Interest in Poland’s Baltic coast is rising steadily among Czech travelers, who are increasingly choosing it over more traditional southern destinations. The appeal lies in a simple mix of short travel times, reasonable prices and reliable services. From Prague or northern parts of the country, the drive to cities such as Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia typically takes between four and five hours. For many, that proximity has turned the area into what some travelers informally call the “Czech sea,” a nickname reflecting how common Czech visitors have become along the coast. The region offers long stretches of sandy beaches, a contrast to the pebbled shores often found in Croatia. While the Baltic Sea remains cooler, with summer temperatures usually ranging between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, many visitors find it more comfortable than the heat of southern Europe. The water is also less salty, which families with children often appreciate. Prices remain a major factor. A half-liter of beer in a standard restaurant along the Polish coast typically costs between 50 and 70 Czech crowns, noticeably less than in central Prague, where prices can be significantly higher. Accommodation is also more affordable, particularly outside the main tourist hubs, while...
A train journey between Prague and Vienna that currently takes several hours could be reduced to around two and a half hours by 2040 under new plans agreed by Czech and Austrian officials. Transport ministers from both countries signed a memorandum setting out joint ambitions for rail and road upgrades along key cross-border routes. The document outlines a long-term goal of significantly shortening travel times between the two capitals through major infrastructure investments. Reaching the 2.5-hour target will depend mainly on the construction of a high-speed rail line between Prague and Brno, a project seen as essential on the Czech side. The section forms part of the broader Via Vindobona corridor, which is designed to connect Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. Austrian estimates suggest the full route could reduce travel between Berlin and Vienna to about four hours. While both countries are planning upgrades, Austria’s section between Vienna and Břeclav is expected to remain a limiting factor, even after modernization that will allow speeds of up to 200 km/h. The agreement also covers several other rail corridors. One focuses on upgrading the Prague–České Budějovice–Linz connection, with a joint study by Czech and Austrian rail authorities examining the cross-border section. Another project...
For the first time in more than a decade, travelers from Prague will once again be able to reach Denmark by direct train. But the long-awaited return of the Prague-Copenhagen route will begin later than expected. The new international rail connection had originally been scheduled to launch in early May. Instead, full service will now begin on June 14, 2026, after construction delays on the key rail corridor between Berlin and Hamburg disrupted the original timetable. According to Czech Railways, the postponement is linked to ongoing repairs on the German railway network. The Berlin-Hamburg line, which is central to the Prague-Copenhagen route, will not be ready in time for the original launch date. Even so, the route will not remain entirely unavailable until June. Starting May 1, one train per day in each direction will operate between Prague and Copenhagen using a diversion route that avoids the section under reconstruction. Passengers should expect longer travel times during this temporary period. The detour will add roughly 90 minutes to two hours to the journey, and trains will also make an extended stop in Hamburg-Altona lasting several dozen minutes. Once the full service begins in mid-June, passengers will have access to two...
On Friday, April 4, in the Hrubý Jeseník mountains, one of the most beautiful observation towers in Czechia, Dalimil’s Lookout Tower, will reopen after the winter break. Visitors can now enjoy its stunning vistas until late autumn. Perched atop Větrov Hill at an elevation of 918 meters, the tower boasts a recent construction date, having opened in the summer of 2021. Its unique design, characterized by its isolation and charming appearance, has drawn comparisons to the tower featured in Disney’s Rapunzel. The lookout tower is made of cast concrete and stone and consists of two towers that are closely adjacent to each other. Their total height is 34 m, with the upper viewing platform at 28 m and the lower one at 17 m. 170 steps lead to the top. A restaurant and hotel apartments are located on the ground floor in an adjacent building. How to get to the lookout tower? The site is only accessible on foot. Motorists can drive from the Old Town to the parking lot in Velké Vrbno at the lower station of the cable car to Paprsek, from where it is 1.5 km to walk, or to the parking lot at the mountain hotel...
