We plan to travel from Salzburg to Prague by train this October. It appears the quickest route is a 5 1/2 hr. trip with a change of trains in Linz on the Austrian OBB Railjet. The Linz to Prague connection takes 4 hrs. plus, a distance of app. 180 miles. Why so slow? Does the OBB switch to a slower Czech train in Linz or make multiple stops between Linz and Prague? We'd appreciate any knowledge of a faster trip from Salzburg to Prague, especially the Linz to Prague leg. Thank you.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Yes, you do switch to a slower Czech train in Linz. Czechia doesn't have the fast-train options that the larger, richer countries have invested in over the years and this route is also not connecting the major cities of that country (e.g., Prague-Brno is a more important route for them to upgrade).
Posted by
Green Bay
21145 posts
Czech rail system is still be slowly upgraded after years of neglect, and the priorities are major routes, which Linz to Prague is not. If you think that is slow, check what Amtrak takes for a similar distance from NYC to Greenfield, MA. 174 miles in 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks Laura and Sam. Should I go ahead and book the OBB Railjet connecting to the REX (Czech train) in Linz even though the REX site says it won't take reservations until 60 days prior to the trip, which is mid October for us? Thanks again.
Dave
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
Another option would be to take a shuttle bus through Cesky Krumlov. A number of great shuttle companies run that route all the time, and will carry you all over the region.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I would book the Railjet ticket now, as by the time the Czech tickets become available the discount Railjet tickets might be sold out.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks David and Philip. Even though we're more than 60 days out it looks like we can book the Linz to Prague segment on REX on trainline.eu.
Posted by
Bavaria
2480 posts
Please compare fares at the web shop of Czech Rail. Prices there are often (way) cheaper than on other platforms. For the Salzburg to Prag trip, there is a price range from czk 494 to 1144 (€ 19,16 to €44.37). No need to book separate tickets (oddly enough, ÖBB can sell the Linz to Prag leg only, and that's probably why trainline does the same - they depend on the ÖBB database).