Ostrava is one of those cities in the Czech Republic that hasn’t yet gotten recognition on a global scale of cities to visit. Hopefully, with a little help from public transport and this guide of things to do in Ostrava, it will help add Ostrava to your bucket list.
Personally, we would say that Prague and Ostrava are nothing alike so you’ll experience a completely different vibe than what you do in Prague. Ostrava feels and seems a lot more blue-colour and that’s because of its mining and steel factory past. There’s a reason it’s called the “steel heart” of the Czech Republic after all.
The nice thing about travelling between Prague and Ostrava is that trains and buses run quite frequently and it’s relatively inexpensive to travel between the two cities. Looking at the map of the Czech Republic they are both quite far from each other so taking that into account the trip isn’t too bad. Especially if you plan to spend a few days in Ostrava!
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4 best ways to get from Prague to Ostrava
Prague to Ostrava is going to take you anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours by public transport. This isn’t a day trip from Prague you want to make but rather a (long) weekend trip or a stop on the way before you continue your travels east to Poland for example!
So how do you get there? Let’s get right into all the different options on how to get between Prague and Ostrava. In this post, you will find the different options, ticket prices, links to sites where you can book from, and reasons why we recommend each option for the trip between the two cities.
Prague to Ostrava by train
Average price: 284 CZK ($11) and up one way
Average time: Between 3.5-5.5 hours
Convenience: 4.5/5
Where to book: Omio
We absolutely love taking trains around the Czech Republic and Europe in general. So any chance we get to take a train somewhere we usually take it. Unless a bus or other public transport is cheaper and faster of course.
The nice thing about the trip between Prague and Ostrava is that there are multiple trains that go each day. Almost every hour of the day you’ll find trains leaving Prague’s main station on the way to Ostrava.
The only downside is that there are some trains that are direct and take 3.5 hours and then some that take up to 6 hours. When booking your ticket just make sure to try and find one of the shorter ones even if it’s a few $$ more because it will save you a bunch of time.
The trains in Europe are quite nice and usually have some sort of food service where you can order and buy food and drinks. Especially on these longer trips. Another reason why we like taking trains is that you just have more legroom and space to relax. So if that’s what you’re looking for the train will be your best bet.
Book your train ticket to Ostrava here.
Prague to Ostrava by bus
Average price: Starting at 415 CZK (€17)
Average time: 4.5 to 6.5 hours
Convenience: 4/5
Where to book: Omio or FlixBus
The bus from Prague to Ostrava is also a good option. And if you can get a cheap ticket then it’s even cheaper than taking the train to Ostrava. The only downside is that the journey is often over 5 hours long which is a bit longer than the fastest trains.
Busses between Prague and Ostrava run fairly frequently and you’ll see there are at least 4-5 going every single day. The nice thing about taking the bus is you almost never have to worry about any transfer if you take a FlixBus.
In general, we do prefer trains over buses but for this trip, the bus actually isn’t that bad. You can look at the different time schedules and see which public transport works best for you.
Prague to Ostrava by rental car
Average price: Starting at 250 CZK a day + insurance and gas
Average time: Roughly 4 hours
Convenience: 4.5/5
Where to book: DiscoverCars (from Prague airport)
If there are a few of you going or you need a car for a specific reason, renting a car may be the most economical and convenient way to get to Ostrava from Prague. Having a car can also come in handy when you’re in Ostrava. There are some coal mines, castles, and other attractions near Ostrava where having a car makes getting around a lot more convenient.
We recommend renting a car from the Prague Airport since it’s usually the cheapest way. Plus the airport is located outside of the city center and you won’t have to drive into the city to get to Ostrava. Might as well avoid the crazy city traffic if you can. It can seriously be stressful with all the trams, pedestrians, cars, and lime scooters!
One thing to take into consideration is that the further you book your car in advance the better deal you are likely to get. Again, if there are at least a few of you renting a car together it may even be cheaper than taking public transport from Prague to Ostrava.
There are some nice stops between Prague and Ostrava as well like visiting Kutna Hora. So having a car will allow you to make stops you otherwise wouldn’t be able to make by public transport.
The only thing to consider when booking a car rental in Prague is the price of gas. It’s quite a bit more expensive than say in Canada and the US. By more expensive we mean almost double the price…
With all that being said, a car will give you more freedom to explore and visit other areas near Ostrava. In the end, it may be a bit more expensive but well worth it for the trip!
Prague to Ostrava by Blablacar (rideshare)
Average price: Anywhere from 350-500 CZK ($15-25)
Average time: Roughly 4-5 hours
Convenience: 4/5
Where to book: Blablacar
One of the cheapest ways to get from Prague to Ostrava is by rideshare. Since it is a fairly long journey and people try to save on fuel, the rideshare between these two cities is actually quite popular.
Almost every day you’ll find people doing the trip so it’s not that hard to find a ride. It’s just about finding one that works for you. Just note that people usually don’t put in their rides too far in advance so anywhere from a few weeks to a few days before is a good time to look.
We actually quite like rideshares too because you get to meet locals and talk to people you wouldn’t get the chance to otherwise. If you’re open to that then try Blablacar. You’ll also save a bit of money if you get lucky with a cheap ride!
If you just want to zone out though and not talk to anyone then maybe it’s not the best option. Of course, you don’t have to talk to people the whole way but it is a 5-hour trip so it’s nice to chat a little bit during it!
You may also like…
- 8 Coffee Shops in Ostrava Worth Visiting
- 14 Unique and Fun Things to Do in Ostrava
- 9 Restaurants in Ostrava that will Satisfy Your Taste Buds
Recap on different ways of getting from Prague to Ostrava
These are four different options you can take to get between Prague and Ostrava. The same thing works for the return journey if you’re planning just a few days in Ostrava and then back to Prague.
We hope you enjoy Ostrava! If you get a chance there are quite a few good coffee shops downtown Ostrava including one famous cafe called The Bolt Tower Cafe which is located in a tower overlooking the city! And if you need inspiration on things to do in Ostrava, then check out this post!
Enjoy the steel heart of the Czech Republic; Ostrava!
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