Traveling from Nuremberg/Nurnberg to Prague/Praha

The bus is probably best. We used it a couple of years ago. It is direct - no stop. Pick up is right in front of the Nurnberg station. It is actually operated by Dbahn. The bus drops you in front of the old train station in Prague, walk inside, downstairs and out through the new train station. Over size is anything bigger than a small carryon. Typical bus with limited interior space for luggage. It was a double deck bus with first class on the bottom and second on top. Hostess on board for first class with limited beverage service. It was good service.

I have done that trip, but not in 4-5 years. Usually I drive in the other direction. I dislike buses, so I took the train. In December, with snow on the roads, I'd take the train.

We did the trip the week of Christmas/New Years and the roads were fine. Obviously it did not snow the day of travel but snow is not a major deal in Germany since they know how to handle it. The train is longer and requires a change.

Thanks Frank & KGC for your info. My biggest fear is to try to board the bus and be denied because our suitcases are too large. From what Frank describes oversize luggage as:

Over size is anything bigger than a small carry on.

Has me worried that we will have issues boarding. The train is longer and more expensive but at least I know I can board w/out any problems.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

I believe there are other bus companies that do the Nuremberg-Prague run. Flixbus and Regiojet come to mind. Check those out.

The train is longer and more expensive but at least I know I can board w/out any problems.

Yes, it's longer but not necessarily more expensive. On the contrary, if you book throu the e-shop of Czech Railways, prices start from ckz 288 = € 11.16 (to find train connections either enter an intermediate stop in Cheb or Schwandorf, resp. or deselect the bus in the means of transport section). I'd take the route via Cheb (same platform transfer, the Czech train is waiting for the German one), which would give you the opportunitiy for an interesting intermediate stop, either in Cheb itself or in the famous Belle Epoque Spa of Mariánské Lázne or In Plzen.

Re the bus, look up possible connections with different operators at www.businiensuche.de (can be set to English)

....... My biggest fear is to try to board the bus and be denied because our suitcases are too large. ...... You will not be denied boarding because of large suitcase. The bus has a large storage area for luggage at the rear of the bus. That is where the big bags go. You just cannot take large bags with you to your seat since that space is limited. You will have no problem with large bags. And, also, there is a tiny toilet on board. It was a nice ride.

I am beginning to think you are over thinking this. Europeans travel with large suitcases all the time. You will be fine! However keep your passport with you. We had an odd incident that I don't know if it is common or not. Somewhere near the border, German police cars with flashing lights pulled the bus into a rest area, police came on board and checked all passports. The attendant announced that this would be a routine passport check. A young male in second class was pulled off the bus. We sat there for about 20 minutes and then continued.

Thanks, Franks's comments make sense. Just got a little nervous when I read about the "over size luggage" as who doesn't travel with luggage? Will check out the other websites mentioned.

Thanks again to everyone for their comments & information.

After contacting the bus company, I received this info on what is allowed on their bus:

Thank you for your message and I am sorry that we were unable to get back to you earlier.
Deutsche Bahn IC Bus services are able to store luggage underneath the seating part of the bus, in essence it is a coach on which you a re travelling. Please note as before the restrictions in place on IC Bus services in terms of luggage:
Every passenger is allowed to bring two pieces of hand luggage (not exceeding 70 cm x 50 cm x 30 cm). Oversized luggage is not allowed and will be excluded from transport.
Oversized luggage basically means anything outside the dimensions listed above. We have not been given any further information than this.

We hope that this information if helpful, and wish you a pleasant journey.

Kind Regards

Tim Corbridge

Rail Consultant
DB International Ticket Office

English: sales@bahn.co.uk, +44 8718 80 80 66 or +1 646 88 33 264 (costs depend on provider), Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (local UK time)
Dansk: dk.salg@deutschebahn.com eller +45 32 72 14 72 (prisen afhænger af udbyderen), mandag til fredag 9:30 til 21:00, lørdag og søndag 10:00 til 14:00
Français : db.ventes@deutschebahn.com ou +33 170 38 50 98 (les coûts varient selon l'opérateur), lundi au vendredi de 9:30 à 17:00

Full price for the train is about 9€ more than for the bus, but there are discount tickets for both. The advance purchase discount tickets for the bus start at 14,90€ but can go up as lower price tier tickets sell out. The discount tickets for the bus are bus specific; your ticket is only valid that day for the bus at that time.

You can get a one-way Prag-Spezial ticket from Nürnberg to Praque for 32€/person. The ticket will be valid only for the specified day, but for any regional train(s) at day via Cheb or Fürth im Wald. For multiple people, a Bayern-Böhmen Ticket might be more cost effective. It is only valid for travel to Pilsen; from there you will need a Czech ticket for about $5, but it is valid from anywhere in Bavaria, not just Nürnberg or Munich.

Pick up is right in front of the Nurnberg station.

It's been moved 1/4 mile east to the Zentraler Busbahnhof Nürnberg at the corner of Bahnhofstr. and Käte-Strobel-Str.

Thanks Lee, we are debating how much luggage to bring, and what size. Your info should help.