What are trains in the Czech Republic like?

The Czech Republic has a modern train network with frequent connections and increasingly modern trains featuring all modern amenities. Long-distance trains in and through the Czech Republic are some of the best and most modern in Europe, connecting cities like Prague, Pilsen and Brno with Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and more.

On this page you can read about the different kinds of trains in the Czech Republic, what they're like, how to book tickets and reservations for them, and much more. For an overview of which trains need seat reservations when using a Eurail pass, check Czech Republic - Seat Reservations.

For one-click Rail Tour package deals with train tickets, reservations, hotels, excursions and more, check our Czech Republic Rail Tours.

Railjet (RJ) international high-speed trains
Eurocity (EC) & Intercity (IC) long-distance trains
Regiojet long-distance trains
Leo Express long-distance trains
Regional trains (Ex, R, Sp, Os)
Euronight (EN) international sleeper trains

Railjet (RJ) international high-speed trains

Railjet (RJ) are express trains running in the Czech Republic at up to 230 km/h on the (Berlin-) Prague-Brno-Vienna-Graz route. They are some of the most comfortable trains in Europe, featuring three travel classes, all with free wifi, power sockets, lots of luggage space, and a dining car serving tasty Austrian/Czech dishes.

Railjet trains are not to be confused with Regiojet trains, for which please see below. Regiojet trains run on the same routes and are also available via Happyrail but run by the private operator Regiojet, a direct competitor to the Railjet services run by state operators ÖBB (Austria) and CD (Czech Republic).

All Railjet tickets can be booked via Happyrail. Reservations are optional but reccommended, and can be booked alongside the ticket. Seperate reservations (for use with an Eurail pass) can also both be booked in the Happyrail Planner by selecting 'Reservations'.

Second class has comfortable seats, with free wifi, power sockets adjustable tables, and lots of luggage space. You'll have access to the train's dining car, featuring tasty Czech or Austrian dishes, snacks and drinks.
First class features padded and adjustable leather seats, wider and with more legroom than in second class. Free wifi, luggage space and power sockets are available. Drinks and meals from the dining car can be served at your seat (not included in the ticket price).
Business class features supremely comfortable adjustable seats with adjustable leg- and footrests. Only a limited number of seats are available. Business class can be booked by booking a regular first class ticket plus a mandatory Business class reservation. A welcome drink is included in the seat and will be brought to you, like in first class drinks and meals can be ordered to be served at your seat.

Eurocity (EC) & Intercity (IC) long-distance trains

International and national express trains not run under the Railjet brand are run as either Eurocity (EC) or Intercity (IC). These are very comfortable trains running on international routes like Berlin-Prague-Budapest, Vienna-Brno-Krakow/Warsaw, Prague-Krakow/Warsaw, Prague-Gdansk and Prague-Munich. They all feature catering, either as a trolley service or a full dining car, and comfortable adjustable seats in both first and second class.

All international EC services to Germany, Austria and Hungary can be booked via the Happyrail planner. Seperate seat reservations (to be used with Eurail passes) can also be booked for these international connections. Eurail passes as booked via Happyrail are valid on all EC and IC services.

Seat reservations are usually not mandatory (only on services to Poland) but are highly reccommended, especially in peak travel seasons in spring and summer.

Second class features comfortable seats mostly in a 2+2 configuration in open-plan carriages, but in some 6-person compartments as well. Free wifi and power sockets are almost always available. You have access to the dining car with tasty warm and cold dishes as well as snacks and drinks. On routes where no dining car is available a trolley service with snacks and drinks is provided.

Connections to Poland like Prague-Krakow/Warsaw and Vienna-Brno-Ostrava-Krakow/Warsaw are run with Polish carriages, for which please see What are Polish IC trains like. Pictured: second class on a Czech EC train, picture credit Ceske Drahy.
First class features adjustable leather seats in a 2+1 configuration. Seats are wider, have larger pitch and more legroom. First class generally has a quieter atmosphere. Free wifi and power sockets are available at every seats, as well as ample luggage space.

Connections to Poland like Prague-Krakow/Warsaw and Vienna-Brno-Ostrava-Krakow/Warsaw are run with Polish carriages, for which please see What are Polish IC trains like. Pictured: first class on a Czech EC train, picture credit Ceske Drahy.

Regiojet long-distance trains

Regiojet is a private train company directly competing with CD trains on the Prague-Brno-Vienna-Budapest routes. Their trains freature four different travel classes, each with various comforts and amenities. All Regiojet tickets can be booked directly in the Happyrail planner.

Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are also valid on Regiojet connections, in which case you'll need to buy an additional seat reservation. This can only be booked via the Regiojet website. You can use Regiojet trains without a reservation, but if the train is fully booked this means you'll have to stand, so a reservation is highly recoomended.

