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Karlovy Vary: Day trip? Overnight stay? Skip it?

Posted by (WV) on

The Berlin to Prague (RJ) train will not run on Mondays during several months in 2026. Of course, I had planned for my friends and I to travel on a Monday, so now I am in juggling mode. The current plan is 4 nights each in Berlin and Prague. (By the way, before Berlin we will be in Leipzig for several days.)

I am considering a couple options. What are your thoughts?

  1. Leave Berlin a day early and go to Prague for an extra night (assuming, of course, I can get the rooms for an additional night). Karlovy Vary looks like a good day trip from Prague during our extra time there. (Advantage, no luggage on the bus to and from KV.)

  2. Leave Berlin a day early, travel to Karlovy Vary for an overnight detour and then go on to Prague from there (by bus). (Advantage, no change in Prague hotel reservation)

I know there are other interesting day trips from Prague, but KV looks like a fun change from the rest of our itinerary.

FYI, our group will be four women—three of us in our mid-60s and the 30-ish daughter of one of my friends.

Posted by
2757 posts

can I ask what time of year you intend to visit. Karlovy vary is a lovely place during the better weather as it is a great place for wandering, enjoying the waters and visiting places like the Diana tower and the various spa areas. In the winter time you could head there for a day of spa treatments if that is your thing ( could do that in any weather). bus from Prague takes about 2 hours. your second option to me sounds better but it will take 5 or 6 hours to get there by bus or train but an early start should give you an afternoon, evening and a few hours next day to enjoy the place.
From Berlin you could have an overnight in Dresden and a 2 hour or so train trip to Prague the next day, you could still decide on a day trip from Prague to Karlovy Vary if you wish

Posted by
112 posts

Although I've been to the Czech Republic several times, I've never been to Karlovy Vary It is a spa town, so you may want to avail yourselves of the amenities. I suggest watching this video about the town. https://youtu.be/USIKzTWZe70 The Honest Guide mostly posts about Prague, but they venture to other locations, too. You could also watch the movie Last Holiday with Queen Latifah, which was filmed in Karlovy Vary. Enjoy, whatever you decide.

Posted by
2122 posts

We really enjoyed Karlovy Vary when we were there about 10 years ago. And you are right when you say it's a fun change from the rest of your itinerary. We also visited Prague, Cesky Krumlov and Telc on that same trip, and KV is very different from them architecturally, location (surrounded by mountains), and ambience. We enjoyed trying the different waters. You buy a cup and walk around trying the different springs. We scheduled time at a spa which was fun and relaxing. And we also just enjoyed walking around the city and admiring the architecture. KV is a very pretty city. We had good food in KV, too. I remember dining at a restaurant that had tables on a bridge over the river. We were lucky to get a table on the bridge.

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