Getting From Prague to Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov is a historical city in Southern Bohemia and probably one of the most visited towns in the Czech Republic after Prague. Around 2 million tourists come to Cesky Krumlov every year. Due to its medieval charm and historical buldings, the city is listed as one of the 12 UNESCO Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic. Cesky Krumlov centre is quite small and is home to only 13.000 citizens, making it ideal for a one-day trip from Prague. Unfortunately, it is quite far away, and it takes about 2.5 hours and 180 kilometres to get there by car, bus or train.
Bus
One of the cheapest and most popular options is taking a bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov. Several companies are heading there a few times a day. It is a good idea to take an early morning ride at 6 or 7 am from Prague, to arrive there by 9 or 10 am. You can either go with FlixBus, RegioJet, or Leo Express buses. They are well equipped with free onboard Wi-Fi, air conditioning, toilets, and seat tables. Most services offer free water and newspapers. The ride takes around three hours, which is about 30 minutes longer than going by car. Bus tickets cost as little as 5 EUR up to 10 EUR per trip depending on the availability.
Train
If you prefer trains over buses, you can go with Czech Railways. The biggest advantage is more space during your travels and going through the beautiful nature and amazing landscapes from Prague to Southern Bohemia. Unfortunately, the earliest train leaves at 8 am, so that you will be at 11 am in Cesky Krumlov. Like the bus, the ride takes around three hours. The one-way ticket costs from 8 to 15 EUR. Since the last train leaves at 2 pm from Cesky Krumlov, we recommend staying overnight or going back by bus. Another disadvantage of taking the train is a slightly longer travel time of over three hours and the slightly inconvenient location of the train station, located outside of the city centre.
Car Rental
If you have an EU or international driving license, you can drive in the Czech Republic. Renting a car makes sense if you plan to visit more places and return to Prague. There are several car rental companies operating in Prague. Prices for rental start from 70 EUR per day and include renting a midsize car (e.g. Toyota Corolla, Skoda Octavia) and full insurance. Getting to Cesky Krumlov by car is really easy, and the distance of 180 kilometres will take you just about 2.5 hours. You are your own master, you can leave any time you want, stop anywhere you want. However, it may be not easy during the tourist season to find a parking spot within a reasonable distance of the city centre. Instead, it makes sensed to use some of the big parking areas, which cost around €2 per hour.
Guided Tour
If you prefer guided tours with professional guides, we recommend using GetYourGuide, where you can choose a tour based on reviews and other criteria. For a reasonable amount, starting at €65 per person, you will get a two-way transfer by coach, pickup at your hotel in Prague, a local guide, lunch, and tickets to Krumlov Castle. The disadvantage is group tours are not for everyone. A smart option may be arranging transport yourself via bus or train and getting a local guide in Krumlov, which will work out a bit cheaper.
Private Driver – Prague Airport Transfers
Prague Airport Transfers focus on private airport pickups and all their drivers are hand-picked and well trained. The drivers can take up to four passengers in sedan cars or eight passengers in minivans, so you can share the costs. The driver will also wait for you in front of your hotel, the airport or any other location in Prague. The service has excellent ratings on TripAdvisor and even received the Certificate of Excellence. If you are coming back to Prague, just don’t forget to agree on a waiting fee, and your return trip is free of charge (you pay only the one-way fare and waiting fee).
