The Czech Republic has one of the densest railway networks in Europe, making it a paradise for travelers. However, if you want to travel like a local, there are a few “hidden rules” you need to know. This Czech train travel guide will walk you through the secrets of discounts, seat etiquette, and the reality of eating on the rails.
Seat Reservations: When to Pay (and When Not To)
Navigating seat reservations is a key part of any Czech train travel guide. In most domestic trains, a reservation isn’t strictly mandatory, but it’s highly recommended on popular routes like Prague to Vienna or Berlin.
The “trick” here is where you buy. If you use the Můj vlak app or the official website, seat reservations are usually free for domestic journeys. However, if you walk up to a ticket counter at the station, they will charge you a small fee (around 35 CZK). If you choose private carriers like RegioJet or Leo Express, you don’t have to worry about this at all—a specific seat is always included in the price of your ticket automatically. Just remember that on the high-speed SC Pendolino, you must have a reservation regardless of where you buy it.
Czech Train Travel Guide: Seat Reservation Summary
- Online is Free: If you use the cd.cz website or the Můj vlak app, seat reservations for domestic trains are usually free.
- At the Station: If you buy at a ticket counter, they will charge you about 35 CZK ($1.50) per seat.
- Private Trains: If you take the yellow RegioJet or black Leo Express trains, your seat is always included in the ticket price.
- Mandatory Seats: On the fast SC Pendolino, reservations are mandatory. Book online to keep this free.
Don’t Get Fined: The “Validation” Rule
This is the mistake most tourists make. If you have a standard train ticket bought at a counter or on an app for a specific long-distance trip, you don’t need to do anything—just show the QR code to the conductor.
However, if you are using a Prague City Ticket (PID 30 or 90 minutes ticket) to take a local “S” train within the city limits, you must stamp it in the yellow validation machines before you get on the platform. The conductors are very strict; they don’t care if you are a tourist or if your ticket is valid—if it isn’t stamped, you will be fined on the spot.
About discounts for train tickets read here.
How to Read a Board at Czech Railway Stations: What Train Codes Mean
When you look at the departure boards (Odjezdy), you’ll see letters before the train number that describe your “ride quality.” Czech Train Travel Guide will help you to understand what does these mean.
The S and Os trains are the workhorses of the country; they stop at every tiny village and platform, which is charming but slow. If you’re looking for speed, look for Ex, IC, or EC codes. These are express trains with high comfort and fewer stops. The R (Rychlík) trains are the middle ground—standard fast trains that connect major towns. Finally, the SC (SuperCity) is the famous tilting Pendolino train, which is the fastest way to get from Prague to the east of the country.
| Code | Type of Train | Stopping Frequency | Best For… |
| S / Os | Suburban / Osobní | Stops at every single station. | Short trips and tiny villages. |
| Sp | Spěšný | “Semi-fast”—skips tiny stops. | Regional travel between towns. |
| R | Rychlík | Standard fast train. | Connecting major cities on a budget. |
| Ex/IC/EC | Express / InterCity | Very few stops, high comfort. | Long-distance and international. |
| SC | SuperCity (Pendolino) | Fastest “tilting” trains. | Speed (Prague to Ostrava). |
Luggage: Where Does It All Go?
Unlike flying, there is no one standing at the platform with a scale to weigh your bags. Generally, if you can carry it, you can bring it. However, the space available depends heavily on the type of train you are boarding.
On the modern Railjet or InterCity trains, you’ll find large luggage racks at the ends of the carriages or in the middle of the car. These are perfect for those heavy “check-in” sized suitcases. If you are taking an older Rychlík (R) train with the traditional six-seat compartments, space is much tighter. You’ll need to lift your bags onto the racks above the seats. If your suitcase is massive, it might not fit there, and leaving it in the hallway is a sure way to make the conductor (and other passengers) unhappy.
A note on “Left Luggage” (Úschovna): If you want to spend a day exploring a city like Pilsen or Olomouc without dragging your bags along, almost every major Czech station has a luggage service. Look for the “lock” icon. Some stations have automated lockers, while smaller ones have a staffed counter where they give you a paper tag. It usually costs between 50 and 100 CZK per day—a small price to pay for your freedom!
Traveling with Bicycles: The “Kolo” Rule
The Czech Republic is a cyclist’s paradise, and the trains are built to reflect that. Most trains have a carriage marked with a large bicycle icon, but you can’t just hop on with your bike and hope for the best.
