Czech Republic - General Information

Country Name

Czech Republic (Česká Republika)

National railway system

National Railway Operator

České Dráhy a.s. (ČD )

Other Railway Operators:

• Advanced World Transport a.s. Advanced World Transport
• Jindřichohradecké mistni dráhy a.s. JHMD
• PDV Railway a.s. PDV Railway
• SART-stavby a rekonstruckce a.s. SART

Open Access Carriers:

• Regiojet a.s. Regiojet
• Leo Express a.s. LEO Express

Other Carriers:

• Arriva-Morava a.s. Arriva-Morava
• GW Train Regio a.s. GW Train Regio
• Jindřichohradecké mistni dráhy a.s. JHMD
• KŽC Doprava, s.r.o. KŽC
• METRANS Rail s.r.o. METRANS Rail
• Slezské zemské dráhy, o.p.s SZD
• Vogtlandbahn-GmbH Vogtlandbahn-GmbH

Language

Czech

Currency

Czech Koruna

UIC code

numeric 54, alpha CZ

Timetable

Journey Planner

www.cd.cz/spojeni

Downloadable Timetable

The timetable is available as individual PDFs.

Scans of historical timetables from 1988, 1944 and 1918 are available on the Zelpage website.

Printed Timetable

Železniční Jízdní Řád. Includes the ČD-owned funicular railways and cableways. Printed in Czech throughout but with general instructions in English, German and French. Timetable supplements are issued (14 June 2015) and obtained at major stations on presentation of the coupon in the timetable book. A fold-out, near-geographic route diagram is included in the timetable, and there are enlargements of the Praha, Brno and Ostrava areas. The diagrams show principal stations and distinguish privately-operated and electrified lines.

Additional Notes on reading the Timetable

• The "crossed hammers" working days symbol means "Mondays to Fridays" and not, as for most other railways, "Mondays to Saturdays".
• Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a vertical 'wiggly line' ">" and "<" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route. This must not be confused with a vertical 'wiggly line' to the left of the time, which means that the train runs only on certain days.

Engineering Information

ČD on-line / Omezení provozu; select “Výluky” and then "Dnes" (today), "Zítra" (tomorrow) or "Všechny výluky", which gives details up to two weeks hence, rolling forward in date order.

It is possible to reduce the volume of information by selecting a specific route ("Trať") or region ("Kraj"), or clicking on a region on the map.

Bus Information

Access the IDOS website and click on the English (or German) icon (given by small flags) in the bottom right hand corner. Enquiries can specify 'train only', 'bus only' or a combination of these (the default option), plus public transport in Brno, Ostrava and Prague.

Maps

Printed Maps

• The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” is a hard backed very detailed 1:200000 map by Zdenék Hudec (ISBN 80-87047-00-1), generally available in large CD station bookstalls and Information Offices. It shows numerous freight-only lines not displayed on the Quail map and also Tram and Trolley bus system maps. However, unlike the previous edition, the indexed key of numbered highlights from each page is only in Czech.
• European Railway Atlas: Scandinavia and Eastern Europe by M.G. Ball (1993) (ISBN 0-7110-2072-4)
• European Railway Atlasand more detailed Czech Republic & Slovakia Regional Series Atlasby M.G. Ball (2008 onwards)
• The Czech Tourist Club produces a series of 95 1:50000 walking maps which are often available in station kiosks for the local area.

Web-based Maps

• The CD website gives access to a number of Network maps, including (i) one showing the regional boundaries, (ii) an "Online Railway Map of the Czech Republic" which can drill down to a very good level of cartographic detail, and (iii) a link to the SZDC infrastructure map page.
• The "Atlas Drah" (see above) can also be accessed on line via the Zelpage website.
• Thorsten Büker's Czech Map.
• Maps and Plans - Czech Republic
• Detailed 2012 station plans are available on line here.

Ticketing

ČD offers its own network tickets and choose the "All-day ticket (Celodenní jízdenka)" from the drop-down list under "Discount". These offer much better value than the standard One Country passes and include tickets valid on the entire network for a time period, tickets valid only at weekends and also regional tickets. In both 2013 and 2014, excellent value Summer network tickets were available 1 July - 31 August offering two weeks (continuous) travel over the whole network .

Ticket machines offering zonal fares for journeys up to 100km are installed at larger stations, and particularly near Praha. These machines take coins or prepaid smart cards.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

Since 1 January 2003 infrastructure has been managed by the state organization Správa železniční dopravní cesty (SŽDC).

Network Statement

Access to railway infrastructure > Network Statement 2013 or Network Statement 2014.

Gauge

Standard, except for the 760 mm gauge routes from Jindřichúv Hradec to Obrataň and Nová Bystřice, and from Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha.

Electrification

Generally, lines to the north and east of Praha are electrified at 3 kV dc, whereas those to the west and south of Praha are electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz. The two systems meet at

• Beroun-Kralův Dvůr, on the line between Praha and Plzeň;
• Benešov u Prahy, on the line between Praha and České Budějovice;
• Klášterec nad Ohri, near Kadaň on the line between Chomutov and Karlovy Vary;
• Kutná Hora, on the line between Kolín and Brno;
• Svitavy-Lány, on the line between Česká Třebova and Brno;
• Nezamyslice, on the line between Přerov and Brno; and
• Nedakonice, on the line between Přerov and Břeclav.

