How to Use the Czech Railways Summer Ticket + My Insider Tips & 7 or 14 days itineraries from Prague

If you love exploring new places as much as I do, summer in the Czech Republic is the best time to see our lovely historic towns, castles or go for a long country walk. But let’s be honest, paying for individual train tickets every single day can quickly add up.

That is why I am about to let you in on one of the best-kept travel secrets in the country: the České Dráhy Summer Train Ticket (or Jízdenka na léto, as we locals call it).

I bought my first summer 2 weeks travel ticket a few years ago and since then I’ve been completely hooked! This type of ticket is only available in July and August, but you can buy the ticket for any 7 or 14 consecutive days.

My secret tip is to use my In-Karta 25, which saves me 25% of the whole ticket and then upgrate to 1st class travel. But even if you don’t get any concessions, the cost is very reasonable for how much travel you can do.

Sometimes I would deliberately plan a long travel journey and then take my laptop with me enjoying working in the peaceful and quiet 1st class carriage!

Here is everything you need to know, plus some of my favourite day-trip itineraries!

What is the Summer Train Ticket?

In short, it’s an unlimited travel pass. For a fixed price, you can hop on and off any regular České Dráhy (Czech Railways) train as many times as you like, anywhere in the country.

It is specifically designed for the summer holidays and is valid between 1st July and 31st August only. You can choose between a 7-day or a 14-day consecutive pass and choose the starting day based on your travel arrangements.

You can buy the Summer ticket officially from 15th June 2026, ready for travel any time between the 1st July and 31 August 2026.

I’ve tried both options. One year, I did the full 14 days , but doing 14 day trips in a row during a summer heatwave was a bit exhausting! You just get this incredible freedom to look at the departure board at Prague’s main station and say, “Where do I fancy going today!”

How Much Does It Cost?

The pricing is incredibly generous, especially if you have an In Karta (the Czech railways loyalty card) or an ISIC student card, but to be honest the regular price is also amazing value.

When you consider that a couple of standard return tickets can easily cost that much, the savings are massive. You break even after just two or three longer journeys.

Summer Train Ticket Prices (2026)

Ticket Type	Standard Price (No discount)	Discounted Price (With In Karta / ITIC)	Concession Price (Children, Students up to 26, Seniors 65+)
7-Day Pass	1,390 CZK	1,190 CZK	695 CZK
14-Day Pass	1,990 CZK	1,690 CZK	995 CZK

1st Class Upgrade Prices (2026)

Whilst you can upgrade to 1st class for any individual journey, if you know that you’d like the comfort of 1st class for the whole week, you can get a block upgrade, which is much more affordable than paying for a single journeys.

To upgrade the Summer Pass to 1st class, you need to buy a network-wide time supplement (Časový doplatek do 1. třídy). České Dráhy sells these in fixed weekly or monthly blocks.

• 7-Day Upgrade: Weekly (7-day) 1st Class Supplement is 450 CZK.
• 14-Day Upgrade: The most cost-effective option here is actually to buy another 7 days supplement for 450 CZK because there is no 14 days supplement and the next one up is 1-Month (1-měsíc) 1st Class Supplement for 1190 CZK.

My Number One Local Tip: Upgrade to 1st Class!

If you can afford to stretch your budget a little bit, please do yourself a huge favour and buy the 1st Class upgrade.

In my opinion, this is the best thing about planning an intensive week of travel. Summer trains leaving Prague in the morning can get incredibly packed, sticky and loud. But with a 1st-class ticket you get much better seat, more efficient air conditioning and the carriages are a lot quiter.

One of the reason, why first class is often empty is because everyone has to pay a full ticket price first and then the first class upgrade (extra 30% of ticket price or weekly/montly supplement). There are no discounts for children, students or senior citizens, so most families choose the 2nd class travel.

I often take my laptop with me and use the 1st-class carriage as my mobile office. If the journey is about two hours without any changes, I can open my laptop, sip a coffee and get quite a lot of work or blogging done before I even arrive at my destination. If you don’t want to work, it’s the perfect environment to read a book or quietly plan your day.

