Berlin to Prague Train or drive? Looking for fastest option
 

I'll be in Berlin in July and have to go to Prague for just one day, possibly two (I know not enough time, but I have an event in Prague and may have to back in Berlin the next day). I don't mind a long commute early and coming back late but would like to optimize my time there. Also considering maybe flying but what I've seen for fares it seems like this may be too expensive. Any thoughts? Thanks!

check www.viamichelin.com for travel time between Berlin and Prague and compare it with the train schedule. But remember that the car travel time is optimistic once you leave the motorway. In other words, travel in Prague itself to your ultimate destination is likely to be slow.

I don't see how you can serious consider taking the train or driving to do that in one day. The train is almost 5 hrs one way for ones without changes. Yes, of course you can actually do it if your even is mainly in the afternoon and you don't mind getting hope quite late at night. If you must for business, it is an option and I would think preferable to driving as for driving, you will have to deal with driving within a major city (do you know Prague?) and parking, etc. If your venue is on the northern outskirts, that could work. I can't imagine it if your venue is in the dead center of Prague. Driving would also take about the same time, not including time getting and parking to some central location.

If the same day or next, I personally would take the train.

I don't think there are good direct budget flights between the two, and it most likely would be difficult to find one with a convenient schedule both morning and evening for you. It appears Central Connect and Norwegian are the only two budget airlines flying direct (I've heard of neither). But if you are flying roundtrip, it's possible you can get a decent fare with CSA on certain days or if you book far in advance.

Drive. Praha is less that 400kms from Berlin (Tegel)With a car you are not tied to a train schedule.

Mark

I would not drive. It takes almost as long to drive as to take the train and you have to navigate out of Berlin and into Prague which will add to your time. Additional time is needed to pickup and return the rental car. It's will take much less total time on the train and you can relax and not worry about traffic and getting lost.

I didn't think about the rental car, I wouldn't do it if I had to rent a car due to the expense for a one way rental. And there used to be some rules about certain car rental companies not allowing you to go to the CR from Germany, I think. I forget the details.

I could see driving if it were a 2 day event and you already had your own car.

You can easily book a train at www.bahn.de/en from €29 each way.

It's a scenic run down the Elbe river valley south of Dresden, and you can make good use of the time relaxing and reading, or having a meal in the dining-car.

By car you're talking 4 hours driving each way, but doesn't it take 2 hours renting a car signing your life away with all that paperwork? And you can't read or enjoy a glass of red while driving.