Travel By Train From Prague to Vienna
One of the nice things about Prague being in the heart of Europe is that Prague is close to many great cities. One of them is Vienna. Traveling by train to Vienna from Prague is a great experience. The trip takes just over 4 hours. The trains are roomy with lots of luggage and leg room. Compared to taking the cramp bus it is a luxury cruise.
Should You Buy Your Tickets Online?
Lots of people have asked me where they should book their tickets online. I always have the same response: Why do you want to book your tickets online? It simply does not make sense to book tickets online. The best option is to purchase the tickets right at the Main (Hlavni) train station in Prague on the day you want to leave to Vienna.
Cost of Tickets - It Is Less Expensive To Buy Tickets in Prague
Ordering your tickets online is more expensive. And sometimes a lot more. The cheapest approach is to simply walk up to the counter in the main station and buy your ticket. You can buy it for the next train or for a any future train. The price is the same.
A hour ago I was at the Main (Hlavni) Train Station and I asked them how much it costs for the next train to Vienna. The price is 1032 CZK or about $50.00 US dollars for 2nd class. The price is the same regardless of what time of day the train leaves.
Then I checked a couple of popular online Train Ticket booking websites. Here is a comparison:
| Purchase Location | Train Ticket Cost US$ |
|---|---|
| Prague Main ('Hlavni') Train Station | $50.00 |
| Website 1 | $103.00 |
| Website 2 | $83.00 |
| Website 3 | $91.00 |
Buy Tickets in Prague - Not Bound By a Train Schedule
Once you book your ticket then your are bound by a schedule. You will have to be at the train station at a specific time. You never know. Maybe when you arrive in Prague you will find something that you did not expect and you will want to change your plans. But you already bought the train ticket so you must go.
Instead of buying tickets from home before your vacation just wait and buy it in Prague. Your vacation should be based on your schedule – not by a ticket that you bought 3 weeks before.
Lots of Trains Go From Prague To Vienna
A train leaves from Prague to Vienna 8 times every day and 7 days a week. If you miss a train then you can always catch the next one which leaves only a few hours later. I have been to Vienna a few times and the train has never been sold out. Actually I arrive just minutes before it leaves and never had a problem purchasing the ticket and getting a seat on the the train. Of course if you need a window seat then it is a good idea to come a little early so that you have a better selection of seats. But this approach does not always work because sometimes the train arrives 10 minutes before it leaves again.
As of April 28,2009 here is the train schedule for trains leaving to Vienna from the Main (Hlavni) Train Station:
Train leaves the station at:
0:42
5:57
8:30
10:57
12:30
13:30
16:30
17:30
The travel time is around 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Where is Prague And Vienna - Map
Places Tourist's Must Visit In Prague
- Prague National Museum
- Charles Bridge (Stone Bridge)
- Prague Old Time Square
- Saint Wenceslas Square And The Good King
Places I Visit In Prague
Travel By Train To...
