VISA INFORMATION
Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can enter the Czech Republic for short stays (up to 90 days) without a visa. Additionally, citizens of certain countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, can also enter the Czech Republic visa-free for short stays.
However, travellers from some countries may require a visa to enter the Czech Republic.
Use this website to see if this applies to your nationality:
Information can be also be gained by either contacting the nearest Czech embassy or consulate in their home country or by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
Getting to Brno is easy.
Train
For those traveling by train, Brno’s main railway station, Brno hlavní nádraží, is a central hub with frequent connections to major cities like Prague, Vienna, and Bratislava. The train journey from Vienna or Bratislava takes about 1.5 hours, and that from Prague about 2.5 hours.
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB): The national railway company of Austria.
Website: https://www.oebb.at/en/
RegioJet: This is a private railway company that operates services connecting Prague and Vienna, among other European cities.
Website: https://regiojet.com/
Czech Railways (ČD): The official website of the national railway company of the Czech Republic.
Website: https://www.cd.cz/en/
Trainline: An international booking platform that allows you to compare and book tickets from various train operators, including ÖBB, RegioJet, and České dráhy,.
Website: https://www.thetrainline.com/
Airport
While Brno has a small airport, it does not offer international flights. The nearest airports to Brno are Vienna International Airport (VIE) and Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG).
From Vienna International Airport there are every day two to three direct trains to Brno (through Regiojet). If you are prepared to transfer trains at Vienna main station (Hauptbahnhof), then there are options almost every hour (through ÖBB/Regiojet).
Prag Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is a bit further situated from Brno and does not have a train station at the airport. Traveling from Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) to the main train station, Praha hlavní nádraží can be done in various ways, but probably the most convenient is the Airport Express Bus (AE). The AE bus runs every 15-30 minutes and takes about 35 minutes to reach Praha hlavní nádraží. The bus stop is located right outside the airport terminals, and you can buy tickets from the driver or at the airport information desks.
Car
From Prague there are several route options, with the most common being via the D1 motorway, which connects the two cities directly. From Prague, head east on the D1 towards Brno. The distance is approximately 210 kilometres, and the journey typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Note that the D1 motorway is a toll road, so you’ll need to purchase a vignette (road tax sticker) to use it. Vignettes are available for purchase at border crossings, petrol stations, and online. If you prefer a more scenic route or want to explore other towns along the way, you can take secondary roads instead of the motorway. These routes may take longer but offer the opportunity to see more of the Czech countryside.
From Vienna there are also several option, with the most common being via the A22 and E59 highways. rom Vienna, head northeast on the A22 towards Brno. After crossing the Austrian-Czech border, continue on the E59 highway towards Brno. The distance is approximately 130 kilometres, and the journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Some sections of the route may require tolls, especially in Austria. Be prepared to pay tolls at toll booths along the way. When crossing the border between Austria and the Czech Republic, be prepared to show your passport or national ID card. EU citizens can usually cross without any issues.