The options at a glance
Český Krumlov sits about 170 km south of Prague. The fastest direct buses do it in 2 h 25 min, cars take around 2 h 30 in good traffic, and trains take roughly 3 hours with one easy change. Four ways to do it. One of them is right for almost everyone.
The shortest version: take the bus. RegioJet and FlixBus both run direct services from Prague to Český Krumlov several times a day, and the schedule is dense enough that you can usually find a departure that fits your plans. Below we go through the alternatives — train, car, private transfer — and explain when each one makes sense.
Skip ahead to Which to pick if you just want the recommendation.
The bus (the obvious choice)
Two operators run the route: RegioJet and FlixBus. RegioJet's primary Prague departure is Praha, Na Knížecí (Anděl on metro line B, then a 5-minute walk). FlixBus uses both Praha ÚAN Florenc and Praha hlavní nádraží. All of them arrive at the Český Krumlov bus station (Špičák), a 10–15-minute walk from the main square.
RegioJet vs FlixBus, briefly
RegioJet is the more comfortable option — assigned seats, free Wi-Fi, free hot drinks, in-seat screens with films and games. FlixBus is often a touch cheaper, particularly off-peak (we've seen FlixBus go as low as €5 / 125 CZK for a single, vs 220–250 CZK for the cheapest RegioJet fares). FlixBus has Wi-Fi and power on board but is otherwise more bare-bones. For an early-morning departure when you want to nap, RegioJet earns its premium.
Prague has multiple bus stops — check your ticket
RegioJet's main Prague departure point for Krumlov is Praha, Na Knížecí (metro line B, station Anděl, then a 5-minute walk). FlixBus uses both Praha ÚAN Florenc (metro lines B & C) and Praha hlavní nádraží (main train station, Wilsonova 8). The exact stop is printed on your ticket — double-check it before you head out.
Metro Na Knížecí = line B (Anděl). Florenc = lines B & C. Hlavní nádraží = line C.Buy online — don't show up at the counter
Both RegioJet and FlixBus sell out on summer weekends, and same-day fares can double. Book 3–10 days ahead for the cheapest fares. Tickets are e-tickets — a screenshot on a phone is enough.
Tip Both operators' websites are in English. Both take international cards.Arrive 15 minutes early, board by seat number
RegioJet assigns seats and offers free Wi-Fi, free hot drinks and water, and in-seat screens with films and games — it's one of the more comfortable budget coaches in Europe. FlixBus is more bare-bones but still has Wi-Fi and power sockets on the Krumlov route. Bring water — onboard prices aren't great.
Get off at the bus station, not the centre
All long-distance buses stop at Český Krumlov, Špičák — the AN bus station, about 800 m and a 10–15 minute walk from the main square (Náměstí Svornosti). Roll your luggage downhill, not uphill — go via Horní brána.
Luggage The Old Town is cobblestone. Hard-case wheels will be loud and occasionally stuck. ⚠ There is no real taxi rank at the bus station. If you need a ride, book it before you arrive.Where you arrive in Krumlov
All long-distance buses use the Český Krumlov, Špičák bus station — not the train station, which is further out. From the bus station to Náměstí Svornosti (the main square) it's about 800 m, a 10–15-minute walk downhill, mostly along Kaplická and through Horní brána. Phones with offline Google Maps work fine.
The train (scenic, slower)
There is no direct train from Prague to Český Krumlov. The journey involves a change at České Budějovice, the South Bohemian regional capital, and takes around 2 h 55 to 3 h 20 in total depending on the connection.
The route is operated by two different railways: the Prague → České Budějovice leg is a Czech Railways (ČD) express — air-conditioned, with table seats and power sockets at every seat — and takes about 2 h 26. The last 44 minutes from České Budějovice to Krumlov is on the small green-and-orange GWTR local train, which runs roughly hourly. Buy a single through-ticket on the ČD website (cd.cz) — it covers both legs and the change is handled for you.
The advantages are real: more legroom, the option to walk around, table seating, and a better view of the South Bohemian countryside, particularly the final stretch from Budějovice to Krumlov. The disadvantages are also real: it is slower, the change adds friction, and the Krumlov train station is further from the Old Town than the bus station — roughly 20–25 minutes on foot, mostly uphill on the way out.
If you've never travelled by train in Czechia and you have the time, try it. If you've done a few ČD intercity rides already and you just want to be in Krumlov, the bus is better.