Smartwings will expand its flight schedule from Prague ahead of the summer season, adding more frequent connections to Spain and Italy as demand for southern European destinations continues to grow. Starting March 29, the airline will operate flights from Václav Havel Airport in Prague to Malaga twice a day. At the same time, daily connections will be available to Barcelona, Valencia and Rome. According to the airline, the move reflects long-term demand from travelers heading to the Mediterranean. “Spain and Italy remain among the most requested destinations. By increasing the number of flights, we aim to give passengers more flexibility when planning their trips,” said commercial director Michal Váňa. Smartwings has traditionally focused on charter operations, working with travel agencies to serve holiday destinations. This strategy is visible in its summer network, where the airline plans to operate routes to around twenty destinations in Greece, nineteen in Spain and ten in Italy. Ticket sales suggest that interest in these locations rises early in the year. During the Easter period, flights to cities such as Paris, Malaga, Madrid and Rome are among the most booked. The company has also been in the spotlight due to ownership changes. In December, Smartwings —...
Tourist rail services linking Prague with destinations across Central Bohemia will resume on March 21, marking the start of the spring and summer travel season. Czech Railways plans to run weekend and holiday connections through November 1, offering routes aimed at hikers, cyclists and families heading out of the city. This year, the network will see the introduction of new RegioFox train units on selected lines, replacing older locomotive-hauled carriages. The modern trains will operate mainly on routes heading toward the Brdy highlands and the Bohemian Paradise area, two of the region’s most visited landscapes. According to Czech Railways, the rollout of RegioFox units will also extend beyond tourist services. From March 20, the trains will begin appearing on regular weekday routes in the Posázaví region, including lines connecting Prague with Vrané nad Vltavou, Čerčany, Dobříš and Zruč nad Sázavou. The move is expected to improve comfort for both leisure travelers and daily commuters. Weekend Routes to Key Destinations Seasonal trains will again provide direct links from Prague to several popular areas outside the capital. Among them is the long-running Cyklohráček service, now entering its 13th year. Designed for families, the train includes play areas for children and space for...
Prague hosted a European tourism workshop focused on promoting Sardinia to international travel markets, bringing together tour operators and buyers from across the continent. The event, organized by the tour operator Sardegna Travel, aimed to strengthen cooperation between Sardinian tourism businesses and European partners while positioning the island as a destination beyond the traditional summer season. The gathering marked the fourth edition of the initiative and drew tourism professionals from several countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Representatives of Sardinian tourism businesses also attended, meeting directly with travel buyers and agencies interested in expanding their offerings in the Mediterranean destination. Organizers said the goal was to support direct business relationships between tourism providers on the island and international travel partners. By facilitating these contacts, the workshop sought to encourage travel to Sardinia throughout the year rather than concentrating visits during the peak summer months. The event took place under the patronage of several institutions, including the Italian Embassy in Prague, the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague, and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. Regional authorities included the workshop in their official program dedicated to promoting tourism on the island....
Emirates has restarted flights between Dubai and Prague, creating a new route for Czech citizens seeking to return home from the Middle East. Authorities say the flights could transport around 615 passengers a day, easing pressure on a repatriation effort that has struggled with limited seats and transport challenges across the region. The Czech government and travel agencies have been organizing special flights for citizens affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. However, the operation has faced logistical difficulties, including moving travelers across borders and securing enough seats on commercial aircraft. The resumption of the Dubai–Prague connection is expected to play a key role in these efforts. Dubai has become the main transit point for many Czech travelers in the region, particularly those living or staying in the United Arab Emirates. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged people not to travel to the airport without confirmation of a seat. In a message posted on the social network X, he said the Czech consulate is coordinating passenger lists on site. “Our consulate is directly organizing the boarding process. Citizens registered in the DROZD system and on the repatriation list are being placed on flights. Please do not go to the...
