Prague to Munich by train

You can take a direct train from Prague to Munich without changing, and it takes about 5 hours 33 minutes. Trains leave Praha hlavní nádraží roughly every two hours and run through Plzeň, Domažlice, Furth im Wald, Schwandorf and Regensburg to München Hbf. České dráhy (ČD) runs the Czech section and Die Länderbahn, which operates the alex trains, runs the German section. Fares start from around 370 CZK. If you travel between 15 October and 19 November 2026, expect a bus on part of the route.

Take the direct train, and check your date in autumn 2026

The direct train is the default choice. The journey is about 5 hours 33 minutes and trains leave roughly every two hours. ČD markets the Czech side as the Západní expres.

One change matters in autumn 2026. From the evening of 15 October to 19 November 2026, track and points work between Schwandorf and Domažlice stops the trains on that section. Express buses replace them between Schwandorf and Plzeň, so from Prague you take the train to Plzeň, the bus to Schwandorf and a train on to Munich. The journey takes longer. Tickets stay valid on the buses. Allow extra time for any connection in Munich and take an earlier train if you can.

Leave from Praha hlavní nádraží

Praha hl.n. is Prague's main station and the departure point for these trains. Metro line C stops directly at Hlavní nádraží, so from most of the city centre you ride one line to the platforms. Arriving by air, the Airport Express bus ends right outside the station building.

The trains also call at Praha-Smíchov, but Hlavní nádraží is the sensible choice for almost everyone.

You arrive at München Hbf, where S-Bahn, U-Bahn and tram lines meet under one roof, so onward travel across Munich is easy.

Who runs the trains and what you ride

The Czech section is run by České dráhy, the national operator. The German section is run by Die Länderbahn under the alex name, on the line the Bavarian side calls RE 25. Czech coaches are conventional first and second class carriages with compartments and open saloons, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and 230 V sockets. A steward sells coffee, snacks and drinks from a trolley, so you do not need to bring a full meal.

This is a regional-style service in places, not a high-speed train. It stops at many stations in Bavaria, including Furth im Wald, Cham, Schwandorf, Regensburg, Landshut and Freising, before Munich.

What it costs

ČD advertises fares from around 370 CZK for Prague to Munich, bought in Czech koruna from the ČD e-shop. Prices change by train, how many seats are sold and how close you are to departure, and booking earlier is cheaper. The cheapest tickets are early-booking fares tied to one train. If you are not sure which departure you want, a flexible international ticket lets you take any train on the route that day. Tickets can be bought up to 90 days ahead, are issued in the traveller's name and you must show ID with the ticket on the train.

A through ticket from Prague to München Hbf covers the whole trip, so you do not need a second ticket for the German section.

Regional day tickets only help on part of the trip. The Bayern-Ticket covers regional trains in Bavaria, but not the Czech section. The Deutschlandticket is valid on regional trains in Germany, so it can cover the German stretch from Furth im Wald to Munich, but not the Czech part. If you use either, buy a separate ticket for the Czech section.

Reservations and rail passes

You do not need a seat reservation. ČD tickets are not issued for a specific seat, so you can sit anywhere free. On long international trains ČD recommends adding a seat reservation when you buy, and it is a good idea on busy days. Bikes are different: bicycle spaces on the Czech trains need a compulsory reservation.

Interrail passes are valid on these trains, and you do not need a seat reservation with one.

From 13 December 2026 a new operator takes over

Leo Express won the Czech tender for this line and will take over from České dráhy on 13 December 2026. It plans seven trains a day each way on a two-hour pattern, plus one extra Prague to Plzeň pair. It says international tickets will start from €9 and that Interrail, Eurail and international tickets will be accepted. It has not said who will run the German section. Until 12 December, the ČD and alex trains described above run to the current timetable. For travel from 13 December, check which operator your ticket is for and confirm the timetable before you book.