Prague Major Train Stations – Travel tips, tickets & facilities (2026)
There are three main train stations in Prague, but for most national and international journeys you’ll probably just need the main train station (Hlavni Nadrazi) in the centre of Prague.
Saying that, I think that many people overlook the convenience of Prague’s smaller hub stations, which are very handy if you are staying locally. I often use Smichov Train station for my hiking trips along the Berounka valley or Masarykovo Train Station for trips to the North of Bohemia.
Quick guide to main train routes
Hlavni Nadrazi – Main Train Station – International trains and all major directions
Smichovske Nadrazi – Smichov Train Station – Trains to the West Bohemia, such as Plzen, Marianske Lazne, Beroun via Rudna u Prahy, Prague Semmering
Masarykovo Nadrazi – Masaryk’s Train Station – Regional trains to the North and East Bohemia, such as Kolin, Decin, Kladno, Melnik, Roudnice nad Labem, Pecky etc.
Vrsovice Train Station – Regional trains to South Bohemia, such as Cercany (Posazavsky Pacific), Dobris, Benesov
buying your train ticket
While buying a train ticket in the Czech Republic is straightforward, there are a few “quirks” worth knowing before you set off for your first train journey. To help you navigate the system like a local, I’ve dedicated a comprehensive guide to tips, discounts, and the best apps to use.
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Main Train Station – Hlavni Nadrazi
The Main Train Station is probably the train station you’ll use most. If you are arriving in Prague on a train, you’ll arrive there and you can also use it for all the major connections within Czech Republic and internationally. You can also get local train to Karlstejn Castle from here, fast trains to historic Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia or Kutna Hora.
There are also direct buses from the station to the Vaclav Havel airport in Prague. Other than that, there are really no bus stops as such at the train station.
This train station was originally opened 1871 and first named the “Franz Josef Station” after the Emperor of Austria. The first building was designed in a Neo-Renaissance style and was so grand that people called it a “castle station.” However, as more people began traveling by train, that building became too small.
Between 1901 and 1909, the famous architect Josef Fanta built the stunning Art Nouveau station with large entrance hall, colourful dome and beautiful statues. I always enjoy looking around when I’m traveling through, as there are so many historic gems hidden around the station, such as the Fanta’s cafe & bar, the president’s waiting rooms or Nicholas Winton statue.
My local tip: The ticket offices are a little hidden underneath the top level of the station, although everything is well signposted, just look for the “Jízdenky” (Tickets) signs.
Location & How to get there
The Main Train Station has it’s own metro – underground station called Hlavni Nadrazi (Main Station) on line C and it’s just 5 minutes walk from the top of Wenceslas Square.
The tram stop (no 9, 26, 5 etc) is sideways across the park outside the station (about 5-10 min walk), although plans are for the tram stop to be brought directly to the entrance. Major redevelopments are already underway and the new tram line should be completed by 2026-28.
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Masarykovo Train Station
Unlike Smichov, Masarykovo Train Station is not connected to the Main Station, but what is sometimes confusing is that you can get trains to the same place from both train stations.
The Main Train Station will usually have the fast trains (Rychlik or EuroCity), whilst the Masarykovo Train Station has the slower trains (Osobni), which will stop at every station.
The trains from this station follow the Vltava river and Labe river and serve the northern part of Czech Republic, such as Kladno, Melnik, Lysa nad Labem, Roudnice nad Labem, Podebrady or Mlada Boleslav.
There are no international trains starting from this station – for those you need to head to the Main Train Station.
Masarykovo Train Station is the oldest railway station in Prague and was built between 1844 and 1845. It was a massive deal for the city because it was the first station to have steam trains, bringing a modern way of travel to what was still a walled-in city at the time.
The station was designed by architect Antonín Jüngling and was officially opened on August 20, 1845, when the first steam train arrived from Olomouc to a cheering crowd.
My local tip: The Masarykovo Train Station has an amazing wooden and glass entrance canopy over the station entrance from the tram side. The entrance from the side street is nicely restored too and you can get an idea how grand this train station looked in its heyday.
The outside of the Masarykovo Train Station is being redeveloped and integrated into the modern business district designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
You can see the plans in the station waiting area and check out the progress from the first floor walkway on the side of the new shinny gold building next to the train station. Once finished the train station new canopy will include parks and walkways, which will to connect to Karlin and beyond.
At the back of Masarykovo Train Station (as the trains are leaving the platforms) you can see large buildings. These are housing old steam trains which are going to be part of a new train museum. The buildings are only open at special steam days as there is still a long way before they become open as a proper museum (currently planned for 2030).
Facilities
- Left Luggage
- Coffee & Refreshments stalls
- Coffee Machines
- Newspaper & Magazine shop
- Bakery
- Modern Pub, Burger King etc.
- WC
Location & How to get there
The Masarykovo Train station is very close to the Republic Square and Republic Square (Namesti Republiky) underground – line B – metro stop. If you get off at the correct side, the stairs will take you directly to the side of the station building.
There are also trams stopping directly in front of the train station, mainly 6, 15, 3 and others and you can get there (with change over stops) from anywhere within the Prague tram network.
Smichov Train Station
Most trains that go through this station start from the main Train station, so you can easily start your journey there too, unless you are local to Prague 5 and then it’s probably closer to your to travel to Smichov than to the Main Station.
