Advice on where to stay between Krakow ->??? -> Prague

OLOMOUC makes a great stopover for two or three nights.

Thank you, I have been looking at Olomouc, and will strongly consider!

If by train, I think my choice might be Brno. https://youtu.be/GF5xf27Tbp0. Really a sweet under rated stop and one I didnt give enough time, so worth a second visit for me. I’ve never been to Olomouc, thought about it for this year, but just didnt tug at me hard enough. Olomouc might be a bit easier, but this is a holiday so pick the one that most interests you … if either. I suspect that a local will join in here with some better ideas.

Both Brno or Olomouc and on to Prague take a while. But the straight thru trip is still 6 to 7 hours, which is why I would spend the night to get the most out of the experience. If I wasn’t going to spend the night someplace along the way, I would fly Ryan. Depending on how you pack, isn’t much more expensive than the train.

If I were to drive the trip (pretty expensive renting one way) it would be to take advantage of what there is to see along the way. Compared to renting a car one way, it might not cost more to use someone like Daytrip.com. The Daytrip standard stops include Štramberk, the Zbrašovské Aragonite Caves, Český Šternberk Castle and Kutna Hora. I wouldn’t try and do it all, but a few make the cost of Daytrip worth it. If any of those are on your list for day trips out of Prague, then the DatyTrip car becomes even less expensive in the scheme of things. Kunta Hora at least should be on your list and I would love to see Český Šternberk Castle and the Zbrašovské Aragonite Caves.

You could even mix and match. Take the train to Brno and then Daytrip to Prague the next day (or Daytrip to Brno then the train). Breaks things up a bit and increases the experience.

I talk too much. Sorry. Great trip!!!

Thank you, Mr. E. Appreciate the feedback. I had also thought about Brno, and wonder if it may offer more of interest to teens. We're open to day trips via rental cars or private transfers, or even one way routes within a country (Czechia or Prague). In terms of day trips, we're interested in nature/scenic settings, smaller towns, different vibes to break up the big city experiences. I'll take a look at access to the caves and castle. I've also wondered about the Beskid mountains.

We had originally thought we would use the night train from Krakow to Prague to reduce daytime travel, but now are considering other stops along the way.

Thank you! All ideas welcome!!

A car opens up a lot of possibilities near OLOMOUC.
I would recommend, along with Olomouc, BOUZOV CASTLE, which is a half-hour drive from Olomouc. The open-air museum at ROZNOV POD RADHOSTEM, which is an hour away from Olomouc. For a subterranean adventure, the PUNKEVNI CAVE ( “Jeskyne”) in the Moravian Karst would be a great contrast to seeing cities. The PUNKEVNI Cave is a little more than a hour drive from Olomouc.

ljonespranis, I would be doing you a huge disservice if I started making comparisons between two cities or trying to sell you on one, when I have only been to the other. If I were to let my personal bias kick in, I would say leave Krakow and follow this route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/owheLGcMSdMSqrEy5 But thats not the question you asked so ............ LOL

Back on topic, I know my teenage kids (2 boys and a young lady) got a kick out of the underground stuff in Brno (bunker, labyrinth, bones). Its one of the more lovely small cities I visited in Central Europe. But I presume there are others equal or better.

For any place I might be staying or passing through I always go to VIator and GetYourGuide; not to book, but to see what people want to see in the area the local tours and the day trips. In a lot of ways better sourcing of information than articles.

EDIT: The night train is a good experience for the kids, and something I did once by choice and then twice more because there were no options. Speaking of that, If you really want to give the kids a great night train experience then take the bus from Krakow to Lviv, spend a night or two, then book the night train to Prague (RegioJet). The family will never forget it (mostly in a good way). For some unexplained reason I had Bpest on the brain, should have said Prague.

Okay, I will get serious again, The trip from Krakow to Prague can be direct and quick (night train or a flight) or it can be a journey with a night or two along the way (my vote). With some investigation you can probably do the trip with a couple of stops using nothing (or mostly) a train.

I envy such problems in life.

A few years ago, we had a plan to rent a car in Krakow and drive down to Slovakia to see "castles." I was not in charge of planning this trip, which ended up being cancelled for medical reasons, so I don't have a load of specifics, but it was always our intention to return the car in Krakow. Rather than add another city, I think you're on the right track to add a road trip to a more natural area. Although, for only 10 days, those two cities are plenty!
I would recommend the overnight train. I haven't taken that one in particular, but if I can avoid the airport, I will. Here's what The Man in Seat 61 says:
https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/prague-to-krakow-by-train.htm

Despite all of our discussions on the two threads, if it were my trip (but its not), I would be inclined to do 4 nights in Krakow, one night maybe two on the way to Prague (by train or by private transfer ... but no car rentals) and the remainder in Prague including at least one day trip out of Prague to Kunta Hora.

For the two nights I would do the Kempensky in Strbske Pleso and run up to the cable cars one day, hike the lake one day. OR go the other direction and stop near Brno at a resort like the Maximus Resort and spend some time with a castle or a cave tour and the town of Brno and/or Olomouc.

The advantage to going towards the Czech Republic is that you might not be back that way. Slovakia pairs well with Vienna and Budapest so if either of those interest you there might be a future opportunity to visit Slovakia.

One other suggestion. For what you are considering spending in terms of time and money doing these road trips, if they dont set well with you 100% do look at the discount carriers out of Krakow and into Prague. 5 hours on a train is about the equivalent of 1 hour on a flight which will get you to some amazing places and if you pack light it doesn’t have to be expensive. I search by doing google flights, one way, nonstop, 2 hours, $150, Krakow to Europe. Then one way, nonstop, 2 hours, $150, Prague to Europe. Then look for where the two searches overlap. Because the discounts dont fly the same route every day you do have to check a few days each way.

LOL i am absolutely no help......