Brno to Prague routes

[class387]

Hi everyone - just a quick question, but does anyone know which route between Brno and Prague is most interesting/scenic? Is it worth the time penalty to go via Havlickuv Brod? Or is there an even better branch line route?

 

[The exile]

Hi everyone - just a quick question, but does anyone know which route between Brno and Prague is most interesting/scenic? Is it worth the time penalty to go via Havlickuv Brod? Or is there an even better branch line route?

Well, assuming time were no object (not even sure it can be done in a day), I’d go Tisnov, Nove Mestona Morave, Zdar and Sazavou, Svetla nad Sazavou, Cercany, Vrane nad Vltavou.
The main line is pretty scenic around Brno but gets more mundane the further it gets, as IIRC does the secondary route. The only time I’ve been via Jihlava I was engaged in conversation by an ardent Czech wanting to practise his English and I didn’t have the heart to say that all I wanted to do was look out the window. Somehow, I don’t think he’d have taken the hint, anyway.

 

[Polarbear]

I've only used the route via Havlickuv Brod once, (diverted Railjet to Vienna) & recall the scenery being nothing to write home about. Done the main route a few times & as @The exile says, it's nice around Brno.

 

[30907]

I've only used the route via Havlickuv Brod once, (diverted Railjet to Vienna) & recall the scenery being nothing to write home about. Done the main route a few times & as @The exile says, it's nice around Brno.

Both routes are pleasantly scenic but not spectacular, the historic route via HB more so IMO.
The Cercany route (I've only done downstream of C Sternberk) is lovely.

 

[dutchflyer]

Have done this trip reverse some 2 weeks ago, even a little further toward Bratislava, in RegioJet, the yellow cars private operator-offers if booked ahead very affordable prices and gives good onboard service. Have done both main lines and most of the smaller branches in Czechia some years ago. Agree with both above: toss a coin, there is too little too really differentiate. Its just that IF you dont have FIP/passes or the like-or perhaps would save these for longer/other trips/yourneydays, that consider this Regiojet.cz!

 

[Segedunum]

I can vouch that Brno - Svetla nad Sázavou - Zruč nad Sázavou - Čerčany - Vrane nad Vltavou - Prague is a pleasant route to take if you have a long time - though it'll mostly be spent on some very slow and bumpy Railcars, both original (Series 810) and rebuilt (Series 814).

On a Sunday morning there is a loco-hauled service from Prague to Zruč (via the mainline to Čerčany, admittedly) and one back in the evening towards Prague. Electric hauled from Prague - Čerčany and diesel onwards.

Both mainline routes are pleasant enough, though I don't remember much about the line via Svetla nad Sázavou and Kutna Hora. Though I did take one of these yesterday mid-morning for a short hop from Kolin - Kutna Hora and while it had a nice assortment of old carriages (all Prague-Brno services on this route are loco hauled) it was absolutely rammed.

 

[class387]

Thank you very much for all the advice! May just decide based on the rolling stock on the day in that case, having done neither route before. I have done the Prague end of the Sazava valley route and it's one of my favourite lines, but doing the Svetla - Cercany part on this leg seems to take a little too long

 

[Tess_CZ]

I travel Prague - Brno and IMO the nicest part is the one between Brno and Česká Třebová. Which is the main, fast route. Eventually if you would go through Havlíčkův Brod, the scenic part is longer and the nicest area there is around Havlíčkův Brod. It takes longer though and you might have to change trains.
I do not reccommend going throuch Čerčany, though the area around Sázava is really nice. If you go through Vrané, it takes forever.