Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

The historic centre of Český Krumlov is compact, and most of the sights, museums, galleries, restaurants and other places of interest are within comfortable walking distance. Bear in mind, however, that you will encounter cobbled streets, steps and, in places, a considerable change in elevation — particularly on the way from Svornosti Square through the castle courtyards to the castle gardens.

The historic centre is a pedestrian zone with special rules governing vehicle access. Visitors to the town and guests staying at accommodation facilities within the pedestrian zone are not permitted to drive into the historic centre.

If you are travelling by train, you may also wish to use the local bus service or a taxi, given the distance and the difference in elevation between the railway station and the centre.

In one day, you can explore the historic centre, visit the castle, castle tower and castle gardens, and still have time for a short walk through the town. If you would also like to visit museums, galleries and viewpoints and enjoy the town at a more relaxed pace, we recommend staying for at least two days. Three days give you time to see more sights or take a trip into the surrounding area. With a longer stay, you can also combine Český Krumlov with a visit to Lipno or the Šumava region.

The bus station is approximately a 10-minute walk from Svornosti Square. You can reach the town centre via Kaplická and Horní Streets. See the route on Google Maps.

The train station is approximately a 30-minute walk from Svornosti Square. You can reach the town centre via Třída Míru – Serpentina – Latrán Streets. See the route on Google Maps.

From the train station, you can also use the local bus service. Current timetables are available at IDOS.

You can pay by card in most shops, restaurants and accommodation, as well as with many other service providers. Whether you can also pay in euros depends on the individual business. The official currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), so it is best to carry cash in korunas.

If you pay in cash in euros, the exchange rate is often unfavourable and you will usually get your change in korunas. If the card terminal offers to charge you in euros, we recommend paying in korunas instead. The conversion at the terminal is usually less favourable.

More than 800 parking spaces for cars are available near the historic centre in parking lots P1–P5 and P7. The car parks are approximately 480–880 metres from Svornosti Square, i.e. about an 8–15 minute walk. They are open all year round and accept payment in CZK, EUR and by card. Parking spaces cannot be reserved or purchased online in advance.

P7 is designated for campervans and caravans.

For a real-time overview of available parking spaces, parking fees and further information, see the Parking for cars page.

Yes. Discounted rates for long-term parking apply in parking lots P1, P2, P3 and P5. One- to seven-day parking cards allowing repeated entry and exit are also available. The discounted rate does not apply in parking lot P7.

A parking card does not guarantee a specific parking space. However, a single card is valid in parking lots P1, P2, P3 and P5, giving you access to significantly greater capacity.

Current prices and further information can be found on the Parking for cars page.

No. The historic centre is a pedestrian zone, and visitors are not allowed to drive into it. We recommend parking in one of the car parks near the centre and walking into the Old Town from there. If you need to take luggage or fellow travellers to your accommodation, please contact your accommodation provider or take a taxi.

For more information, see the Pedestrian zone page.

Reserved parking spaces are available in the barrier-controlled parking lots P1, P2, P3 and P5. The standard parking rate applies for their use.

Vehicles transporting people with disabilities are permitted to enter the pedestrian zone. For short-term stops of up to 2 hours, a reserved parking space in front of the Český Krumlov Information Centre can be used free of charge.

By bus: Direct bus services are available and the journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours. Direct connections are operated by RegioJet and FlixBus, among others. In Český Krumlov, buses stop at the bus station and at the Špičák bus stop.

By train: The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, usually with a change in České Budějovice.

Current timetables and ticket purchase options are available at IDOS.

By bus: Direct bus services are available and the journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. In Český Krumlov, buses stop at the bus station. It is also possible to travel with a change in České Budějovice.

By train: There is a direct train connection from Linz to České Budějovice, where you need to change to a train or bus to Český Krumlov. The journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours.

Current timetables and ticket purchase options are available at IDOS.

By bus: Direct bus services are available and the journey takes approximately 4 hours. In Český Krumlov, buses stop at the bus station.

It is also possible to travel with a change, usually combining train and bus, for example via České Budějovice or Linz.

Current timetables and ticket purchase options are available at IDOS.

Shuttle buses provide a convenient door-to-door connection to and from Český Krumlov. They pick you up directly at your hotel or any other requested address and take you to your destination.

Regular services connect Český Krumlov with Prague, Linz, Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Munich, Budapest and other destinations. Current timetables and online tickets are available on the websites of the individual operators.

Shuttle services also offer airport transfers and day trips.

An overview of operators can be found on the Taxi and transfers page.

Charging stations for electric vehicles are available in parking lots P1, P2, P3 and P5, among others. The standard parking rate applies to users of the charging stations.

Charging stations in Český Krumlov on mapy.com →

Yes. Bicycles are permitted to enter the pedestrian zone. E-bikes and e-scooters may also enter, provided they meet the parameters of a standard bicycle – that is, a maximum design speed of 25 km/h and, in the case of a standard e-bike, a motor output of up to 250 W.

