How do you get from Prague to Munich by train or bus?

Train vs bus vs car

The train and the bus take about the same time. The train has more room to move around and a city-centre arrival at Munich Hbf; the bus has more departures and often a lower fare.

The direct train: route, time and the December 2026 change

The direct train runs Prague, Plzeň, Domažlice, the border at Furth im Wald, Schwandorf, Regensburg, Landshut and Freising to Munich, about 439 km. Seat61 times the 2026 service at 5 hours 38 minutes centre to centre, with seven departures a day from each end. The train reverses at Schwandorf and Regensburg, so do not worry when it changes direction.

From 13 December 2026, Leo Express runs the line under a five-year contract from the Czech Ministry of Transport, with eight connections a day at two-hour intervals. The German section is operated with a carrier contracted by Bavaria. Leo Express says it will accept its own tickets, the Czech SJT/One tariff, Interrail and Eurail passes and international CIV tickets, and plans international fares from €9 (≈ $10.0). Journey times for the new timetable were not published on its route page when we checked, so search your date on leoexpress.com or the DB and ČD planners.

Now to 20 November 2026: Länderbahn lists a line closure with express buses between Schwandorf and Plzeň, so the trip currently includes a bus section and takes longer.

Train tickets: which fare to buy

Until 12 December 2026, the main options are ČD's advance saver fares (from about €16 (≈ $17.8) in second class, tied to one train), the Länderbahn Prag-Spezial at €55 (≈ $61) one way or €96 (≈ $107) return (any train on the day) and the full flexible fare. Seat reservations are optional on this route.

Budget trick on the German side: the Deutschlandticket is valid on these trains inside Germany, from Munich to Furth im Wald. If you already hold one, you only need a separate Czech ticket from Furth im Wald to Prague. Our Deutschlandticket guide explains how to buy one. The Bayern-Böhmen-Ticket (from €37 (≈ $41), up to five people) covers the trip as far as Plzeň.

From 13 December 2026, the tickets above may not carry over unchanged. Buy from Leo Express, ČD or DB and read the conditions for the train you book.

FlixBus: same time, more departures

FlixBus lists a fastest Prague–Munich trip of 5 hours and 16 or 17 departures a day, including night buses. The main Prague stop is Florenc central bus station. The stop at the main railway station moved to Opletalova Street from 3 August 2026 because of construction. In Munich, buses arrive at the ZOB on Arnulfstraße, a short walk from Hackerbrücke S-Bahn and about 10 minutes on foot from the Hauptbahnhof.

Fares start from roughly €20 to €25 (≈ $22–28) and rise as a bus fills. On a bus you get a fixed seat and a luggage allowance, but less legroom than on the train. Länderbahn warns that German federal police checks at Furth im Wald can delay trains, and buses can be checked too, so keep your passport or ID card to hand.

Driving, and arriving in Munich

By car the usual route is the D5 motorway to the border at Rozvadov, then German motorways to Munich: roughly 380 to 400 km and 4 to 4.5 hours without stops or traffic. Czech motorways need an electronic vignette, which our Czech e-vignette guide covers; German motorways are toll-free for cars. Check one-way drop-off fees before renting across the border.

Munich Hbf has U-Bahn, S-Bahn and tram connections in every direction. For areas to book, see where to stay in Munich, and for how long to spend there, how many days in Munich. If Prague is the middle of a longer route, our Prague to Budapest train vs bus guide covers the other direction.

Frequently asked questions