Prague to Vienna: train, bus or flight, and which one wins

Prague and Vienna are about 250 km apart in a straight line, which makes the question of how to get there more interesting than it ought to be. All three options work. This page is for choosing between them. If you have already chosen the coach, the details are in our Prague to Vienna by coach guide.

The train

A direct train links Praha hlavní nádraží and Wien Hauptbahnhof in roughly four hours, with the route running via Brno. Both stations are in the centre and both have metro links (Vienna's is on the U1), so the journey really is centre to centre. Czech Railways and Austrian Federal Railways both sell tickets, and other operators have run services too, so look at who is selling your date.

You get room to walk, a table for the laptop and usually a snack option. Reserve a seat for Fridays and Sundays. Fares move with how early you buy, so don't leave it to the station on the day. For tickets and a weekend plan, see the Vienna by train weekend guide.

The coach

Roughly four to five hours, and often the cheapest of the three. It suits you if price or an awkward departure time matters more than comfort. You are at the mercy of the motorway, and the stops at each end vary by service. Read the coach guide before you buy.

The flight

Roughly an hour in the air, then the part that decides it. In Prague you reach the airport, check in, clear security and board. In Vienna the airport is outside the city and needs a train or bus to reach the centre. Add it all up and the flight rarely beats the train. Scheduled services on this pair of cities have come and gone, so check that a flight exists on your date before you plan around one. It makes sense if you are connecting to a long-haul flight in Vienna. For a city weekend it seldom does.

Count door to door

The fair comparison starts at your hotel door in Prague and ends at the one in Vienna. The train adds a short metro ride at each end. The coach adds a walk or a metro ride to the stop. The flight adds the trip out to the airport, the early arrival and the transfer at the other end. Do that sum with real times for your dates and the train usually wins on convenience, the coach on price.

By car

It is roughly 330 km by road, which makes sense for a group, for luggage, or for a trip into the Austrian countryside. Both countries ask drivers to pay for motorway use, and Vienna's centre is awkward to park in. For a city weekend, leave the car at home, and check the official sources for current road rules before you set off.

Bags and bikes

The train is the relaxed one: you carry your bags on and keep them in sight. Coaches usually include a small bag and may charge for a large case, and airlines are strict on both size and weight. If you are bringing a bicycle, a pram or a lot of shopping home, the train gives you the most room, though bicycle spaces are limited and may need a reservation.

So which one

For most people, the train. It is comfortable, central and predictable, and it turns the journey into part of the trip. Take the coach if price is the point, or if it leaves at a time the train doesn't. Take the plane if you are connecting to another flight.

Both cities keep Central European Time, as what time it is in Prague explains, so there is no clock to reset. If you only have a day, the one-day Vienna itinerary shows what fits, and where Prague is puts the two cities on the map.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way from Prague to Vienna?

Door to door, the direct train is usually fastest at roughly four hours centre to centre. A flight is quicker in the air but adds airport time.

What is the cheapest way from Prague to Vienna?

The coach is often the cheapest, but fares vary by date. Compare it with a train booked early.

Is there a direct train from Prague to Vienna?

Yes, direct trains run from Praha hlavní nádraží to Wien Hauptbahnhof. Check the operators' sites for current services.

Is it worth flying from Prague to Vienna?

Rarely. Airport transfers and check-in usually cancel the saving, unless you are connecting to another flight.

Put your dates into the train and coach booking pages, add the airport hours to the flight, and let the door-to-door total decide.