What's next to Prague? Where to go from Prague? Photos of the surrounding areas of Prague and reviews from tourists. From Prague to Budapest by train
Some people have a question where to go from Prague, it may seem strange, but there are tourists who go to the capital of the Czech Republic not for 1-2 days, but for several days. For example, my husband and I came for 7 days. We are not fans of sitting in one place, so already on the 3rd day of vacation the question arose: where to go from Prague?
On the one hand, Prague is a city of stunning beauty, very rich in attractions. You can walk here from morning to night every day and not get bored.
We were captivated by Prague, but due to our restlessness and the realization that there were still wonderful European cities just a couple of hours away, we simply could not resist. I, being a wife with a perpetual motor, began to look for where to go from Prague on your own. I had to spend a lot of time searching for information, so I hope my article will be informative and will help you.
So, let's go.
There are many cities near Prague that are undoubtedly worthy of visiting. You can get there by rented car, bus, train (depending on the direction).
But as practice shows, traveling by bus is the most cost-effective option.
You can visit Czech cities -
1. Pilsen (90 km from Prague, 1-1.5 drive. By the way, the famous beer Pilsner Urquell (Pilsner) is from here),
2. Kladno (30 km from Prague, about half an hour drive),
3. Krusovice (about an hour’s drive. The beer of the same name is produced here),
4. famous Karlovy Vary (130 km, 2 hours drive. Mesmerizing landscapes and clean air - that’s what it’s worth going for, at least to see),
5. Brno (about 180 km from Prague, travel time – 2.5-3 hours),
6. Cesky Krumlov (180 km from Prague. Included in the TOP 20 most beautiful historical towns in the world).
Also very popular routes among tourists are Prague-Dresden (Germany) and Prague-Vienna (Austria).
Agree, going on vacation to the Czech Republic, and at the same time visiting Germany or Austria, in my opinion, is very tempting!
The easiest way to get to Dresden from Prague is by bus, approximately 150 km, time – about 2.5 hours. The distance from Prague to Vienna is 330 km, the travel time is on average 4 hours. If you are short on time and you think where to go from Prague for one day, then it is better to choose the closest cities.
And if we are talking about a one-day trip, then it is better to choose a group excursion. Despite the long journey, agencies offer one-day trips from Prague to Vienna and Dresden.
In my opinion, this is quite difficult: for example, to go to Vienna for one day, you need to wake up around 6 am on the day of the excursion. You will be in Vienna around 11. From 11 to 17-18 you will be in the city (you need to have time to eat, run to see the sights), and then drive back for 4 hours.
Now it’s up to you to choose, where to go from Prague. For ourselves, we chose a trip to Dresden on our own for 2 days, so that there was no fuss and running around. We arrived at 12 noon, rented an apartment, dropped off our things, and went for a walk around the city. After sunset we went shopping, then had a night walk along the Elbe River (by the way, I highly recommend it).
We were in no hurry, had a great night's sleep, after which we still had time for sightseeing. That's something like that! Think, decide, and have a nice holiday everyone!
It seems that all a traveler's dreams come true in the Czech Republic: delicious food, famous beer, fascinating sights and medieval architecture that has survived even the destructive European history await you here. But, unfortunately, many tourists do not plan a route beyond the borders of Prague, although the Czech Republic can offer many amazing cities for travel. Where to go to take a break from the crowded capital and expand your horizons?
El Coleccionista de Instantes / Foter / CC BY-SAAlthough Cesky Krumlov is second only to Prague in terms of visitor numbers, the number of tourists coming here pales in comparison to Prague's visitors. Meanwhile, the historical center is completely the property of world culture. This is easy to understand by looking at the ancient streets and incredibly well-preserved medieval buildings. Cesky Krumlov is like a postcard: it is beautiful during the day or at night, from the castle tower or from any other point.
ringt / Foter / CC BY-SA
In the city you can spend hours admiring the picturesque alleys, sitting on the embankment, visiting Gothic buildings (in particular, the church) or spending time in interesting museums.
Karlovy Vary
Thomas Depenbusch / Foter / CC BYIf any city needs an introduction, it is definitely not Karlovy Vary. Familiar to the Russian aristocracy since ancient times, it is still considered today a place where you can heal your soul and body. Famous for its mineral springs, surrounding slopes, and varied walking routes, Karlovy Vary is sure to make you fall in love with the colorful architecture of the city center.
fleckchen / Foter / CC BY-NDBut, of course, the main reason to come to Karlovy Vary is the springs. Their water is mainly used for drinking, but local sanatoriums and complexes offer health baths, swimming in the pool and other therapeutic procedures.
