Czechia in 2025: any tips/recommendations?

[BRX]

I spent a little time in Czechia / the Czech Republic in 2023 and quite enjoyed it, thanks partly to some advice given on this thread.

In 2023 some of the best bits I did were:
- KZC service from Rybniste to Prague
- The very eccentric Bechyně branch
- A very enjoyable run from Plzn up to Zelezna Ruda behind one of the "Goggles" diesels.

Aside from these, I managed to do quite a few runs on service trains still operated with non-AC loco hauled stock.

In general I'm looking for loco-hauled with openable windows and diesel is always good.

Has much changed since 2023 - for example will I find the number of loco hauled services as described above will have declined significantly?

Any tips appreciated. I'll be looking for routes that get me across the country from somewhere on the German border, to somewhere on the Austrian border, basically anything I can work into a convoluted route from the UK to visit a friend near Linz. I can afford to take my time a little in Czechia so itineraries can be optimised for interesting trains rather than efficient transit.

I may well use the European Sleeper to/from Prague in one direction or the other. Or might make use of the Deutschland Ticket to get across Germany to the Czech border. This will be in early September.

 

[The exile]

Explore Vagonweb.cz if you don’t already know it.

 

[30907]

Opening windows are getting fewer - I think the seasonal relief up to Z Ruda may still have them (check Vagonweb!).

If you've not done them, the Sumava network is still worth visiting even with 100% units, especially Strakonice-Volary. For the novelty factor, you could continue to Nove Udoli, walk across the border, and bus to Waldkirchen then Passau (do the last bit by train if it is running, and check the bus arrangements carefully!).

I think Osoblaha is still working and operated by CD, though it's well off your route unless you do a massive loop from Passau to Vienna!

 

[StephenHunter]

European Sleeper might be your best option. The problem is that the German-Czech border has not been a priority for decent cross-border lines due to historical political reasons and that route is the only one that isn't a single-track unelectrified line.

 

[AdamWW]

European Sleeper might be your best option. The problem is that the German-Czech border has not been a priority for decent cross-border lines due to historical political reasons and that route is the only one that isn't a single-track unelectrified line.

I enjoyed a trip on the Prague to Munich "Alex" train a few years ago.

Proper loco hauled train with multiple engine changes, a mixture of CD and Alex coaches, and in Germany it counts as a regional train so the Deutschland ticket is valid.

Even dropped a coach off at Pilsen.

Not fast though.

That was before the new contract so I don't know what it's like now.

 

[Gordon]

Had a close look at Czech passenger (for the first time for many years) with fairly brief 'sample' session at Praha Hlavni on my June visit to see Bruce Springsteen in concert. I think you may find more Vectrons in evidence this year. However I did see plenty of older Skoda locos and proportionally the number of loco hauled trains at Hlavni in a period of about 90 minutes was (I consider) high. As far as 'opening windows' is concerned, most of the sets I saw had at least one or two non aircon coaches but with hopper windows not 'dropable' windows.

 

[timstours]

National Rail day in Nymburk just east of Prague sept 20th
150 years of Prague trams sept 21st ,that's for a good weekend away

 

[jpl]

You should try the part of line S7 from Praha-Smíchov to Řevnice. Non-AC trains and, if you're lucky, double deckers manufactured by VEB Waggonbau Görlitz in 1976. Not many examples of those left in regular service. Hopper windows there too I'm afraid.

From Praha hl.n. there are some diesel loco hauled trains on workdays: the 8:47 to Turnov and the 16:18 to Mladá Boleslav hl.n.

From Praha Masarykovo nádraží the 16:22 to Slaný.

 

[StephenHunter]

There are still quite a few M152.0s around in various modernised forms too.

 

[The exile]

European Sleeper might be your best option. The problem is that the German-Czech border has not been a priority for decent cross-border lines due to historical political reasons

Geography /topography provides quite a lot of reasons as well!

 

[BRX]

Thanks for the various replies... have only just got back to looking at this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

Explore Vagonweb.cz if you don’t already know it.

Thanks - yes remember using that a bit last time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

Opening windows are getting fewer - I think the seasonal relief up to Z Ruda may still have them (check Vagonweb!).

If you've not done them, the Sumava network is still worth visiting even with 100% units, especially Strakonice-Volary. For the novelty factor, you could continue to Nove Udoli, walk across the border, and bus to Waldkirchen then Passau (do the last bit by train if it is running, and check the bus arrangements carefully!).

I think you might have recommended the Sumava network when I was last planning a trip, a couple of years ago. Didn't do any of it but I did note a few of the units on my travels around the Plzen / Ceske B. area.