One thing I should mention, is that some local trains don’t have 1st class carriages, but that’s usually towards the end of your journey when you are changing at smaller towns to get to your destination.

How to Buy Summer Ticket

Buying the train ticket is very straightforward. The easiest way is to download the Můj Vlak (My Train) app on your phone. It’s fully available in English and you can buy the ticket digitally in just a few clicks.

Alternatively, you can walk up to any international or domestic ticket window at Prague’s Main Station (Hlavní nádraží) or Masarykovo nádraží and buy it from a staff member. Just ask for the “Jízdenka na léto”.

Make sure you choose the right day for the start of your ticket. Unless you specify it the ticket will start it’s validity on the day you purchase it. And to make it clear, the start of the day is first morning train and on the last day of the ticket validity just make sure you arrive back to Prague before midnight.

The ticket is tied to your name, so make sure you have your ID or passport on you when the train inspector checks your ticket on the train.

How to Use the Summer Ticket

Using it is wonderfully simple. You don’t need to validate it at the station or scan it before boarding. You simply jump on any České Dráhy train and find a seat.

When the conductor comes through the carriage, you just show them the QR code on your app or your paper ticket. I found it quite funny, that they don’t even ask you where you are traveling too, so if you forget to get off at your station, you can just carry on and nobody really cares!

A quick warning about seat reservations: While the ticket covers your fare, it doesn’t guarantee a seat. On busy routes (like Prague to Brno or Olomouc), I highly recommend spending a few extra korunas to buy a seat reservation (místenka) ahead of time via the app, especially if you are travelling in 2nd class.

How to Find Train Times & Connections (Without Getting Confused!)

Planning a rail journey in the Czech Republic is incredibly easy once you know which digital tools to use. However, because we have a mix of national trains, private rail companies and local buses, it can be a little confusing.

Here is my personal strategy for finding times and connections and how I use two different apps to make sure I’m always on the right track (ha, ha…. literally!)

Pretty much every journey I plan with the Summer Ticket I use two main travel apps. I start with Můj Vlak to check my main train journeys and if I need to venture slightly off the beaten path, I use IDOS to piece together the final bus connection.

My Go-To: The Můj Vlak (My Train) App

For this specific summer adventure, the Můj Vlak app (by České Dráhy) is your absolute best friend. I use it constantly. Because it is the official app for the national carrier, it only shows České Dráhy connections.

This is brilliant because you don’t have to guess whether your summer ticket is valid, if a train shows up in this app, your pass covers it!

When you are looking at train lists on departure boards or online, always look for the letters ČD next to the train number. That stands for České Dráhy and that means that your Summer Ticket is valid here.

My Backup Plan: The IDOS App

Now, what happens if you want to go somewhere a bit more remote and no direct connection comes up in the Můj Vlak app? That is when I switch over to IDOS (you can download the app or use the website idos.cz).

IDOS is the ultimate master timetable for the entire country. It shows every single train, tram and local bus in existence. It is incredibly useful, but you do need to be a little bit careful with it:

First of all you need to watch out for private trains like RegioJet, Leo Express, and Arriva. Remember, your summer pass will not work on these! Always double-check that the train you are picking is marked as ČD.

The IDOS app is great for finding that final leg of a journey. If you want to visit a beautiful castle or a quiet town where the train station is miles away, IDOS will show you how to take a ČD train for 90% of the trip and then hop onto a local regional bus for the last ten minutes.

These local buses are very affordable. A journey of 10-15 minutes won’t usually cost more than 40 CZK. You just pay the driver in cash or contactless card when you hop on.

Do I Need to Book a Seat? (The Reservation Rules You Need to Know)

This is a question I get asked all the time. The short answer is: for most trains a seat reservation is completely optional, but there are a few important exceptions and insider tricks you should know so you don’t end up standing in the corridor!