The Bicycle Ticket: You must buy a separate ticket for your bike (called Jízdné pro kolo). The price usually depends on the distance, but it is quite cheap. You can buy this at the station or through the app.
Czech Train Travel Guide: Reservations for Bicycles are Key
On many fast trains (Ex, IC, EC), you don’t just need a ticket; you need a space reservation for the bike. In the “Můj vlak” app, look for the bicycle icon—if it’s in a circle, the reservation is mandatory. If you show up to a busy EuroCity train without a bike reservation, the conductor can (and likely will) refuse to let you board because there is simply no physical space left.
The Two Ways to Store Your Bike:
- Self-Service: You hang your bike on a hook or stand in the designated area and sit nearby.
- Mobile Storage: On some long-distance trains, you hand your bike to the conductor in a special luggage van at the front or back of the train. They give you a tag, and you collect it when you get off.
Finding Your Vibe: Quiet Zones and Cinema Cars
Czech trains are designed to accommodate everyone, from business travelers needing silence to families with energetic kids. However, if you sit in the wrong place, you might be in for a surprise.
The Quiet Zone (Tichý oddíl): On most express trains and the Pendolino, you will see carriages marked with a “silent” icon (a finger over lips). In these sections, loud talking, phone calls, and even loud music through headphones are strictly discouraged. It’s a dream for getting some work done, but if you’re traveling with a group of friends, avoid this car—the locals will shush you if you start chatting.
The Children’s Cinema (Dětské kino): If you are traveling with kids, look for the carriage with the colorful pictures on the doors. On many Railjet and InterCity trains, there is a dedicated section with a small “cinema” screen playing cartoons to keep the little ones occupied. These carriages also have extra space for strollers and larger tables for games. Even if you don’t have kids, it’s good to know where this car is—mostly so you can avoid it if you’re looking for a peaceful nap!
Czech Train Travel Guide: The Dining Car Gamble “Jídelní vůz” vs. “Bistro”
If you’re planning to eat on board, you need to know what kind of food service your train actually has. The Real Dining Car (Jídelní vůz) is a separate, dedicated carriage with proper tables and a full kitchen where you sit down like in a restaurant. You’ll mostly find these on international EuroCity or Railjet trains.
Then there is the Bistro Car, which is half-passenger seating and half-bar. Here, you usually stand or sit at a small ledge with a limited menu of baguettes and soup. On smaller routes, you might only see the Minibar (Trolley)—a staff member pushing a cart with snacks and coffee.
A word of warning from experience: Do not arrive at the station starving. On busy routes, the staff serves 1st-class passengers first, and they often run out of hot meals before they even reach 2nd-class. If the train started its journey in another country, the kitchen might be nearly empty by the time it reaches you. Always pack a “backup sandwich” just in case!
Survival Vocabulary: Reading the Departure Board
When you are standing in the middle of a busy station like Praha hlavní nádraží, the screens can be overwhelming. Here are the words you’ll actually see:
- Odjezdy: Departures (Look for this screen first!)
- Příjezdy: Arrivals
- Nástupiště (Nást.): Platform
- Kolej: Track (Usually, the screen tells you the platform, and once you get there, you find the specific track).
- Zpoždění: Delay (Usually shown in minutes, e.g., 10 min).
- Vlak: Train
- Sektor: For long express trains, the platform is divided into sectors (A, B, C). Your app will often tell you which sector your carriage will stop in.
- Jednotná jízdenka: The “OneTicket” (Universal ticket).
Czech Train Travel Guide: Quick Summary for Travelers
| If you are… | Recommended Carrier | Why? |
| A Solo Traveler | RegioJet / Leo Express | Better base prices, free coffee, and great Wi-Fi. |
| A Couple or Group | České dráhy (Online) | The “Group Discount” makes this the cheapest way to travel. |
| Exploring Villages | České dráhy / OneTicket | The only way to reach the tiny, picturesque stations. |
| On a Weekend Trip | Group Weekend Ticket | One flat fee for 2 adults and 3 kids to travel all day long. |
Czech Train Travel Guide Pro-Tip: Before you leave, download the IDOS app. It is the gold standard for travel in the Czech Republic, showing real-time delays and platform numbers for every train, bus, and tram in the country.
