Transportation Guide for Austria, Hungary, and Czech Republic
This guide covers transportation options in Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, starting from Taipei (TPE). If your trip is longer than a week, this guide will help plan your travel between these three countries. Sightseeing recommendations will be in a separate post.
Flights
Flights from Taiwan to Prague operate directly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The return journey can be from Vienna, which also offers a direct flight to Taipei. Currently, only China Airlines offers direct flights between Taipei and Prague. If you prefer layovers, there are many alternatives.
Trains
Long-Distance Train - RegioJet
Below is the RegioJet train network map. If your destination is on this route, you can travel affordably.
Recommended routes:
- Prague - Vienna (Approx. 4.5 hours)
- Prague - Brno (Approx. 2.5 hours)
- Vienna - Budapest (Approx. 2.5 hours)
RegioJet offers different class levels, and if traveling with children, a family compartment is available, though limited in number. These family cabins include a child-friendly sofa and extra space with onboard entertainment.
At Prague Station, RegioJet provides a lounge where passengers can relax before departure.
RegioJet Lounge at Prague Station:
Buying tickets from machines is cheaper than purchasing at the counter.
Public Transport in Prague
Tickets are available at vending machines at the airport, allowing easy access to the city center.
Prague Transport Tickets
Prague’s public transport system uses time-based tickets. Options include 30-minute, 24-hour, and 72-hour tickets. If you plan to take three or more trips in a day, a 24-hour ticket is more economical.
Public Transport in Vienna
For city travel, 24-hour and 72-hour tickets are available. It is recommended to buy them via mobile apps for convenience. However, note that ticket validity starts immediately upon purchase, so buy it just before your first use.
Currency
- Prague: Czech Koruna (CZK)
- Vienna: Euro (EUR)
- Budapest: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Although these countries use different currencies, euros are generally accepted, though at less favorable exchange rates. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted for transportation payments. However, some restaurants only accept cash, often due to temporary POS machine issues.