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Cosy 2-berth sleeper in the Prague-Krakow sleeping-car. |
Prague to Krakow from 13.70
Two comfortable EuroCity trains named Silesia & Cracovia and a EuroNight sleeper train named Chopin link Prague and Krakow, centre to centre. There's also a privately-run Leo Express train on certain days each week, due to become daily at some point. The EuroCity trains have air-conditioning, power sockets, free WiFi & a bistro car serving drinks & snacks with draught beer on tap, with fares from 15. The safe & cosy sleeper train saves a hotel bill, too. The Leo Express train has air-con, power sockets, free WiFi, and complimentary wine, water & coffee in Business & Premium classes. These trains also call at Oswiecim, more notorious by its German name, Auschwitz. This page explains what these trains are like & how to buy tickets.
Option 1, by EuroCity train
Silesia or Cracovia
Option 2, by privately-run Leo
Express
Option 3, by EuroNight sleeper train
Trains from Prague to
other destinations
Trains from Krakow to
other destinations
Train times until 13 December 2025
Train times from 14 December 2025, subject to confirmation
Notes for timetable
Check times for your specific date of travel at www.cd.cz or (for Leo Express) www.leoexpress.com as times can vary due to trackwork.
Oswiecim = Polish name for Auschwitz. Regular local trains link Krakow & Oswiecim, with turn-up-and-go ticketing.
Until 13 December 2025 the sleeper train has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments and most dates a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see below.
From 14 December 2025 the Prague-Krakow portion only has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see below.
The Leo Express train runs twice a week, but planned to go daily at some point.
Prague to Krakow is 474 km (295 miles) by train.
Route map
Click for larger map Highlighted = Prague to Krakow train route. Green = scenic sections of line.
Reproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people. I recommend buying the European Rail Map for your travels and a copy of the European Rail Timetable, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.
Option 1, by EuroCity trains Silesia or Cracovia
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The Cracovia is a comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train run jointly by national rail operators CD (Czech Railways) and PKP (Polish Railways), using Czech rolling stock.
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The Silesia consists of 2nd class through coaches between Prague & Krakow attached to a Prague-Warsaw EuroCity train.
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Eurail & Interrail passes are accepted on both these trains, a 3 seat reservation is necessary. EuroCity is a generic term for good-quality air-conditioned express trains used by many European train operators.
How much does it cost?
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Advance-purchase fares start at 15 in 2nd class or 37 in 1st class.
First Minute fares have limited availability at each price level, specified train only, no changes. Refundable less a service fee until the day before travel. There's no need to book months ahead, you'll usually find cheap fares even just days ahead. There's no 1st class on the Silesia, at least not in the Prague-Krakow portion.
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The full-price full-flex fare is around 55 in 2nd class, 83 in 1st class, bought from Czech Railways.
How to buy tickets
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Book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz.
Change the Czech flag to the UK flag for English. Booking usually opens 60 days before departure, although this shrinks to less than this for dates after the mid-December timetable change. There is absolutely no need to book further ahead that this, you can usually find the cheapest fares even booking just weeks ahead and there will be places available even on the day.
Tip: Click More options then Connection parameters then Connections and tick the Direct connections only box.
You print out your own ticket, simples! Only one passenger name is needed to support a print-your-own ticket, even if that ticket is for two or more people. It often worries people that they only have to enter one name.
What are the Silesia & Cracovia like?
The Silesia runs between Prague and Warsaw, but conveys one 2nd class through car between Prague and Krakow. This air-conditioned 2nd class through carriage has classic 6-seat compartments, see the photos below. There's no 1st class in the Prague-Krakow portion, if you insist on 1st class you'll have to switch cars at Bohumin. A restaurant car is available between Prague & Bohumin, near the Polish border.
The Cracovia consists of modern air-conditioned Czech carriages with 1st & 2nd class and restaurant car, as shown in the photos below.
Tip: You can check the train formation, check car numbers & see features & photos of each car using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations and search for Silesia or Cracovia.
The EuroCity train Silesia boarding at Prague Hlavni. The Cracovia is similar.
1st class. The Cracovia has one first class car like this one, marshalled next to the restaurant car. Seats are arranged 2+1 across the car width, a few face to face, most face to back, with a few tables for 4, and a few tables for 2. There are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Restaurant car. The Cracovia has restaurant car like this one serving inexpensive snacks, drinks and meals. Lunch or dinner as the train canters through the beautiful countryside is a real treat. Euros, Koruna & credit cards are accepted, although cash can be better as card machines rely on mobile reception. There are no table reservations, just go along and sit down. There's a separate counter if you want to take snacks or drinks back to your seat.