High-speed trains will start serving the R9 route in December, connecting Prague with the Vysočina region and southern Moravia. The new service is part of a major modernization effort in Czech passenger rail transport. The upgrade is being prepared by private carrier RegioJet. Modern electric trains produced by Pesa are already undergoing tests at the Velim railway testing facility, where they must pass a series of mandatory technical checks before entering regular operation. The fleet will consist of 11 four-car trains and seven three-car trains, offering different capacities depending on demand. The R9 line will function as an important corridor linking the capital with regional centers. Trains will run hourly between Prague and Havlíčkův Brod. There, the route will split. One part of the train will continue toward Brno, while the other will head to Jihlava. The arrangement should reduce the need for transfers and make regional travel more direct. Accessibility was a central design requirement for the new rolling stock. All carriages will be low-floor, allowing easier boarding for passengers with limited mobility, cyclists, and parents travelling with strollers. Each train will include space for two wheelchair users. Dedicated areas will be available for ten bicycles and six strollers. Families...
A new customer-experience survey by Airports Council International (ACI), based on feedback from more than 700,000 passengers across more than 100 airports, ranks Václav Havel Airport Prague among the best airports in Europe. What passengers rated Friendliness and helpfulness of staff Cleanliness and comfort in terminals How easy it is to navigate the airport Organization of security and check-in areas How simple it is to get to and from the airport In these categories, Prague ranked among the top three in its category (15–25 million passengers per year), along with Gran Canaria Airport (Spain) and Helsinki Airport (Finland). Václav Havel Airport also ranked highly by Google users Separate research based on Google Maps reviews also placed Prague Airport among Europe’s most popular with travelers, ranking fourth best in Europe in 2024 and sixteenth best in 2025, with a 4.3 out of 5 rating from more than 20,000 user reviews. The most praised aspects were: A wide selection of shops, cafés, and restaurants Rest areas, workspaces, and family zones Clean and comfortable terminals Easy transfers between terminals via a covered walkway Good connections to the city center Other top-ranked airports Among larger airports, the following were top-ranked in the ACI survey:...
The name Giacomo Casanova has become synonymous with philanderers, seducers, and lovers of all pleasures. The renowned Italian adventurer spent the final years of his life at Duchcov Chateau (Ústí nad Labem Region). But why did he spend his last years there? Giacomo Casanova was born on 2 April 1725 in Venice into a family of actors. Although he did not come from the nobility, his intelligence, charisma, and ability to move among the elite allowed him to establish connections across Europe. His life was filled with love affairs, travels, and encounters with figures such as Voltaire, Mozart, and Empress Catherine the Great. Besides that, he worked as a diplomat, spy, philosopher, writer, and violinist. His charm was said to be irresistible, as evidenced by the more than 130 women he mentioned as his lovers in his memoirs. Giacomo Casanova arrived in Duchcov after being exiled from Venice, thanks to his friend Count Josef Karel of Waldstein, who offered him the position of librarian at his chateau in 1785. By then, Casanova was famous across Europe not only for his romantic escapades but also for numerous scandals and conflicts due to his fiery temperament. It was in Duchcov that Casanova...
Travel across Europe is set for major change in 2026. Tourists will face tighter border checks, new digital permits and rising costs. The European Union says the measures are designed to improve security and manage the flow of visitors. New systems and checks The EU finally launched its new Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025. The phased rollout is expected to be complete by 10 April 2026. Rather than having their passports stamped, non-EU travellers crossing external Schengen borders will have to provide biometric data – including passport data, fingerprints and a facial image – electronically on entry. The system will cover all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The goal is to identify visa overstayers and combat illegal migration by verifying travellers’ identities, strengthening security checks, and maintaining a register of entries in EU databases. Digital authorizations for visa‑free travel A separate digital permit, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), is also on the way. Scheduled to take effect at the end of 2026, ETIAS will require travelers from visa‑exempt countries to apply online before visiting the Schengen zone. The fee for ETIAS authorization is set at 20...
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