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.
Most trains start from the Main Train Station, but depending on where you are staying, you might be able to start your journey from a local train stop near you.
Quick guide to main train routes
Hlavni Nadrazi – Main Train Station – International trains and all directions not listed bellow
Smichovske Nadrazi – Smichov Train Station – Beroun via Rudna u Prahy
Masarykovo Nadrazi – Masaryks Train Station – Kolin, Decin, Kladno, Melnik, Roudnice nad Labem, Pecky etc.
Vrsovice Train Station – Cercany (Posazavsky Pacific), Dobris, Lysa nad Labem, Benesov
buying your train ticket
Not, that buying a train ticket is that difficult, but there are a few quirks you might like to be aware before you set off for your first train journey.
I thought I’d dedicate a whole blog post to this topic and share with you all my tips in this comprehensive train ticket buying guide.
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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.
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.
The ticket offices are a little hidden underneath the top level of the station, although everything is well signposted.
Location & How to get there
The Main Train Station has it’s own metro – underground station called Hlavni Nadrazi (Main Station) 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 closer to the entrance when the next upgrade of the park area happens in 2023-24.
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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, whilst the Masarykovo Train Station has the slower trains, 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.
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 (you can see the plans in the station waiting area) and once finished will include parks and walkways 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.
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 district and then it’s probably closer to your to travel to Smichov than to the Main Station.
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).
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 if you want to catch it at the Smichov Train Station, you need to use a different entrance. This entrance is before the main station (the entrance is just before you go under the railway bridge if you are coming from the Andel or Na Knizeci area on the main street).
Most trains that stop at Smichov then continue to Beroun, Plzen and further west to the Czech Republic.
Facilities
- Left Luggage
- Coffee & Refreshments stalls
- Coffee Machines
- Newspaper & Magazine shop
- Pub (more drinking place)
- Pharmacy
- Post Office (just outside the train station towards the tram end loop)
- WC
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.
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.
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 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).
This train station has a nicely restored building from the 19 century with authentic ticket offices, entrances and platforms.
Location & How to get there
Tram number 19 stops right outside the train station and has the same name – Nadrazi Vrsovice
STAY IN TOUCH
Hope this blog post inspires you and as ever I’d love to what you think! Let me know in the comments below or catch up with me over on Instagram.
Magdalena
This blog post was originally written on 26 April 2022 and last updated on 1 February 2023
