How to travel from Prague to Berlin

Schloss Charlottenburg – By W I L M A N D I Photography – Imported from 500px (archived version) by the Archive Team. (detail page), CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73615473

Are you thinking of heading to Berlin, the artistic center and cultural hub of Germany? We don’t blame you! Although other cities like Munich are well-known for their Germanic influence, historical buildings, and cultural attractions, Berlin is a category by itself. There is almost no other city in Europe that embraces its “weirdness” and uniqueness as much as Berlin. With tons of ex-pats, amazing clubs, “taboo” things to do, fun outdoor activities, dozens of parks, and cool cafes for you to sit in all day long, it is no wonder that Berlin is one of the top places for people to visit (and live) in Europe. 

Let’s check out the easiest ways for you to get from Prague, the Czech cultural center, to Berlin, one of the most vibrant and eclectic cities in the world. Trust us — it is easier than you think.

Train

Praha main station – By PetrS. – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101782187

One of the easiest and most scenic ways to get from Prague to Berlin is by taking the train. Of course, it won’t be super quick, but you will be able to see the cities, the countryside, and everything in between. 

There are direct trains from Prague to Berlin through the central station in Prague, known as the Praha hlavni nadrazi, a massive train station that you simply cannot miss. And even if you wake up late and miss your first train, don’t worry — there are trains every two hours. The train is just 4 hours long, which is actually very reasonable considering you are traveling between two major cities in two different countries. 

We recommend getting a train early in the morning so you can make use of the faster trains without any transfers and get a cheaper ticket. Head to the Czech Railways website to purchase a ticket in advance if you plan ahead and save up to 40% on a one-way or return ticket to Berlin. 

We recommend getting a second-class train seat if you want to travel in style, ensuring you can choose your own seat with a power outlet, desk, facing forward, or facing backward based on your preferences. Of course, if you don’t mind spending a bit extra, get a first-class ticket to enjoy more room to yourself and bigger seats. 

Bus

Prague bus – By Tiia Monto – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34801748

The next option for traveling from Prague to Berlin is by bus. This is arguably the best choice for those who are on a budget — which is most travelers these days. The bus departs from Prague’s Florenc station and gives you a few different options to choose from. You can choose between Flixbus, the big green bus you see zipping around Europe, REgio Jet, or Eurolines. We recommend looking at RegioJet first, as they are more timely and have newer amenities than the other two companies. 

Even though the trip technically takes the same amount of time as the train, traffic, road works, and crowded buses can make the journey seem longer. We recommend taking the train if you do not care about money, but the buses can be cheaper and work better with your itinerary. You will depart the bus at the Central Bus Station near Alexanderplatz in Berlin. 

Tour

Brandenburg Tor – By Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5059290

This may take longer, but it can be well worth the extra time and price. If you travel from Prague to Berlin by a pre-organized sightseeing tour, you can stop along the way to see some of the best attractions and travel in style. Instead of traveling with a loud group of people, your tour can teach you historical information and ensure you get out of the bus or van every 30 minutes – 1 hour to stretch your legs and check out the Czech countryside. 

This will be an all-day event, so make sure you plan accordingly. Compared to four hours, this will take around 8-10 hours but can be worth the extra time, as you will see Dresden, palaces, and other historical buildings on your journey. 

Car

Die Westfassade des Berliner Doms bei Nacht. – By Ansgar Koreng / CC BY-SA 3.0 (DE), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47482196

Last but not least, you can take a car from Prague to Berlin. You can choose whether to rent a taxi or private transfer between the two cities or rent a car and do a one-way drop-off option. Of course, this will be the most expensive choice out of all the transportation choices.