- Must visit
Pilsner Urquell Brewery Visitor Center
Major brewery museum and tour experience covering the history of Pilsner beer, historic cellars, and brewing heritage. One of the city’s best-known visitor attractions.
Cheapest price
$11
Average price
$12
Fastest journey
1 h 51 m
Average duration
1 h 51 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
117 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from České Budějovice to Plzeň is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from České Budějovice to Plzeň will cost around $12 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $11.
Of the 5 trains that leave České Budějovice for Plzeň on Tue, May 26, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 117 km distance in an average of 1 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 51 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 1 h 51 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
R 634
R 630
R 628
R 632
R 636
R 634
R 636
R 630
R 628
R 632Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from České Budějovice to Plzeň among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 57m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $6, and a bus costs an average of $6.
Distance: 72 miles (117 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$12 Average price Cheapest | $14 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 27m Average total duration Fastest 1h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 1m Average total duration 6h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from České Budějovice to Plzeň:
A train is $2 (€2) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from České Budějovice to Plzeň costing on average $14 (€11).
Other travel options to Plzeň take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 31m.
The journey is about 18m faster (1h 57m by train vs 2h 15m by car) and roughly $16 (€13) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($12 (€10) vs $28 (€23)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with České dráhy, České dráhy (ČD).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for České Budějovice to Plzeň trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R 636 | 8:04 AM České Budějovice station | 1h51 | 9:55 AM Plzen hl.n. | 0 transfersDirect | |
R 634 | 10:04 AM České Budějovice station | 1h51 | 11:55 AM Plzen hl.n. | 0 transfersDirect | |
R 632 | 12:04 PM České Budějovice station | 1h51 | 1:55 PM Plzen hl.n. | 0 transfersDirect | |
R 630 | 2:04 PM České Budějovice station | 1h51 | 3:55 PM Plzen hl.n. | 0 transfersDirect | |
R 628 | 4:04 PM České Budějovice station | 1h51 | 5:55 PM Plzen hl.n. | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from České Budějovice to Plzeň run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $6 (€5) but you can travel from only $6 (€4) by bus.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:09, the last at 22:57. The fastest train covers the 72 miles (117 km) distance in 1h 51m.
Distance 72 miles (117 km) |
Average train duration 1h 57m |
Cheapest ticket price $6 (€5) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 1h 51m |
First train 5:09 AM |
Last train 10:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Discover the best of Plzeň — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Plzeň trip today.
Major brewery museum and tour experience covering the history of Pilsner beer, historic cellars, and brewing heritage. One of the city’s best-known visitor attractions.
The city’s main regional museum with archaeology, applied arts, arms, and local history collections in a grand historic building.
Large interactive science museum popular with families and younger visitors, featuring hands-on exhibits and science demonstrations.
The main square of Plzeň and the heart of the historic center, surrounded by major monuments and lively throughout the year.
Scenic recreation area with lakes, forest paths, and swimming spots, especially popular in warm weather and on social media.
Elegant central park linking key cultural buildings, good for a relaxed stroll near the old town and often used for events.
The city’s signature bottom-fermented pale lager, first brewed in Plzeň in 1842. It is the defining local drink and a cornerstone of Czech beer culture.
Marinated beef sirloin served with a creamy root-vegetable sauce, bread dumplings, cranberry, and whipped cream. It is one of the most iconic Czech celebratory dishes.
Roast pork with bread dumplings and braised cabbage. This is a classic Czech comfort meal commonly served in traditional pubs and restaurants in Plzeň.
Long-established city-center restaurant with a more refined feel, offering Czech and international dishes in a historic interior.
Popular modern beer-focused venue in Plzeň combining quality Czech food with an extensive draft beer selection and lively atmosphere.
Large, established restaurant at the Pilsner Urquell brewery complex, known for Czech classics and fresh beer in a historic setting.
Generally cheaper than Prague. Meals, beer, and local transport are fairly priced, while central hotels cost more in peak season.
About 10% in restaurants for good service, often rounded up and given directly. Round up taxis. Small tips are optional in cafés and bars.
Official public transport app
Plzeň Hlavní Nádraží -> Náměstí Republiky, Plzeň
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from České Budějovice to Plzeň by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Plzeň, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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