The Czech Republic has one of the densest railway networks in the world, which is a dream for travelers. However, Czech train discounts and the pricing system can feel like a puzzle. If you walk up to the counter and simply ask for a ticket, you might miss out on significant savings that locals use every day.
Senior Discounts for Train Tickets (65+ years)
The most important thing to know is that the state-mandated discounts for seniors and students are not just for Czech citizens—they are for everyone. If you are 65 or older, you automatically qualify for 50% off 2nd-class fares. All you need to do is show your passport or a national ID card to the conductor. There’s no need to register for a special Czech card unless you plan on staying for many months.
- Discount: 50% off the standard fare (Flexi and Fixed tickets) in 2nd class.
- Eligibility for Tourists: Yes, this is available to everyone regardless of nationality.
- What you need: You only need to show an official ID card (e.g., Passport or National ID) that includes your name, photo, and date of birth. No special “Czech-only” card is required.
- Age 60–64: There is no automatic state discount for this age range. However, you can buy an In Karta (customer card) to get 25–50% off, but this is usually only worth it if you are staying in the country for a long time.
Student & Youth Discounts (under 26)
For younger travelers, the rules for Czech train discounts are slightly stricter. If you are between 18 and 25, a standard university ID isn’t enough; you must have a valid ISIC card. If you’re under 18, your passport is sufficient proof to claim that same 50% discount.
- Discount: 50% off the standard fare in 2nd class.
- Eligibility for Tourists:
- Ages 18–25: You must have a valid ISIC card (International Student Identity Card). Standard student IDs from your home university are generally not accepted unless they are the ISIC version.
- Ages 15–17: You don’t need to be a student. You just need to prove your age with a passport or ID card.
- Children under 15: They receive the 50% discount automatically (proof of age may be required for those 10-15).
- Children under 6: Travel for free.
In the Czech railway system, passengers aged 15–17 are classified as ‘Juniors.’ They are entitled to the same 50% discount as students but have the advantage of not needing an ISIC card; any official proof of age is sufficient for ticket inspections. Children under 6 travel for free, no documents required.
Czech train discounts for All Ages: Special Seasonal & Promotion Tickets
Even if you are not eligible for Czech train discounts based on age, you may still be eligible for other types of discounts.
- Ticket for Summer (Jízdenka na léto): Valid in July and August. It offers unlimited travel for 7 or 14 days. Prices for 2025 are roughly 1,390 CZK for 7 days, but students (with ISIC) and seniors (65+) get it for half price (695 CZK).
- Group Discount: Even two people traveling together count as a group and get a discount starting with the second person (more information below).
- A “Secret” Weekend Hack (Family/Small Groups). If you are traveling on a Saturday or Sunday, check the price of the “Group Weekend Ticket” (Skupinová víkendová jízdenka).
- Price: ~999 CZK for the whole day, anywhere in the Czech Republic.
- Constraint: This is usually for 2 adults and up to 3 children.
- If you plan to take 3 or 4 different trains in one single Saturday, the Weekend Ticket might save you more.
If you don’t know what to choose for your trip — bus or train — read this.
The Secret of Group Discounts
One of the unique “secrets” of the national carrier, České dráhy (ČD), is how much they reward groups. In the Czech Republic, the system treats you as a team and give you a Czech train discounts for group. The first person pays the standard fare, but the second person gets a 25% discount, and everyone from the third person onwards gets 40% off. Because of this, you should always book your entire group in one single transaction.
Summary for Traveling Group
- 1st person: Full price.
- 2nd person: 25% discount.
- 3rd–19th person: 40% discount.
Hack: Always book tickets for everyone in one transaction to trigger these savings! Later, you can divide the total amount you paid by the number of people (if needed).
If you are planning your trip for 2026, keep an eye out for the “ČD DNY 25” offer when booking online. This specific hack can shave an extra 25% off the total price for small groups. It is almost always cheaper than buying separate tickets, so always book your party on a single transaction.
Czech train discounts: Important Tips for Tourists
- Class of Travel: Most of these state-mandated discounts (50% for seniors/students) apply only to 2nd class. If you want to travel in 1st class, you usually have to pay the full price or buy a specific upgrade.
- Booking: You can select these discounts directly in the “Můj vlak” (My Train) mobile app or on the ČD website. When the conductor checks your ticket, just show your Passport or ISIC card alongside the digital/paper ticket.
- Private Carriers: If you use RegioJet or Leo Express (the yellow or black trains), they also honor these 50% discounts for seniors and students (ISIC required) on their Czech routes.
