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How to Get to Karlovy Vary: From Prague, Munich, Berlin and the Airport — All Options with Prices 2026
Author: Feel Karlovy Vary editorial team
Karlovy Vary is located in western Bohemia, 130 km from Prague. There are no regular international flights to the city — the local airport handles only charter flights. However, getting here by bus, train or car from most European cities is straightforward and affordable.
This guide covers all current options for 2026 with real prices, journey times and practical tips from people who live in Karlovy Vary.
Quick Summary: Times and Prices
| From | Best option | Journey time | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prague | Bus (FlixBus / RegioJet) | 1h 35min — 2h 15min | from €7 / 107 CZK |
| Munich | Car / FlixBus | 3h 17min / 3h 29min | from €17 |
| Berlin | Car | 3h 38min | from €16 (FlixBus with transfer) |
| Prague Airport | Bus to Florenc + bus to KV | ~3 hours total | from €10 |
From Prague to Karlovy Vary
This is the most popular route — 130 km covered in 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on departure point and traffic.
Bus — the most popular option
There are 53 buses daily on the Prague–Karlovy Vary route, and all run non-stop.
FlixBus: average ticket price is around €9 if buying on the day. Tickets can be found from as little as €7. Departs from Florenc bus station (Florenc metro station).
RegioJet: the first departure is at 8am, the last at 9pm, with hourly intervals. Yellow buses with free coffee and Wi-Fi on board.
Tip: buy tickets on the official carrier websites — Student Agency, FlixBus, RegioJet. Download your e-ticket to your phone before boarding.
Train
There is a direct train departing from Praha Hlavní Nádraží (Prague Main Station) and arriving in Karlovy Vary. Trains run every 4 hours, daily. Journey time is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. Second class ticket from 165 CZK, first class from 440 CZK.
The train is slower than the bus but more scenic — the route passes through the Bohemian hills.
By car
~130 km via motorway E48, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic. Convenient if travelling with several people or carrying luggage. Parking in Karlovy Vary is paid in the centre; free parking is available on the outskirts with shuttle buses to the spa zone.
From Munich to Karlovy Vary
Road distance approximately 280 km.
By car — fastest option
By car is the fastest way to get from Munich to Karlovy Vary: approximately 3 hours 17 minutes. Route: Munich → motorway A9 → Nuremberg → Bayreuth → Marktredwitz → Czech border → Cheb → Karlovy Vary.
The Czech-German border is within the Schengen zone — no passport control. You cross without stopping.
FlixBus with transfer
The cheapest way to get from Munich to Karlovy Vary is by bus — the journey costs approximately €17. Optimal route: train from Munich to Marktredwitz (3h 6min), then FlixBus from Marktredwitz to Karlovy Vary (1h 10min).
Train with transfers
There are no direct trains. On average you need 2 transfers — usually Cheb and Nuremberg, sometimes Marktredwitz as well. Journey time approximately 4 hours 43 minutes. Buy tickets at bahn.de or through Omio.
From Berlin to Karlovy Vary
Straight-line distance: 160 km. Road distance: approximately 355 km.
By car
The journey by car from Berlin to Karlovy Vary takes approximately 3 hours 38 minutes. Route: Berlin → A9 → Leipzig or Dresden → Zwickau → Czech border → Cheb → Karlovy Vary. A scenic drive through Saxony.
FlixBus
FlixBus departs from Berlin ZOB (Fernbus stop). Price from €16. The route runs via Zwickau with a transfer; total journey time approximately 7 hours 20 minutes.
If you are staying for a longer period the bus is manageable. For a short trip a car or train is more comfortable.
Train
The rail distance between Berlin and Karlovy Vary is approximately 257 km. Journey time by train is around 8 hours 37 minutes with transfers. Tickets from €18.90. Route: Berlin → Zwickau → Karlovy Vary via Die Länderbahn.
From Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary
There is no direct transport from Prague Václav Havel Airport to Karlovy Vary. But getting there is straightforward in two steps.
Step 1: Airport → Florenc bus station in Prague
Options:
- Bus no. 119 → metro → Florenc (~45 minutes, ~40 CZK)
- AE bus (Airport Express) → main railway station → Florenc (~35 minutes, 100 CZK)
- Taxi / Uber → Florenc (~25 minutes, 400–600 CZK)
Step 2: Florenc → Karlovy Vary
FlixBus or RegioJet — first departure at 7am, last at 10pm. Journey time: 1 hour 40 minutes — 2 hours.
Total: 2.5 to 3.5 hours from stepping off the plane to arriving in Karlovy Vary.
Tip: if you arrive late at night, it’s better to stay overnight in Prague and leave on the first bus in the morning. Alternatively, book a direct transfer to Karlovy Vary — prices from €80–120.
Useful Booking Services
| Service | What to book |
|---|---|
| flixbus.com | Buses across Europe, often the cheapest option |
| regiojet.com | Buses and trains from Prague, comfortable yellow coaches |
| cd.cz | Czech Railways, all trains within the Czech Republic |
| bahn.de | German Railways + international routes |
| omio.com | Aggregator — compares all options simultaneously |
What to Bring for the Journey
- Valid passport or identity document (Schengen — no passport control at borders, but you must carry ID)
- E-ticket on your phone or printed
- Czech crowns (CZK) — cards are accepted everywhere in Karlovy Vary, but a small amount of cash is useful
- A snack for the road — especially if travelling by bus from Berlin
A Few Words About Karlovy Vary When You Arrive
Karlovy Vary is a compact city: you can walk through the pedestrian centre end to end in 20 minutes. The bus stop and bus station are a few minutes’ walk from the spa zone with its colonnades and thermal springs.
If this is your first visit and you want to understand the city more deeply — not just walk around, but understand why people have been coming here for treatment for 600 years — come and see our documentary film about Karlovy Vary’s thermal water.
«Karlovy Vary: The Power of Water» — watch for free → Screenings: 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Free admission.
FAQ
Are there direct flights to Karlovy Vary? There are no regular international commercial flights to Karlovy Vary. The nearest major airport is Prague (130 km away).
How long does it take to get from Prague to Karlovy Vary? By bus: 1 hour 35 minutes — 2 hours 15 minutes. By train: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. By car: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
How do I get from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary? Take a bus from the airport to Florenc bus station in Prague (45 minutes), then a FlixBus or RegioJet bus to Karlovy Vary (1 hour 40 minutes). Total journey approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Do I need a visa to enter the Czech Republic? The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen zone. Citizens of EU and Schengen countries do not need a visa. For other nationalities, check current requirements on the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Where is the bus station in Karlovy Vary? The bus station is located in the city centre, a few minutes’ walk from the spa zone. Address: Studentská 1, Karlovy Vary.
Can I take a taxi from Prague to Karlovy Vary? Yes, a taxi or transfer from Prague costs €60–100. Practical for groups or with heavy luggage.
How do I get around inside Karlovy Vary? City buses, the funicular railway up to Diana Tower, and taxis. The city centre is small — most places are within walking distance of the spa zone.