Low-Cost is the cheapest Regiojet travel class which can be booked in the Happyrail planner by selecting "Best Prices" and selecting second class. Low-cost features plush non-adjustable seats, with free wifi, a free bottle of water, but no catering options. Picture credit: Regiojet.
Standard and Standard Astra is the regular travel class on Regiojet and can be booked in the Happyrail Planner by selecting "Flexible" and second class.
Standard features adjustable seats with entertainment screens, free wifi, power sockets at each seat, a free bottle of water and drink of choice, and the ability to order more drinks, snacks and light meals via the wifi portal. Some coaches feature plush adjustable aeats in 6-person compartments, with no entertainment screens available. The entire entertainment offer is available for free via the wifi portal instead. Picture credit: Regiojet.
Relax features adjustable leather seats in a 2+1 configuration, wider and with more legroom than in Standard class. In addition to the Standard amenities (free bottle of water, free wifi, power socket, drink and snacks ordering via the wifi portal and entertainment available via the wifi portal) you'll also enjoy free Illy espresso coffee and tea upon request. Picture credit: Regiojet.
Business is the top travel class on Regiojet, featuring wide adjustable leather seats in extremely spacious four-person compartments, with an atmosphere of utmost comfort, quiet and privacy. Included are free wifi, power sockets, entertainment and newspapers via the wifi portal, free water, a free welcome drink (orange juice or sparkling wine), free Illy espresso coffee and tea upon request, and the ability to order additional drinks, snacks and light meals via the wifi portal. Picture credit: Regiojet.

Leo Express long-distance trains

A third competitor next to Ceske Drahy and Regiojet is the private company Leo Express, offering direct competition on Prague-Olomouc-Ostrava and Prague-Krakow routes. Leo Express tickets will be available via the Happyrail planner from mid-2025 onwards.

Economy is the most basic travel class with comfortable seats in a 2+2 configuration, free wifi and power sockets, and the ability to order drinks and meals from the catering menu. Picture Credit: Leo Express. Leo Express tickets will be available in the Happyrail planner from mid-2025.
Economy Plus and Business feature comfortable adjustable leather seats in a 2+1 configuration with free wifi and power sockets. Included in the ticket price are selected beverages from the catering menu, and the ability to order other drinks and meals from the menu to be served at your seat. Business seats are located in a seperate area of the train with more privacy and quiet atmopshere. Picture Credit: Leo Express. Leo Express tickets will be available in the Happyrail planner from mid-2025.
Premium is the top travel class on Leo Express, featuring supremely comfortable, electronically adjustable leather seats with leg- and footrests, in a seperate quiet section of the train. Included in the ticket price is a full meal selection from the catering menu, served at your seat, as well as free drinks, free wifi and power sockets. Picture Credit: Leo Express. Leo Express tickets will be available in the Happyrail planner from mid-2025.

Regional trains (Ex, R, Sp, Os)

Regional trains in the Czech Republic run under different categories, depending on how much stops they make, including Ex, R, Sp, and Os. They are run by different operators, and feature different amenities, but are generally all increasingly modern trains featuring power sockets, wifi, and first and second class seats.

Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all regional Czech trains, with the exception of a few selected local trains run by companies Arrive and GWTR. Your Eurail pass will indicate when planning a journey on which trains the pass isn't valid, and tickets for these trains can be bought on board or at the station.

Czech regional trains generally don't have seat reservations, with the exception of some Ex and R trains on which reservations are possible but not mandatory and generally not necessary. Just take whichever connection you like!

Second class features 2+2 configuration. Trains increasingly feature wifi, power sockets and level boarding, although a few older trains might not have all these amenities. Picture credit: Ceske Drahy.
First class features 2+1 seating, mostly with adjustable leather seats. Like second class most trains are modern, with free wifi, power sockets and level boarding available, although a few older trains might not have all these amenities. Be aware that some Czech regional trains might not have 1st class seats available, in which case your 1st class ticket is valid in 2nd class. Picture credit: Ceske Drahy.

Euronight (EN) international sleeper trains

Sleeper trains running from the Czech Republic generally run under the 'Euronight' (EN) brand. They run from Prague to destinations in Central Europe like Berlin, Zürich, Krakow, Warsaw, Budapest, Bratislava and Kosice. They are similar to other sleeper trains in Europe like Nightjet, and include three classes of travel: 2nd class seats, couchette (hard sleeper), and sleeping coaches.

Your Eurail pass as booked via Happyrail is valid on all of these connections. A reservation for your preferred travel class can be booked best via the Czech Railways CD app or website, or the Eurail app.

Seated coaches are generally 6-person compartment coaches with adjustable seats and power sockets. Couchette coaches feature either 4 or 6 beds, with bedding included.
Sleeper coaches feature one to three beds in compartments with either just a washbasin, or in the 'Deluxe' cabins, also a private shower. Both regular and Deluxe sleeper cabins have bedding and a small breakfast included. Pictured: a sleeping car as used on services from Prague. Photo credit Ceske Drahy.