Places Around Prague to Visit During your Study Abroad Program

By: Grace Blendonohy

One of the best reasons to study abroad in Prague is its central European location. Traveling around Europe from Prague is very accessible by train. During my three months studying abroad, these are the countries I visited from Prague via train. 

Munich, Germany 

One of the activities I wanted to do abroad as a fall study abroad student in Europe was attending Oktoberfest. Getting to Munich from Prague was very efficient. I was able to take a four-hour direct train from Prague to Munich. The train costs around USD 80 for a round trip. I took the mid-day train to enjoy the natural landscape. If you want a window seat, make sure to book and reserve your seats in advance.

Bratislava & Poprad Tatry, Slovakia 

On a Thursday afternoon, my friends and I took a train to Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, where we stayed one night. The next day, we took another 4-hour train to Poprad Tatry, a town in Slovakia next to the Tatras mountains. We wanted to see the capital and go hiking, so we were on the train longer than we had hoped. However, there is a direct train to and from  Poprad Tatry, which is seven hours. However, we took the earliest train possible and slept the entire time, making the duration feel quicker than it was. If you enjoy hiking, look into a weekend trip to the Tatras mountains in Slovakia. On the w

Budapest, Hungary 

The trip to Budapest was a seven-hour direct train ride. I went to Budapest with CIEE for a program weekend trip, and it was one of my favorite destinations! Budapest has so much to see, and the city offers an excellent array of cuisines. I recommend booking a tour of the Hungarian Parliament building and signing up for a night boat river cruise to admire the city's impressive architecture. 

Katowice, Poland 

Poland is a must-see destination if you are studying abroad in Prague. I took a 4-hour train to Katowice, Poland, an hour's train ride outside Krakow. I was visiting family there, but the train also stopped in Krakow. On the way home, I was unable to find a train. However, I was able to get on a coach bus. The bus took around six hours but was efficient and promptly got me back to Prague. When you have longer train rides, I recommend booking them in the morning if you want to sleep in them, during the day if you're going to enjoy the scenic route, or in the evening if you want to get some work done!