El Coleccionista de Instantes / Foter / CC BY-SABy world standards, Brno is a young city. Many call it the younger sister of Prague, culturally not inferior to the capital. There are numerous museums in Brno, including the Moravian Gallery. It houses a wide collection of traditional art and artifacts from different eras. The main monuments are concentrated in the center of Brno: Gothic cathedrals, town halls, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. If you have time, you can go to Slavkov, which is famous for the Battle of Austerlitz.
Pilsen
The name of the city is certainly associated with the famous beer - there are really many decent restaurants in Pilsen that offer a variety of this drink. But there are also many attractions here.
Nigel's Europe & beyond / Foter / CC BY-SAFirstly, it is worth seeing the Cathedral, at the top of which there is an observation deck. This is the best point for observing the amazing panoramas of Pilsen. After which you should definitely go to the city hall - a Renaissance monument. You can also look into the Brewing Museum, where they will not only take you through the exhibition, but also organize a tour of the brewery. This is also where the Historical Dungeon begins, penetrating the entire Old Town.
Party0 / Foter / CC BYOne cannot but agree with those who call Telc the most beautiful Czech city. This once sleepy and miniature settlement at one time suffered from terrible fires. The efforts of Italian craftsmen and architects that were put into restoring Telč are impressive. To see this, it is worth taking a trip to Telč Castle with elements of Italian decor, lakes, a museum exhibition and a greenhouse.
Prague is an ancient city with magnificent architecture, excellent restaurants, cozy hotels and pleasantly low prices.
The capital of the Czech Republic has a huge number of interesting sights, but in two days you can easily explore most of them, but after that it’s worth exploring the surrounding area - they are no less brilliant here than the city itself.
One of the most famous resorts in Europe, Karlovy Vary, is located 130 km from Prague and is an absolute must-see. The city is located in a green valley, which is divided into two banks by the Tepla River. The magnificent Baroque architecture here is diluted with Art Nouveau buildings, the dense forests that frame Karlovy Vary purify the air, and the mountains create a microclimate that has made Karlovy Vary a unique spa resort for 500 years.
On the way to Karlovy Vary, you can stop by on an excursion to one of the most popular Czech breweries, Krušovice, take part in a tasting and buy a couple of bottles of delicious beer.
Another alcoholic surprise is Becherovka liqueur, which has been made so special by Karlovy Vary water for several hundred years. If you don't know what to bring from the Czech Republic as a souvenir, this is exactly what you need.
You can plan an excursion yourself (by bus, taxi or personal car) or order a ready-made excursion with professional guides here.
Excursion cost: 30 euros per adult, 25 euros for children under 12 years old. The excursion does not include the cost of visiting the Krusovice plant (6 euros).
Duration of the excursion: 10 hours
Transport: bus
Included in price transfer, guide and excursion in Russian.
The excursion can be booked .
There are a large number of beautiful ancient castles in the Czech Republic and several of them are located nearby, which is where we advise you to go.
The medieval castle of Hluboká nad Vltavou is located 140 km from Prague. The castle is built on a rock at an altitude of 83 m above the Vltava. The castle has stood here since the 13th century and has been delighting visitors with its beauty all this time. 140 rooms, 11 towers, greenhouses, an English park, and several stables make this castle an original attraction that is a must-visit.
Cesky Krumlov Castle is located 30 km from Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle and 170 km from Prague. This castle was built in the 13th century and is considered the second largest castle in the Czech Republic. Cesky Krumlov is built on a hill on the banks of the Vltava and consists of an Upper and Lower Castle, a summer palace, several bridges, stables, a riding school, a theater, and a park with fountains.
Excursion cost: 35 euros per person for adults and 30 euros for children under 12 years old. The price does not include the cost of visiting the Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle (approximately 10 euros).
Duration of the excursion: 11 o'clock
Transport: bus
Included in price transfer and Russian-speaking guide.
The excursion can be booked .
Orlik Castle is built on a hill, washed on three sides by the Vltava River. This castle was built in the 13th century and is a magnificent example of medieval architecture.
After a fascinating tour of the castle and surrounding areas, you can visit the Velkopopovetsky Kozel brewery, a name you’ve probably heard more than once. You can take part in a tour of the beer factory and museum, as well as take part in a tasting, and, of course, spend time in the company store.
