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Best Day Trips from Prague

By Flavia Voican  ·  Updated April 2026  ·  Czech Republic

Why Day Trips from Prague Are Worth It

Let’s be real: booking a generic tour guide to Český Krumlov and getting herded into a crowd at the castle? No thanks. I’ve taken these trips 15 times, and here’s the truth—you don’t need a tour. Just a train ticket, a packed lunch, and the confidence to wander.

🌟 Kutná Hora: The Bone Chapel & Cobblestone Magic

Why go? Because it’s a 1-hour train ride from Prague (České Dráhy, €5-7, departures every 20 mins). You’ll walk through a medieval town literally built on silver mining money, then stumble upon Sedlec Ossuary—a chapel where bones form chandeliers and arches. Yes, really.

Pro tip: Skip the 2pm tour. Arrive by 10am, grab coffee at Café U Vína, and let the bones whisper secrets. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Tim Burton film.

🏰 Český Krumlov: Castle, River, & No Tour Groups

Why go? Train takes 2 hours (€12-15, book ahead on Czech Railways). It’s a tiny town, but the castle overlooks the Vltava River and the town is a UNESCO site. No overnight needed—just arrive by 9am, rent a bike (€5/hr), and follow the river to the hidden stone bridge.

Pro tip: Eat at U Zlatého Pána (not the touristy one)—order vánoční knedlíky (Christmas dumplings). The owner’s a local who’ll tell you why the castle’s secret garden is off-limits to tourists.

⛪ Křivoklát: Forests, Castles & Zero Crowds

Why go? Train = 1 hour 15 mins (€8, every hour). This one’s a secret: no one goes here. You’ll hike through ancient forests to Křivoklát Castle (ruins, no crowds), then find a hidden spring where locals fill water bottles.

Pro tip: Pack a thermos. The spring water tastes like liquid mint. And the castle’s moat is wide enough to skip stones on.

🌿 Budweis (České Budějovice): Beer + Canals (No Tour Buses)

Why go? Train = 2 hours (€10, departures hourly). It’s Czech beer heaven—not the mass-market kind. Visit Budweiser Budvar (the real one, not the American “Budweiser”), then wander the canals behind the brewery.

Pro tip: Order svíčková (beef in cream sauce) at U Štěstí. The owner’s a former brewer who’ll tell you why the brewery’s 18th-century water system still works.

🚫 What NOT to Do

• *Don’t* book a “day trip to Karlštejn Castle” (it’s a 2-hour hike from the station *and* the castle is crowded).
• *Don’t* try to squeeze all these into one day. Pick *one*—your brain will thank you.
• *Don’t* wait for “perfect weather.” I got caught in rain at Kutná Hora and still found the best street art.

Now go. Your next adventure is waiting. And no, you don’t need to ask for directions.

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