Traveling by train in the Czech Republic - Reisen mit dem Zug in Tschechien

Rail travel with the trains of the Czech Railways (ČD) (České dráhy) is very cheap and continues to mediate the Impression of classic rail travelwhich has long since been modernized away in Germany and other countries or replaced by multiple units. These include the compartment cars preferred by many travelers with their soft upholstery, as well as the still numerous staff-operated ticket sales points (“counters”) even at small train stations. Compared to long-distance trains, the comfort of the rail buses (“bread boxes”) found on slow branch lines from the 1970s clearly falls behind “European standards”.

Comprehensive modernization of trains, stations and the rail network has begun in recent years. The Prague – Vienna – Graz route is now served by modern railjets and other routes by InterPanter. New local trains (RegioShark, RegioSpider, RegioPanter, RegioMouse) are also increasingly being used on branch lines.

Train types

The following train types are operated:

• Osobní vlak (Os) = Passenger train, stops everywhere.
• Spěšný vlak (Sp) = Express train is a passenger train that does not stop everywhere.
• Rychlík (R.) = Express train is a through express passenger train with frequent stops; the average speed and lines traveled are comparable to the German regional express (RE).
• Expresní (Ex) = Express train is a long-distance passenger express train, stops only at a few larger stations and has a higher travel speed than Sp and Ex passenger trains and R express trains.
• InterCity (IC) is a long-distance passenger express train that only stops at a few larger stations. Trains are surcharge-free and have an on-board restaurant.
• EuroCity (EC) is an international long-distance passenger express train. These correspond to international standards. Few stops and a high travel speed are characteristic. They can be used in the Czech Republic without surcharge.
• EuroNight (EN) is an international night express passenger train.
• SuperCity (SC) is a multiple unit express passenger train with tilting technology. The SuperCity are the fastest trains operated by ČD. They therefore only run on developed high-speed routes. A surcharge in the form of a seat reservation must be paid for SuperCity trains.
• Railjet (rj) is a long-distance train travel type that is also used by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Trains of this type are currently in use on the Prague – Pardubice – Brno – Břeclav – Vienna – Graz route and, from summer 2019, also on the Prague – Pardubice – Brno – Břeclav – Bratislava route. In addition to 1st and 2nd class, Railjets have a business class, a children's cinema, bicycle parking spaces and free WiFi.

With the R express trains (Czech.:Rychlík) you can get to all corners of the country. However, if you are in no hurry and want to slow down in a relaxed way, then Os passenger trains (Czech.:Osobní vlak) the best choice even for longer journeys. Under certain circumstances, this gives you a cultural insight into life in and on the country, as these types of train are also used on secondary lines and accordingly stop in the smallest villages.

The following train types are no longer available:

• Motorovy osobní vlak (MOs) was a generic name of its own for passenger trains formed with multiple units (motorized passenger train).

Rates

All trains are surcharge-free, only one “SuperCity” train is required to be reserved with an additional seat card (200, - CZK; reduced with RailPlus).

The kilometer tariff is degressive and very low compared to Western Europe - 100 km cost around EUR 4, the 250-kilometer route Prague to Brno (Czech.:Brno) costs around 8 EUR. Therefore, the use of the approximately 23, - EUR expensive Overall network-Day tickets (Czech.:Celodenní jízdenka) rather unattractive. The Weekend group ticket (Czech.:Skupinová víkendová jízdenka) costs the equivalent of around EUR 26 (with local transport in Prague EUR 32) and can be used by 2 adults and up to 3 children on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

• Celodenní jízdenka (German:Day ticket) offers one day free travel for one person on all trains on the entire Czech Railways network. The price is 579, - CZK. If you are only traveling in a certain area of ​​the Czech Republic, you can only buy the ticket for this region (comparable to the national tickets in Germany, but only for one person). The prices are between 159, - and 239, - CZK, depending on the area.

• Skupinová víkendová jízdenka (German:Weekend group ticket) is a ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years of age, valid for one day on all trains without restriction. Well worth it if you are out on the weekend or on public holidays. It is available in different versions at a ČD train ticket office:

1. for the whole of the Czech Republic for 679, - CZK.
2. for the entire Czech Republic MHD city transport Prague for 829, - CZK.
3. for the Central Bohemian Region (Czech.:Středočeský Kráj) City transport Prague for 444, - CZK.
4. for each individual district from 229 to 359 CZK.

• In-karta 25. The In-karta 25 may be of interest to tourists who intend to take several train journeys. With this you get a 25% discount on the regular fare. It is available for three months for 190 CZK (approx. 7 euros). Those who travel to the Czech Republic more often can also opt for the one-year or three-year option. This costs 450 CZK (approx. 17 euros) or 990 CZK (approx. 38 euros). For travelers under the age of 26, the In-karta is 25% cheaper (but not in the three-month version) - for one year it costs 250 CZK (approx. 9 euros).

• Kilometrická banka (German:Kilometer bank) is available for frequent travelers as an inexpensive alternative for a 2000 km railway line for 2200 CZK (approx. 83 euros). This means that 1 km costs a crown and 10 hellers (approx. 4 cents). A minimum of 100 km and a maximum of 400 km are debited. The Mileage Bank of the Czech Railways is a small booklet in which 2000 km are available, which are gradually deducted. You start your journey without waiting at a ticket office and the conductor deducts the corresponding kilometers based on the route entered by the owner. If there are not enough kilometers left for the planned trip, the remaining amount of the fare can be paid in cash or a new mileage booklet can be started for the part of the journey. The mileage record is transferable and is valid for six months from the first day of validity, available at ČD railway counters.

• Special fares for seniors Seniors aged 65 and over have received a 75% discount on the fare since September 2018. So z. B. the ticket from Prague to Pilsen for this age group 26 CZK (1 euro).

LEO Express and RegioJet

In addition to the Czech Railways (ČD), the Praha – Ostrava line in particular is operated by private company trains RegioJet and LEO Express served. These railway companies have their own tariffs and only their own tickets are valid on their trains (which can be bought at the counter of these companies or on their websites). There is currently no mutual recognition of tickets from other railway companies.

In addition to 1st and 2nd class, both private companies also offer a limited number of places in the business class or. premium (1) classwhich are very cheap depending on the route (example: Praha – Ostrava, one way, 1 person from CZK 354, around 13 euros).