Excursion cost: 30 euros per adult and 25 euros per child under 12 years old
Duration of the excursion: 8 ocloc'k
Transport: bus
Included in price transfer and Russian-speaking guide.
The excursion can be booked .
There are several European capitals around Prague, and one of the most beautiful of them, of course, is Vienna, surrounded by the aromas of coffee and pastries and the sounds of music.
Vienna is located 290 km from Prague. The excursion is divided into several parts: the way to the city, during which you can listen to an interesting excursion, a sightseeing tour with a Russian-speaking guide, during which you will see the most important interesting sights of Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera, St. Stephen's Cathedral, St. Petra, Belvedere, Schönbrunn residence and all the main Viennese squares and streets, and the final part will be independent time that you can spend in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Excursion cost: 50 euros per adult and 45 per child under 12 years old
Duration of the excursion: 15 hours
Transport: bus
Included in price
The excursion can be booked .
Dresden is a repository of masterpieces of Baroque architecture and a city that houses magnificent examples of world culture. Dresden is located just 150 km from Prague. The excursion consists of three parts - a journey from Prague to Dresden, during which you will hear interesting facts about the history of the cultural capital of Germany, a sightseeing tour of the city and independent time that you can use for your own pleasure.
You will see the most important attractions of Dresden, such as the Dresden Gallery, the City Hall, Dresden Castle, the Semper Opera, the Zwinger architectural complex and all the key cathedrals and streets of the city.
Excursion cost: 35 euros per adult and 30 per child under 12 years old
Duration of the excursion: 10 hours
Transport: bus
Included in price transfer, Russian-speaking guide and sightseeing tour.
The excursion can be booked .
More excursions you will find .
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Prague is magnificent; exploring it could easily take up your entire vacation, but it is not limited to just the capital. There are many options for where to go from: it can be a trip for a couple of hours, or for the whole day, or for several days - it all depends on your wishes and financial capabilities. So what are the most interesting places in the Czech Republic where you can see the beauty of the country.
Prague suburbs: getting to know the surroundings
The suburbs of Prague are interesting to visit not only for the sights, of which there are many, but also for the measured rhythm of the quiet life of the Czech province. Given the compact size of the country, the word “suburb” refers to places that can be reached no more than 50 km from the capital.
Žebrak, Brandys nad Labem, Konopiště, Karlštejn, Křivoklát are suburbs of Prague where you can go on your own. Buying a bus or train ticket is not difficult; just tell the cashier the name of the town. In addition to visiting the castles in the vicinity of Prague, you can simply walk through parks, the streets of small towns, and have a delicious lunch in a cafe. In Konopiste Park near the castle you can feed the deer; they love wheat bagels.
What is worth seeing in the Czech Republic besides the capital
In the Czech Republic there is no problem finding something worthwhile and interesting; it is much more difficult to stretch out the average vacation in order to have time to see everything.
- Karlovy Vary is a famous resort where a huge number of tourists come every day to explore its attractions. In addition, there are popular sanatoriums and health resorts where you can improve your health in a pleasant environment. It is a clean, tidy town with aristocratic aplomb and luxurious buildings.
- Hradec Králové is an interesting place because royal widows and wives were previously sent there for permanent residence. The Czech Republic honors its royalty, so the city was rebuilt no worse than Prague. From Hradec it is not far from the ski resorts, where it is good to relax even in summer; there is a large picturesque reservoir nearby.
- Namesti nad Oslava is a town lost in the region. The place is extremely colorful: there are few tourists there and you can see the real life of the Czechs, their holidays, national celebrations, cultural events on weekends.
The Czech Republic is diverse, it has a little bit of everything: royal luxury, simple peasant life, ordinary everyday life and weekends of the middle class.
Czech Republic on your own, or how to plan such trips
There are many places in the Czech Republic where traveling from Prague on your own is easy and simple. A low crime rate, a well-developed transport network, inexpensive food and accommodation, and a surmountable language barrier contribute to the development of independently organized trips among tourists.
See the ski and biathlon complex in Nove Mesto nad Moravou, taste wine in Znojmo, walk around the lake in Jižindruchov Hradec, look into the area of creative and talented craftsmen in the United States Zarechye in Bešin, and then pet the black goats - the guards of the fortress, relax in the park, admiring the castle in Hluboka nad Vltavou - all this is available to tourists, if only they had the desire and time.
