Prague - Cesky Krumlov
 

I am planning my trip for Czech Republic this summer and need advice. I want to spend one night in Cesky Krumlov, should I take a) bus b) train c) rent a car and drive.

I kind of like the idea of driving so I can see other part of Czech Republic. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

I have looked into taking the train, it seems very inexpensive also you might want to look at hostels in the area or pension, which are similar to what I would call a B&B in Canada

I took the bus a few years ago and had to change buses in Ceske Budejovice. But I think there are some that are direct. I'm pretty sure the trains do require that you change. As I recall, the bus station is also in a more convenient location in Cesky Krumlov. The buses are clean, modern and, I believe, faster than the train. At the time, some of the trains on those routes were more like old street/trolley cars rather than what you'd have on the major inter-city routes.

If you haven't, you might check the Rick Steves' Eastern Europe book for his recommendations--both for travel and lodging. Cesky Krumlov is one of his favorites.

I would go back to Cesky Krumlov in a heartbeat. It is a very easy 3-hour drive through beautiful countryside with green, rolling hills. One night there is good but two are better.

If you do drive, then you can stop off in Ceske Budejovice (where Budvar beer is brewed) and see a very interesting town square. It's really not out of your way at all.

I, too, support driving.

And for a driving-related lodging tip...

One of the numerous reasons to like http://www.barbakan.cz/indexen.htm - - park right at their front door - - essentially just (barely) inside Cesky Krumlov (the charming old center part, that is).

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex...Thank you for the website..I will be driving. The only concerning would be parking in CK. and the car will still be there the next day. Any advice ?

I am using a driver for the day enroute between Prague and Vienna. Being driven was cheaper than 4 us taken the rail between 2 cities.

I'm leaving for Prague Saturday.
I know it's better to drive but I'm a little...okay very nervous about doing so. I'm flying solo. Can anyone convince me.....ease my mind about renting a car. :(

Sorry to hijack the thread ba739. I thought it better to post here than to start another thread. :) Hope you don't mind.

ba739 - - read again what I said... park right at the front door... no joke - - see the picture on their website (there are another 3 or 4 parking spaces just to the right as photographed, with no cars in them on this picture).

...but to tzarinna, my answer is rather different if you are askjing about parking <u><b>in Prague</b></u>. I'm not saying that it can't be done, but it will not be all three of these: cheap, close and convenient. My experience is almost four years old now (same, by the way for Pension Barbakan in CK), but I would assume that it is only worse now. We stayed in delightful apartments on Zatecka, and the landlord led us to a garage where she had a contractual agreement for about $10 a day - - it was at least 3 miles away (and more than 10 minutes along a circuitous path of winding streets). We never touched the car until we left three days later.

For those who are wondering - - wasn't this a poor use of money, to rent a car that sat unused for 3 days? - - it's the weird economics of a car rented for 7 days, and returned to the same country where it was rented...

...we took a rental from Vienna to Prague, then from there to Jelenia Gora (Poland), then back into the Czech Republic, to Cesky Krumlov - - and ultimately, back to Austria (Graz) where we flew... for under $2 a person (before taxes) to London on Ryanair. The car was by far, the most economical to connect all those dots (family of five).

ba739 - there are several car parks on the outskirts of town within a few minutes walk from CK proper. I don't know about costs (if any) since we took a bus from CB. I'd check with your hotel in CK for details - this is a fairly common issue and my understanding is that some hotels have pre-arrangements with some of these lots.

We only spent the day in CK and I totally agree with your decision to spend the night. CK is an amazing place and you'll thoroughly enjoy it. BTW, we did get some general info on hotels in CK proper while we were there in '06 and they were very reasonable (under $100).

Thanks,Rex.
I don't think I'm going to rent one. I'd hate to keep stopping to look at a map and get lost. I'll miss some stuff,I think,because they're not easily accessible by public transportation.

tzarinna...please shre your experience when you have a chance to post...Enjoy.

ba739 - We drove 3 years ago from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, stopping along the way in 2 castles ( Karlstejn &amp; Orlik). We arrived to CK early evening - had time to explore &amp; have dinner. The car was parked right in front of the hotel inside the city. Next day we explored CK &amp; it's castle, then headed back to Prague, stopping at Castle Hluboka ( yes, I love castles), arriving in Prague in the evening. It was a busy, but fairly easy 2 days. I would not drive it alone - nice to have a co-pilot.It would be even easier if you had more time and could explore places like Konopiste, Cesky Sternberg &amp; Kutna Hora ( all very near Prague).
Have fun!

We took the train changing in C.Budejovice to a bus to get to Ces.Krumlov. It was simple. We stayed at a great pension called Ve Vezi (In the tower). It is located in an old round tower (13th cent?) and was right on the river.I think we paid around $50US.

Paulchili...Thank you the info regarding driving. We are picking up the rental car early in morning. I would like to stop at Karlstejn and Ceske Budejovice. Hope to get to CK early afternoon and spend the night and next day in CK before heading back to Prague to catch the night train to Krakow.

ba739 - sounds like a good plan. Take the horse drawn carriage up to Karlstejn ( if you want to) and walk back down hill. Drive carefully on secondary roads and watch for unexpected Stop signs. You will enjoy the drive through the countryside.