The historic centre is cobbled, however, and you need to be considerate of pedestrians and mindful of motor vehicle traffic. We therefore recommend dismounting and wheeling your bike through the historic centre, or leaving it at one of the bicycle racks located by parking lot P1 near the Cloak Bridge and on Svornosti Square in front of the Information Centre. Further bicycle racks can be found at Port 1560 and in the First Castle Courtyard.

If you are travelling by bike, you can also make use of accommodation with bicycle storage and restaurants with bicycle racks. Bicycle storage is also available directly at the Information Centre, although its capacity is limited.

You can charge your e-bike at the MOL petrol station near the bus station.

Opening hours vary depending on the season and the specific venue. Some sights, museums and galleries are open all year round, while others only during the main season or on certain days. Most sights are closed on Mondays. Before your visit, we therefore recommend checking the current opening hours of the specific venue in the overview of sights, museums and galleries.

Even rainy weather doesn't have to spoil your stay. Visit the castle, museums, galleries, historical exhibitions or other indoor attractions. For inspiration, see our overview What to do in Český Krumlov on rainy days.

Český Krumlov is ideal for a family trip. Children will enjoy the interactive exhibitions, the Historical Play World, the Mirror Maze, the Fairy-Tale House, playgrounds, as well as entertaining walks and games. In good weather, you can also head out on a via ferrata or a cycling trip. You will find inspiration in our overview In Český Krumlov with kids.

Yes. You can choose from regular guided city tours, which take place daily at the times listed, in Czech, German and English. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Infocentre on Náměstí Svornosti square. Prices start at CZK 280 per person for a 90‑minute tour.

Private tours with a certified local guide can also be booked for individuals and groups through the Český Krumlov Infocentre. Tours are available in Czech, German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. The price of guided tours depends on the length of the tour. The current indicative price is CZK 3,000 for 1–2 hours, with an additional charge of CZK 500 for each extra hour. The exact price of the tour will be provided by the Český Krumlov Information Centre.

There are two tourist cards available in Český Krumlov, each with different benefits – the Český Krumlov Card and the Krumlov+ visitor card.

The Český Krumlov Card is a discounted combined ticket to five museums and galleries. It provides one-time free admission to the Museum Fotoatelier Seidel, the Egon Schiele Art Centrum, the Castle Museum and Tower, the Monastery Museum and the Regional Museum. It also offers a 50 % discount on the Port 1560 exhibitions and one-time free admission to the Egon Schiele Studio. The card is valid for 12 months from first use, it's transferable to another person in the same category and costs CZK 490 for adults, CZK 980 for families and CZK 290 in the reduced category. It can be purchased at the Infocentre or at the individual exhibitions (except the Castle Museum).

The Český Krumlov Card does not include tours of the castle interiors, only a visit to the Castle Museum and Tower. It is a paper card, which you present at the box office of each exhibition, where staff will mark it. The Český Krumlov Card cannot be purchased online. More about the Český Krumlov Card.

The Krumlov+ card is a visitor card that guests receive free of charge when staying at least 2 nights with a participating accommodation provider. It offers discounts and benefits with partners in Český Krumlov and the surrounding area – at monuments, museums and galleries, restaurants, as well as on various experiences and events.

You will receive the card by e-mail after a simple registration via a link from your accommodation provider. You keep it on your mobile phone, or you can print out its QR code. Simply present it to participating partners and claim the relevant discount or benefit. It is valid from the day of arrival throughout your entire stay. More about the Krumlov+ card.

Český Krumlov is a historic town with uneven terrain and cobbled streets, which can be challenging for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. Accessibility varies between individual sights, museums and galleries. To make your visit as comfortable as possible, we recommend checking the accessibility of each place in advance. The only fully accessible exhibition is the Egon Schiele Art Centrum. The interiors of Český Krumlov Castle are not wheelchair accessible.

Wheelchair users can also visit the Castle Garden and performances at the Revolving Auditorium.

With a dog, we recommend heading mainly to the parks and for walks outside the historic centre. In town, dogs must be kept on a lead, or muzzled where required. You can find walking tips in our overviews Gardens and parks in Český Krumlov and Tips for walks in and around Český Krumlov.

Dogs are allowed in the outdoor areas of the castle complex (the castle courtyards and castle gardens), but always on a lead. Dogs are not permitted inside the castle interiors. Assistance dogs are an exception.

Dogs are generally not allowed inside monuments, museums and other attractions. When visiting these places, please expect to leave your pet outside. In restaurants and cafés, it depends on the policy of each establishment, though pets are commonly welcome at those with outdoor seating.

If you are looking for accommodation, you can use our list of pet-friendly accommodation facilities.

Opening hours vary depending on the individual guided tour routes and exhibitions; we always recommend checking the castle's website.

