Prague to Salzburg - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2026

The most popular way to travel around Europe is by train, but this option isn’t ideal for the Prague to Salzburg route.

There are no direct trains, so you’ll need to change at least once, usually in Linz, Vienna, or Munich. This can make the journey more complicated—especially if you're traveling with large luggage.

If you still decide to take the train from Prague to Salzburg, we’ve got you covered with all the key details.

The fastest connections are via Linz, Austria, with a total travel time of around 5.5 hours. Trains depart every two hours from 6:20 AM to 6:20 PM.

Half of these connections require an additional change in České Budějovice, but this doesn’t affect the overall travel time, as the connections are well-coordinated.

If your train is delayed and you’re at risk of missing your connection, be sure to inform the train crew—they may be able to contact the next train to hold the departure for a short time.

Traveling via Vienna or Munich takes a bit longer—just over seven hours to reach Salzburg.

The trains on this route are generally modern and comfortable, offering Wi-Fi, power sockets, and dining cars. The only exception is the local train from České Budějovice to Linz, which is slower, stops frequently, and lacks extra amenities.

Prague to Salzburg Train Tickets

One of the benefits of traveling via Linz is the ticket price. If you book in advance, you can find one-way tickets starting from €20. However, these are only valid on the specific trains you choose when booking. If you prefer more flexibility, regular tickets without restrictions cost about €80.

If you choose the Vienna route, the cheapest tickets are around €45 one-way.

The best way to buy tickets is online, through the Czech or Austrian Railways websites. Prices may vary slightly for the same train, so it’s worth checking both.

If you prefer to buy your ticket in person, head to the main train station in Prague. The customer center is on the ground floor, but keep in mind that trains are a popular mode of travel in the Czech Republic—lines can be long, so avoid leaving it to the last minute.

If you're traveling with a rail pass like Interrail or Eurail, you can take the Prague to Salzburg train for free, no matter which route you choose. Seat reservations aren’t required but are recommended during peak travel times. You can book a reservation for €3 per train.

Train Stations in Prague and Salzburg

In Prague, trains depart from the main station (Hlavní Nádraží), located in the city center near Wenceslas Square. It’s easily accessible by metro line C (red).

In Salzburg, you’ll arrive at the main station (Hauptbahnhof), which is about 2 km from the Old Town. From there, you can reach your final destination by public transport, bus, or taxi.

The route between Prague and Salzburg passes through southern Bohemia, home to Český Krumlov, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Central Europe. Yet most travelers on this route arrive without having seen it en route.

The Prague to Salzburg Private Transfer Tour takes you to Salzburg with a proper stop in Český Krumlov on the way south. You'll leave Prague in the morning, spend a few hours exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town and castle of Český Krumlov, then continue through the Bohemian countryside into Austria. Just you and your group, arriving in Salzburg with hotel dropoff included.

What's Included

The recommended departure from Prague is around 9:00 AM and the journey takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, arriving in Salzburg in the early evening. You'll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned car or minivan, privately booked for your group alone.

Your guide knows Český Krumlov well and brings its history to life at every turn, from its origins as a medieval castle town on the Vltava to the layered Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture that earned it UNESCO status. The pace is yours to set, and the itinerary can flex around your interests.

A lunch break is scheduled in Český Krumlov, where you can try Czech cuisine before crossing into Austria. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Your group is picked up from your hotel or apartment in Prague and dropped off at your accommodation in Salzburg. Check the Prague to Salzburg Private Transfer Tour booking page to see the exact price for your group.

What Travelers are Saying

Another popular way to travel around Europe is by bus, but similar to the train, taking the Prague to Salzburg bus comes with some limitations. There are only two direct daily connections, departing from Prague in the morning and early afternoon, so you’ll need to plan your trip around the bus schedule.

The journey takes approximately six hours, giving you time to relax and enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Central Europe along the way. The buses are operated by FlixBus, a well-known company offering comfortable coaches with free Wi-Fi and a power socket at each seat.