I think Osoblaha is still working and operated by CD, though it's well off your route unless you do a massive loop from Passau to Vienna!

I shall look at this ... entering Czechia via Poland isn't out of the question.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

I enjoyed a trip on the Prague to Munich "Alex" train a few years ago.

Proper loco hauled train with multiple engine changes, a mixture of CD and Alex coaches, and in Germany it counts as a regional train so the Deutschland ticket is valid.

Even dropped a coach off at Pilsen.

Not fast though.

That was before the new contract so I don't know what it's like now.

That's a good thought - I remember checking this out a couple of years ago but I think it was temporarily diverted at the time.

This video from a few months ago suggests it may have the kind of carriages I'm after...

I see it can be found on Vagonweb as EC352-EC365 "Bavorsky Express" where the "real compositions" seem to be rather variable.

(What is the new contract?)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

National Rail day in Nymburk just east of Prague sept 20th
150 years of Prague trams sept 21st ,that's for a good weekend away

Not within the time I'll be there unfortunately.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

You should try the part of line S7 from Praha-Smíchov to Řevnice. Non-AC trains and, if you're lucky, double deckers manufactured by VEB Waggonbau Görlitz in 1976. Not many examples of those left in regular service. Hopper windows there too I'm afraid.

From Praha hl.n. there are some diesel loco hauled trains on workdays: the 8:47 to Turnov and the 16:18 to Mladá Boleslav hl.n.

From Praha Masarykovo nádraží the 16:22 to Slaný.

Thank you - I will check some of these out.

 

[nwales58]

I shall look at this ... entering Czechia via Poland isn't out of the question.

Walking to Osoblaha?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

On fares to get there, CD’s advances (‘First Minute’) exist from Brussels even, are dramatically cheaper than DB Sparpreis, usually available right up to the day. You used to have to go via Cheb for a bargain but now cheap via Bad Schandau too.

 

[30907]

Walking to Osoblaha?.

Glucholazy (PL) is served by he Krnov-Tremesna-Jesenik "International train" (yes, announcements in English!) - though PKP only get there 2x daily at weekends
There are several other rail crossings that might be handy though.

 

[BRX]

So far I've booked on the European Sleeper to arrive in Prague on a Saturday morning. Yet to plan how I get from there to Austria.
On the way back I might do a less direct route, perhaps somehow through the north/east of the country and out via Poland. Last time I went to Poland was 15+ years ago - is there still much of interest there, or is it all shiny new multiple units now?

 

[Jamesrob637]

So far I've booked on the European Sleeper to arrive in Prague on a Saturday morning. Yet to plan how I get from there to Austria.
On the way back I might do a less direct route, perhaps somehow through the north/east of the country and out via Poland. Last time I went to Poland was 15+ years ago - is there still much of interest there, or is it all shiny new multiple units now?

Lots of proper trains in Poland, but often packed so I'd make a reservation.

 

[AdamWW]

Lots of proper trains in Poland, but often packed so I'd make a reservation.

And indeed most Intercity trains are, at least in principle, compulsory reservation.

On the way back I might do a less direct route, perhaps somehow through the north/east of the country and out via Poland. Last time I went to Poland was 15+ years ago - is there still much of interest there, or is it all shiny new multiple units now?

When I was in Poland last year (Gdansk area) most of the intercity trains were loco hauled non push pull.

One them was bizarrely a two coach train hauled by a centre cab diesel.

Poland also seems to have retained more restaurant cars than most countries these days.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jul 2025 ==

And indeed most Intercity trains are, at least in principle, compulsory reservation.



When I was in Poland last year (Gdansk area) most of the intercity trains were loco hauled non push pull. (Though I don't think I saw any with proper opening windows).

One them was bizarrely a two coach train hauled by a centre cab diesel.

Poland also seems to have retained more restaurant cars than most countries these days.

 

[railfan99]

So far I've booked on the European Sleeper to arrive in Prague on a Saturday morning. Yet to plan how I get from there to Austria.
On the way back I might do a less direct route, perhaps somehow through the north/east of the country and out via Poland. Last time I went to Poland was 15+ years ago - is there still much of interest there, or is it all shiny new multiple units now?

In October 2025 I found travelling in Poland to be excellent.

Wonderful loco hauled trains with comfortable seats in first (sometimes only three compartments each seating six: at other times, a full car), courteous staff, great dining cars with reasonable prices, pleasant scenry and terrific tram networks in numerous larger cities.

Trains were busy but not quite booked out, although I wasn't travelling at the height of summer.

