Czech Railways (ČD) marked a milestone on Sunday evening as its Pendolino train began regular service between Prague and České Budějovice, achieving speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour.

This surpasses the previous Czech railway speed record of 160 km/h. The inaugural journey from Prague’s main station to the South Bohemian capital took just 95 minutes.

The first service, IC 591 Pendolino, departed Prague at 8:27 p.m. and arrived in České Budějovice at 10:02 p.m. The return trip, IC 590, left Budějovice at 5:59 a.m. and reached Prague at 7:29 a.m.

“This milestone reflects tangible improvements along the Prague–České Budějovice corridor,” said Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS).

“The introduction of high-speed Pendolino trains, along with upgrades to the infrastructure, has shortened travel times while enhancing passenger comfort. This also sets the stage for future high-speed rail projects, where trains could reach up to 320 km/h.”

Michal Krapinec, CEO of Czech Railways, highlighted the capabilities of the trains. “I am proud that a Czech Railways train is the first in the country to reach 200 km/h on a regular line. Our modern ComfortJet trains, paired with high-speed Vectron locomotives, can travel at speeds up to 230 km/h, and we plan to continue improving travel times.”

The new service also expands connectivity across the country. The evening Pendolino links to the SC 500 train from Bohumín to Prague, effectively creating a direct connection that spans Ostrava, Olomouc, Pardubice, Prague, Tábor, and České Budějovice.

The maximum speed of 200 km/h is achievable on the Votice–Sudoměřice u Tábora and Soběslav–Doubí sections, which are specifically designed for tilting trains.

Travel times between Prague and České Budějovice have steadily decreased over decades. In the early 1990s, journeys could take up to three hours. Today, the morning Pendolino completes the trip in just 90 minutes.

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