Road Trip Ideas Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is especially well suited for a road trip: historic cities, romantic castles, impressive rock landscapes and gentle low mountain ranges are often only one to two hours' drive apart. In this guide, we present three varied road trip routes (6–10 days) through the Czech Republic – including concrete route recommendations, tips on hiking and ski areas, as well as a compact overview of the toll system. Please make sure you purchase the appropriate digital vignette for the Czech Republic before setting off, so you can conveniently use the motorways requiring a vignette (D-roads).

Continue reading: Scenic routes in the Czech Republic.

Before you set off: careful planning is key

The ideal route for your road trip through the Czech Republic depends primarily on the time you have available and your personal interests. You can choose from cities such as Prague, Brno and Karlovy Vary, impressive hiking regions such as Bohemian Switzerland, the Bohemian Paradise, the Ore Mountains or the Giant Mountains, as well as national parks such as the Bohemian Forest (Šumava) and Podyjí National Park, plus various ski areas. For orientation:

• 5–6 days: Focus on one region (e.g. northern or western Bohemia with spa towns and forested landscapes).

• 7–10 days: Ideal for combining at least one larger city (e.g. Prague or Brno) with hiking areas such as Bohemian Switzerland, the Giant Mountains or the Ore Mountains.

• 10–14 days: Recommended if you want to link several regions, such as northern Bohemia, western Bohemia and southern Moravia with the Beskids or the Jeseníky Mountains.

Our recommendations

The sample routes below provide a structured foundation that you can adapt flexibly. A tried-and-tested rule of thumb for a relaxed road trip is: plan for a maximum of 1–3 hours of driving per day and no more than two activities. This leaves plenty of time to truly enjoy the trip. Also take the season and weather conditions into account:

• May to October: Particularly suited for road trips. Hiking regions such as Bohemian Switzerland, Bohemian Paradise, the Jizera and Giant Mountains, the Beskids or the White Carpathians are easily accessible.

• July and August: Peak season with higher visitor numbers. Early reservations are recommended.

• Winter (December to March): Ideal for combining a road trip with ski areas in the Giant Mountains, Ore Mountains, Bohemian Forest or Jeseníky Mountains. Be aware of winter equipment requirements.

During school holidays or long weekends, expect increased traffic on motorways as well as around Prague, Brno and popular hiking regions.

Road trip 1: Prague, rock formations & the Giant Mountains (7–10 days)

This route is especially recommended for first-time visitors looking for a combination of city travel, sandstone rock formations and mountain landscapes.

• Prague: Culture and history (2 nights)

• Bohemian Switzerland: National park (2 nights)

• Bohemian Paradise: Castles and rock formations (1–2 nights)

• Adršpach-Teplice: Rock city (1 night)

• Giant Mountains or Jizera Mountains: Hiking or ski region (1–2 nights)

Prague

The capital city of Prague makes an ideal starting point. The Old Town, Charles Bridge and castle complex offer a varied cultural program. For more information, see our article on Prague.

Bohemian Switzerland

The national park impresses with striking rock formations and varied hiking trails. For detailed information, see our overview of hiking areas in the Czech Republic.

Bohemian Paradise

The Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) captivates with bizarre sandstone rock formations, castle ruins and dense forests – ideal for short hikes between two stops. For more information, see our overview of hiking areas in the Czech Republic.

Adršpach-Teplice

The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are among the most impressive sandstone rock formations in Europe, with narrow rock passages, viewpoints and a clear mountain lake. For more information, see our overview of hiking areas in the Czech Republic.

Giant Mountains or Jizera Mountains

To round off the trip, a stay in the Giant Mountains or Jizera Mountains is recommended. In summer, hiking trails dominate, while in winter it's all about the ski areas. For more details, see ski areas in the Czech Republic.

Road trip 2: Western Bohemia, spa towns & Bohemian Forest National Park (6–9 days)

This route is particularly suited for anyone wanting to combine historic towns, classic spa resorts and extensive forested landscapes – ideal if you want to take things a bit slower while still staying active.