The value of independent travel is that no one dictates the route, no one rushes over time, you can enjoy the views of the provincial Czech Republic to your heart’s content.
Where to go from Prague for one day: the best excursions
No matter how attractive Prague is, there are places in the Czech Republic that tourists from all over the world call must see, i.e. must see. These are the most interesting excursions that take the whole day:
- Karlovy Vary;
- Pardubice;
This is the pride, the heritage of the republic, the most significant places to visit in the Czech Republic besides Prague.
If you plan well where to go from Prague for one day, then the trip can cover several places. For example, organize a trip to Cesky Krumlov with a visit to Hluboka nad Vltavou, on the way to turn to the Velkopopovsky Kozel brewery, and from Pardubice go to Kutna Hora.
Where to go from Prague by car
In the Czech Republic, you should definitely rent a car and go explore the country in more detail. Excellent roads, high driving culture of local residents, and their selfless willingness to help in case of the slightest difficulty will make the trip easy and hassle-free.
Lake Lipno and its surroundings are a place where Czechs will definitely recommend going from Prague by car. This is a Czech country with huge mountains, the slopes of which are overgrown with centuries-old pine trees, clean air, SPA hotels, fishing, sailing, beautiful scenery and silence - a holiday on Lipno is respectable and relaxing.
The ski village of Dolni Morava on the border with Russia has become mega popular - a huge staircase to the sky has been built there. A unique structure with observation decks allows you to see magnificent mountains, forests, and valleys from a height above a bird's eye view. Visiting Dolní Morava by car is the best solution, because the journey there by bus or train will be long and complicated with transfers.
Czech Republic by train: where to go to travel
Czech railways have an extensive network, so the question: where to go from Prague by train usually does not arise - just reading the board at the station gives rise to a thousand ideas.
The most convenient places for traveling by train include the following:
- Cesky Budejovice is a city in , comfortable trains depart there almost every three hours. The largest central square in , the Budweiser brewery, the town hall, the Black Tower with a panoramic view of the city, the ancient streets of the historical center surrounded by a park area with a river - you can spend a couple of days with interest in Budejovice.
- Pilsen - just an hour and a half by train and a medieval city with neat houses, squares and many entertainments for children and adults unfolds before the tourist like a colorful book.
- Brno is one of the most interesting cities in the Czech Republic, there are a lot of young people, an active social and cultural life, and a large historical center. The city itself, despite its huge size by Czech standards, is very cozy, green, and beautiful.
There are many points in the Czech Republic where you can go from Prague by train; there are train connections with all major cities of the republic.
What is interesting to see in the Czech Republic with a tour
Many tourists prefer to travel around the Czech Republic on excursions; this helps to better understand the country, its history, and modern realities. The guide's fascinating story explains the historical vicissitudes of past years, the fate of the heroes, and the significance of certain events. Cesky Krumlov, Tabor - many European cities are easily accessible from the Czech Republic. You can organize your trip yourself by bus or train, or take an excursion; in any case, these will be unforgettable days and a lot of impressions.
For example, a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich is very popular among guests of Prague. Attending a world-famous beer festival is then much cheaper than flying to just one event.
The miniature Czech Republic contains so many interesting places that it would be more than enough for several countries. Of course, many Czech castles, cathedrals and palaces are closed to visitors in winter and excursions to them are not free. But even a spoiled and picky tourist in the Czech Republic will not remain “hungry” for impressions and emotions. Each attraction contains a lot of fascinating and useful information. It’s easy to find out – you just need to decide to go to the Czech Republic.
Organizing your trip to Prague on your own is very easy. In this article I will present all the necessary information for organizing your trip to Prague on one page, nothing superfluous. I’ll tell you what to see in Prague itself and where you can go from Prague for one day and how much it will cost you at a minimum, the maximum is limited only by your imagination. I will provide links to all the necessary resources.
Prague, the most wonderful city in Eastern Europe, has been the capital of the Czech Republic since 1993. Prague has been the capital of Czechoslovakia since 1918; in an earlier period, the Czech Republic was part of the Habsburg Empire. In those distant times, she received the nickname Golden Prague. So the Czech Republic is a very young state.
