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-   -   Worth visiting Cesky Krumlov (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/worth-visiting-cesky-krumlov-980863/)

egold Jun 8th, 2013 01:47 AM

Worth visiting Cesky Krumlov
 
I have been trying to navigate a transfer from Prague to Vienna and have been reading a lot about Cesky Krumlov. I have found a driver (not Mike the Chauffer who I did try to email but never heard back) who would drive us from Prague to Cesky ( 2.5 hrs. I am told) and then on to Vienna ( another 3.5). The charge is about $500. Wondering if this cost is worth it? Is this town really worth visiting. This will be in early August. Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

ALadyInLondon Jun 8th, 2013 01:56 AM

It is definitely worth visiting. The town is straight out of a fairytale, and the castle is stunning. You can also take a small van/bus if you want to cut down on cost, as many companies offer transfers from Prague to Vienna via CK.

adrienne Jun 8th, 2013 02:10 AM

A train ticket from Prague to Vienna costs about $25 so it's definitely NOT

adrienne Jun 8th, 2013 02:12 AM

A train ticket from Prague to Vienna costs about $25 so it's definitely NOT worth $475 to see Cesky Krumlov.

You could take a train from Prague to CK, stay over night and continue to Vienna the next day for much less than $500.

Christina Jun 8th, 2013 04:17 AM

I agree it is worth visiting, but I was not as entranced with it as some people who recommend staying there, etc. I loved it for a day trip, the chateau or castle is fantastic, cute town, but of course, very touristy. So, yes, it is worth visiting if you plan to hire that driver and go in that general direction anyway. If you would not even have to spend that $500 otherwise, I'd say no, it's not worth that, but that depends on your income.

I presume since you asked you were going to hire the driver anyway, that's what it sounds like, so yes, I'd stop off there.

iris1745 Jun 8th, 2013 04:28 AM

www.shuttlebus.cz

Train Prague to CK, $25US PP. Then shuttle bus, CK to Vienna $55US PP or $160US total for train and bus.

The bus will take you to your hotel or very close.

As Adrienne said, you could easily stay in CK overnight and have dinner and spend less than $500

Pepper_von_snoot Jun 8th, 2013 04:30 AM

It is a very beautiful place.

I would rather go to CK than Vienna. I do not like Vienna.


Thin

wanttogo Jun 8th, 2013 05:23 AM

I believe that the train only takes you to a town near Ceske Krumlov and then you get a taxi for
The rest of the trip. I think it is about 20 miles. We took a bus from Prague whic stops at the edge
Of Ceske Krumlov on a hill and walked down it to our B and B. It was easier than the train.
On our way out, we took a taxi to the train and went on to Vienna with. Changes. the trip was well worth the trouble.

Pat

Woyzeck Jun 8th, 2013 06:20 AM

Actually, there is train service from Prague directly to Český Krumlov. It takes a bit longer than the bus and the shuttles, because it requires a change in České Budějovice. The other issue with the train is that the station in Český Krumlov is located on the edge of the town. The historic center is a solid 1.5 KM - 2.0 KM away, requiring a rather lengthy walk, or a quick public bus trip, or indeed a quick taxi ride. There are frequent buses from Prague which drop of at the bus station, which is on another side of town which is quite a bit closer to the historic city center.

Castle View Apartments has an EXTENSIVE page regarding transit to Cesky Krumlov which is completely comprehensive and worth reading:

https://www.castleview.cz/en/faq/how...cesky-krumlov/

Český Krumlov is a beautiful preserved medieval village with a lovely castle. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town reminded me of other European walled cities, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in that they are beautiful and enjoyable, as well as bloated with day-tripping tourists during the day.

Whether it is worth it comes down to your own personal criteria, but you should know that you can reasonably cut down those transportation costs and still manage convenient travel to Český Krumlov.

Andrew Jun 8th, 2013 07:10 AM

I'm with Christina on this one: I too wasn't quite as enchanted with Cesky Krumlov as others but would still recommend visiting it. If you've only been to Prague in Czech Republic, it's nice to see another town. As with many touristy places, it's better at night when not as mobbed with tour groups. No, it's not worth $500 for a driver unless you are used to paying that to get from town to town. Take a direct Student Agency bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, then take a shuttle on to Vienna.

Delaine Jun 10th, 2013 09:06 AM

I thought Cesky Krumlov was so charming. I would definitely recommend visiting. I was there in October, and it wasn't at all crowded. The views of the town from the castle are magical, as well as is the view approaching the castle from the car park area.

centraleurope Jun 10th, 2013 10:48 AM

For me, Cesky Krumlov is to The Czech Republic as Epcot center is to Paris.

20 years ago it was a great town... Now, it is a tourist mirage.

Many love it... Just not me.

iris1745 Jun 10th, 2013 11:54 AM

For me, it's still a great town to visit.

My input would be, do not miss out on an incredible old town.

Andrew Jun 10th, 2013 12:05 PM

My advice would be to try to visit at least one other town in Czech Republic besides Prague, and even though Cesky Krumlov didn't really float my boat, it's still worth very visiting and for many visitors the most convenient one to visit in Southern Bohemia (for someone headed to/from Vienna). Cesky Krumlov is touristy, but so is Prague and I love Prague.

LBloom Jun 10th, 2013 12:35 PM

I was not enchanted with CK. We hired Mike to drive us from our hotel in Vienna to Prague via stopover for 4 hours in CK. Can't remember what we paid exactly but believe it was $300-350, certainly not $500.

Yes, it's pretty. It is so touristy that it reminded me of a Disney town. tons of fake touris souvenirs and overpriced drinks and food. Had I known, wouldn't have gone.

Andrew Jun 10th, 2013 02:30 PM

To be fair, Cesky Krumlov is much nicer at night or in the morning, like a lot of popular places, before the tour groups arrive. I don't think I'd recommend it as a day trip or a stop-over at all.

I didn't have great weather while I was there, but the last night there, I hiked up above the town (a hike recommend by Rick Steves) to an abandoned chapel with a great view down on the city. It's a pretty view from up there, and very few people hike up there, and the castle makes it look very exotic. It was a nice experience.

Snowflake25 Jun 10th, 2013 03:41 PM

We took an early morning bus from Prague to CK, arriving before noon. That gave us plenty of time to check into our Pension and enjoy the castle and stroll around town. It was also wonderful to walk around at night when the crowds had thinned out. The next day we took a shuttle to Linz (there are many available through the hotels and pensions in CK) where we caught the train. The drive from CK to Linz was very enjoyable with beautiful scenery along the way. I would recommend a stop in Cesky Krumlov, as others have stated, it's worth seeing another town besides Prague.


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