2nd class seats on the Cracovia are mostly in classic 6-seat compartment cars as shown above, as are the seats in the single Prague-Krakow through car attached to the Silesia. The Cracovia also includes one multi-function car with a limited amount of 2nd class open-plan seating, a baggage area, bicycle rack, wheelchair ramps, wheelchair spaces & accessible toilet, usually next to the restaurant car.
Option 2, by Leo Express
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Leo Express is a private open-access operator which operates a comfortable Prague-Krakow train, increased to daily for 2026, with a second train on two days a week. It's a modern air-conditioned electric unit with 3 classes, Economy, Business & Premium.
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The Czech Republic was one of the first countries in Europe to open up their state-run railways to private competition under EU laws that allow anyone with the necessary licences to run a train service. Leo Express was founded by Leo Novotnύ in 2010, and they ran their first trains in 2012 and this is their first foray into Poland. I have yet to try Leo Express services myself, but they have a good reputation.
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The Man in Seat 61 says, "This is an excellent service in any class, but if you can afford a superb premium class seat, go for it. Possibly the most comfortable European first class seat I have yet found!" See video showing all 3 classes on Leo Express.
How much does it cost?
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Economy class starts at 13.70, Business class at 32.50, Premium class at 52.50.
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All tickets come with a reserved seat.
How to buy tickets
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.leoexpress.com.
Make sure you select a train not a bus. You print your ticket or show it on your phone.
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Eurail & Interrail passes are now accepted on Leo Express, reservation required see the passholder reservations page.
What is the Leo Express train like?
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The train is modern and air-conditioned with 3 or 4 classes, see www.leoexpress.com for more details and photos, and see the video.
Economy = comfy seats, power sockets & free WiFi. Food and drink can be bought from the refreshment trolley. Most of the train consists of economy class. Seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width, like 2nd class on regular trains.
Economy Plus = same leather seats as Business class with the same business class food & drink included, but less legroom and no partition between it and the rest of economy, so not as quiet as Business class. Economy Plus is new, being progressively fitted to trains during 2020,
Business = leather seats with extra leg-room, power sockets & free WiFi, complimentary water & coffee. Business class consists of two-thirds of a car at one end of the train. Seats are arranged 2+1 across the car width, like 1st class on regular trains. On journeys over 50 minutes, 1 alcoholic drink is included in the fare,
Premium = there are just 6 premium class seats located at one end of the train. Excellent reclining leather seats with leg-rests so you can put your feet up, power sockets & free WiFi, complimentary water & coffee. On journeys over 50 minutes, 2 alcoholic drinks and a simple meal are included in the fare.
The Man in Seat 61 says, "In my opinion, the Leo Express premium seats are the most comfortable train seat in Europe. You sink into that leather, with power-recline to 40 degrees and a legrest. Treat yourself to premium class if you get the chance!"
Leo Express train, arrived in Prague.
Option 3, by EuroNight sleeper train
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The EuroNight sleeper train is a safe & comfortable air-conditioned sleeper train run jointly by national rail operators CD (Czech Railways) and PKP (Polish Railways), using Czech rolling stock. EuroNight is a generic term for good-quality air-conditioned overnight trains used by many European train operators.
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Until 13 December 2025 it has a sleeping-car every day all year round, with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments. At Christmas & New Year, Easter, and over the summer June-September it also has a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments.
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From 14 December 2025, the Prague-Krakow -Warsaw sleeper is being split into separate portions for Warsaw and for Krakow. Unfortunately, the Prague-Warsaw portion gets the sleeping-car, the Prague-Krakow portion will only have a couchette car with 4 & 6 bunk compartments.
How much does it cost?
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Advance-purchase fares
Advance-purchase fares start at 29 with couchette in 6-berth, 39 with couchette in 4-berth, 39 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper or 49 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or around 75 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. Fares vary like air fares.
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Regular flexible price
Bought from the Czech Railways, a basic Prague-Krakow 2nd class ticket costs around 55.
Bought from Polish Railways, a basic Krakow-Prague 2nd class ticket costs around 70. Don't ask me why it costs more in Poland!
