Travel Guide: Austria To Prague

There are several ways to travel from Austria to Prague, including by train, bus, car, or plane. The fastest way to travel to Prague from Austria is by car, which takes approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes. However, if you do not have access to a car, the best way to get to Prague is by bus or train. Both options are relatively affordable, with tickets costing between $14.46 and $45. Trains from Vienna to Prague are also quite frequent, with approximately 11 to 26 trains per day.

Travel by bus from Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) to Prague

If you're travelling from Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) to Prague, taking the bus is the best option. The bus route from Vienna to Prague covers 300 km, and FlixBus can bring you from Vienna to Prague in 3 hours 55 minutes. FlixBus operates a bus from Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) to Prague hourly. Tickets cost $27–45 and the journey takes 4 hours 10 minutes.

There are 5 bus stations in Vienna: Vienna (Karlsplatz), Vienna Central Station, Vienna Erdberg (Busterminal VIB), Vienna Matzleinsdorferplatz (Triester Straße), and Vienna West Station (Felberstraße). You can find the location of the stations on the map provided by FlixBus. The earliest FlixBus ride from Vienna to Prague departs at 03:25.

FlixBus buses travelling from Vienna to Prague offer extra legroom, private outlets, and restrooms. Most buses also provide free Wi-Fi. FlixBus is also one of the most environmentally-friendly options available, as it reduces traffic-associated emissions. Passengers can offset their carbon emissions when travelling with FlixBus by clicking the CO₂ compensation box when booking their ticket.

You can book your Prague to Vienna bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus. You don't need to print your ticket if you purchased it online or via the app. Simply show the driver the QR code that you received via email or that is stored in the app. FlixBus offers several payment methods for purchasing your ticket from Prague to Vienna securely. You can choose from card payment, PayPal, Google Pay and many more.

Travel by train from Vienna to Prague

There are several ways to travel from Austria to Prague, including by train, bus, car, or plane. If you're looking to travel by train from Vienna to Prague, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, it's important to know that there is no direct train from Austria to Prague. However, you can take a train from Wien Hbf station in Vienna, which is the main train station in the city centre, to Praha Hlavni Nadrazi station in Prague. This journey includes transfers and takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes. There are also other options, with some trains taking around 4 hours and 15 minutes, and the fastest trains taking around 3 hours and 57 minutes. So, be sure to check the schedule and book in advance to get the best journey time.

Several train companies operate on this route, including Railjet, ÖBB, Regiojet, Intercity, and Eurocity. These modern trains offer comfortable seating, complimentary WiFi, dining options, and quiet and family areas. Ticket prices vary depending on the operator, with prices starting from around $14.66 to $18 for the cheapest tickets. Booking in advance can often get you cheaper prices, with tickets costing around $16 if you book 30 days in advance and $23 if you book 7 days ahead.

With frequent departures throughout the day, around 24 trains running per day, and an average of 56 trains per day, you'll have plenty of options to choose from when planning your trip from Vienna to Prague by train.

Travel by plane

Although the distance between Vienna and Prague is only 300 kilometres, flying may not be the most practical way to travel between the two capitals. This is due to the extra time required to get to and from the airport, as well as the waiting time in security lines. However, if you prefer to travel by plane, it is possible to fly from one city to the other. All flights are operated by Austrian Airlines, and prices start at €130 for a one-way ticket when purchased in advance.

To get to Prague from Austria by plane, you would first need to get to Vienna International Airport (VIE). The airport is located southeast of the city centre, and you can get there by taking the S7 train from central Vienna. The journey takes around 25 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs €4.10. Alternatively, you can take the 1185 bus from the Vienna Opera, which takes around 20 minutes and costs €2.20. A taxi from the city centre to the airport will cost around €30-40.

Once you arrive at Vienna International Airport, you can purchase a ticket for your flight to Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) from the Austrian Airlines desk. After landing, you can take the Prague Airport Express bus to reach the city centre in around 35 minutes for €2.30. Alternatively, you can take the 119 or 100 bus, which takes around 40 minutes and costs €1.30. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around €25-30.

Travel by car

The fastest way to travel from Austria to Prague is by car, taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The distance between the two countries is about 207 to 209 miles.

If you are renting a car, make sure to specify that you need an automatic transmission unless you are comfortable driving a car with a stick shift. Also, renting a car in the Czech Republic and driving it to Austria may result in a "foreign drop-off" surcharge, so be sure to mention that you plan on driving to another country as this sometimes comes with extra fees or the requirement to get additional insurance.

There are a few routes you could take:

• The fastest route is to go by highway (D1) - Prague-Brno-Mikulov - Vienna.
• If you want to see more of the countryside, try the Prague-Jihlava-Znojmo-Vienna route. It starts with the highway but from Jihlava, it continues on a country road. On this route, there are many places to stop and enjoy the little towns.
• You could also go east via Kutna Hora (known for its bone church) and Olomouc (a city with beautiful architecture) and then south to Brno.
• Or you could go south, via the Bohemia region with its beautiful towns like Tabor or Cesky Krumlov, and then turn east to visit charming, UNESCO-listed places like Telc, Trebic, and Znojmo, with Brno in between.

Regardless of the route, you will need to buy a motorway sticker for the Czech Republic and Austria. You can buy these at petrol stations or online. Vignettes for Austria are valid for either 10 days or two months, while the Czech Republic's equivalents last for 10 days or 30 days. Make sure to get one that covers your entire trip, as driving on the motorway without one can incur a hefty fine.

Travel by subway

Unfortunately, there is no direct subway route from Austria to Prague. However, if you are happy to include transfers in your journey, it is possible to travel between the two by subway.

When travelling from Austria to Prague by subway, you will need to transfer between different transport options. The fastest way to get from Austria to Prague takes around 3.5 hours. However, this may not include travel by subway.

One option is to take the subway from Nádraží Veleslavín to Staroměstská. You can then take the train from Vienna Meidling Train Station to Praha Hlavní Nádraží. Unfortunately, I cannot find the length of this journey.

Another option is to take the subway and then the bus. You can take the subway from Nádraží Veleslavín to Staroměstská and then get the bus from Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) to Prague. This journey takes around 5 hours and 1 minute and costs $30-$45.

If you are travelling from Prague to Austria, you can take the subway in the opposite direction. Take the subway from Nádraží Veleslavín to Staroměstská and then get the bus from Praha, Hlavní Nádraží to Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB). This journey will take around 4 hours and cost $29-$45.

Frequently asked questions