Prague to Split by train

There is no direct train from Prague to Split. The journey requires at least one connection, and the total travel time is typically 20 hours or more depending on your route and timing. The most reliable year-round path runs via Vienna and Zagreb, with connections across two or three trains. In summer, a pair of EuroNight sleeper trains change the calculation: one departs Split on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings and arrives in Vienna the next morning, where you can pick up a fast Railjet to Prague. The other runs every couple of days from Split to Budapest, also overnight, with an EC connection to Prague the following morning.

Key Takeaways

• No direct train from Prague to Split

• Year-round: connect via Vienna and Zagreb; total journey typically 20 hours or more

• Summer only (Mon/Thu/Sat, 30 May, 26 Sep 2026): EuroNight sleeper from Split to Vienna, then Railjet to Prague

• Summer only (every 2 days, late June, late Sep 2026): Adria sleeper from Split to Budapest, then EC to Prague

• RegioJet does not operate a Prague-Split service in 2026

• Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid; reservations are required on sleeper trains

• Flying from Prague (PRG) to Split (SPU) takes around 90 minutes and is often cheaper

Route Overview

The journey from Prague to Split covers roughly 750 km as the crow flies but involves crossing Austria and Croatia, so the total rail distance and connection time stack up. There is no single train for the whole route.

The standard year-round path goes: Praha hlavni nadrazi to Wien Hbf by Railjet or EuroCity (around 4 hours), then a change to another train toward Zagreb (a further 5 to 6 hours), and finally a train from Zagreb down to Split through the Dalmatian hinterland. The Zagreb-Split leg on a day service takes several hours through dramatic mountain and gorge scenery. The full journey, including connection waits, commonly takes 20 hours or more.

The more comfortable option in summer is the EuroNight sleeper that runs between Split and Vienna three times a week. The train leaves Split at 17:22 and reaches Wien Hbf at 09:23 the following morning. From Vienna, a Railjet covers the Prague leg in around 4 hours, putting you in Prague by early afternoon. This service runs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 30 May to 26 September 2026 and uses Austrian Nightjet rolling stock.

A second summer option is the Adria EuroNight, running from Split to Budapest every couple of days from late June to late September. It departs Split at 17:43 and arrives Budapest Keleti at 09:35. From Budapest, an EC or ComfortJet train reaches Prague in around 7 hours. Total journey time on this routing is longer than the Vienna option and requires two separate bookings.

In previous years, RegioJet ran a direct overnight service between Prague and Split via Zagreb. That service is not operating in 2026.

Tickets and Prices

For the summer sleeper route, book two legs separately.

The EuroNight from Split to Vienna is sold at oebb.at. OBB opens bookings 6 months ahead. Fares in the ordinary seat car start from 29.90 EUR. A berth in a 3-bed sleeping compartment starts from 79.90 EUR, a 2-bed from 99.90 EUR, and a single-bed compartment from 149.90 EUR. Fares rise as the train fills, so booking early matters. The Vienna to Prague Railjet is also on oebb.at; OBB sometimes allows you to add it to the same basket.

For the Adria sleeper from Split to Budapest, book at mavcsoport.hu or at Split station. Bookings open 60 days ahead. Couchette fares start from 49 EUR (6-berth) or 59 EUR (4-berth). Sleeping compartment fares start from 64 EUR (3-bed), going up to 79 EUR (2-bed) or 119 EUR for a single. The Budapest to Prague train is a separate booking.

If you piece together the year-round day route, Prague to Vienna, Vienna to Zagreb, Zagreb to Split, each segment is bought independently. There is no confirmed through-ticket for the full journey. Rail Europe, Omio, and Trainline list some segments; booking directly at oebb.at is usually reliable for the Austrian portions.

Train Types and Onboard Experience

Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Zagreb are typically served by OBB Railjet or EuroCity trains. Railjet trains are modern and air-conditioned, with business, first, and second class and a bistro car. The Prague-Vienna route is smooth and comfortable. The Vienna-Zagreb section crosses the Semmering Pass before entering Croatia.

The EuroNight Nightjet from Split to Vienna is equipped with Comfortline sleeping cars offering 1, 2, and 3-bed compartments with a washbasin. Deluxe compartments include a private shower and toilet. There are also couchette cars with 4- and 6-berth compartments and a car of ordinary seats. The train is air-conditioned throughout.

The Adria sleeper from Split to Budapest has Hungarian sleeping cars with 1, 2, and 3-bed compartments (washbasins included), couchette cars with 4 and 6 berths, and a restaurant car serving dinner and breakfast.

The Zagreb to Split day service is operated by HZ, the Croatian state railway. The rolling stock is older than the Austrian trains, and the journey through the Dalmatian hinterland via Knin takes several hours. It is a scenic ride, but do not count on Wi-Fi or guaranteed power outlets.

Stations and Boarding

Trains from Prague leave from Praha hlavni nadrazi, the main station, central and served by metro line C.

In Split, the station is Split Kolodvor, in the city centre. The ferry port is a short walk away, convenient if you are continuing to Hvar, Brac, Vis, or another island by ferry.

Wien Hbf is a modern, well-signed station. If using the sleeper option, you arrive at 09:23 and Railjets to Prague depart roughly every two hours through the morning. Allow at least an hour for the connection.

Zagreb Gl.K. is the main Croatian station, central and well connected. If the day-connection route requires an overnight stop here, which it often does, the station area has hotels and is walkable to Zagreb’s old town.

Rail Pass Validity

Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on the trains used across this journey: Railjet and EuroCity (Prague-Vienna, Vienna-Zagreb), the EuroNight Nightjet (Split-Vienna), the Adria EuroNight (Split-Budapest), and EC trains (Budapest-Prague).

Seat reservations and sleeper reservations are required and carry an additional fee on top of the pass. On the EuroNight Nightjet, berth reservation fees can be substantial, check current rates at oebb.at or interrail.eu before assuming a pass is cost-effective.

For a standalone Prague-Split journey, compare pass-plus-reservation costs against point-to-point tickets. If you are making other journeys on the same pass, the economics improve.

Prague to Split vs. Flying

A direct flight from Prague to Split takes around 90 minutes. Depending on the time of year and how early you book, flying is often cheaper than a multi-segment train journey, particularly in high summer.

The train is worth considering if you already hold an Interrail or Eurail pass, if you want stopovers in Vienna or Zagreb, or if you simply prefer not to fly. The sleeper from Split means you lose no daytime on the long leg, arriving in Vienna in the morning ready for the Railjet to Prague.

For travellers focused on getting between the two cities quickly, flying is the practical choice. The train is best as part of a broader European itinerary.

FlixBus also operates Prague to Split by bus. The journey is long and often overnight; it is typically the cheapest option when booked ahead.

Practical Tips

Book the EuroNight Nightjet Split to Vienna as early as you can. OBB opens bookings 6 months ahead, and the cheapest sleeper berths in 3-bed compartments fill up quickly in June and July. The Adria sleeper opens 60 days ahead, so mark that date in your calendar if you are travelling late June onward.

Confirm the operating days before fixing your travel dates. The Split-Vienna EuroNight runs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. The Adria runs every two days in a separate window. Your dates determine which option is available.

If using the year-round day route, plan for an overnight in Zagreb rather than attempting the complete journey in one stretch. It is a long day regardless of your start time, and Zagreb has good hotels near the station.