Currency of the Czech Republic
Czech crown (CZK)
10 CZK = 0.41$
10 CZK = 0.37€
10 CZK = 25.7 Russian rubles
10 CZK = 10.42 hryvnia
10 CZK = 0.77 Belarusian new rubles
It is best to change in the city at official exchange offices. The exchange rate at the airport is very unfavorable, and there is a high probability of deception and fraud.
Czech language
Czech. But many residents over 30-35 years old speak Russian. During the years of Soviet power, Czechs studied Russian at school as a foreign language. Personnel employed in the tourism sector almost certainly know Russian or will be able to quickly call their Russian-speaking colleague. In addition, many of our compatriots moved to the Czech Republic and now work there in the tourism sector.
In the center of Prague, all restaurants have menus in Russian and a large number of excursions are offered in Russian.
Czech is a Slavic language, just like Russian. Many words are similar, many inscriptions are understandable without translation, but there are some curious cases.
Why go to Prague
Prague is a fairy tale city, a picture city.
Ancient, very well preserved architecture. Prague suffered almost no damage during the Second World War.
Czech cuisine and Czech beer are worthy of all praise. Very tasty and not expensive compared to Western European countries.
Czech beer for only 31CZK
Musical events from classical to rock and discos.
In Prague, everything is legalized as in Amsterdam, but costs several times less.
Atmosphere.
Prices in Prague
Prices in Prague are very reasonable compared to Western European countries.
The prices of almost all restaurants are posted on chalk boards in front of the restaurants. Typically, if a glass of beer costs 30CZK (1.1€), then a large plate of hot meat food will cost 7-8€. The portions are very large, so if you are small or have children, do not take one dish for each person. The farther from the center the cheaper the food and the larger the portions, the only thing is that in non-tourist places there may not be a menu even in English, let alone Russian.
All cafes and restaurants are very colorfully decorated
The Czechs do not fight smoking at all; you can often find very smoky pubs and cafes; the non-smoking area in such establishments is in no way fenced off from the smoking area and clouds of smoke penetrate everywhere. And people with children often sit in this smoke, that’s how they behave.
In food stores, prices are approximately the same as in Moscow or St. Petersburg, some are cheaper than here, some are more expensive, but on average it will work out. Below is a comparative chart of the cost of living in different capitals around the world. It is clear that life in Prague is somewhere on the same level as life in Moscow. But the cost of food in restaurants is on average 38% lower in Prague, which is good news.
Hotels in Prague
A hotel room for two can be found for 30-40 €, of course it all depends on the season and your tastes. In the high season, prices rise and in the low season they fall.
By train
You can also get to Prague by train. The Vltava branded train runs from Moscow to Prague, travel time is 1 day 5 hours, the cost of a one-way ticket is about 11,000 rubles. In low season, the Vltava train runs once a week, and in high season, 2 times a week.
Only a trailed carriage goes from St. Petersburg to Prague, travel time is 1 day 13 hours, the cost is 12,000 rubles one way. Based on the prices, we can conclude that the train is intended only for those who are mortally afraid of flying and are willing to pay almost twice as much.
By bus
There are also buses to Prague, the only thing that upsets us is the travel time is about 60 hours from Moscow or St. Petersburg. Prices are less than for a plane, but in 60 hours you have a chance to eat all your winnings. But sometimes bus companies have sales, and at this moment you can save a lot. Of course, sales are only held during the low tourist season. From Belarus and Ukraine, it’s actually possible to get to Prague by bus; it will be cheaper than by plane, and Ukrainians can also support the domestic manufacturer by ordering tickets on the website
Ready tours
Prague is so popular that numerous ready-made tours are sold there. It is possible that purchasing a ready-made tour will be the best deal. For example, a week in Prague in a three-star hotel will cost about 20,000 rubles, this includes breakfast and transfer. View or tours to Prague from Moscow. Be sure to check booking.com for hotel tour reviews to avoid disappointment.
Tour. Companies, as a rule, use a very limited number of hotels and will have to fly by charter. If your soul wants a holiday, something out of the ordinary, then of course it is better to book a separate flight and hotel. Here the choice of hotels, guest houses and villas is almost limitless.
If you are planning out-of-town trips by public transport, it is advantageous to book a hotel between the train and bus stations. If finances allow, of course it is better to live in the center. If you come by car, pay attention to the parking conditions; there are no free parking spaces in the center of Prague.
Public transport
Prague is a fairly large city and if you want to spend several days in the city you will definitely have to use public transport.
