By train from Prague to Salzburg
 

My husband and I have planned to catch the train from Prague to Salzburg, Austria on 27 December 2016. Is there a train anyone recommends taking so the trip is direct where possible?

Or would it be easier/quicker/cheaper travelling Prague > Munich > Salzburg? Thank you!

Look at these tips of the European train expert: http://www.seat61.com/trains-and-rou...e-by-train.htm

Thanks! This site is great.

Is anyone having troubles booking trains out of Prague in late December? Seat61 states you can purchase 60 days in advance, but the www.cd.cz/eshop/ won't allow bookings past Dec 10, 2016? I'm trying to book on Dec 27.

Train schedules and fares of most countries' systems are subject to review and adjustment every December 10th or so, that's why I think you can't book yet.

But not to worry, for now just look up connections for Dec. 8th or so, take notes of what you like, and on Dec. 11th or so try again.

By the way, it is not necessary to reserve that far in advance. Whether you take the route via switches in Ceske Budejovice and again in Linz (a good six hours) or via Munich (Autobus from Prague to Munich then trains, about seven hours) - it is a long trip for not all that much distance. It has to do with the history of the region, there has never been a fast connection from Munich or from Nürnberg to Prague.

Flying doesn't seem to be an option, I see no direct flight Prague-Salzburg, and anything indirect would take even longer than the above conections.

I wouldn't do either the route with 2 changes nor go via Munich, there are a couple other options which I think are better.

First, there are some runs that go through Linz for a change, but do not require a change in Ceske Budejovice, I'd take one of those so there is only one change and the total time is 6:14. Otherwise, you can go through Vienna with only one change of train, also, and that takes about 7 hours total (Prague-Vienna then Vienna to Salzburg, with about a a 20 minute change time in Vienna). You'll have to check your exact dates, but those are typical runs. Besides, taking the bus means you have to get from the bus station to the train station, I think that involves an S-bahn ride for a couple stops in Munich.. or walking about 1 km.

There are indeed trains that go from Prague to Linz without the need for a switch en route, but not many, I see only two at www.bahn.de, and they run not daily.

If you leave Praha-Holesovice at 09:16 or - the same train - from Praha hl.n. (the "main" station) at 09:34, about 25 stops later you're in Linz, at 14:24. It is train nr. R1543, and doesn't run every day, so check for your precise date.
At 14:32 you have train IC644 leaving for Salzburg, arrives at 15:48

The next one that also requires no switch between Prague and Linz leaves Praha-Holesovice at 13:16, Praha hl.n. (the "main" station) at 13:34, and gets to Linz about 25 stops later, at 18:24. It is train nr. 1545, also not daily.
At 18:32 you have train IC742 leaving for Salzburg, arrives at 19:48

If you wish to take the early train and stop for lunch etc. in Linz, there are many trains throughout the afternoon that let you proceed to Salzburg.