My current plan is to travel from Prague to Munich via train.

The train I am considering leaves Prague Holosovice station at 9:16 and from Prague Smichov at 9:24.

My hotel, Mala Strana, appears to be closer to the Smichov station than to Holosovice.

I am therefore tempted to board the train at Smichov.

I would welcome any comments that will help me reach a decision. To phrase it another way, any reasons NOT to take the train from Smichov?

I'm sure someone will have the answer, but, if not, ask your hotel.

I asked my hotel, but I wanted to hear from a knowledgeable contributor to this forum. I usually get better information that way. Prague Smichov looks to be a smaller station, but I know I would have to be there ready to jump on the train because it barely stops.

My question really has more to do with how clearly the platforms and departures are market because I wonder if there will be anyone there who speaks enough English to guide me.

It is a small station, mainly suburban.

make that marked

I've been near both railway stations (Holesovice a few times on the way to Troja Palace and Smichov, only paassed by tram) but never actually taken trains at either.

If you don't get answers here, do try tripadvisor.com. There are regular Prague resident posters and also some non-residents who seem to have done train travels into & out of Prague many times. I think GCEK from Manchester is one of those.

My friends in Prague like the Smichov train station more than Holesovice. Especially because it is smaller. Navigation is easy according to them.

I don't know first hand, I passed through only once on a regional train. But one thing's for sure - they stop for long enough that everyone who wants to can board the train.

I.

Some of those trains start out at Hlavni..in fact there is a direct which leaves Hlavni around 9 in the morning. Would it be easier for you to leave from the main station (Hlavni)?

The main station is NOT an option.

Trains to Germany originate at Holosovice.

Ours definitely originates there.
Smichof is closer to the hotel, which is why I was asking.

Otherwise it is a long taxi ride to Holosovice. I don't feel like fighting our luggage on the tram, but I can delay that decision until I get there. What I don't want to delay is the purchase of my train ticket.

I have no information on how crowded that train gets, but it is a semi local train in the Czech Republic and makes many stops before it gets to the border. Then the train changes designations and becomes a slightly faster train.

Even so it is a 6 hour journey from Prague to Munich.