Driving from Berlin to Prague

Why bother to drive from a big city to another big city. There is a direct train from Berlin to Prague and also from Prague to Munich. And take probably less time than driving especially in December and January. As I am aware major rental companies nowadays don't have problem with that. And if they want to make problems, too bad for them. They will lose your business and instead Deutsche Bahn and Ceske drahy will get it.

Hi scdc. Ilja has a good idea to consider train or bus. But if you still want to drive, try Sixt. We rented from them and no problem driving into Czech. When you cross the border into Czech, stop and buy a sticker for your windshield - about 15 Euro. Enjoy your trip!

Is there a reason you want to drive? Train travel is so easy, and cheap if you book the tickets as soon as they are released. You are going city to city - no need to drive! Plus the train is fun!

Kim

hi guys,

We want to drive as we can stop along the way, we have no defined time to get to Prague so we intend to use this to do the most scenic route possible. I do understand that Bus and Train are options but we feel we will see far more than say a train. They may take less time but want to experience all we can.

Thanks again for all your input, it is fantastic as we have never planned such a trip and having people who have done it really helps

No need to drive between these two cities unless you intend to see /visit towns that once were part of the Sudetenland before proceeding to Prague. Some are worth visiting historical. If not, I suggest also the train, direct, taking 4 plus hours.

Nationalpark Saechsische Schweiz and Bad Schandau are right on the Czech border and worth a day.

I tend to agree with the others that using the fast and efficient trains would be preferred. However if you want to drive, I'd suggest contacting gemut.com using their toll free number. I'm sure they'll be able to provide whatever information you need for the trip you're planning.

One other point to consider is that in December & January, you'll be dealing with winter driving conditions.

No need to drive between these two cities unless you intend to see
/visit towns that once were part of the Sudetenland before proceeding
to Prague.

And what about the Spreewald, the park of Bad Muskau, Görlitz, Bautzen, Saxon Switzerland, Freiberg, Meissen, Saxon Switzerland, Seiffen, Oybin and the Zittau Mountain, Litomerice and Bohemian Paradise?
The towns of the Sudetenland along the route on the other hand are mostly pretty ugly (Liberec, Usti, Jablonec, Decin).

You can easily spend a week or two between Berlin and Prague, and the car gives you the opportunity to see places only Europeans visit. It's very nice for example to drive from Saxon Switzerland via Bohemian Switzerland to the Zittau mountains, and from there via the Lusatian mountains and Bohemian Paradise to Prague.

Martin, I would not consider Liberec and Jablonec ugly. Usti and Decin have very pretty setting but as towns I have to agree with you.

Since you are going near Christmas, you might also try the town of Seiffen which is on the border and a center for wooden toy making. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_toymaking_in_the_Ore_Mountains

One word about scenic journeys in the winter in Germany. More often than not, everything looks kind of gray and hazy, especially if the temperatures hover a little bit above the freezing mark. Although, some of the upland regions of Saxony often experience winter temperatures significantly colder than most of the rest of country, so that could keep the air a little clearer...or make heavy snow fall more likely.

snow tires? snow chains?

thank you all, greatly appreciated can't wait to get over there