Weekend trips from Brno by public transport – 4 capital cities at hand

Brno, the second biggest city in the Czech Republic and the main city of the South Moravia Region is located in the center of 3 European capital cities. It’s Prague, Bratislava and Vienna that are so close you can take a bus a enjoy an international visit over the weekend. But it can also be Budapest, or even Katowice and Krakow, where you can go over for a weekend because the connection is so convenient. So, let’s explore.

BRATISLAVA 

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia and a perfect place for a weekend trip. There’re plenty of things to do there, it has a convenient location (near Vienna or Budapest) and the historic city is compact for travelers to see the main attractions without being totally beaten. Two days are just enough for sightseeing, cycling along the Danube River, and shopping. Find the best place to stay for a night and explore the city’s finest spots. Blue Church, Bratislava Castle or UFO Bridge are the top three to be looking for. More details from our trip to Bratislava here.  

VIENNA

Just an hour and half drive from Brno with a direct train or bus link you can get to Austria’s capital city. It’s filled with palaces, museums, art galleries, concert halls and the best Opera House in the world. Weekend is not enough to be everywhere, walk through the whole Prater Park or see Sisi chamber, but it’s definitely enough to grab a piece of sacher cake at a traditional Viennese coffehouse, visit the Hofburg or Belvedere Palace and eat huge Wiener Schnitzel. A lot of people come to Vienna just for shopping. And of course during Christmas time for a glue wine and hundreds of stands with hand-made craft and traditional products.  

PRAGUE

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and one of the top ten visited cities in Europe among London, Paris and Amsterdam. Alluring architecture, countless attractions, nightlife, and Czech beer are what invite people the most.  No wonder, before the pandemic, over 8 million tourists visited Prague yearly without a doubt for its closeness to history, culture, and maybe a bit of unpredictability. Unfortunately, with its 22 districts and 500 square meters, Prague is impossible to sightsee all at once. On the other side, the historic city center is all you need for the first time in Prague. A slow walk through the Charles Bridge, a visit to the castle hill and photographing the dancing house will definitely satisfy you. But if you want to read more about Prague, go here.  

It takes around 3 hours to get to Prague from Brno. The best options here would be Czech railways or student agency again.  

BUDAPEST

Add one hour and you can be in Hungary’s capital city. Budapest, although huge, is walkable. The attractions, especially in the Buda part of the city, are close enough to walk in between. It’s Gellert Hegy hill, Castle Hill, and the Parliament, which will occupy you the most. But let’s not forget about the bridges. All the constructions are even more beautiful at night when the lights are on.  More details about our two-day itinerary in Budapest you can find here.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION POSSIBILITIES

Very popular in Brno is the student agency company, which has either trains or buses going around different cities in the Czech Republic and also Europe. If you buy a return ticket you may park for free in the designated area near the main train station. The trains are very comfortable, there’re special compartments for kids for example, with tv and some toys, separated places just for adults or business class. Another option is the flixbus, which works on the same basis, with several direct connections from Brno. It’s better to book your spot in advance, as they sell fast. The Czech railway‘s system to most cities in the Czech Republic is also well developed. But there’s also a direct link to Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest.

Enjoy your trip and let me know how was it:)