Vienna to Prague - 12 Best Ways to Travel in 2026

The train is the most comfortable and convenient way to travel from Vienna to Prague, with around ten daily connections and a journey time of four and a half hours. The first direct departure leaves Vienna at 7:10 AM and the last at 7:10 PM, giving you good flexibility across the day. Trains are modern, with free Wi-Fi and power sockets at every seat.

RegioJet also operates four daily direct trains on this route, with journey times matching national rail. Their coaches include onboard entertainment screens, free hot and cold drinks, and an attendant for the entire journey, making them a strong alternative for the same price or less.

Train Stations in Vienna and Prague

In Vienna, all trains depart from Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof), located in the south of the city and connected to the city center via Metro Line U1 (red) at the Hauptbahnhof stop. The ticket office is on the street level of the station, on the right side as you enter.

In Prague, trains arrive at Prague Main Station (Praha hlavní nádraží), connected to the city center via Metro Line C (red) at the Hlavní nádraží stop.

Tickets and Booking

Advance tickets start at €12 with RegioJet and €15 through Czech or Austrian Railways. Buy on the day and the price climbs to €34. For international travelers, Trainline is the most straightforward place to book. It pulls together fares from multiple operators, displays prices in your preferred currency, and takes international cards without any complications. If you are building a longer European itinerary with several train journeys, Rail Europe lets you keep all your bookings in one place and works just as well for this route.

Austrian Railways (ÖBB) and Czech Railways (ČD) are both worth a direct check, since the same connection can occasionally price differently across the two sites. The downside is that both quote fares in euros or Czech crowns only, which adds unnecessary guesswork if you are tracking costs across multiple currencies. Trainline cuts out that friction entirely. Ten daily trains give you plenty of choice, but the lowest advance fares disappear fast. Book a few days ahead during summer and over weekends to hold the best price.

Insider Tip

The most rewarding stretch of the journey comes in the final hour, as the train approaches Prague through the rolling hills and wooded valleys of central Bohemia. Sit on the left side of the train facing the direction of travel for the best views as the landscape opens up toward the city.

Book your Vienna to Prague train on Austrian Railways | Book with RegioJet

The journey from Vienna to Prague takes four and a half hours by train or bus. The route passes through southern Moravia and the Czech highlands, two of the most undervisited and genuinely beautiful corners of Central Europe, without stopping anywhere at all.

The Vienna to Prague Transfer Tour covers the same distance in 9 to 10 hours, with three stops at places that are difficult to reach any other way without a car. It is one of Sidetrip's most popular routes, and the combination of stops is hard to beat.

What's Included

The open group tour departs at 9:00 AM from a central meeting point in Vienna and runs with a maximum of eight passengers in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan or car.

Your guide is a local who knows southern Moravia and the Czech highlands well. You get informed, personal commentary at each stop that goes well beyond what you would find in a guidebook. They travel with you the full day and are there to answer questions throughout.

A lunch break is scheduled in Znojmo, where you can eat well at a local restaurant before continuing north. Your guide will point you toward the best options. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Hotel pickup and dropoff are available for private bookings. Open group tours depart from a central meeting point in Vienna and include dropoff in central Prague.

The open group tour is €99 per person. Private bookings are available for couples, families, and groups who want a more exclusive and flexible experience. Check the Vienna to Prague Transfer Tour booking page for dates, availability, and private pricing.

For travelers heading north through Bohemia, Sidetrip also runs a Private Vienna to Prague Transfer Tour with a stop at Český Krumlov, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in the Czech Republic.

What Travelers are Saying

The bus is a solid option on this route, matching the train on both price and journey time, with around fifteen or more daily departures and around four and a half hours in the seat. Two operators serve the route: Flixbus and RegioJet.

Flixbus vs RegioJet

Flixbus has the most departures spread across the day, from early morning through to late at night. Fares start at €15 when booked in advance and rise toward €40 on the day of travel.

RegioJet runs fewer daily departures but offers a noticeably more comfortable experience, with onboard entertainment screens, free hot and cold drinks, and an attendant from departure to arrival. Fares start at around €15 and tend to be more stable than Flixbus closer to the travel date.

If you want the widest choice of departure times, go with Flixbus. If you want a more comfortable ride and can work around fewer daily options, RegioJet is the better choice.

Bus Stations in Vienna and Prague

In Vienna, Flixbus buses depart from Erdbergstrasse Bus Station, a short ride from the city center via Metro Line U3 (orange) at the Erdberg stop. RegioJet buses depart from Südtirolerplatz Bus Station, directly adjacent to Vienna Central Station and the U1 metro line. Flixbus also operates two daily connections from Vienna Airport directly to Prague, with fares starting at €20.

In Prague, all buses arrive at Florenc Bus Station in the city center, connected to the rest of the city via Metro Line C (red) at the Florenc stop.

Tickets and Booking

Second class tickets start at €15 when booked in advance. Book directly through the Flixbus or RegioJet websites.Both booking platforms are available in English and work smoothly with major cards from around the world. Book at least a few days ahead during summer and on weekends, as popular departures sell out.

Luggage

Both operators allow one carry-on bag and one large piece of luggage stored in the hold at no extra charge. Check each operator's website for exact size and weight limits before you travel.

Book your Vienna to Prague bus on Flixbus | Book with RegioJet

Want to see more than just Vienna and Prague?

The train covers the distance in four and a half hours, but the country between Austria and Bohemia holds some of the most overlooked places in Central Europe. The Vienna to Prague Sightseeing Transfer Tour takes you to the sweeping Neo-Gothic gardens and parklands of UNESCO-listed Lednice Palace just across the Czech border, into the hilltop town of Znojmo for a walk through its winding medieval lanes and a lunch stop, and on to the UNESCO-listed main square of Telč, where centuries of colorful Renaissance townhouses line what is one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe, before dropping you in Prague. It departs at 9:00 AM, arrives around 7:00 PM, and costs €99 per person. Two UNESCO sites, one hidden gem, and a day that turns the journey into the destination.

