned out to be the weakest point of the building. Miners brought from Kutna Hora could not encounter water even at levels below the adjacent Berounka River, and therefore they had to mine a special underground water channel.

The water reservoir supplying the channel had to be filled manually and hence became a weak spot of the whole construction. Only the king was supposed to know this secret and the legend has it that the miners were killed upon finishing the construction work so the secret would not ever be revealed.

You can easily reach Karlstejn Castle from Prague by train. Trains from the capital run every 30 minutes and you can board at Hlavní nádraží – Prague’s main railway station. The journey takes around 40 minutes, and from the station, you will have to walk for another 2 kilometres. It will be quite a charming stroll, as you will cross the Berounka River and get the chance to enjoy the cosy city centre.

The castle itself is situated uphill though, so for visitors with small children or for travellers with walking difficulties, we recommend booking a taxi directly to Karlstejn Castle.

If, on the other hand, you are longing for an active day trip, bicycle tours to Karlstjen can be arranged! Prague-based tour agencies can help you arrange the trip, you can choose to join a guided bicycle tour or rent a bike, grab a map and go exploring on your own!

Day trips from Prague to Karlstejn Castle:

Karlstejn gothic castle near Prague, the most famous castle in Czech Republic, autumn season

Day trip from Prague to Vienna

Hungry to explore yet another European capital? Day trips from Prague to Vienna are a popular choice. The two cities are located less than 350 kilometres apart, and for a price as low as 15 € (approx. 17 USD) you will reach Austria’s historical capital in less than 4 hours.

There are direct train connections with daily departures from Praha Hlavní nádraží. Prepare to meander around the city of Sigmund Freud, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Gustav Klimt. Make sure you stop by the Museum Quarter (Museumsquartier) with institutions dedicated to both traditional, modern and contemporary visual arts.

Take a break in one of the famous Viennese cafés or book a table at Cafe Landtmann (where Freud and other famous intellectuals used to go and meet for coffee) for breakfast!

The Austrian capital is a city of music, the Vienna Opera house situated on Ringstrasse is listed as one of the best opera houses in the world! The mark of the Habsburg family is still clear in the city, and the stunning buildings like the Imperial Palace or the Viennese Belvedere are great tourist attractions.

When you finish exploring the fascinating city and are ready for dinner, make sure to order one of the signature Austrian dishes!

Try a traditional Wiener Schnitzel or Knoedel (the Austrian dumplings) and end your meal with a generous serving of the Sacher Torte – a chocolate cake with fine layers of apricot jam or try some of the locally made marzipans!

When travelling between countries of the European Union there is no border control, yet it is still recommended to have your passport with you when crossing the borders.

Take note of the different currencies in the two countries, going to Austria you will have to switch to using Euros, but you do not have to worry about exchanging the cash in advance. You can simply withdraw from ATM machines in Vienna or use your credit card to pay in the Austrian stores.

Day trips from Prague to Vienna:

Vienna, Austria. Cityscape image of Vienna, Austria during sunrise.

Recommended Day trips from Prague

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Day trips from Prague
Day trips from Prague
Day trips from Prague

Author

  • Samantha King

    Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

    View all posts https://www.tiktok.com/@travellingkng

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