You then need to add the supplement for a sleeping-berth: For a couchette, 11 in a 6-berth compartment or 15 in a 4-berth compartment. For a bed in a standard sleeper 15 per bed in a 3-berth, 28 per bed in a 2-bed, 51 for a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. In a deluxe sleeper with shower & toilet, 36 per bed in a 2-berth or 79 for a single berth sleeper all to yourself.
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Berths are sold individually, so you do not have to pay for sole occupancy if you are a solo traveller. You can book one bed in a 3-bed sleeper and share with other civilised sleeper passengers of the same sex, which is much cheaper.
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If you have a Eurail or Interrail pass you just need to pay the sleeper or couchette supplement.
How to buy tickets
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Option 1, book at Czech Railways www.cd.cz
You can book online in either direction at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. Change the Czech flag to the UK one for English.
Booking usually opens 60 days before departure, less than this for dates after the mid-December timetable change. There's absolutely no need to book further ahead that this, you can usually find cheap fares even booking weeks ahead and are usually places available even on the day.
Tip: Click More options then Connection parameters then Connections and tick the Direct connections only box.
Select 22:00 as your departure time, find the train EN 443 if going Prague to Krakow or IC407/EN442 if going Krakow to Prague & click on the green Purchase a ticket button. You should see a cheap 2nd class ticket / First Minute fare. Select it.
Now scroll down to Reservation and click Change. Change the seat reservation to a couchette or sleeper and change the type of sleeper from 3-berth to double or single, or the type of couchette from 6-berth to 4-berth.
You print out your own ticket and can board the train, simples! You must print your ticket, it cannot be shown on a mobile device.
Only one passenger name is needed to support your self-print ticket, even if that ticket is for two or more people.
If you want a deluxe sleeper: Remember that there are only 3 deluxe sleeper compartments in the Prague-Krakow-Warsaw sleeping-car. These 3 compartments can sell out. So if you can't get a deluxe sleeper, just book a regular sleeper with washbasin as these are virtually identical to the deluxe ones but with a washstand instead of a shower/toilet cubicle.
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Option 2, buy from www.polrail.com
If your journey starts in Krakow, the easiest option is to order tickets online through reliable and highly-recommended Polish ticketing agency www.polrail.com - you can collect tickets in Krakow. The fare shown on their site is the full price, but I've been told that if cheap advance-purchase fares turn out to be available, they'll offer you those instead when they contact you.
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Option 3, buy from Czech agency www.czech-transport.com
If your journey starts in Prague, you can also buy from www.czech-transport.com. This method always works, but the downside is that (a) you can't buy cheap advance fares through them, only full-flex standard price tickets and (b) of course they add a fee. www.czech-transport.com charge around 90 per person with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper + 15 booking fee, tickets can be collected from their offices or sent to your hotel in Prague or to you at home for an additional fee. They can book a deluxe sleeper if you ask them. If you use them, feedback would be appreciated.
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Option 4, buy at the station
You can of course book in person at the station, there are normally places available even on the day especially in the couchette car, but on the busiest dates in summer the sleeping-car can leave fully-booked, so booking ahead is recommended.
What is the sleeping-car like?
Every night a direct sleeper train links Prague with Krakow & Warsaw. Until 13 December 2025 there's one air-conditioned Czech sleeping-car en route to or from Warsaw, a Comfortline type built by Siemens in Germany in 2004-2005, with 9 standard compartments with washbasin & 3 deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, see the photos below. Inside the sleeping-car it's carpeted, air-conditioned, quiet and civilised. Each compartment can be sold as a 1, 2 or 3 bed room. There's crisp clean bedding, soap, towel, bottled water, free WiFi and a power socket for mobiles & laptops below the head-end of the bed. In the morning a light breakfast is included with tea or coffee. The compartments have a card-key locks like a hotel and there's a toilet & shower at the end of the corridor for sleeper passengers in the standard compartments. Sleeper berths are sold individually, you can book one bed in a 2 or 3 berth and share with another passenger of the same gender. Compartments are single-sex unless your party occupies the whole compartment. An excellent way to travel.
Beds are 190cm x 75cm (approx 6'3" x 2'6"), but pillow or toes can project into a 2.5cm (1") gap either end between bed & wall, so no problem for anyone up to 6'5".
Prague to Krakow by sleeping-car. Above, the Czech sleeping-car to Krakow is boarding at Prague Hlavni.