Single trip 90 minutes – 32CZK (1.18€)
Single trip 30 minutes – 24CZK (0.9€)
Day pass – 110CZK (4€)
Three-day pass – 310CZK (11.5€)
Children from 6 to 14 years old travel on public transport for half the price.
If you come for two weeks, then it would be logical to take a monthly pass (550CZK - 20€), since Prague has large wholesale discounts on public transport. The pass will allow you to receive a discount on travel on commuter trains.
Single tickets must be composted, the time is counted from the moment of composting. There are no turnstiles in the Prague metro, but there are inspectors.
The distances between neighboring metro stations in Prague are much shorter than, for example, in St. Petersburg, so a 30-minute ticket may well be enough to move from the hotel to the city center. According to my plan for exploring Prague, on the first day you only need to come from the hotel to the center, and then go back. On the second and third days a mid-day move will be required.
In principle, excursions in and from Prague are not expensive. Read .
What to see in Prague on your own
First day
The most important attraction of Prague, of course, is Prague Castle- the largest castle complex in Europe. Entrance to the castle grounds is free. Tickets need to be purchased only to visit different museums. Read more about all available museums and ticket prices in the article. You can enter the Cathedral of St. Vitus for free, but it is not possible to go deeper; if you are happy to look at the interior of the cathedral from the entrance, then you don’t need to take tickets. After 18-00 you can also see Golden Street for free, but all the houses will be closed.
Gargoyles of St. Vitus Cathedral
The second must-see attraction, of course, is the Charles Bridge with its numerous statues, souvenir sellers, beggars, tourists and a few local residents. It’s easy to walk from Prague Castle to Charles Bridge, looking around along the way.
And then continue your walk through the incomparable Old Town Square. Each house on it has its own name and almost every house has a restaurant serving Czech cuisine. You should also explore the Tyn Temple there and watch the performance put on by the Orloy astronomical clock. Usually the first day’s program ends at this place.
If you come to Prague for just one day, the first day program is what you need.
Second day
The second day can be devoted to exploring the “Nove Mesto” district of Prague, when this area was founded as an absolutely independent settlement. You can read more in a separate article with a route map.
There are many shopping centers on Wenceslas Square, you can visit them too. The walk around the area ends naturally. This is a very pretentious place, the oldest beer hall in Prague, founded in 1499. But the prices there are higher than the city average. To get to the Hradcany area you will need public transport.
The third day
It’s logical to start the third day in , in this place you can say Prague was born. This is a fortress on the high bank of the Vltava, from its walls there are magical panoramic views of the Vltava and the city. The very original Church of Peter and Paul is worthy of attention.
In addition, the most famous cemetery in Prague is located in the fortress; outstanding composers, artists and writers of the Czech Republic are buried there, such as Bedrich Smetana, Antonin Dvorak, Alfons Mucha, Karel Capek and many others. For children there is an absolutely wonderful playground with heroes of Czech legends.
Leopold's Gate on Visegrad
The oldest operating synagogue in Europe
3-4 days is the absolute minimum for Prague, more is better. Depending on the season, you can diversify your life with walks in parks and gardens in the summer or a visit in December.
Music lovers should definitely attend the concert. Prague is a very musical city, for example, you can give preference to one of the events taking place in the Prague Public House (Obecní dům), the interior of this building is very good.
Or simply relying on chance to fit into any concert from barkers on the streets. Mozart lovers should visit.
Naturally, this minimum program can be stretched over 4 or even 5 days, each with its own pace.
Prague with children on your own
Prague is a very favorable city for traveling with children; almost all the places I listed have something interesting for children.
A water park is always a holiday for children. We didn’t go to the water park ourselves, but judging by the reviews, people were delighted. There is a hotel right next to the water park, but it is far from the city center. An adult ticket costs about 20€ for 3 hours.
Day trips from Prague on your own
Prague offers a huge number of excursions around the city and its suburbs, even foreign excursions to Dresden and Vienna are offered. A very good site with many Wheatlas excursions, the prices are very reasonable, it is unlikely that you will be able to find cheaper ones in Prague. Excursions will allow you to see more, since Karlštejn on excursions is usually grouped with Konopiste, and it will not be possible to see two castles in one day using public transport. This thesis is also true for other excursions.
Or you need to rent a car and drive around small towns on your own. If you are 3-5 people, renting a car will be financially justified. View prices at, prices start from 22€ per day. A round-trip ticket for one person to any of the towns I recommend by public transport costs 15 €.
