quickest way to Prague
 

I have to get to Prague from Vienna in June and wish to spend as little time as possible in transit. I can rent a car if necessary but worry drop off charges may be too high. Seem abit challenged at finding my way on train schedules, etc. Help anyone?

Train is the most practical for sure. I always start with the German website bahn.com for train schedules for Europe; it usually has accurate schedules. Then to confirm I check the individual country websites - either the Czech or Austrian website for trains, for example, just to confirm.

Should be lots of direct trains to choose from, about four hours one way.

A train is faster than a car (road construction delays and stopping to purchase the CZ vignette). Ceske Drahy is the Czech railway. Tickets for the same trains are cheaper than purchasing on the Austrian side through ÖBB. Travel time is ~4hrs, and the one-way is about €45 equivalent. I would also pay the minor surcharge for a reserved seat.

https://old.cd.cz/en/default.htm

I am not sure what is challenging about looking up a schedule.
I have done this straight forward train trip. 4 hour no train change trip departing every 2 hours. www.bahn.com is the easiest one to look up schedule. Yes, it is a German site, but it contains the train schedule and the web interface is MUCH better than other railroad sites.

Here is a write up on how to do this: https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-ro...ljet-train.htm

Just take a train.

Fast Railjets leave every 2 hours, journey time 3h56 city centre to city centre.

Fares from just €19 in 2nd class, €29 in 1st class or €44 in super-dooper Business Class (8 leather cradle seats at one end of the train).

Book at either Czech Railways www.cd.cz/eshop OR Austrian Railways www.oebb.at - same trains, so buy from whichever is cheapest for your chosen departure.

You print your own ticket.

All the Railjets have a restaurant car with draught beer on tap. Food and drink orders are taken and served at your seat in 1st & Business classes.

See the Railjet timetable & photos here: https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-ro...ljet-train.htm