• Pilsen: Old town and brewing tradition (1 night, optional)

• Karlovy Vary: Spa architecture and thermal springs (2 nights)

• Ore Mountains: Ridges and hiking trails (1–2 nights)

• Bohemian Forest National Park (Šumava): Lakes, bogs and forests (2–3 nights)

Pilsen (optional)

The city of Pilsen (Plzeň) makes a compact starting point for western Bohemia: the old town, brewery tours and lookout towers can easily be combined in a single day before the route continues towards Karlovy Vary.

Karlovy Vary

The spa town of Karlovy Vary is characterised by impressive colonnade architecture and numerous thermal springs. Spend one day strolling through town and soaking up the spa atmosphere, and the second on a trip into the surrounding hilly landscape. For more information, see our article on Karlovy Vary.

Ore Mountains

From the spa town, the route continues into the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) with ridge trails, lookout towers and, in winter, ski areas – well suited for relaxed day hikes and excursions to smaller mountain towns. For more inspiration, see our articles on hiking areas and ski areas in the Czech Republic.

Bohemian Forest National Park (Šumava)

This route concludes with Bohemian Forest National Park (Šumava), featuring vast forests, mountain lakes and raised bogs. Easy to moderate hikes and well-signposted trails make the region accessible for families too.

Road trip 3: Brno, Moravian Karst & eastern Czech Republic (8–10 days)

The third road trip is aimed at nature lovers who want to get to know southern Moravia and the eastern Czech Republic more intensively. Wine regions, karst landscapes and mountain ranges such as the Beskids, the White Carpathians and the Jeseníky Mountains provide plenty of variety.

• Brno: City, cuisine & culture (2 nights)

• Moravian Karst: Stalactite caves & gorges (1 night)

• White Carpathians: Hills, meadows and villages (1–2 nights)

• Beskids: Hiking and ski area (1–2 nights)

• Jeseníky Mountains (Hrubý Jeseník): Mountain scenery & ski options (1–2 nights)

Brno

Brno combines a historic old town with a lively food and drink scene. Stroll between Špilberk Castle and the old town alleys before planning a trip on the second day into the surrounding countryside and the southern Moravian wine region. For more tips, see our article on Brno.

Moravian Karst

The Moravian Karst is one of the Czech Republic's best-known natural highlights: deep gorges, stalactite caves and viewpoints invite you to explore the caves with short hikes. For more information, see our article on hiking areas in the Czech Republic.

White Carpathians

The White Carpathians are known for gentle hills, flower-filled meadows and traditional villages – ideal if you want to take things a little slower, with easy hikes, viewpoints and regional cuisine. For tour inspiration, see our guide to hiking areas in the Czech Republic.

Beskids

The Beskids offer a mix of dense forests, scenic peaks and, in winter, ski areas. Depending on the season, you can hike, cycle or ski here. Our overview of hiking areas will help you find the right region.

Jeseníky Mountains

The Jeseníky Mountains (Hrubý Jeseník) provide a fitting conclusion to the route, with panoramic hikes, high-altitude trails and, in winter, additional ski areas. One to two nights are enough for one major tour or several smaller excursions. For more information, see our article on hiking areas in the Czech Republic.

Toll guide for the Czech Republic

In most cases, a vignette is required to use Czech motorways subject to the vignette requirement (D-roads). The key points are as follows:

• Vignette requirement: Mandatory for vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight.

• Motorcycles: Exempt from the vignette requirement.

• Vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight: Distance-based toll via an on-board unit.

• No special toll sections: There are no additional section charges.

For a comprehensive overview, see our guide to tolls in the Czech Republic.

Practical tips for the road

• Timing: Avoid peak travel times.

• Traffic regulations: Observe speed limits and blood alcohol limits. For details, see traffic regulations in the Czech Republic.

• Nature conservation: Stay on marked trails and respect protected areas.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant trip to the Czech Republic and lots of enjoyment on your exploration of the country's impressive natural scenery. Please be sure to find out about the applicable toll regulations in good time. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we are, of course, happy to help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.