Prague to Salzburg Bus Tickets

Tickets for the direct bus from Prague to Salzburg start at €23, but you might find even cheaper options if you’re open to traveling with a transfer—usually in Český Krumlov or Munich.

Since this is a popular route, it's a good idea to book in advance, as tickets can sell out. You can purchase your ticket directly from the FlixBus website.

Bus Stations in Prague and Salzburg

In Prague, FlixBus departs from the Florenc Bus Station, conveniently located in the city center—just a 10-minute walk from the main train station and right next to the Florenc metro station on the red C line.

In Salzburg, buses arrive at Salzburg South (Salzburg Süd), which is located on the outskirts of the city, away from the center and Old Town. The easiest way to reach the city center is by taxi. There are also a few local buses that stop nearby, as well as a suburban train station, Salzburg Süd.

If you enjoy flying, you might consider taking a plane from Prague to Salzburg. However, there are no direct flights between the two cities, so you'll need to make a connection at another European airport.

The best connections are typically with Lufthansa via Frankfurt, with a total travel time of around four hours. When you factor in the time needed to get to and from the airports, the full journey usually takes around seven hours. On the bright side, since the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria are all part of the Schengen Zone, you won’t need to go through passport control at any point during your trip.

Prague to Salzburg Plane Tickets

One-way tickets from Prague to Salzburg start at approximately €150 if booked in advance. Prices can rise to €400 on the day of departure. Note that checked baggage is not included in the base fare, so you’ll need to pay extra if you're traveling with a larger suitcase.

To check schedules and book your flight, visit the Lufthansa website.

Airports in Prague and Salzburg

The easiest way to reach Prague Airport is by taxi or public transport. You can take a direct airport bus from the central train station (a slightly more expensive but convenient option), or use the metro (green line A) to Nádraží Veleslavín, where you can transfer to bus no. 119, which takes you directly to the airport.

After landing in Salzburg, you can take the electric trolleybus, which provides a convenient connection from the airport to the city center.

If you prefer to drive yourself, a Prague to Salzburg road trip is a wonderful way to explore this part of Europe. The distance between the two cities is around 370 km, and you can cover it in just over four hours. However, we recommend taking your time—this region is full of historic sites, natural beauty, and charming towns worth visiting along the way.

Some highlights include Tabor, České Budějovice, and the fairytale town of Český Krumlov, as well as the stunning Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle. Once you cross into Austria, you can stop in the vibrant city of Linz, or explore picturesque Alpine villages like St. Wolfgang and Mondsee. You can also make a slight detour to visit the world-famous Hallstatt, or go via Germany and stop in the historic city of Passau.

To use highways and expressways in Austria and motorways in the Czech Republic, you’ll need to purchase a vignette, but these can be easily bought online.

If you're planning to rent a car for your trip, keep in mind that returning it in a different location usually comes with a high additional fee. For a one-way rental from Prague to Salzburg, expect to pay around €500, not including the cost of fuel and vignettes.

If you’d like to avoid navigating busy stations and prefer a comfortable, hassle-free journey—but don’t want to drive yourself—a Prague to Salzburg private transfer might be the perfect option for you. This door-to-door service takes around four and a half hours and allows you to relax while enjoying the ride.

The price for a car with an English-speaking driver starts at around €320 for two passengers. For an additional fee, you can add sightseeing stops along the way to make the most of your trip. Recommended stops include the stunning castles of Konopiště and Hluboká, UNESCO-listed towns like Český Krumlov and Hallstatt, or even a powerful historical site like the former Nazi labor camp Mauthausen.

Carpooling is a popular way to travel around Europe. All you need to do is browse available rides, connect with a driver whose offer suits you, and arrange the pickup details.

The best platform for this is BlaBlaCar. However, the Prague to Salzburg carpooling route isn’t very common—rides are rare, so we don’t recommend relying on this option as your main mode of transport. That said, it’s still worth checking, especially closer to your departure date, as some drivers post their offers at the last minute.