It was originally built as the terminus for the “Czech Western Railway,” a line that connected Prague to the city of Plzeň and eventually to Germany. The train station was opened in 1862 and because it was the second most important station in Prague it helped to turn Smíchov from a quiet suburb into a massive industrial hub.
It wasn’t until 1872, when the railway bridge was built across the Vltava River, finally connecting Smíchov to the Main Station (Hlavní Nádraží).
The original station was badly damaged during World War II and the current large, functionalist building you see today was built between 1953 and 1956.
Update for 2026: The train station is currently undergoing a major upgrade, which should be completed by 2030. The new design will include more train tracks and the roof of the train station above the tracks will be used as a bus station (which is at the moment next to the train station entrance). The old entrance building will be incorporated into the new building.
I use this train station quite often and there are frequent changes to the layout of the train station as the building progresses (currently there is no access to Platforms 2 & 3 from the main ticket hall and you need to walk further away to the second underpass. Toilets are in porta cabins outside the train station (where the bus stops are) and are actually much nicer than the original ones and also free!
There are only about 1-2 train lines that start from Smichov train station, that you can’t get anywhere else.
One is a local train from Smichov to Rudna (upon Prague) and to Beroun (which goes through the green area of Prokopske Valley – a great 1/2 day trip from Prague or even a long evening walk).
My local tip: The next train line is for the weekend tourist train to Zlicin, which also goes through Prokopske Valley and often uses old train carriages.
This train (Prazsky Motoracek or the Semmering Train – named after the Swiss Alps train) also starts at the Main Station, but stops at Smichov Train Station too. A regular Prague public transport ticket is valid on this train, but it’s best to get the 90 minute ticket.
Most trains that stop at Smichov then continue to Beroun, Plzen, Marianske Lazne, Cheb, Karlovy Vary and further west to the Czech Republic.
Facilities
- Left Luggage (not opened during the station re-development)
- Coffee & Refreshments stalls
- Coffee Machines
- Newspaper & Magazine shop
- Pubs – outside the train station
- Pharmacy
- Post Office (just outside the train station towards the tram end loop)
- WC ( outside the train station)
- Fast food stands & more shops outside the train station
Location & How to get there
Smichovske Nadrazi is the name of the underground on line B and also bus (all regional buses going outside the Prague) and tram stop (for example 5, 20).
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Holesovice train station
Most regional trains from Holesovice Train Station follow the train routes around river Labe to places such as Roztoky u Prahy.
This is also the stop you need to change to a bus to visit Prague ZOO, Botanical Garden or the gallery at Troja Chateau.
Holešovice Train Station (Praha-Holešovice) is much newer than the other major stations in Prague as it was officially opened in 1985. It was designed to be a modern hub for international express trains coming from the East and North, such as Berlin and Dresden.
Location & How to get there
This train station is in Prague 7 – Holesovice District and is linked with the Underground station of the same name (Nadrazi Holesovice).
Branik Train Station
Until about 20 years ago, Branik train station used to be a train station where all the trains following the river Vltava and Sazava would start. This has now changed and all the trains start from the Main Train Station or Vrsovice, and Branik Train Station is just one stop on the route.
The historic building you see at Braník station today was built in 1891 and it was originally part of a railway line called the Modřany Branch. At first, it wasn’t even meant for passengers! It was mainly built to help local businesses, like the nearby sugar factory and the famous Braník brewery, move their goods across the country. It become even more popular when the line was extended to Dobris in 1897 and opened to passenger travel.
We used to use this station to go hiking around Sazava River and on a day trips to Cesky Sternberk Castle and beyond. The main train track is called ‘Posazavsky Pacific’ and it’s still used by Czech tramps (hikers and outdoor enthusiasts) to get to their cottages in villages around the Sazava River.
The train journey itself is pretty spectacular and you can get off at any station all the way to Cercany and go for a long walk in the countryside.
Several times a year, you can get a special steam train to Cercany with historic carriages and that’s definitely journey worth taking.
There is also another branch of train route from Prague to Dobris. It’s less frequent than the one to Cercany, but the countryside is beautiful there too.
Facilities
- Coffee Machines
- Drinking place that sells quick snacks
- WC
Location & How to get there
Branik Train Station can be reached by trams from the centre (2, 3, 17, 21) or by trains from the Vrsovice or Main Train Station.
Vrsovice Train Station
The Posazavsky Pacific Trains starts at Vrsovice train station, so if you want the get the best seats, you can start your journey there.
Train routes include – Prague – Vrane Nad Vltavou – Dobris, Prague – Cercany (aka the Posazavsky Pacific Train) and trains to Lysa nad Labem or Benesov u Prahy (for Konopiste Castle).
The Vrsovice Train Station was opened in 1882 and was actually called Nusle because it sits right on the border of the Vršovice and Nusle districs part of Prague. It wasn’t until 1912 that the name was changed to “Nusle-Vršovice,” and finally, in 1948, it became just Praha-Vršovice.
My local tip: This train station has a nicely restored building from 1904 with authentic ticket offices, entrances and platforms. If you are interested in industrial history, it’s definitely worth visiting just for the building.
Location & How to get there
Tram number 19 stops right outside the train station and has the same name – Nadrazi Vrsovice
This blog post was originally written on 26 April 2022 and last updated on 21 January 2026