Next, I will tell you how to get to the most interesting places in the Czech Republic on your own. The country is small and it takes about 3 hours to drive from Prague to the most remote border towns. I really don't recommend going to Vienna or Dresden in one day. It takes 5 hours to get to Vienna or Dresden by bus, it’s very tiring, you spend 4 hours walking around Vienna, and then drive 5 hours back.
Half a day is nothing for Vienna; Vienna is a large and interesting city in which you can easily spend a week. If you really want to go to Vienna or Dresden, then you need to plan an overnight stay there, maybe even more than one.
Next, I will list possible options for independent travel around Prague. Train tickets can be found on the Czech Railways website (English). And tickets for regional buses are on the Student Agency website (English).
Prague, main railway station - Praha hl.n.
Karlštejn
Karlovy Vary
Kutná Hora
Cesky Krumlov
In small Czech towns you can eat very well and cheaply, with the exception of Karlovy Vary. Souvenirs there will also cost less than in Prague.
To Karlštejn on your own
The simplest and relatively cheapest independent excursion can be a trip to Karlštejn Castle. The castle is located just 33 km from Prague's main train station, the journey takes about 40 minutes, one adult return train ticket costs 104CZK (4€). The second ticket is purchased with a 25% discount, the third with a 50% discount, so even for a group, traveling by train promises to be budget-friendly. If you have a pass for public transport in Prague, present it when purchasing train tickets and the ticket will cost you even less.
An adult ticket to the castle itself costs 300CZK (11€), there are three types of tickets to visit different rooms in the castle. You are allowed inside the castle only with a guided tour, excursions are conducted in Czech, English and Russian, but in the low tourist season you can’t wait for excursions in Russian, they are rarely held, and there is no schedule of excursions in different languages on the official website of Karlštejn. Check the opening hours on the official website of Karštejn Castle.
To Karlovy Vary on your own
Karlovy Vary is the main thermal resort of the Czech Republic. There you can drink mineral water from the springs. In addition, the city is home to the Becherevka Museum, the national Czech drink. The cost of visiting is 120CZK (4.4€). The city is also famous for its Carlsbad waffles, baked with local mineral water. Many Russians have settled in Karlovy Vary and Russian speech can be heard everywhere.
In Karlovy Vary, you must definitely take the funicular up the mountain, you can plan to swim in the pool, for this you need to take the necessary equipment. Just 12 km from Karlovy Vary is the picturesque Loket Castle. The cost of a tour of the castle with a guide is 7.5 €, without a guide 5 €. Although it will be difficult to fit a swimming pool, walks in the mountains and Loket Castle into one day and have time to go back to Prague.
The bus from the Florenc bus station (metro station of the same name) to Karlovy Vary takes 2 hours 15 minutes, the one-way fare is 6.10 €.
In Kutna Hora on your own
Kutná Hora became famous for its Church of All Saints with its ossuary, mines where silver was mined in the Middle Ages and beautiful ancient buildings included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Getting to Kutná Hora from Prague is quite easy, just 70 km and 55 minutes by train. A round trip by train will cost about 400CZK (15€) and takes 55 minutes.
There is a fee to visit all interesting sites:
Ossuary 90CZK (3.3€)
Cathedral of St. Barbara 60CZK (2.2€)
Vlassky Dvor or former coin forge 250CZK (9.2€)
Medieval silver mine in the Hrádek Silver Museum 140CZK (5.1€)
To Cesky Krumlov on your own
Cesky Krumlov is a very beautiful town, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but the drive to it is much further than 170 km, taking about 3 hours by car or bus. You can take a direct bus from the Florenc bus station, next to the metro station of the same name. It is better to buy tickets in advance, since the trip will take the whole day, the cost of a one-way ticket is about 7.60 €. When purchasing on the website, you can choose your seat in advance; on the last day, only the most inconvenient seats may remain.
In Cesky Krumlov, it would be logical to visit the castle. It is better to find out the opening hours and ticket prices on the official website of Cesky Krumlov Castle. There are several types of tickets to different rooms of the castle.
Cesky Krumlov brews its own Eggenberg beer and has a signature restaurant. Eggenberg restaurant menu with prices.
By train you will have to travel from the main railway station of Prague with a transfer in Ceske Budejovice; the cost of round-trip train tickets is about 400CZK (15€). There is a discount for the group that I wrote about earlier. But transplantation takes time.