Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic and also the largest railway junction. In fact, if you start your journey from the capital, you can organize a day trip from Prague by train to almost all important places in the Czech Republic. In this article, I have listed only the most important places for day trips from Prague by train, located near the capital of the Czech Republic.
In fact, trains from Prague reach hundreds of places in a short time, not only in the Czech Republic, so you can easily organize a day trip from Prague by train to Dresden, Vienna, Linz, or Bratislava, for example.
In this article, I will not describe how to get to the places mentioned, because the railway network around Prague is very dense and there are often several ways to get to tourist attractions and beautiful places.
Mělník – A charming town with a small center situated on a high bluff at the confluence of the two largest Czech rivers – the Elbe and the Vltava. It’s worth visiting the well-maintained historic center with its irregularly shaped main square and the Lobkowicz Castle, perched on a hill. Visitors can also explore the underground tunnels beneath the town center, and during the tourist season, climb the tower of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul for panoramic views of the town and surroundings.
Litoměřice – One of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Republic. This pleasant and relatively large historic town center features numerous religious monuments, mainly churches. Don’t miss the Cathedral Hill with the Cathedral of St. Stephen and the Bishop’s Palace – the palace’s highlights include an 18th-century library and a throne hall with beautiful ceiling paintings. An ideal destination for a day trip.
Terezín – A former fortress town located a few kilometers south of Litoměřice. During World War II, it became known as a Jewish ghetto and concentration camp. The Terezín Memorial is divided into the Small and Large Fortress (Malá a Velká pevnost), separated by the Ohře River. The star-shaped bastion fortress is excellently preserved. Between the two parts of the fortress lies a cemetery, the National Cemetery of Terezín, where over 10,000 victims are buried.
Tábor – With around 35,000 inhabitants, this town boasts a lovely center with several interesting landmarks. The Old Town Hall houses the Hussite Museum, and the Church of the Transfiguration dominates Žižka Square – its tower is open to tourists in the season. The Chocolate and Marzipan Museum is also popular. Much of the original city walls and one city gate remain. About a kilometer west of the center, the Baroque Klokoty pilgrimage site is one of the most beautiful Baroque monuments in the country. Railway fans can enjoy the Tábor–Bechyně line, the first electrified railway in the Czech Republic.
Posázavský Pacifik Railway Line – A scenic railway line along the Sázava River. The train passes through many small villages and towns with various attractions. Worth visiting are the Military Technical Museum in Lešany (1.5 km from Krhanice station), castles in Týnec nad Sázavou, Ledeč nad Sázavou, and Zruč nad Sázavou, and the Sázava Monastery. The trains also pass over the Žampach Viaduct – one of the largest railway viaducts in the Czech Republic. From the train, you can also see the majestic Český Šternberk Castle; the nearest station is Český Šternberk zastávka.
Poděbrady – A popular spa town near Kolín. The town’s main landmark is the castle built in the mid-13th century by Ottokar II as a water castle on the site of an earlier fortress. Today, it houses the memorial museum of King George of Poděbrady. River ferries run year-round between Poděbrady and Nymburk. There is also a lovely spa park.
Nymburk (optional) – A town notable for its extensive preserved medieval town walls. Although the historic street layout is intact, unattractive socialist-era buildings appear among the monuments. Worth seeing is the Gothic Church of St. Giles on Church Square. The church tower is open to tourists during the season.
Kutná Hora – One of the most popular day-trip destinations by train from Prague. Once an important silver mining center, its historic center is very well preserved. The most famous landmark is the Bone Chapel in the crypt of the All Saints Cemetery Church in Sedlec, near Kutná Hora’s main train station. In the city center, the Church of St. Barbara makes a stunning impression – one of the most famous Czech churches, built by miners to rival Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral. The adjacent former Jesuit College has been turned into an art gallery. The Kutná Hora město station is less than a kilometer from the main landmarks.
Karlštejn – A heavily visited castle located about 2 km from the train station. This picturesque castle was built by Emperor Charles IV between 1348–1365 to house royal treasures, relics, and crown jewels. Due to the crowds, it’s best to visit outside the high season. Many commercial tourist attractions have developed in the area.
Křivoklát – One of the most famous Czech castles. Its origins go back to the 12th century when King Ottokar II had a royal hunting lodge built deep in the forest. Two main tour routes are available in the season, and the castle is open year-round. The train station is close to the castle.
Rakovník – An interesting town of 16,000 residents and a regional railway hub where five lines intersect. The heart of the town is a large rectangular square. Two medieval gates and several churches remain; the Masaryk Museum is located in the historic Cistercian House. A few kilometers from town, in Lužná u Rakovníka, is the largest railway museum in the Czech Republic, open seasonally.
Roztoky u Prahy (optional) – The town’s main attraction is the chateau built at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries by converting a 13th-century fortress. It houses the Museum of Central Bohemia.
Okoř (optional) – The village contains ruins of a castle destroyed and plundered during the Thirty Years’ War. Visiting is allowed without a guide only during the summer season. Entrance fees are relatively high. A popular cycling route passes nearby. The nearest train station is in Noutonice, 2.5 km away, accessible via the blue hiking trail.
Konopiště (optional) – Most tourists arriving at the Benešov station skip the town center and head on foot or by bus 2 km west to Konopiště Castle. This beautiful monument is located in what was once the village of Konopiště, now a district of Benešov. Entry tickets are quite expensive, and photography inside has recently been banned.
Pardubice – The capital of the Pardubice Region and a major railway junction in the Czech Republic. The relatively small town center is about 10 km on foot from the train station. The main square features an ornate town hall, and just north of the historic center is a large Renaissance castle surrounded by earthworks. It houses the Museum of Eastern Bohemia.
Hradec Králové – a historic city in the northeastern Czech Republic, situated at the confluence of the Elbe and Orlice rivers. Known for its blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and early modernist architecture, the city features a well-preserved old town with landmarks like the White Tower, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, and the Museum of Eastern Bohemia.
Plzen – the fourth-largest city in the country and an important cultural, industrial, and historical center. The city is as not popular as most famous Czech cities such as Prague, Karlovy Vary and Ceske Budejovice but has a charming historic center, where you’ll find St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral with the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, and the Great Synagogue, the third-largest in the world. The city is also home to several interesting museums and zoological garden.
České Budějovice – The capital of the South Bohemian Region and an excellent destination for a day trip. The historic town center, with one of the largest main squares in the Czech Republic, is located near the beautifully restored historic train station. The city features interesting religious and secular landmarks and is home to the South Bohemian Museum, housed in a grand Neo-Renaissance building from 1899–1901.
This is the only short list with tips for day trips from Prague by train. There are hundreds possibilities to plan a trip to beautiful places in the Czech Republic.
Related articles:
Train travel in the Czech Republic – a comprehensive guide
Scenic railways in the Czech Republic
Narrow-gauge railways in the Czech Republic
