The train system from Prague is well-connected to most central and eastern European destinations which makes train travel from here particularly easy. Here are my 5 top tips to travelling out of Prague’s main train station, ‘Hlavni Nadrazi’.

Prague is one of those cities that many people think of as being Eastern European. (I confess to having thought so too before I moved here.) The locals are quick to point out that Prague is geographically further west than Vienna is and travelling by train quickly helps you change this perception. Originally I had mourned the loss of the excellent train connections that Brussels used to offer – London, Paris, Amsterdam all within a 2-hour train journey! – but there are trips from Prague that make up for that.

In fact, you can catch trains to the nearest major cities; Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Berlin and Dresden are all connected to Prague by train. Depending on the ticket you purchase and the route chosen, you may have to change trains so keep an eye on your booking options and your ticket.

Perhaps my biggest gripe is that the trains are slow; I am spoiled by the high-speed network so readily accessible in Brussels and a 4-hour trip to Vienna seems a little strange when you can take a 1h52 Brussels-London ticket. Still, when compared with flying from one destination to another, the journey is well-timed and you at least get the option to relax and catch up on your reading.

The train station is along the lost walls of the New Town, as I describe in my guided tour of Prague.

Here are my 5 tips to a smoother train journey out of Prague’s main train station (Prague Hlavni Nadrazi)

1. Getting to the station: The station is well served by tram and metro so it should be a doddle to be there on time for your train. Both the tram and metro network are reliable and efficient; highly recommendable if you don’t have lots of bulky luggage. Taxis can be pricey in comparison, but if you already have a travel card for the public transit network, I would recommend this transportation option.
   

   

   
   
2. Shopping and catering: There are numerous shops all of which seem to be smaller versions of whatever you can find on the high street. I wouldn’t suggest the Prague Train Station as a shopping venue but at least there is something to do if you’re just whiling away the time. The cafes and refreshments on offer are pricier than elsewhere – like all train stations – but good enough for a quick drink or to grab a sandwich for your journey. I would recommend a delightful lunch or dinner elsewhere in the Bohemian capital and ignore these places unless you really must.
3. Information Boards: This may sound obvious, but a number of trains will stop at numerous stations on the way. If you need to change trains somewhere, it may therefore not be obvious which one to catch. For example, I once caught the 15:42 to Vienna but had to change in Breclav. The train that stopped in Breclav was the one heading to Budapest so I needed to board the train to Budapest to get to Vienna – and that is a detail that wasn’t obvious. Prague is not a busy station in the same way that Paris’ Gare du Nord is so I quickly spotted that only one train was going to leave at 15:42. Where in doubt, the departures board sometimes list all intermediate stations so keep your eyes peeled for that.
4. Seating: Czech trains tend to be a little archaic compared to the trains in, say, France or Germany. They are reasonably comfortable but the six-seater cabins tend to fill up rather quickly so getting to your platform in advance will give you the advantage of being able to choose a slightly comfier spot than some. (Most trips do not have assigned seating) Others may join you in the cabin and the lack of leg-room can be annoying but if the train is not packed, you can have a manageable journey.Recommendation: Keep a watchful eye on the departures board to see where your train will depart from and try to be on the platform at least 15 min before.Bonus Tip: If you’re planning to catch a train that departed from some other station, keep an eye on the arrivals board and head to that platform before anyone else notices that it’s pulled in already.
5. Given the alignment of the rails along a east-west axis, take a few moments to peek at the potential route on a map before you leave. If you’re travelling east in the afternoon, make sure to sit in the direction of travel to avoid having the sun in your eyes for most of the trip. The same applies in reverse if you travel in the morning.

What would you advise people to do if they’re transiting through Prague Hlavni Nadrazi?