Prague to Vienna: Train, Bus and Flight (2026 Guide)

Prague and Vienna are 330 kilometres apart. Four hours by train. That's it.

If you're planning how to get from Prague to Vienna, the good news is that the connection between the two capitals is direct, frequent and cheap. You don't need a flight, you don't need a rental car, you don't need an agency. You buy a ticket online, board the train or bus in the centre of Prague, and four hours later you're in the centre of Vienna.

I've been living in Prague for 10 years and have led more than 5,000 guided tours. The question "how do I get to Vienna from here?" comes up practically every day, especially from Spanish-speaking travellers doing the classic Central Europe circuit. This guide is the complete answer: the three transport options, real prices, real times and the kind of detail only someone who lives here knows.

Quick comparison: train vs. bus vs. flight

Before going into detail, here's the summary. The Prague–Vienna distance is around 330 km by road and the route is very well served by public transport.

The short answer: the train is the best option for most people. If you're after the lowest possible price, the bus. If you're considering flying, read the section below before booking.

Option 1: train from Prague to Vienna (recommended)

The train is the most comfortable way to travel from Prague to Vienna, and probably the smartest. You depart from Praha Hlavní nádraží (Prague's central station, metro line C) and arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna's central station). No transfers, no changes, no hassle.

There are two main operators:

RegioJet. My recommendation. Prices from €14.90 when booking in advance, and the best thing about RegioJet is that prices barely rise as the departure date approaches. Even buying the day before, it rarely goes above €20–25. The ticket includes seat selection, WiFi, power sockets at every seat and — this is what surprises everyone — free coffee (yes, Illy coffee), water and at-seat food service in all classes except the cheapest (Low Cost). If you need to cancel, you can do so up to 15 minutes before departure. Children under 6 travel free and with an ISIC card you get a 10% discount. In 2026, RegioJet has introduced 23 new trains running at 160 km/h, smoother and more modern than the previous ones.

Book at regiojet.com.

České dráhy + ÖBB (Railjet). The Czech and Austrian national railways jointly operate the Railjet trains. They're comfortable, with a restaurant car serving draught beer and hot food on board. Prices start at around €15 if you buy weeks in advance, but be warned: unlike RegioJet, the last-minute price can easily double (€30–50). Useful tip for families: booking through ÖBB, children under 15 travel free. Seat reservation is not included (it costs +€3).

The route passes through Brno (Czechia's second city, about 2.5 hours from Prague). If you reach Hlavní nádraží by metro, it's the "Hlavní nádraží" stop on line C (red). From the centre — Old Town Square, for example — you can reach the station in 15 minutes. If you want more detail on how to get to the train station by metro (→ ES-10), we have a dedicated article.

Option 2: bus from Prague to Vienna

The bus is the cheapest alternative, with tickets from €10–12 on FlixBus and from €12–15 on RegioJet Bus. The frequency is very high: there are around 69 daily buses between the two cities across all operators. The first departs at 3:15 in the morning and the last at 23:55.

Departure and arrival stations:

• Departure from Prague: Praha Hlavní nádraží (bus stop next to the train station) or Praha ÚAN Florenc (the central bus station, metro B or C).
• Arrival in Vienna: Erdberg, Südtiroler Platz or Stadion Center, depending on the operator and route.

FlixBus works well for what it is: a low-cost bus with WiFi and a toilet. The app is convenient for booking. Prices fluctuate quite a bit, but if you buy 2–3 weeks in advance they're usually between €12 and €18.

RegioJet Bus offers a level of service similar to their trains — a step above FlixBus in comfort. If the price is similar, choose RegioJet.

Actual duration: between 4 hours and 5 hours 15 minutes depending on the route and intermediate stops. Direct buses take around 4 hours, almost the same as the train. Those making stops can take longer.

Night bus? There are early-morning and late-night departures. I don't recommend them unless you have no other option. Arriving at 3 or 4 in the morning at a bus station in a city you don't know is not the best plan.

Price tip: March tends to be the cheapest month (~€21 average) and December the most expensive (~€32 average).

Option 3: flight — is it worth it?

Straight answer: no.

The Prague–Vienna flight takes one hour. But that hour is the easy part. Add getting to Prague airport from the centre (45 minutes minimum), being there 1–1.5 hours early for check-in, boarding and security, and then getting from Vienna airport to the centre (another 30–45 minutes on the City Airport Train or S-Bahn). Real total: 4–5 hours door to door. That is, the same as the train. But paying €50–150 instead of €15–25. And with the hassle of security checks, luggage restrictions and the possibility of delays.

The only exception: if you find a flight at €15–20 on Ryanair or Wizz Air and you're already planning to be near the airport. In that case, it can be worthwhile. But it rarely happens.

For 95% of travellers, the train or bus is better in every way: price, comfort, punctuality and total door-to-door time.

Stop in Bratislava?