Hotels are reasonably priced: the most expensive was the well regarded Polonia Palace 400m from Warsaw Centralna railway station, at £99 or so including breakfast for a Queen room.

 

[AdamWW]

In October 2025 I found travelling in Poland to be excellent.

Wonderful loco hauled trains with comfortable seats in first (sometimes only three compartments each seating six: at other times, a full car), courteous staff, great dining cars with reasonable prices, pleasant scenry and terrific tram networks in numerous larger cities.

And the amazing experience, having had my train become entangled with the overhead wires en-route, that instead of missing a connection because the subsequent train was delayed by the incident, I found the connecting train waiting for us and they'd taken the opportunity to add some extra carriages to cope with the extra load.

 

[dutchflyer]

A. for from Czech/Praha to Austria (CZ->AT): there are 2 major routes, due south via Ceske Budejovice toward Linz or the major INTernational-via Brno-Breclav to Wien (Becs in Czech, Vienna for Brits): every 2 hr the either CD or OeBB Railjet- and also private Regiojet.cz- excellent service and often cheaper-try out their ´business class´.
Hint: anyone from 65 can get 50% off normal fare for all local fares-also regional buses, in Czechia. No further cards needed-just show ID. In most cities its free-also Praha/DPP, in some only from 70 yrs on.
B.In POland on PKP all longer distance trains (well the regional ones are not PKP, but mostly PolRegio) are fully reserved and all tickets come with a REServation. For just some moving-but that will all be sets, PR=PolRegio has several types of ride-at-will rovers, but some regions now have their own split-off from PR.
LOcal public transport: metro/tram/bus in all cities is free from 70, though some minor towns-you´re unlikely to visit these- require to have first made out a card justifying that in their office-easy enough for locals, not for the occasional tourist from far away without any command of Polski

 

[Golghar]

"Videň" is Czech for Vienna; "Bécs" is Magyar (Hungarian).

 

[43096]

I enjoyed a trip on the Prague to Munich "Alex" train a few years ago.

Proper loco hauled train with multiple engine changes, a mixture of CD and Alex coaches, and in Germany it counts as a regional train so the Deutschland ticket is valid.

Even dropped a coach off at Pilsen.

Not fast though.

That was before the new contract so I don't know what it's like now.

Very similar, the main difference is on the German side as the Praha and Hof services now run separately between München and Schwandorf; they were combined before. There’s still four different locos used between Praha and München, so good for variety. It’s a ČD loco Praha to Plzen (normally a 362), for an ER20 (223) forward to Schwandorf, where the train reverses and a different 223 drops on the back for the run to Regensburg. There, electric traction takes over - this has changed so it is now an ES64U2 (182) leased from Beacon Rail.

 

[AdamWW]

Very similar, the main difference is on the German side as the Praha and Hof services now run separately between München and Schwandorf; they were combined before. There’s still four different locos used between Praha and München, so good for variety. It’s a ČD loco Praha to Plzen (normally a 362), for an ER20 (223) forward to Schwandorf, where the train reverses and a different 223 drops on the back for the run to Regensburg. There, electric traction takes over - this has changed so it is now an ES64U2 (182) leased from Beacon Rail.

I'd say still well worth doing then!

There can't be many daytime services left that get through four engines per trip, and particularly not ones that run multiple times a day.

I've taken it once between Prague and Germany and had the pleasure of a "retro livery" CD loco at the start.

Sadly though, after waiting at Plsen for a delayed train going the other way to provide us with its diesel engine and then passport checks at the border, instead of the train combining with the other portion we were just kicked out and onto an already rather full train for the last bit.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Glucholazy (PL) is served by he Krnov-Tremesna-Jesenik "International train" (yes, announcements in English!)

The interesting thing about this service is that for many years, it went through Poland but you couldn't get off or on in Głuchołazy despite the train having to stop there to reverse. I think they finally opened a border crossing there in 2006, just before the end of border controls. It was never clear as to why it wasn't allowed, but the general view was that the Polish side didn't want to open the border crossing there, as the Czech side would demand a discount on the large transit fees that they were paying to Poland by virtue of offering a train service. The stop was timetabled for years before it finally operated, but from what I understand, the Czechs wanted to pay only the domestic Polish fees rather than the substantially higher transit fees.

 

[The exile]

The interesting thing about this service is that for many years, it went through Poland but you couldn't get off or on in Głuchołazy despite the train having to stop there to reverse. I think they finally opened a border crossing there in 2006, just before the end of border controls. It was never clear as to why it wasn't allowed, but the general view was that the Polish side didn't want to open the border crossing there, as the Czech side would demand a discount on the large transit fees that they were paying to Poland by virtue of offering a train service. The stop was timetabled for years before it finally operated, but from what I understand, the Czechs wanted to pay only the domestic Polish fees rather than the substantially higher transit fees.