Driving and parking
By car the journey is roughly 2 h 30 in good traffic, mostly on the D1 motorway south to Tábor and then the partial D3 motorway through South Bohemia. With Sunday-afternoon traffic in summer, add 30–60 minutes.
One thing worth knowing: the D3 is not yet a continuous Prague→Krumlov motorway. Only the middle section, roughly Mezno to Kaplice-nádraží, is currently in operation. The northern stretch from Prague to Mezno is still under planning and isn't expected to be finished until around 2031, so you'll still spend part of the drive on single-carriageway roads where traffic backs up at peak times. The southernmost sections to the Austrian border were due to open progressively in 2026.
The hard part isn't driving to Krumlov — it's parking once you're there. The Old Town is a pedestrian zone with very limited car access. You'll be parking in one of the lots on the perimeter (P1 to P5), and then walking in.
We've written a dedicated parking guide — short version, use P1 (Jelení zahrada) for the closest centre access, or P3 (Na Spravedlnosti) if P1 is full. Hourly rates are roughly 40–50 CZK, a day ticket is around 280 CZK.
Private transfer
A door-to-door private transfer from Prague to Český Krumlov runs roughly €70–€220 for a single vehicle, depending on operator and vehicle class. It's a sensible choice if you're travelling with luggage and small children, if you're arriving late at night, or if you want to break the journey with a stop in Hluboká or Holašovice on the way.
For solo travellers and couples without much luggage, it's not worth the premium over the bus.
Which to pick
…you want the easiest, cheapest, fastest
RegioJet bus
Direct from 2 h 25 min, free Wi-Fi, free hot drinks, in-seat screens. For 9 out of 10 travellers, this is the answer.
…you'll be doing day trips
Rent a car
Useful for Lipno, Holašovice, Hluboká or crossing to Austria. Pointless if you'll only stay in town — parking in Krumlov is finite and not cheap.
…the seasonal traffic effect
Sunday afternoon return
Between roughly 15:00 and 19:00 on summer Sundays, the road back to Prague queues at Tábor (D3 ends before Mezno, so traffic merges back onto a single carriageway). Add 30–60 minutes.
…the rushed combo tour
Prague–Krumlov–Hallstatt in one day
Too many hours on a bus, too little time in either place. If you must, do it as two overnights — Krumlov as base, Hallstatt as a day trip.
Hotels and guesthouses in Český Krumlov
We maintain a short, opinionated shortlist of properties we'd book ourselves. Click through to check live availability — affiliate links, no extra cost to you.
See accommodation in Český KrumlovFAQ
How long is the bus from Prague to Český Krumlov?
Roughly 2 h 25 min to 3 hours. RegioJet's fastest schedule is 2 h 25; FlixBus is closer to 2 h 40 to 3 h depending on the run. Add 15–30 minutes for weekend traffic on the southern leg, where D3 still has gaps and traffic funnels onto single-carriageway roads.
How much does the bus from Prague to Český Krumlov cost?
Single fares typically range from around 220 to 430 CZK (about €9 to €17) depending on operator, date, and how early you book. FlixBus can go as low as around €5 on quiet off-peak departures. Last-minute peak-season weekends are noticeably more.
Is the train better than the bus?
The train takes about 2 h 55 to 3 h 20 in total with one change at České Budějovice, where you switch from a Czech Railways (ČD) express to the small green-and-orange GWTR local train to Krumlov. It's more scenic in the last 45-minute stretch through South Bohemia, but slower and the Krumlov train station is further from the Old Town than the bus station. If you enjoy train travel and aren't in a hurry, take it. If you just want to be there, take the bus.
Can I take a day trip from Prague to Český Krumlov?
Yes, technically. We don't recommend it. You'll spend 6 hours on a bus to get 3 or 4 hours in town — and you'll miss everything that makes Krumlov special: the morning mist, the evening light on the Old Town, the river bend at dusk. Stay one night, at minimum.
Do I need to book a return ticket in advance?
On weekdays in low season, no. On Saturdays in summer, yes — buses leaving Krumlov on Sunday afternoon often sell out by Friday. Book both directions when you book your accommodation.
Is there a direct train from Prague to Český Krumlov?
No. The standard route requires a change at České Budějovice (Prague → Budějovice is run by ČD; Budějovice → Krumlov is operated by GWTR on a regional branch line). The connection is usually 3–10 minutes on the same platform or one across, and you can book Prague → Krumlov as a single through-ticket on cd.cz.