There is an isolated 1500 V dc branch in the south from Tábor to Bechyně.

Rule of the road

Right-hand. Bohumín - Břeclav converted from left-hand to right-hand running on 9 December 2012. An unusual flyover arrangement existed at the eastern end of the Přerov avoiding line to effect a changeover, now no longer required. Most double-tracked routes are reversibly signalled and often used as such.

Distances

The Network Statement for Timetable 2014 - Annex“B“ gives the total length of each line in column 5, in addition to other information.

The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” gives detailed distances.

Other Railways

The following timetable routes are operated by, and where marked by (*) the railway infrastructure is owned by, private companies.

• 036 - Kořenov - Szklarska Poręba Górna (Poland) (GW Train Regio)
• 043 - Trutnov hlavní n. – Lubawka (GW Train Regio, the route onwards to Jelenia Gora in Poland is operated by PKP)
• 045 - Trutnov hlavní n. - Svoboda nad Úpou (*PDV Railway / GW Train Regio)
• 089 - Liberec - Zittau - Rybniště, Varnsdorf - Seifhennersdorf (Vogtlandbahn-GmbH)
• 145 - Sokolov - Kraslice (*PDV Railway / GW Train Regio + route onwards to Klingenthal in Germany is operated by Vogtlandbahn GmbH)
• 149 - Karlovy Vary – Mariánské Lázne (GW Train Regio)
• 228 - Obrataň - Jindřichův Hradec (*JHMD)
• 229 - Jindřichův Hradec - Nová Bystřice (*JHMD)
• 293 - Šumperk - Petrov nad Desnou - Kouty nad Desnou and Petrov nad Desnou - Sobotin (*SART/Arriva-Morava)
• 313 - Milotice nad Opavou - Vrbno pod Pradědem (*AWT / GW Train Regio)

With the 2007 timetable, a number of services were withdrawn by ČD but summer only Private Operator services are timetabled, see Recent and future changes below.

Tourist Lines

• Česká Kamenice - Kamenický Šenov - see ČD table 901. Operated by KZC “Kamenický Motoracek” Nostalgické a výletní vlaky.
• Zastávka u Brna – Babice u Rosic – Zhýšov (600mm gauge) operated by Muzeum průmyslových železnic (MPŽ). See ČD table ZVL.
• Velké Březno - Zubrnice operated by Zubrnické museální železnice. Operating dates in 2015 are 9, 10 & 16 May, 6 June, 18 July, 19 & 20 September (steam operated) and 17 October.
• Mladějov na Moravě – Nová Ves u Kunčiny – Hřebeč (narrow gauge) operated by Mladějovská Průmyslová Dráha (MPD). See www.mladejov.cz.

Rail cycling is possible on a number of lines; see the IG Draisinenfahrten website. Click on 'International', followed by 'Draisinenlinks' to obtain website details under the heading 'Draisinenstrecken in der Tschechischen Republik (CZ)'.

Metro

Praha.

'Green' Line A due to be extended westwards to Motol in April 2015

A track plan is available on the doprava.unas.cz site.

Trams

Brno, Liberec, Most-Litvinov, Olomouc, Ostrava, Plzeň, Praha.

Track plans for most or all tram systems in the Czech Republic are available on the doprava.unas.cz site.

See also Tram services over obscure routes - Czech Republic

Recent and future changes

294 The privately operated line from Šumperk to Kouty nad Desnou is being electrified, planned completion by December 2015. The 3km Sobotin branch will remain diesel operated.

097 Services between Lovosice and Radejčín were withdrawn in June 2013 because of flooding. No funds are available to repair the line so the remaining section between Radejčín and Teplice is now at risk of closure.

The long planned rail link from central Praha to Ruzyně Airport will involve double-tracking and 3 kV DC electrification of the Masarykovo - Dejvice - Praha-Ruzyně line, with a new branch to the airport. It is envisaged that construction would start by 2018.

312 (Bruntál – Malá Moravká) may be at risk of total closure during 2014. Only one train used it in 2013, running in September.

Re-Construction of the Praha - Plzeň main line continues with a major cut-off west of Ejpovice, involving boring of a twin-bore 4.15km long tunnel which will remove the 6km long curved route between Plzeň Doubravka and Chrástu u Plzně, underway. Completion originally scheduled for 31 July 2016 but as tunnelling only began on 23 January 2015, a 2017-18 date is more likely. The section of old route from Ejpovice to Chrástu u Plzně will be retained, that to the west of Chrástu u Plzně being abandoned. http://www.vlaky.net/zeleznice/spravy/5599-Nejdelsi-zeleznicni-tunel-v-CR-prorazi-Viktorie/

Realignment work is also underway elsewhere, for example the curve to the east of Usti nad Orlici on the Praha - České Trebova main line and at Veseli nad Lužnici on the Praha - České-Budějovice line.

