Departure schedule
Morning departures
Fastest trip6 hrs 1 min
Longest trip6 hrs 59 min
Earliest05:41
Latest11:41
Departures7
Afternoon departures
Fastest trip5 hrs 56 min
Longest trip5 hrs 56 min
Earliest15:31
Latest15:31
Departures1
Night departures
Fastest trip5 hrs 50 min
Longest trip8 hrs 59 min
Earliest21:48
Latest22:16
Departures2
Travelling from Prague to Krakow by Train
Traveling from Prague to Kraków covers a distance of approximately 530 km (or roughly 494 km / 307 miles by the direct rail line), with around 15 trains per day combining Leo Express, RegioJet, and EuroCity services. Train tickets from Prague to Krakow start at €11.20 when booked in advance, with the fastest train taking 5 hours 45 minutes, and the first train of the day departing early enough to leave most of the travel day free for sightseeing on arrival. Business class seating is available on several services for travelers who'd rather pay a bit more for extra comfort and generous weight limits on luggage, and both cities being part of the Schengen Area means no routine passport checks slow things down at the border.
Prague to Krakow trains information
Prague
Prague Main Station, CzechiaPraha-Holešovice, CzechiaPrague UAN Florenc, CzechiaPrague Na Knížecí bus station, CzechiaPrague Cerny Most bus station, CzechiaPrague Main Station - Parking, Czechia
494 km
Krakow
Glowny, PolandKrakow Central Bus Station, PolandKrakow Lesser Poland Bus Station (MDA Krakow), Poland
5 h 50 m
Shortest travel time
$39
Lowest train ticket cost
10
Avg. daily departures
05:41
Earliest departure
22:16
Latest departure
For direct flights, flight prices from Prague to Krakow via Warsaw start at €120, though once airport transfers are added, the plane rarely beats the train on total travel time for this distance — Prague has a larger international airport than Kraków, which can mean more route options but not necessarily a faster door-to-door trip. Bus tickets from Prague to Krakow start at €22 when booked in advance, with bus travel taking about 7 hours, making the bus station a reasonable cheapest way to go if you have enough time to spare and don't mind a longer ride. Car-sharing trips from Prague to Krakow usually cost around €20-30, a solid middle-ground option, while private transfers start at €500 for travelers who'd rather spend more for a door-to-door ride through the countryside without relying on public transportation options between Prague and Kraków like trains and buses. Day trips from Prague often include natural reserves and spa towns, along with Kutná Hora, giving travelers a chance to rest and explore other sites before continuing the journey toward Poland.
Popular questions about trains from Prague to Krakow
Yes — direct trains from Prague to Krakow are available, running on Leo Express, RegioJet, and EuroCity services with around 15 trains per day; train times range from the fastest at 5 hours 45 minutes up to around 9 hours on the overnight service, with tickets starting at €11.20 when booked in advance.
Not usually — flight prices from Prague to Krakow via Warsaw start at €120, and once airport transfers and layover time are added, the plane rarely saves time compared to the direct train for this distance, even though Prague has a larger international airport overall.
Bus tickets from Prague to Krakow start at €22 when booked in advance, with bus travel taking about 7 hours from the bus station — a solid cheapest way to travel if you have enough time and don't mind a longer ride than the train.
Car-sharing trips from Prague to Krakow usually cost around €20-30, a budget-friendly middle option, while private transfers start at €500 for travelers who'd rather pay more for a direct, door-to-door ride through the countryside without juggling public transportation options.
No — both cities are part of the Schengen Area with no routine passport checks, so the border crossing adds no real delay to train times or bus travel on this route.
Yes — Prague Castle is one of the world's largest ancient castle complexes, with the city's attractions densely concentrated in its historic core and featuring diverse architectural styles including Gothic and Baroque, well worth spending a half day or more exploring the castle grounds before heading onward.
Kraków has Europe's largest medieval market square, with the Main Square featuring the iconic Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica, both centerpieces of a medieval core that also carries a vibrant Jewish heritage worth exploring with a knowledgeable guide.
Yes — Kraków is generally cheaper than Prague for accommodation and food, and it's also less crowded than Prague, especially in tourist areas, making it an easy pick for travelers who want to stretch their budget a little further.
Yes — Auschwitz-Birkenau is a significant historical site near Kraków, and many travelers build a half-day or full-day tour into their itinerary, since Kraków's history feels more immediate and confronting than Prague's in this respect.
Most Leo Express services run direct with no need to change trains, though some combinations through other operators may require a connection, so it's worth checking train times carefully when comparing options for your next trip.
Yes — a night train runs on this route for travelers who'd rather sleep through the journey, while the first train of the day suits those who want to maximize sightseeing time once they arrive in either city center.
Prague's Old Town, home to the Astronomical Clock, is one of the most popular destinations for first-time visitors, easily explored on foot before catching a train or bus onward to Krakow.
Yes — Kraków's city center is compact and walkable, making it simple to visit Krakow's main sights, including the Main Square and nearby Kazimierz district, without needing extra transport once you arrive.
Yes — Kutná Hora makes a popular day trip from Prague, giving travelers a chance to see something beyond the two main cities before continuing on to Krakow or elsewhere.
Yes — Vienna remains a popular next destination for travelers who've covered Prague and Krakow, reachable by a further train connection and rounding out a longer Central Europe itinerary with one more stop among other things worth seeing in the region.