Getting from Nurnberg to Praque

If you can get a good advance purchase fare (as low as €29 for two), take the bus. Centennial Frank did it last year and said it was a pleasant experience. It's a modern, over-the-road coach run by German Rail, with WC, snack bar, and stewardess and does the trip non-stop. On the other hand, the train would be comfortable, and with a Bayern-Böhmen Ticket for €34 (for up to 5 p) to Pilsen and €6/p Czech Rail from Pilsen to Prague, less than all but the least expensive bus fare.

Bus is the best way to go. Run by German Rail. Leaves every two hours from right in front of the Nurnberg train station and dumps you at the old train station in Prague. Walk downstairs turn left into the new train station out the front door and you are on the edge of old Prague. Two classes of seats - first and second. Second is on top with the better view and first has an attendant and beverage service. Could not be easier.

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like the bus trip wouldn't be too bad. Wasn't aware of 1st and 2nd class seating. But reading other blogs, some people have suggested that the scenery from the train is so much better than from the bus that it is worth the extra hour and a half to get there. Any comments? Thanks again.

Alex, you sound so sad at those choices. Those are the three choices available. Use the coach. Lee and Frank have given the best advice.

My wife and I did the bus ride on Nov. 4, 2011. She wasn't keen on a bus ride at first but we found in roomy, with a bathroom(her main concern) and a snack cart. The ride was scenic and we got to Prague earlier which is what we wanted. The bus is right in front of the train station so no hassle getting on. The drop off at the station in Prague left us with a 15 minute walk to our hotel in the old town.

I have the feeling that rail lines, having been built long before highways, will have more commercial development around them. The few "autobahns" I have have been on have been built away from development and the land around them was scenic. However, in the case of the regional train that goes from Nuernberg to the Czech border, it passes through Bayrischer Wald, one of Germany's national parks. In this case, I would expect scenery from the train to be better then from the bus which goes north of the park. However, the train does take about an hour and a half longer. On the other hand, the discount tickets for the bus require advance purchase (at least three days, probably more to get the best prices) and refunds are limited. The train tickets can be purchased the morning of travel for no extra cost.