I am in the middle of planning a four week trip to Czech Republic. I have a little loop planned between Prague, Cesky Krumlov, and Olomouc. We would spend a week in each of these places (we like going slow.) I'm not sure what to do with the remaining week. The area between Cesky Krumlov and Olomouc seems like a good choice, but I'm not sure of the logistics. Everything else works with public transit nicely, but this stretch -not so much. I would like some advice about what to do with the week in between Cesky Krumlov and Olomouc. I haven't found a rental company that lets us pick up or drop off in Cesky Krumlov. Rick Steves suggests places like (Telč via Třeboň,) and Trebic with public transit. We also have Mikoluv area in mind, but that really seems out of the way by bus. I'd be open to doing this loop either way (we can start or end in Prague.) Has anyone done that southern stretch by public transit? Does anyone know of a rental company that would let us either pick up or drop off in Cesky Krumlov?
Posted by
below Canada / above Mexico
362 posts
We visited southern area in Aug 2025, but opted for rental car because I couldn't find a good public transit option. In case it is helpful, here is our trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-czechia-aug-2025
Posted by
942 posts
We did the southern route by public transportation in 2024. You will need to plan carefully because your options are limited. From Olomouc, we went to Jihlava, by train. There were track works near Brno, do this took all day. We then took the train to Slavonice which we liked very much. We stayed there 2 nights. Then we took the train back to Telc for one night. Then we took the bus, connecting to another bus to Cesky Kromlov. If you plan to spend a week in one location, I think you will want a car, so you can do day trips. One half day in Telc was plenty for us. Jihlava is not a tourist town, but it does have a quirky Mahler museum. Slavonice is small but has nice walking and biking.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver
67 posts
Thanks for the replies. I do agree that renting a car sounds better for that southern region. But I can only find an option to pick up/drop off a car in Prague and Brno, which leaves me with an unwanted car in Cesky Krumlov for a week. I have tried nearby Ceske Budjovice without any luck. I'm glad to hear that the route was possible by public transit. Thanks for the suggestion to make a couple nights stop in Slavonice and perhaps to not stay in Telc for a few nights. Has anyone else stayed in Trebon? Might that be another option for a few nights' stay if we break this week up? (Trebon - Slavonice - Brno as a possibility?) I haven't checked the train/bus connections between these yet - just looking for good spots to try to link up. We really don't like staying for just a few nights in one place, but maybe we can make an exception for this stretch.