Restoration of Praha hlavni nádraží overall roof from February 2015 until Spring 2017 will involve the loss of different island platforms, one at a time during the period. This will result in Děčín Regional trains being diverted to/from Praha Masarykovo and Table 220 services being extended to/from Praha-Holešovice. http://zpravy.e15.cz/byznys/reality-a-stavebnictvi/zacina-oprava-strechy-prazskeho-hlavniho-nadrazi-a-s-ni-vyluky-1153166

A Summer 2014 Memorandum setting out plans to boost rail transport in the Jihomorský Region includes the re-opening and electrifying of the 3km branch from Hrošovany u Brna - Židlochovice which closed in 1979. That document did not mention the previously suggested closure of the existing Brno hlavni nádraží station and the main line running through it, to be replaced with a new station on the existing freight freight line between odb. Černovice and Horní Heršpice, approximately where Brno dolni nádraží is located. A new light railway (tram) would have been built into Brno city centre and it was known this proposal had considerable opposition.

Changes with the timetable commencing 13 December 2015

Closures

None

(Re)openings

• 137 - Vejprty - Barenstein (Germany)
• 148 - Aš - Selb-Plößberg (Germany)
• 322 - Český Těšin - Cieszyn (Poland)
• 832 - Bohumín/Bohumín-Vrbice – Chałupki (Poland); EC services to/from Warszawa

Changes with the timetable commencing 14 December 2014

064	extended over former Table 076 route from Mladá Boleslav - Mšeno
076	Melnik - Mšeno is bus replaced for major reconstruction work for the duration of the timetable
083	extended to cover re-opened line from Dolní Poustevna to Bad Schandau.

Closures

• 137 - Vejprty - Barenstein [Germany]

(Re)openings

• 016 - Holice - Borohradek
• 017 - Chornice - Dzbel
• 090 - Dolní Zálezly - Ústí nad Labem západ curve
• 270 - A new 2.9 km line from Sedlnice to Ostrava (Mošnov) airport (13 April 2015).

Changes with the timetable commencing 15 December 2013

Closures

• 162 - Čistá – Kralovice u Rakovníka (15 December 2013)
• 192 - Číčenice – Týn nad Vltavou (15 December 2013)
• 314 - Opava východ -) Kylešovice - Jakartovice (7 April 2014. Re-opened weekends-only from 5 July to 28 September 2014).
• 836 - Bohumín – Chałupki (Poland) (15 December 2013)

Reopenings

• 015 - Heřmanův Městec - Prachovice (15 December 2013)
• 017 - Moravská Třebová - Chornice (1 September 2014)
• 024 - Moravský Karlov - Mlýnický Dvůr (15 December 2013 (weekends only))
• 083 - Dolní Poustevna - Sebnitz(Sachs) [Germany] (05 July 2014)
• 162 - Čistá – Kralovice u Rakovníka (12 April 2014 (weekends only))
• 314 - Opava východ - Jakartovice (05 July 2014 (weekends only 5 July to 28 September 2014).

Changes with the timetable commencing 9 December 2012

Closures

• 148 - Tršnice - Františkovy Lázně (9 December 2012)
• 250/260 - Brno freight avoiding line: Brno-Horní Heršpice – odb. Táborská – (Brno-Židenice) (9 December 2012)
• 270/321 - Polanka nad Odrou – Ostrava-Vítkovice (odbočka Odra) (30 June 2013)

Reopenings

• 161 - Krásný Jez - Ležnice (renamed Horní Slavkov-Kounice) (5 July 2013; summer weekends only)

Changes with the timetable commencing 11 December 2011

Passenger Closures from 11 December 2011

• 015 - Heřmanův Městec - Prachovice
• 016 - Borohrádek - Holice
• 024 - Moravský Karlov - Štíty
• 025 - Dolní Lipka - Hanušovice
• 262 - Moravská Třebová - Chornice - Velké Opatovice
• 271 - Chornice - Dzbel

Reopenings

• 063 - Bakov nad Jizerou - Dolní Bousov
• 274 - Litovel Předměstí - Mladeč

Older Changes

For details of older changes dating back to the year 2001 see Czech Republic - Older General Information.

Special Notes

Many of the diesel routes are worked by railcars with trailers: some of these workings divide en route but may not be clearly marked. At busy junctions in the country areas it can be difficult to ascertain which is which train; often a notice placed on the ground near the train is the only clue. Sometimes a plate on the side of the railcar will show the train's destination, but these are not always correct; also, beware of some vehicles, especially un-powered coaches, terminating short of the final destination.

The Czech timetable retains the useful routing markings in the centre of the train timings column: a straight line indicates that the train runs through the listed stations, whereas a wavy line shows that the train runs via a different route.

At the following locations trains on the indicated route make a reversal manoeuvre away from the main station area:

• 041: Turnov (twice)
• 074: Neratovice
• 076: Mladá Boleslav
• 144: Chodov (twice)
• former 164: Kaštice ("Doupovská dráha" services from Kadaň and Krásný Dvůr)
• 235: Kutná Hora hlavní n.