We parked right outside of town and it was a quick and easy walk. Just be careful where you park though. We thought we were in a free lot (duh) but weren't so when we got back to our car we had one of those boots on our tire and a ticket on our windshield. Luckily we were next to a gas station. The woman working there didn't speak English but knew what we needed when she saw the ticket. She called the police and they came out within about a half an hour. 30 euro later we were on our way.

The countryside is very nice and Cesky Krumlov is a lovely town. I think spending the night would be a great way to enjoy the small town.

Tracy

ANother hijack: Is this a feasable day trip? We will not have time for an overnight during our time in Prague.

If so, would the recommendation for 4 adults be to hire a driver (approx. cost?) train, or bus?

Thanks, Lynnie

If you haven't yet found it while planning your visits to Cesky Krumlov, here is a really fun website:

http://www.ckrumlov.cz/uk/atlas/i_cmm.htm

Giovanna - That's a great map. We stayed right on Horni str. with castle view from back windows and parking in front.
LynnieD - anything is possible, but that would be a very long day. There are a number of easier day trips from Prague ( provided you have seen Prague already).

LynnieD-

Is this a feasible day trip?

Probably not! It is a 3-hour trip (each way) by car. Perhaps there are some organized bus tours but I am not aware of them.

LynnieD - here is a website for day trip to CK:
http://www.discoverczech.com/prague/...y-krumlov.php4
If you Google it you'll find others as well

Thanks Phil, that seems like an awfully long time to spend on a bus though. I think I'll leave this for another time.

How about Karlstejn Castle? Is that more doable on one's own?

LynnieD - Karlstejn is much closer and very doable in a day. They certainly have tours there from Prague. On your own - would you drive or take a train(bus)? Probably train (bus) would be easier. I do not have the schedules for that but Google is good for that sort of thing.

It's perfectly feasible as a day trip, I&quot;ve done it and thought it was very enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend you fool around with cars, though. The bus is more direct than the train. I took a day tour company and personally think that is the best choice for a day trip, as there is no waste of time or worrying about logistics. There are several very good day tour companies in Prague and their fares are very reasonable. I took Martin Tours, but have done several other day tours with Prague Sightseeing Service and they were excellent. I think there are 1-2 others, but those are the ones I know. See

www.pstours.cz

Also, if you do that, it shouldn't take you quite 3 hours to get there, as it's a little less then 200 km (120 miles). I remember leaving Prague around 9 am, and I know we had lunch in CK, and has also stopped a short while to see an historic church outside CK a bit--that was probably around 11 am.

Kuntna Hora anyone?

It's about 10:18 PM

We took the public bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov 2 weeks ago. It was easy to do and only $7 each way. We were not the only tourists on the bus either. We took the metro to the Florenc station, then followed the signs to autobus. You'll see the large bus station when you exit. Go inside and buy tickets at a ticket window. This way you'll get seat assignments, very important. They will also tell you what # of platform the bus will be on. You can chance buying the tickets from the driver for slightly less, but don't. They sold more tickets than seats and several local's stood for 1 1/2 hours of the trip. We bought our tickets about 45 min. before the bus left. It was a direct bus, we didn't change buses on the way. It took about 3 hrs. 15 min. only 15 minutes longer than the tour buses, and much cheaper.

It's a very easy walk to town from the bus, and again, you won't be the only tourist on this bus.

We were able to go to the brewery in town and do the 12:30 tour, visit the castle, same tour as the tour groups, one museum, and enjoy the town before returning for our bus ride back.

We bought tickets for the return trip at the TI in the central square of Cesky Krumlov. We departed at 8 a.m. and the return bus was the last of the day at 5:15 p.m. It wasn't as crowded as the bus there. Still, buy your tickets as soon as you arrive in Cesky Krumlov from the TI. You also buy the tour tickets of the brewery at the TI. This left at 12:30. We enjoyed a take away lunch from a local eatery in the square before the brewery tour.

The English tour at the castle was more expensive than the one in Czech and we could only understand about half of what the guide told us. Her English was poor. Even if you're on a tour, you'll be with one of the Castle tours. Your guide isn't allowed to guide you in the castle.

It was a great day and I highly recommend the trip. An overnight would be wonderful also. A few of the passengers on the bus, brought luggage and overnighted. It's no problem, they just stow it under the bus. On our return to Prague we were dropped off at a different metro station, not Florenc. It's not a problem though, just a longer metro ride back to the center of Prague.

Paulchili...Need your help on the routing from Prague-Karlstejn &amp; Orlik- Cesky Krumlov. From checking at www.viamichelin.com Karlstejn is about 42 km, should I drive back to Prague taking the major highway then to CK or just the small highway. Thanks

ba739 - do not back track to Prague. After Karlstejn continue on D5, then take secondary road toward Pribram and at Mirovice turn east to Orlik. Return to hwy and head through Pisek to Ceske Budejovice to C. Krumlov. The side roads are slower but more rewarding for sightseeing. You have enough time to make it with both stops ( cannot spends hours at each castle, but enough time to see them). Just check closing times at Orlik. This is from a AAA map of Czech Republic.
I have Microsoft Autoroute Europe and I will e mail you a very detailed routing ( including your starting point in Prague from hotel, if you want)

Paulchili.. That is some nice of you, I appreciated it very much. I am picking up the rental car at Wilsonova 372, Praha 2 (Nonstop parking &quot;Slovan&quot; - next to State opera house). I would like to visit the following Karlstejn &amp; Orlik, Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov. My email is [email protected]

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