A guide to student-friendly day trips from Prague, easily reachable by bus, train, or other public transport. This includes recommendations on must-visit places, dining options, relaxation spots, and noteworthy sights to explore.

Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov, an enchanting village an hour and a half south of Prague, stands out as the country’s most picturesque location. Its charm lies in the meandering river, vibrant streets, and a castle overlooking the town. As Prague’s most famous day trip destination, it offers attractions like Cesky Krumlov Castle, Wooden Raft Cruise Tour, Muzeum Fotoatelier Seidel, and the Revolving Theater. 

Culinary delights include Topinka for breakfast with river views, specialty coffees at Masná 130 or Kolektiv, and unique cocktails at Apoteka. Enjoy fresh Pilsners at Depo, riverside treats at Bistro Náplavka (summer only), and burgers at Můstek. Popularized by social media, this UNESCO-listed town can be busy, so consider an overnight stay. It’s quieter in the evenings, early mornings, and winter, with fewer tourists. 

How to get there? Reachable by direct bus (like Flixbus) or train from Prague, the journey takes about three hours, with the bus arriving in the town center and the train requiring a short walk or taxi ride.

 Kutná Hora 

Kutná Hora, located 80 kilometers east of Prague, is renowned for its stunning architecture, such as the Baroque St. Barbara’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1338. The 1822 Kacina Chateau and the Gothic All Saints Chapel, also known as the Bone Church, house over 70,000 remains from historic plagues and wars. (Nearby, Kacina Chateau, accessible by car, boasts a private theater, pharmacy, and library.) 

The town offers great coffee spots like Kafírnictví and Turistka or traditional Czech cuisine at Na pašince and V Ruthardce. And there is also the option of a modern Vietnamese fare at Čtyři sestry. Don’t miss summer ice cream treats at Zmrzlinárna Kutná Hora or Zmrzlina Karlov. 

In short, this is an ideal day trip as it is easy to reach through public transport and has many great sights and loads of history to offer! As a tip, though, make sure you visit this place during weekdays as locals tend to overcrowd the place during weekends. 

How to get there? Trains from Prague run every two hours in the morning and hourly in the afternoon, taking about an hour each way. Once you arrive In Kutná Hora, take a local train to “Kutná Hora-Sedlec”. 

You can find train schedules here. 

Karlštejn Castle

Karlštejn Castle, just a 40-minute train ride from Prague, ranks as the Czech Republic’s second most visited site. Its fairy tale charm attracts many tourists, especially during peak season, leading to busy crowds and pricier amenities nearby. Nonetheless, the castle’s surrounding landscapes are serene and picturesque. Built by Charles IV between 1348 and 1365 to safeguard royal treasures and crown jewels, the castle has undergone several renovations, including a significant 19th-century reconstruction. 

How to get there? You can catch a direct train from Prague. Click here for more information about train schedules and ticket prices. For a detailed guide on a day trip to Karlštejn from Prague, check out this complete guide.

Brno – The Czech Republic’s Second Largest City

Brno, the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, is the gateway to the scenic Moravia region, known for its vineyards and rolling hills. Smaller than Prague, Brno still packs a cultural punch with attractions like the 13th-century Špilberk Castle and the nearby City Museum, the Cathedral of St. Peter, Paul with its Baroque architecture, and the Moravian Gallery. For a comprehensive experience, try a walking tour through Brno’s best sights. (check this one out!). 

Food enthusiasts will appreciate Brno’s culinary scene, featuring unique eateries and coffee shops. Recommended dining options include Atelier Bistro & Bar or Element. Or if you are a fan of vibrant cocktails try taking a tour at Super Panda Circus, Bar, který neexistuje, and more. 

Beer lovers should visit Na stojáka, while wine aficionados can head to justWine or Kaple. For breakfast, Eggo is a must, Bucheck food truck for lunch, and Dezertina for pastries. The city also boasts excellent coffee spots like Monogram Espresso Bar and Industra Coffee.

If planning a longer stay, consider touring the broader Moravia region to explore its wine country and stunning castles. 

This place is easily accessible by train from Prague’s main station (hlavní nádraží), with a short walk to the city center from Brno’s station (Brno hlavní nádraží). Train schedules and pricing can be checked on RegioJet. 

Plzeň aka Pilsen

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Plzeň, commonly known as Pilsen, lies southwest of Prague and is easily reachable by train. This picturesque town features notable sights like the Republic Square, hosting the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew with its 100-meter spire, and the 19th-century Great Synagogue, one of the largest globally.

BUT especially for beer lovers, a trip from Prague is a must. Plzeň is the origin of the famous Pilsner Urquell brewery, making it a pivotal site in global beer history. A brewery tour offers insights into beer production and ends with a sampling of fresh Pilsner from large storage barrels. This is a MUST-DO activity when visiting – TOURING THE BREWERY. Additionally, the tour ends with a unique experience of enjoying a freshly poured beer, straight from the huge barrels containing the freshest Pilsner you’ll ever taste. 

How to get there? Regular trains run from Prague to Plzeň with schedules available online. Alternatively, RegioJet buses also travel from Prague to Plzeň hourly, starting at 6:00 am, with a similar journey time and cost.

Karlovy Vary aka Carlsbad

Karlovy Vary, a renowned spa town in Western Bohemia, Czech Republic, stands out as one of the three Czech spas listed in UNESCO’s Great Spas of Europe. It’s a perfect day trip for those who appreciate hot springs, hiking, and exquisite architecture.

