Prague to Kolín and Kutná Hora: a rail loop for a long day out

The usual way to visit Kutná Hora goes like this: take the train, see the bones, see the cathedral, take the train back. It works, and thousands do it. But the line from Prague runs through Kolín, a town overlooked because the train stops there for a minute. A small change of route turns the day into a loop and gives you two towns for the price of one outing.

The shape of the day

Take a morning train from Praha hlavní nádraží towards Kolín, roughly an hour (check cd.cz). Spend the morning in Kolín, then take a local train to Kutná Hora, about half an hour. Spend the afternoon there, and head back to Prague in the evening. Our Kutná Hora day trip guide covers the second town in detail, so this one concentrates on the first and on logistics.

The order matters because of the return. Check the evening timetable from Kutná Hora before you commit; if the connections are thin, you may be changing at Kolín on the way home, with tired feet and a bag of souvenirs.

Kolín

Kolín is a mid-sized town on the Elbe (the Labe in Czech) with more history than its size suggests. The main stop is the Church of St Bartholomew, a Gothic church whose choir is associated with Peter Parler, the architect who also worked on St Vitus Cathedral in Prague. It stands in the town centre and is reason enough to stop; check opening times with the parish or tourist office, as access can be limited.

The town also has a long Jewish history, including a synagogue and an old cemetery. Ask the local museum or tourist information what is open when you go. A walk through the square and along the river takes an hour or two.

Kolín is a working town and not a place to hurry through. The point of stopping is to see a Czech provincial city at ease. A coffee on the square and a look at the church is a worthwhile hour before you move on.

From Kolín to Kutná Hora

A local train links the two in about half an hour. It arrives at Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží, the main station, which is on the edge of town and a walk from the centre. Some local trains also call at Sedlec, near the ossuary famous for its bone decorations (check the timetable for which services stop where), which can save you the walk.

Plan the afternoon around Sedlec and the old town. Walk or take a local bus into the centre, see the Cathedral of St Barbara, and have a late lunch. The station timetable will tell you which train to take back.

Tickets and timing

České dráhy sells tickets online and at stations. Whether a through ticket from Prague to Kutná Hora lets you break the journey in Kolín depends on the ticket type, so check the conditions first. To be safe, buy separate tickets for each leg; with local trains that is easy.

Start early. Sights in Kutná Hora keep seasonal hours, and you want to arrive before mid-afternoon. Winter days are short and some places close earlier, so the loop may be too ambitious. Our guide to Prague weather by season helps you pick a month.

Why try it

The standard Kutná Hora trip has one weakness: many visitors arrive on the same mid-morning trains and queue at the same places. Starting in Kolín shifts your arrival later in the day, which may make the old town easier to enjoy. You also see the difference between a town turned over to visitors and one that mostly is not.

Be realistic about the stretch. Two towns and a ride is a full day, and a third would turn pleasure into a schedule.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, since both towns mean cobbles and walking. The timetable downloaded to your phone. Some cash for small museum entries and a coffee, though cards are common. Water.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Prague to Kutná Hora via Kolín?

Take a train from Praha hlavní nádraží to Kolín, then a local train to Kutná Hora. Check cd.cz for connections.

How long does it take?

Roughly an hour to Kolín and about half an hour on to Kutná Hora. Check the timetable.

Is Kolín worth stopping at?

Yes, for the Gothic church of St Bartholomew and a look at an ordinary Czech town.

Can I do this in one day?

Yes, with an early start. Check the last train back.

Check the last train back from Kutná Hora, then plan the day backwards from it.