If you do decide to go with car-sharing, keep in mind that pickup and drop-off locations may be outside the city center, which could require extra time and planning to reach them.

Fans of thrill and adventure might enjoy trying Prague to Salzburg hitchhiking, but a word of caution—this isn’t the most popular route, so you’ll likely need to make stops along the way.

The best spot to catch a ride heading south from Prague is at the service station in Újezd u Průhonic, located along road no. 1 in the southeastern part of the city. To get there, take the red C metro line to Opatov (the second-to-last stop toward Háje), then transfer to bus X122 and ride it to the final stop, K Sukovu. From there, it’s a short walk to the service station where you can start looking for a lift south.

A good strategy is to aim for České Budějovice or even Linz first, and then continue on to Salzburg from there.

Fans of two-wheeled travel can embark on a Prague to Salzburg cycling trip—a fantastic way to gain a deeper appreciation of the region, its culture, customs, and history, while discovering amazing places along the route.

The best (though not the shortest) bike route is approximately 375 km and roughly follows the train line, taking you through highlights like České Budějovice, Český Krumlov, and Linz.

The terrain is moderately hilly, so it’s a good idea to be in decent physical shape before starting your ride. You’ll need at least a week for the journey, allowing time for excellent sightseeing stops along the way.

Prague to Salzburg Bike Tour

If you prefer not to worry about logistics or would rather travel with a group, you can join one of the organized bike tours on the Prague to Salzburg route. These tours are designed for intermediate-level cyclists, with a daily average of around 60 km, though some sections are completed by train.

Prices for a 9-day tour start at around €1,000, and include route planning, accommodations, and support—making it a great option for a more structured adventure.

If you have a bit more time and want to truly get to know the region, you can consider walking from Prague to Salzburg. It might sound a little crazy at first, but it’s absolutely doable.

The shortest route between the cities is around 320 km and goes through Germany, but for a more scenic and rewarding experience, we recommend following the bike path mentioned earlier. To complete the walk, you’d need at least two weeks, but we’re certain it would be an unforgettable adventure.

Some parts of the route can be a bit hilly, so make sure you’re in good physical shape and equipped with comfortable walking shoes. Fortunately, hiking is a popular activity in both the Czech Republic and Austria, so you can expect well-marked trails and solid infrastructure throughout your journey from Prague to Salzburg.

If you enjoy luxury travel and have some extra money to spend, you can choose to charter a private jet from Prague to Salzburg. This option isn’t cheap—you can expect to pay at least €5,500 for the flight.

That said, if cost isn’t a concern, it’s definitely worth considering. Traveling by private jet is the fastest way to get between the two cities. Even when factoring in transfers to and from the airport, the entire journey can be completed in under three hours.

You also have the benefit of customizing your trip to suit your schedule and preferences, while enjoying a comfortable, seamless travel experience from Prague to Salzburg.

If you're traveling by motorhome, a Prague to Salzburg RV trip can be a fantastic adventure. There's no need to rush—you can stop at numerous beautiful and culturally rich places along the way (many of which we’ve already highlighted in this article) and take the time to really explore this underrated part of Europe.

Keep in mind that wild camping is not allowed in either the Czech Republic or Austria—and the same applies if you decide to take a route through Germany. Fortunately, there are plenty of campsites along the route where you can safely park your vehicle and rest before continuing your journey.

Like an RV journey, a motorcycle trip from Prague to Salzburg can be a real treat for adventurous travelers. While you can stick to main roads to get between the cities quickly, we recommend taking your time and enjoying a more relaxed ride through scenic backroads—a great way to fully appreciate this still largely undiscovered region of Europe.

The fastest route, via České Budějovice and Linz, takes just over four hours—not including breaks, sightseeing stops, or detours. With so many interesting places to visit along the way, it's well worth stretching the trip over a few days to make the most of the journey.