Bratislava is right in the middle of the Prague–Vienna route. Literally. From Prague it's about 2 hours by train and from Bratislava to Vienna it's only 1 more hour. Many travellers doing the Prague-Vienna-Budapest tour consider stopping there.

My view: if you have half a day free, Bratislava is worth a stop. The old town is compact and can be explored in 3–4 hours on foot. The castle has good views over the Danube, the Blue Church (Modrý kostolík) is a curiosity, and the contrast with Prague and Vienna is interesting — it's a smaller capital, less touristy, with its own character.

If you're short on time, go straight to Vienna. Bratislava isn't going anywhere.

To make this intermediate stop, buy separate tickets: Prague → Bratislava + Bratislava → Vienna. Both legs are covered by RegioJet and FlixBus. And if you're doing the full European circuit — Prague, Vienna, Budapest — including Bratislava turns the triangle into a very easy quadrilateral to execute.

Tips for the journey

Book in advance. Especially on ČD/ÖBB, where the difference between buying 3 weeks ahead and buying the day before can be €15 versus €50. On RegioJet the difference is smaller, but it's still worth securing the seat you prefer.

You don't need a passport. Czechia and Austria are both within the Schengen Area. There are no border controls. That said, always carry an identity document (European ID card or passport) — it's legally required to have one on you in both countries, although nobody is going to ask for it on the train.

Same time zone. Prague and Vienna share CET (Central European Time). No need to adjust your watch.

Do Prague first. If you're planning a trip that includes Prague and Vienna, start with Prague. It's a city of discovery — alleyways, hidden neighbourhoods, brewery atmosphere. Vienna is more monumental, more formal. If you do Vienna first, Prague can give you a misleading impression of being "smaller". If you do Prague first, each city shines for what it is.

Check your departure station. For both trains and buses, confirm on your ticket whether you're departing from Hlavní nádraží or Florenc. They are not the same station and are 10 minutes apart by metro.

Before you leave Prague: don't miss the free tour

A pattern I see constantly: travellers on the Central Europe trip who allocate 2 days to Prague, 2 to Vienna and 2 to Budapest. They board the train feeling that Prague was beautiful but something was missing. What was missing was context. What was missing was someone telling them what they were seeing.

My recommendation is to dedicate at least 3 days to Prague, ideally 4. And within those days, take a free tour in English before you leave. It completely changes the experience.

At ODISEA Tours we run three free tours in Spanish:

• Free Tour Old Town & Jewish Quarter — the heart of Prague: Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, medieval alleyways, Jewish Quarter.
• Free Tour Prague Castle & Charles Bridge — the other bank: Charles Bridge, Malá Strana, the Castle, St Vitus Cathedral.
• Free Tour New Town: Nazism & Communism — 20th-century Prague: the Nazi occupation, communism, the Velvet Revolution, the Prague Spring.

They last around 2 hours 30 minutes, are in Spanish, and work on tips. Book directly at odisea.tours.

And if you have an extra day before heading to Vienna, the day trips from Prague are an excellent option: Terezín, Karlovy Vary, Český Krumlov. Many travellers who come during Easter or spring combine a free tour with a full-day excursion. If you want to know the best time to visit Prague (→ ES-34), we've got that covered too.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the train from Prague to Vienna cost?

From €14.90 on RegioJet when booking in advance. The average price is around €17–23 on RegioJet and €20–40 on ČD/ÖBB Railjet. Buying on the same day, RegioJet stays at €20–25 while ČD/ÖBB can reach €50 or more. The key is to book as early as possible, especially on ČD/ÖBB.

How long does the bus from Prague to Vienna take?

Between 4 hours and 5 hours 15 minutes, depending on the operator and stops. Direct FlixBus services take around 4 hours, almost the same as the train. Those with intermediate stops can stretch to 5 hours and a quarter.

Is it better to go by train or bus?

For most travellers, the train. RegioJet offers free coffee, power sockets, WiFi, at-seat food service and prices that barely vary. The bus only makes sense if you find a FlixBus deal at €10–12 and the train price is above €20. In comfort, the train always wins.

Do you need a passport to go from Prague to Vienna?

No. Czechia and Austria are part of the Schengen Area, so there are no border controls. But carry an identity document (ID card or passport) on you: it's legally required in both countries, although checks on the train are virtually non-existent.

Is it worth stopping in Bratislava?

If you have half a day free, yes. The old town is compact, can be explored in 3–4 hours, and the castle has good views over the Danube. If you're tight on time, go straight to Vienna. Bratislava is exactly on the way (2 hours from Prague, 1 hour to Vienna), so it's not a detour.

Where do I buy tickets?

• RegioJet (train and bus): regiojet.com
• ČD / ÖBB (Railjet): cd.cz or oebb.at
• FlixBus: flixbus.com or the FlixBus app

Buy directly on the operator's website. Intermediary platforms like Omio or Trainline usually add a commission. The e-ticket arrives by email and you show it on your phone — no need to print anything.