If you book your seat reservation digitally using the Můj Vlak app, it is now completely free (0 CZK)! This even applies to the high-speed Pendolino trains. If you prefer to buy a paper seat reservation at a station ticket window instead, České Dráhy charges a flat offline fee of 35 CZK (around £1.20).

The Trains Where a Reservation is Mandatory

You cannot board certain trains with just your summer pass; you must have a seat reservation before you step on.

• SuperCity (SC) Pendolino Trains: These are the high-speed, tilting trains (usually running between Prague, Olomouc, and Ostrava).
• The Ex 1 Line (Prague to Ostrava): České Dráhy has made seat reservations compulsory for all express trains on this specific commercial line.

If you use the Můj Vlak app to book your journey, the system will instantly flag these trains and prompt you to add a seat.

For all other long-distance trains (like EuroCity, InterCity, or fast Rychlík trains), booking a seat is totally up to you.

My Personal Experience & when it pays to have a reserved seat

In my experience, long-distance trains leaving Prague in the morning are almost always packed to the rafters. This is especially true for trains heading north towards Děčín (connecting to Germany), west to Cheb, or to spa towns like Luhačovice. Unless you are willing to wake up at the crack of dawn for the 6:00 am train, you need a strategy!

If you don’t have a reserved seat, arrive at the platform early so you can board first.

A lot of regular passengers buy their tickets on the app, which automatically assigns them a free seat. When you get on the train, look closely at the small paper tags or the electronic digital displays right above the seats. They will show you exactly which sections of the journey that seat is booked for (e.g., Praha-Pardubice). Find a seat that is blank and you are safe to sit there!

While traveling in first class makes it much less likely that you’ll struggle for space, it’s not a 100% guarantee during peak summer holidays. I once traveled in a completely packed first-class carriage where people were standing in the corridor (and yes, I was one of them!), simply because I hadn’t booked a seat reservation that day! Lesson learned.

The great news is that when you are returning back to Prague, the rush completely dies down. I usually catch one of the late evening trains back at 7:00 pm or 9:00 pm to make the absolute most of my day trip. For some reason, these late trains are never really packed, so you can easily find a free seat, stretch your legs and relax all the way back to Prague.

1 week Summer Ticket – 7-Day trips by Train from Prague

In case you need a little inspiration, here are my favourite day trips by Ceske Drahy trains from Prague. I’ve chosen destinations that are between 45 minutes to 2 hours max from Prague (and included longer day trips in the next section).

Day 1: Kutná Hora (Approx. 1 hour). Getting to Kutna Hora from Prague is very easy as there are direct fast trains. Kutna Hora is a very pretty historic town with spectacular Gothic St. Barbara’s Cathedral and the quirky, slightly eerie Bone Church (Sedlec Ossuary).

Day 2: Plzeň (Approx. 1 hour 20 mins). The birthplace of Pilsner Urquell. I love touring the historic brewery, but the beautiful old town and underground tunnels are fantastic too.

Day 3: Poděbrady (Approx. 1 hour). A lovely, flat spa town right on the Elbe River. It’s perfect for a relaxing stroll through the colonnade with a spa wafer in hand. If you fancy an easy walk you can follow the river Elbe to Nymburk (another historic town) and get train back to Prague from there.

Day 4: Karlštejn Castle (Approx. 40 mins). It’s super easy to get to Karlstejn from Prague and the train ride along the Berounka river is beautiful. It’s a bit of an uphill walk to Charles IV’s majestic Gothic castle, but the views are worth it. There are many woodland walks from there (mostly in the shade) including to the amazing Big America canyon old quarry.

Day 5: Tábor (Approx. 1 hour 15 mins). A historic town with a fascinating maze of medieval streets built by the Hussites. Great for history lovers. The town is a bit of a walk from the train station, but you get to see the town along the way.

Day 6: Ústí nad Labem & Střekov Castle (Approx. 1 hour 15 mins). Head north through the dramatic Elbe river canyon. Střekov Castle sits high on a rock overlooking the river and inspired the romantic composer Richard Wagner.