If you are a fan of flying or have extra miles to spare, you have the option to take a direct Vienna to Prague flight. There are three daily flights available in the late morning, afternoon, and evening, with a flight time of approximately 50 minutes. All flights are operated by Austrian Airlines, and prices start at €130 for a one-way ticket when purchased well in advance. You can conveniently purchase the ticket directly on the Austrian Airlines website.

However, considering the short distance of only 300 km between the capitals, taking a flight from Vienna to Prague may not be the most practical alternative compared to other modes of transportation. This is especially true when you factor in the time required to travel to and from the airports and the waiting time in security lines. Nevertheless, if you prefer to travel by plane, it is possible to fly from one city to another.

If you are traveling on a tight schedule and wish to avoid navigating busy train stations, you have the option of choosing a private transfer from Vienna to Prague. This is a slightly more expensive option, with prices starting at around €300 per car, but it allows you to plan the trip according to your specific needs. If you share the transfer with friends or family, the price per person can be reduced.

Another possibility is to opt for a private version of the sightseeing transfer from Vienna to Prague, where your trip can be tailor-made to include visits to beautiful places along the way such as Lednice Palace, the Mikulov Wine Region, Znojmo, and Telc.

If you are an avid cyclist, you have the option to travel from Vienna to Prague by cycling the route. It is recommended to allocate at least five days for this journey, as it covers a distance of approximately 400 km and includes 4590 meters of ascent. However, you can also take detours to explore more scenic routes or visit interesting places along the way.

The Vienna to Prague cycle route is part of the Greenways trail, which is one of the oldest and most popular bike trails in Central Europe. This trail provides a well-established infrastructure, making the biking experience from Vienna to Prague more convenient. Alternatively, you can consider joining an organized Vienna to Prague bike tour, as numerous companies offer this option. By choosing a guided tour, you can alleviate concerns regarding the practical aspects of the trip.

This option is slightly more expensive due to the additional cost of returning the car to a different location. However, renting a car can be a good choice if you desire complete control over your Vienna to Prague road trip. The distance between the cities is less than 300 km, so you can drive it in approximately 4 hours.

However, you can also take the whole day to travel and make stops at interesting places along the way, as there are many options to choose from. If you are considering a Vienna to Prague road trip, it is worth considering the sightseeing transfer instead. With the sightseeing transfer, you can also visit some of the highlights of the Czech Republic, and the overall cost of such a trip will be significantly lower.

If you're up for a walking adventure and have some free time, you can embark on a journey from Vienna to Prague on foot. While this might seem like an unconventional idea, it can be appealing to certain travelers. All you need are comfortable shoes, a positive mindset, and a cheerful demeanor. It's also beneficial to be in good physical shape, as parts of the journey can be hilly.

Walking from Vienna to Prague allows you to truly experience the authentic essence of both Austria and the Czech Republic, as well as discover some off-the-beaten-path destinations along the way. It's important to note that this journey typically takes at least two weeks, but the duration ultimately depends on the specific places you choose to visit and the amount of time you spend in each location.

A popular option for last-minute travel in Europe is car sharing. There are websites that connect drivers with passengers, where you can search for available rides. The most popular car sharing platform is BlaBlaCar. Once you sign up, you can browse through the available offers and connect with a driver. After arranging the details, you're ready to go.

The standard price for a Vienna to Prague car-sharing trip is around €15, although the driver has the discretion to set their own price. It's best to check for car-sharing offers shortly before your departure, as rides often appear in the system at the last minute, even on the day of travel. It's important to note that car sharing may not always be the most convenient option, as sometimes you may need to travel to a specific location to meet your driver, which can make your journey longer and slightly more complicated.

Adventurous travelers may consider hitchhiking from Vienna to Prague. This is a well-traveled route, and hitchhiking from Austria to the Czech Republic is generally safe. However, it's important to be aware that you may need to split the trip into two parts, with a stop in Brno. If you're fortunate, you might find a driver willing to take you all the way to Prague. The recommended spot for hitchhiking from Vienna towards the Czech Republic is the Stammersdorf suburb, which is easily accessible by tram.

When visiting the capital of Austria, if you have an extra day in your itinerary, you can consider taking a day trip from Vienna to Prague. It will be a long journey, taking at least 12 hours round trip, but it offers the opportunity to explore spectacular monuments and beautiful architecture. You can walk across the famous Charles Bridge, visit Hradcany Castle, admire the renowned Astronomical Clock, and indulge in traditional Czech cuisine like svíčková na smetaně. These are just a few of the attractions you can experience on your Vienna to Prague tour. For your day trip, you can choose between an organized tour or public transport.

If Prague is your next destination after Vienna, you can make the most of your journey between the cities by exploring some amazing places along the way. The sightseeing transfer we discussed earlier is the best and easiest way to do this. You will be picked up from central Vienna and dropped off in central Prague, with stops at Lednice Palace, Mikulov Wine Region, Znojmo, and Telc in between. This allows you to enjoy the beauty and history of these locations during your transfer.

This is a luxurious option for traveling from Vienna to Prague. If you're willing to splurge, you can charter a plane for this trip. The flying time by private jet from Vienna to Prague is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, when factoring in the additional time required for getting to and from the airport, the overall journey time is comparable to other alternatives from Vienna to Prague. Nevertheless, it's an option worth considering if you prioritize comfort and a touch of luxury.