This town, also known as Carlsbad, offers a unique blend of experiences. Highlights include the Becher’s Bar  at Grandhotel Pupp, and various dining options like the old-fashioned Promenáda for Crêpes Suzette, 480 Pizzeria Napoletana  for Neapolitan pizza, Sabor Mediterraneo  for Spanish tapas, or even Le Marché for French cuisine. For coffee lovers, Kavárna Lékárna and Republica coffee are excellent choices, while Krcálek combines specialty coffee with delightful sandwiches and sweets.

How to get there? The most convenient travel option to Karlovy Vary is by bus, with companies like RegioJet and FlixBus offering affordable fares under $7.00 each way for a 2-hour 15-minute journey. Trains are available but take over three hours. For more flexibility, consider booking a private transfer for a tailored travel experience.

Mariánské Lázně (near Karlovy Vary)

Mariánské Lázně, nestled in the Czech Republic’s Karlovy Vary region, is a picturesque and romantic destination, famed for its healing mineral springs and historical visitors like Goethe and Twain. Perfect for day trips from Prague or neighboring Karlovy Vary, it’s not just about spas; the town also offers hiking and exploration opportunities in and around the area.

How to get there? The most straightforward way to get there is by train from Prague. Direct trains leave from Prague’s main station every two hours. For those interested in a guided experience, combined tours of Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary are also available.

Velká Amerika (Big America Quarry)

Velká Amerika, often called the Czech Republic’s Grand Canyon, is a stunning limestone quarry near Mořina village, just eight kilometers from Prague. This largest of three area quarries, along with Malá Amerika and Mexiko, is interconnected by a network of caves. It’s a favored summer spot for Prague residents, drawing weekend crowds for sunbathing and swimming, despite swimming being officially prohibited.

Visitors can safely enjoy the quarry’s beauty from a viewpoint near the parking lot, a short 15-minute walk from the Mořina bus stop. A popular day trip involves a scenic bus ride (bus 311) from Zličín in Prague, passing through picturesque fields and villages. The quarry is about a mile’s walk from the bus stop, marked by yellow and white trail signs. The journey to the quarry takes about an hour. From there, a trail leads past other quarries and through a forest to Karlštejn, a downhill hike taking roughly an hour at a leisurely pace. 

This path, adorned with small blue flowers in summer and offering shady respite, is more popular than the reverse route. Be sure to bring enough water, as local amenities in Mořina are often closed on weekends. 

Click here for Google Directions.

Olomouc

Olomouc, a hidden gem in the Czech Republic’s eastern region is notable for its 18th-century Holy Trinity Column and six baroque fountains. often overlooked for day trips, this Moravian university town, not usually a top tourist destination, is valued for its friendly populace and vibrant student community of over 25,000, creating a youthful and inclusive atmosphere.

Despite a modest railway station, a quick tram ride reveals Olomouc’s charming cobblestone city center, adorned with churches and university buildings. Key attractions include the UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column, mythologically-themed fountains, the impressive St Wenceslas Cathedral, and the Archdiocesan Museum of Olomouc, which encompasses the historic Přemyslid Castle. The city’s Astronomical Clock, remodeled in 1955, uniquely blends original and Communist-era features.

For dining, Entrée restaurant offers exquisite meals, requiring advance booking due to its popularity of having a chef who is now a judge on Masterchef. Long Story Short provides a modern culinary experience with a lovely courtyard, ideal for any meal. For a more casual setting, Drápal is a classic pub at the city’s edge. Coffee enthusiasts will enjoy Traffic Coffee, Kafe jak lusk, and Pikola espresso bar, with European Coffee Trip offering more recommendations. Oh and Don’t miss trying Olomoucký tvarůžek, the local specialty cheese!

How to get there? Reaching Olomouc from Prague is straightforward via a 2-2.5-hour train ride, with departures from Prague’s main station one to two times per hour, starting at 220 kc for a one-way ticket.

Vysočina

The Vysočina highlands in the Czech Republic are a picturesque blend of rolling hills, dense forests, serene ponds, and vibrant fields. This rustic landscape is rich in historical treasures, including castles, churches, walled towns, and towers, offering a glimpse into bygone centuries. Many of these historical sites are well-preserved or restored, standing as proud emblems amidst contemporary life.

Vysočina boasts three UNESCO Heritage Sites: the poignant Jewish Quarter in Třebíč, the unique star-shaped pilgrimage church in Žďár, and the expansive old town of Telč. These sites act as portals to different eras of history.

To fully experience Vysočina’s historical and natural splendor, a trip combining Telč, Třebíč, and Žďár is ideal. These cities are not only great for day trips from Prague but can also be woven into a memorable road trip for those with access to a car.

How to get there? The most efficient mode of transportation from Prague to Kraj Vysočina is by bus, taking approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes at a cost of 210 Kč. Alternatively, you can opt for a train journey, costing between 260 Kč to 600 Kč and taking about 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Konopiště Castle

Konopiště Castle, an easy train ride from Prague, ranks among the most stunning day trip destinations in the area. This grand castle was once home to Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, a pivotal figure of the 20th century, who preferred living in the Czech Republic with his Czech wife, Sophie, over Vienna’s court life.

Visitors have the option of an English-guided tour, which includes transport to the castle. However, if guided tours aren’t your preference, you can still enjoy the chateau gardens (especially the Rose Garden with its magnificent peacocks), stroll around the lake, and explore the former hunting grounds. For a culinary treat, the nearby Stará Myslivna restaurant serves delicious Czech cuisine with a focus on game meat.

How to get there? To get there from Prague’s main train station, head to Benesov either by the S9, a slower train stopping at every small town (about an hour’s journey), or the R17, a faster direct train (about 35 minutes). 

These are all the top destinations if you plan to leave the city for a day or two!