Transportation
Getting to Olomouc
Olomouc is easily accessible by train from Prague (about 2,5 hours, trains run almost every hour), from Vienna (3-4 hours, but not very frequently). The fare from Prague to Olomouc is 310 CZK. You can also use a special fast train, SC Pendolino. It takes only 2 hours to Olomouc, but the special extra charge is 200 CZK.
NOTE: If you intend to travel more by train in the Czech Republic, it is surely helpful to have a client card made, which gives you a possibility to buy tickets for much less money. It is called „IN 25“ and costs 550 CZK for one year. You can check the fares with or without the client card on the Internet (www.idos.cz); e.g. with the card you pay only 233 CZK from Prague to Olomouc. You can get the same charge (233 CZK) with group tickets, i.e. if you travel in two, both of you would pay this amount of money, if there are more people, the third to the fifteenth would pay half the price.
Information about transportation between the Prague airport and the Main railway station in Prague that most trains depart from Ruzyne Airport is located 12 miles ( 19 km ) west of the centre of Prague. As to the transportation from Prague Airport to the Main station (Praha hl.n.), there are basically two options you can take:
TAXI
You can take a taxi directly from the airport to the Main station („Hlavni Nadrazi“ in Czech). It is expensive but quick. Taxis are available outside the arrivals area: fare should be about 600-700 CZK (24-28 €), and the trip will take cca 30 minutes to the centre (the Main station is in the centre). It is advisable to negotiate the price in advance. All taxis, by law, have to have a working meter. Ask for the bill.
BUS and METRO
The easiest way to get to the Main railway station is by the bus called Airport Express (AE). It goes every 30 minutes (from 5.46 a. m. to 9.16 p. m.) and brings you from the airport Ruzyne directly to the railway station. The fare is 50 CZK and you can buy the ticket from the driver. The trip will take about 50 minutes. Bus No. 119 operates between the airport and DEJVICKA Metro Station. From there, you can take the metro, Line A, to MUSEUM Station, change for Line C and continue one stop to the HLAVNI NADRAZI (Main Station). Tickets for the metro can be purchased in slot machines in the metro station, the airport bus stop (you must have coins), or at the airport. That is the cheapest solution, but it takes a bit longer. The fare is 32 CZK, one ticket is for both the bus and the metro. After getting on the bus you need to validate your ticket in a machine next to the door.
Trains to Olomouc run every hour or two and the travel time is about 2,5 hours.
Timetables of trains and buses: www.idos.cz
Transportation in Olomouc
Olomouc has quite a good transportation network. Trams and buses usually follow the schedules (displayed at the stops or available at Information Centre at the Railway Station). The fare is 14 CZK, (valid for 40 minutes in weekdays). Tickets are available at newsagents, news-stands and some shops, or in the slot machines at the bus/tram stops. You can buy a ticket from the driver on the bus or tram, but it will be more expensive (20 CZK). After getting on the bus or tram you need to validate your ticket in a machine next to the door and you can change the tram or bus within the time limit. You can also buy a ticket for 3 months which is advantageous – the fare is 450 CZK if you are a student under 26 years or 900 CZK if you are older.
last update: 8.9.2011