When I used it in 2011 I’m fairly certain the train didn’t actually stop at a platform at Glucholazy - though of course it’s sometimes a bit difficult to tell!

 

[BRX]

You should try the part of line S7 from Praha-Smíchov to Řevnice. Non-AC trains and, if you're lucky, double deckers manufactured by VEB Waggonbau Görlitz in 1976. Not many examples of those left in regular service. Hopper windows there too I'm afraid.

I've been looking up some of the following:

From Praha hl.n. there are some diesel loco hauled trains on workdays: the 8:47 to Turnov

^This one I can't seem to find on the CD journey planner - is the time correct?

and the 16:18 to Mladá Boleslav hl.n.

This one I can find and looks promising!

I can't see a corresponding return working, is that right?

From Praha Masarykovo nádraží the 16:22 to Slaný.

^ This one I also can't find on the CD planner.

 

[Segedunum]

This one I also can't find on the CD planner.

Train Sp1494: https://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/vlak.php?zeme=ČD&kategorie=Sp&cislo=1494&rok=2025

It's showing today as departing from Praha-Holešovice instead at 16:25, though IIRC the works at Masaryk are done/almost done and it may well switch back to departing from there soon.

If in doubt - wait for it at Praha-Podbaba, where it'll stop regardless.

Additionally, the Praha-Turnov service is weekends only: Sp1551 'Český ráj', which takes the less-travelled route via Kopidlno - https://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/vlak.php?zeme=ČD&kategorie=Sp&cislo=1551&rok=2025

 

[BRX]

Train Sp1494: https://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/vlak.php?zeme=ČD&kategorie=Sp&cislo=1494&rok=2025

It's showing today as departing from Praha-Holešovice instead at 16:25, though IIRC the works at Masaryk are done/almost done and it may well switch back to departing from there soon.

If in doubt - wait for it at Praha-Podbaba, where it'll stop regardless.

Additionally, the Praha-Turnov service is weekends only: Sp1551 'Český ráj', which takes the less-travelled route via Kopidlno - https://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/vlak.php?zeme=ČD&kategorie=Sp&cislo=1551&rok=2025

Thanks!

The ones heading in the Mladá Boleslav and Turnov direction, are they fairly unique in being loco hauled in that area, NE of Prague and sort of going towards Liberec, or am I likely to find more around that region?

 

[Segedunum]

Thanks!

The ones heading in the Mladá Boleslav and Turnov direction, are they fairly unique in being loco hauled in that area, NE of Prague and sort of going towards Liberec, or am I likely to find more around that region?

That area is pretty unit-heavy, especially as many routes are now contracted out to private operators. Die Länderbahn just uses German Desiros while Arriva uses a mix of Desiros and refurbished ex-DB 628s (now numbered as 845s). This includes the fast trains from Prague up to Tanvald which were previously hauled when operated by ČD. The trade-off however is that it's a rather green and pleasant part of the country to ride around on trains!

Slightly further to the east, Prague to Trutnov is entirely hauled (swaps from electric to diesel in Hradec Kralove) however.

 

[BRX]

Slightly further to the east, Prague to Trutnov is entirely hauled (swaps from electric to diesel in Hradec Kralove) however.

Cheers - this sounds good. Assume it's just the 2-hourly direct trains I should be looking at. A quick look on vagonWEB suggests this is the sort of thing I'm after.

I'm considering making my way east/north east from Prague, to this sort of area, then heading south in a sort of arc mostly using minor lines to end up at Veselí nad Lužnicí where I can join the line that goes to Ceske Budejovice and then into Austria, to Linz.

The alternative would be a route going more south-east, crossing into Austria closer to Vienna and then heading back west again within Austria along the Westbahn.

 

[Segedunum]

Cheers - this sounds good. Assume it's just the 2-hourly direct trains I should be looking at. A quick look on vagonWEB suggests this is the sort of thing I'm after.

I'm considering making my way east/north east from Prague, to this sort of area, then heading south in a sort of arc mostly using minor lines to end up at Veselí nad Lužnicí where I can join the line that goes to Ceske Budejovice and then into Austria, to Linz.

The alternative would be a route going more south-east, crossing into Austria closer to Vienna and then heading back west again within Austria along the Westbahn.

Is indeed just the two-hourly "Krakonoš" trains. From there IIRC there are services down to Teplice nad Metuji then Starkoč where you rejoin the Mainline - effectively doing a bit of a loop.