By Train in Prague

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By Train

Prague is serviced by two international train stations, so always make certain you know which station your train is using. The main station, Hlavní nádrazí, is about 500 yards east of Wenceslas Square via Washingtonova ulice. The other international station is Nádrazí Holesovice, in a suburban area about 2 km (1 mi) north of the city center along the metro Line C (red line). Nádrazí Holesovice is frequently the point of departure for trains heading to Berlin, Vienna, and Budapest. Two other large stations in Prague service mostly local destinations. Smíchovské Nádrazí -- southwest of the city center across the Vltava (on metro Line B, yellow line) -- services destinations to the west, including trains to Karlstejn. Masarykovo Nádrazí, near námestí Republiky in the center of the city, services mostly suburban destinations.

For train times consult the timetables posted at the stations. On timetables, departures (odjezd) appear on a yellow background; arrivals (príjezd) are on white. There are two information desks at the main station, Hlavní nádrazí, though service is often surly. The main Cedok office downtown can advise on train times and schedules.

Remember to always compare the price and travel times of buses and trains when planning sidetrips from Prague. Many times, bus tickets cost about half the price and get you to your destination in half the time.

On arriving at Hlavní nádrazí the best way to get to the center of town is by metro. The station lies on metro Line C (red line), and is just one stop from the top of Wenceslas Square (station: Muzeum) -- travel in the direction of Haje station. You can also walk the 500 yards or so to the square, though the area around Hlavní nádrazí is depressing, and the walk is not advisable late at night. A taxi ride from the main station to the center should cost about 100 Kc. To reach the city center from Nádrazí Holesovice, take the metro Line C (red line) four stops to Muzeum; a taxi ride should cost roughly 200 Kc to 250 Kc.

The state-run rail system is called Ceské dráhy (CD). On longer runs, it's not really worth taking anything less than an express (rychlík) train, marked in red on the timetable. Tickets are still inexpensive: a second-class ticket from Prague to Brno -- a distance of 200 km -- cost about 300 Kc. A 40 Kc to 60 Kc supplement is charged for the excellent international expresses, EuroCity (EC) and InterCity (IC), and for domestic SuperCity (SC) schedules. A 20 Kc supplement applies to reserved seats on domestic journeys. If you haven't bought a ticket in advance at the station (mandatory for seat reservations), you can buy one aboard the train from the conductor. It's possible to book sleepers (luzkový) or the less-roomy couchettes (lehátkový) on most overnight trains. You do not need to validate your train ticket before boarding. The main Cedok office downtown can also book domestic and international tickets and advise on sleeper options.

Information

Cedok (Na Príkope 18, Nové Mesto. 224-197-111. www.cedok.cz).