Czech Republic - General Information
Country Name
Czech Republic (Česká Republika)
National railway system
National Railway Operator
České Dráhy (ČD)
Language
Czech
Currency
Czech Koruna
UIC code
numeric 54, alpha CZ
Timetable
Journey Planner
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 and obtained at major stations on presentation of the coupons 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 Atlas by 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 which offer much better value than the standard One Country passes. These include tickets valid on the entire network for a time period, tickets valid only at weekends and also regional tickets.
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 - Harrachov - Szklarska Poręba Górna (Poland)
- 043 - Trutnov hlavní n. – Lubawka (the route onwards to Jelenia Gora in Poland is operated by PKP)
- 045 - Trutnov hlavní n. - Svoboda nad Úpou
- 145 - Sokolov - Kraslice (the route onwards to Klingenthal in Germany is operated by Vogtlandbahn GmbH)
- 149 - Karlovy Vary – Mariánské Lázne
- 228 - Obrataň - Jindřichův Hradec (*)
- 229 - Jindřichův Hradec - Nová Bystřice (*)
- 293 - Šumperk - Petrov nad Desnou - Kouty nad Desnou and Petrov nad Desnou - Sobotin (*)
- 313 - Milotice nad Opavou - Vrbno pod Pradědem
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 nvv.
- Velké Březno - Zubrnice: reopening train ran on 28 October 2010. Details for public operation in 2012 (if any) are not yet available - see www.zmz.cz for updates.
- 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.
Trams
Brno, Liberec, Most-Litvinov, Olomouc, Ostrava, Plzeň, Praha.
See also Tram services over obscure routes - Czech Republic
Recent and future changes
017 Moravská Třebová - Chornice (formerly part of table 262) will reopen on 1 September 2014.
The contract to rebuild the German portion of Dolni Poustevna - Sebnitz DB (- Bad Schandau) was signed on 20 July 2012. The line is scheduled to reopen on 04 July 2014. See http://www.k-report.net/discus/messages/28/U28aU27-254904.pdf
312 (Bruntál – Malá Moravká) may be at risk of total closure during 2014. Only one train used it in 2013, running in September.
There is a plan to close the existing Brno hlavni nadrazi station and the main line running through it, replacing it with a new station on the existing freight freight line between odb. Cernovice and Horni Herspice, approximately where Brno dolni nadrazi is located. A new light railway (tram) would be built into Brno city centre. There is considerable opposition to this plan and it is unlikely to occur for at least ten years.
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 - Jakatovice | 7 April 2014 |
| 836 | Bohumín – Chałupki (Poland) | 15 December 2013 |
Reopenings
| 015 | Heřmanův Městec - Prachovice | 15 December 2013 |
| 024 | Moravský Karlov - Mlýnický Dvůr | 15 December 2013 (weekends only) |
| 083 | Dolní Poustevna - Sebnitz(Sachs) [Germany] | 5 July 2014 |
| 162 | Čistá – Kralovice u Rakovníka | 12 April 2014 (weekends only) |
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
- 143 Chodov
- 235 Kutná Hora hlavní n.