Day 7: Benešov u Prahy & Konopiště Castle (Approx. 50 mins – 1 hour): This is a brilliant, easy direct ride south from Prague. From the station, you can take a lovely walk through a vast park to the castle, the famous final residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. I love the peaceful lake, the free-roaming peacocks in the rose gardens and the castle itself is spectacular. Optional walk through shaded woodland following the Konopistsky stream takes you Porici nad Sazavou, where you can take train back to Prague. It’s about 9 km, but it’s easy walking trail marked with red tourist marker signs.

2 weeks Summer Ticket – 7 Day Trips by train from Prague

If you are feeling brave enough to tackle the full 14 days like I did add these next seven incredible places to your list!

Day 8: Pardubice (Approx. 1 hour). I always like to visit Pardubice, because it’s a lovely historic town with Renaissance chateau, but also 1930s architecture and is super famous for it’s gingerbread biscuits (and of course horse racing!).

Day 9: České Budějovice (Approx. 2 hours). The capital of South Bohemia with one of the largest cobblestone squares in Europe and the home of the original Budweiser Budvar brewery. Historic houses, local shops and riverside walks. The beautiful Hluboka Chateau is only a short train ride from here (or take a local bus).

Day 10: Nelahozeves & Veltrusy (Approx. 45 mins). You can visit the Renaissance Nelahozeves Castle (now art gallery) and the house where composer Antonín Dvořák was born. If you follow the Vltava River and walk acrros you get to the large park with beautiful Veltrusy Chateau (open to public). This is about 4 km walk one way, with connecting buses back to Prague or shorter walk to the train stations on the other side of the river.

Day 11: Olomouc (Approx. 2 hours). This is a bit of a fast-train sprint, but the direct express trains get you there right at the 2-hour mark. In my opinion, it’s like a mini, uncrowded Prague with beautiful fountains and an astronomical clock. Lots of history, lovely streets, art galleries, local cafes and parks.

Day 12: Mělník (Approx. 1 hour). Melnik is where the Vltava and Elbe rivers meet. The views from the chateau terrace over the vineyards and rivers are absolutely stunning. You can visit the Melnik Chateau, smaller Gorlice at local church, vineyards and taste the local vine.

Day 13: Křivoklát Castle (Approx. 1 hour 15 mins with a quick change at Beroun). Hidden deep in the lush, green forests of a protected nature reserve, this is one of the oldest and most important royal Czech castles. Great starting point for woodland walks and you can pick up the train back when you get tired!

Day 14: Litoměřice (Approx. 1 hour 30 mins). A royal town with colourful Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. It’s a wonderful, peaceful place to end your two-week train adventure with a glass of local Bohemian wine.

Prefer Something Different? More shorter day trips from Prague

I know everyone has different travel styles, so if you want to mix and match my 7-day and 14-day itineraries, here are a few extra options I highly recommend. Some are direct and a couple require a quick, seamless change onto a local connecting train, but don’t worry, they are all completely covered by your České Dráhy summer pass!

Kolín (Approx. 45 mins): Sitting right on the main line heading east, this historic town is often overlooked but has a stunning main square and the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew. Kolin also has one of the best preserved Jewish Quarters close to Prague (appart from of course, the Jewish Quarter in Prague centre). It’s perfect if you want a quiet, completely un-touristy day out.

Nymburk (Approx. 50 mins): A gorgeous riverside town famous for its incredibly well-preserved medieval brick walls running right along the Elbe River. It also has a famous local brewery with strong ties to the legendary Czech writer Bohumil Hrabal. I think it’s one of the best spots for a peaceful afternoon stroll following the river Elbe or local parks.

