When taking the train on the straightforward journey between the Austrian and Czech capital cities, travellers have a choice between taking a Railjet, operated by either the Austrian or Czech national railway companies, or a Regiojet train.
Regiojet is a private company that offers alternative services when taking trains from Vienna/Wien to Prague/Praha.
On the Trainline website these trains are shown as 'OBB' which is the name of the national rail company in Austria, but a mix of mainly Czech (CD) railjets and some Austrian (OBB) railjets are used on this route.
Comparing these two train services:
Final Destination of both services: Prag (the German spelling of Prague/Praha) (1 x Railjet train per day continues to Berlin)
All trains on both services also call at: Breclav, Brno, Pardubice
Journey times:
the Railjets = 3hr 57min;
the Regiojet trains = 4hr 3min
Frequency:
the Railjets = 7 x trains per day, trains depart every other hour in odd hours,
the Regiojet trains = 4 x trains per day on Mon -Sat; 3 x departures on Sundays
The on board experience:
The Railjet trains offer three levels of service and the Regiojet trains have four levels of service.
A key difference between the two services is catering
Railjets = a bar car offering hot and cold food to all passengers, plus an at seat service of a full menu in first and business class
Regiojets = a catering trolley with no hot food available and this service is not available in 'Low Cost' class.
Ticketing summary:
Tickets can usually be booked for the Railjet trains from 6 months ahead, but tickets for the Regiojet trains can only be booked around 3 months ahead.
The very cheapest tickets for the Raiijets are a similar price to those on the Regiojets, but when they are sold out, you can often save money by taking a Regiojet.
In contrast to the tickets for the Railjets, advance tickets on the Regiojets are not discounted.
The Trainline sells tickets for both services, BUT only sells the tickets for 'Low Cost' class on the Regiojet trains.
If you want to compare the complete costs of travelling in ANY class, you can look up the journeys by the Railjet trains on the OBB (Austrian national railways) OR on the CD (Czech national railways) websites on the ticket links below
The journeys by Regiojet trains will then have to be looked up separately on its website. (Regiojet mainly sells long distance bus tickets.
1 x train every other hour
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6* months ahead of the travel date
*3 months ahead on cd.cz (which is the Czech Railways ticket booking service)
If you're not booking more than 3 months ahead, it can be worth comparing prices on OBB and cz.cd; though the prices on cd.cz will be in Czeck korunas, so you'll need to use a currency converter.
On cd.cz look for the journeys 'without transfers' and have (RJ) displayed.
If you will be travelling this route with a 2nd class [rail pass](/train-ticket-guides/how-to-use-a-rail-pass-in-popular-countries/** during the day between June and October, then reservations are recommended, these can be busy trains.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
OBB | from €14.90 | |
cd.cz | from 524 czk | |
Trainline | from €14.90 |
Final Destination: Praha
All trains also call at: Breclav, Brno, Pardubice
4 x trains per day
Book early and save: No, not on these Regiojet trains
Online bookings open: around three months ahead of the travel date
Tickets must be booked online.
Reservations are complimentary, seats will be assigned when making a booking
Rail passes are NOW valid on these trains.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Regiojet | from €15 | |
cd.cz | from 524 czk |
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