• Renaissance and Baroque Apartments: 1 April – 31 October, daily except Mondays (guided tours only)
• 19th-Century Apartments: May – September, daily except Mondays (guided tours only)
• Castle Baroque Theatre: 1 May – 31 October, daily except Mondays (guided tours only). Tours are not available during occasional performances, which take place as part of selected music festivals and other special events.
• Castle Museum and Castle Tower: all year round; April – October daily, November – March daily except Mondays (self-guided)
• Stables and Saddlery: July – August (self-guided)
• Bellaria Summer Mansion: guided tours are held only on scheduled dates
• Castle Garden: 1 April – 31 October, daily, free admission
• Castle Courtyards: all year round, daily, free admission
• Horská zahrada: the scenic trail is scheduled to open in June 2027

Castle tours are available in Czech, English and German. The specific range of languages may vary depending on the tour route and the date. Printed texts in additional languages are also available on selected routes. Tour Routes I and II offer texts in Czech, English, German, Spanish, Russian, Hungarian and Italian. At the Baroque Theatre, printed texts are available in Czech, English, German and Italian.

The Castle Museum and Castle Tower are self-guided. An audio guide in Czech, English and German is available, which you can download to your own smartphone. Download it here.

Tickets for castle tours can be purchased online via the National Heritage Institute ticketing portal or in person at the castle box office in the Second Castle Courtyard. The Castle Museum and Castle Tower have their own separate box office at the museum entrance. The Castle Tower is not a separate tour route and can only be visited with a ticket to the Castle Museum.

We recommend buying online especially for guided tours with limited capacity. If none of the available times suit you, or if certain times are sold out online, additional tickets may be available directly at the box office.

Where are the meeting points for the castle tour routes?

• Tour Routes 1. and 2.: Third Castle Courtyard (with a guide)
• Castle Museum and Castle Tower: Second Castle Courtyard (self-guided)
• Baroque Theatre: Fifth Castle Courtyard (with a guide)

Tourist information, maps, brochures and other materials are available at the Český Krumlov Infocentre at Svornosti Square 2. The staff will be happy to advise you on visiting monuments, city tours, transport and other services. At the Infocentre you can also:

• buy the Český Krumlov Card and a parking card,
• purchase tickets for cultural events and performances at the Revolving Auditorium,
• buy bus tickets for domestic and international services (RegioJet and FlixBus),
• make use of luggage and bicycle storage,
• book a guided city tour with an Official Český Krumlov guides (individuals and groups),
• use currency exchange services.

The Český Krumlov Infocentre is located right in the town centre on Svornosti square and can easily be reached on foot from all directions – from the Špičák bus stop via Latrán and Radniční Streets, from the bus station and the theatre via Horní Street, from the P1 Jelenka car park across the footbridge under the Cloak Bridge and via Dlouhá, Soukenická and Panská Streets, and from the P3 car park and the town park via Kájovská Street.

• Český Krumlov Infocentre – Svornosti Square 2, during the Infocentre's opening hours
• Self-service luggage storage at the bus station building – Nemocniční street, during the bus station building's opening hours
• Self-service luggage storage at Port 1560 – Pivovarská 27, accessible 24/7
• Caffé Klášter luggage storage – Klášterní dvůr 67, during the café's opening hours

In the town centre: Horní street, I. and IV. Courtyards, parking lost P1, P2 and P3, the bus station and the Špičák bus stop.

Accessible toilets: In Horní street and in the IV. Castle Courtyard (for a fee) and at the P1, P2 and P3 parking lots (free of charge). Holders of an official disabled parking permit can use the accessible toilets free of charge with a Eurokey, which can be borrowed from the Infocentre against a refundable deposit of CZK 500.

You can exchange foreign currency for Czech koruna (CZK), for example, at the Český Krumlov Infocentre at Svornosti Square 2, which provides currency exchange services.

Further exchange options are offered by banks and exchange offices in the town centre. When exchanging money, we recommend checking the current exchange rate and any fees.

You can withdraw cash from ATMs, which you will find in many places in the town centre. If an ATM offers to convert the amount into your home currency, decline the offer. Being charged in Czech korunas is usually cheaper.

ATMs in Český Krumlov on mapy.com 

Banks in Český Krumlov on mapy.com 

You can rent a bike or an e‑bike from one of the local rental shops. You will find the current range of options in our overview of bike and e‑bike rentals. Get inspired by our cycling trip tips and head out to explore the area around Český Krumlov.

There are many boat and canoe rental companies on the Vltava in Český Krumlov and the surrounding area. Rental usually includes all the equipment you need, as well as transport to the starting point and back from the finish. If you are new to paddling, a guided trip with an instructor is a good choice.

You can choose from routes of various lengths, depending on difficulty and how long you want to spend on the water. You can find the most popular routes in our boat trip tips, from a half-day trip through Český Krumlov and a day trip to Zlatá Koruna to multi-day trips starting in Vyšší Brod, for example.

You book your trip directly with the rental company. In the high season, we recommend booking well in advance. Whether a trip can go ahead also depends on the current water level. You can find current offers and services in our boat and paddling equipment rentals. 

There is a public self-service laundromat, Prádelna (Laundromat) Revolution, next to the Tesco supermarket at Domoradická 299. Washing machines and dryers are available for washing and drying up to 20 kg of laundry. Both washing and drying take approximately 30 minutes, you can pay by card or in cash, and the laundromat is open 24/7.

To go fishing, you need a fishing licence and a fishing permit. For more information, please contact the Český Krumlov Infocentre, which will help you obtain the necessary authorisations.