Český Šternberk Castle (Approx. 1 hour 45 mins — change at Čerčany): Take a fast train to Čerčany, then switch to the legendary Posázavský Pacifik (the historic local line). You can also take the longer route from Prague (it adds about another 40 minutes) but it takes you through dramatic rocky valleys and the views are amazing. The local little train drops you right at the foot of an enormous, dramatic stone castle perched high on a cliff above the Sázava River. The journey itself is amazing and the castle is great to see too!

Turnov & Bohemian Paradise (Approx. 2 hrs — change at Mladá Boleslav): If you want an outdoor hiking day, head north into Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise). You can start inTurnov (also a pretty historic town) and then head to the natural reserve with pine forests and giant sandstone rock labyrinths, with several castles including Valdstejn, Hruba Skala (now hotel) and Trosky. The good thing is that you can always drop dow to a train line that runs along the Cesky Raj and get back to Prague.

Fancy a Longer Adventure? Long-Distance Day Trips by train from Prague

If you don’t mind an early morning start and a slightly longer journey, your summer train ticket can take you much further across the country. These destinations are a bit further out, but they are absolutely worth the extra travel time.

Mariánské Lázně (Approx. 2 hours 10 mins direct): This is a lovely spa town with a pretty19th-century houses, natural springs, colourful parks and the famous Singing Fountain. I love grabbing a coffee near the colonnade and just watching the water move to the music. There are also great woodland walks in different directions with more springs and stops at forest cafes. One of the main spa wafers companies is based here and there are several shops along the main street selling lots of different flavours of spa wafers at almost wholesale prices.

Třeboň (Approx. 2 hours 15 mins — change at Veselí nad Lužnicí): Třeboň town is surrounded by large fish ponds dating back to the Renaissance times. The town itself is completely charming, with a gorgeous chateau, colourful houses and modern spa buildings. You must try the local carp fries (kapří hranolky) while you are there, they are delicious and a local specialty you can’t find anywhere else!

Český Krumlov (Approx. 2 hours 45 mins — change at České Budějovice): Getting to Cesky Krumlov by train takes a bit of time, but it’s certainly possible. The Ceske Drahy train will only take you to Ceske Budejovice, where you need to change to get a local bus or a local train, that’s run by a different provider. It’s only further 40 minutes and still much cheaper than the bus journey from Prague (since most of your train journey is covered by your Summer Ticket). The old town is absolutely amazing with lots of winding streets, stunning castle with pretty garden and riverside walk.

Litomyšl (Approx. 2 hours 15 mins — change at Choceň): Litomyšl has large Renaissance chateau, covered in intricate sgraffito wall decorations (it looks like thousands of tiny envelopes stamped across the walls!). The town is also the birthplace of the famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, and it has a wonderful and creative atmosphere.

Cheb (Approx. 2 hours 35 mins direct): If you stay on the western train line just a little bit past Mariánské Lázně, you’ll reach Cheb, right near the German border. It’s another amazing historic town with quirky, half-timbered medieval merchant houses called Špalíček, which look like something out of a fairytale. There is also a formidable 12th-century stone castle to explore. About another 10 minutes by a local (CD) train will take you to Frantiskovy Lazne (small, but perfectly formed spa town with natural springs and lovely architecture).

Slavonice (Approx. 3 hours — change at Jihlava and Kostelec u Jihlavy): Slavonice town is a walking distance from Austrian border and it is a tiny, hidden gem that a lot of foreign tourists completely miss. The historic centre has lovely 16th-century Renaissance houses with incredibly detailed sgraffito murals with biblical and historical scenes.

Telč (Approx. 2 hours 45 mins — change at Jihlava or Kostelec u Jihlavy): Telč has very beautiful main square with pretty Baroque and Renaissance houses, each painted in pastel colours. You can also visit the castle and walk around the large park and surrounding fishponds.

Brno (Approx. 2 hours 30 mins direct): Brno is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city. It’s a large university city, packed with quirky cafes, incredible cocktail bars and great food places. There are historic houses, large churches, the functionalist Villa Tugendhat and the imposing Špilberk Castle.

This blog post was originally written on 26 May 2026 and last updated on 26 May 2026