Just in time for the pre-Christmas period, both České dráhy and RegioJet are strengthening their train services to meet the high demand. Additional carriages are being deployed on heavily used routes. Travellers are advised to secure tickets and seats well in advance.
As every year, Czech Rail (ČD) is adding extra carriages on the busiest routes. Passengers are asked to purchase their tickets in good time, reserve seats even for shorter journeys, and check the expected occupancy of trains via the ČD online shop or the “Můj vlak” app.
The highest demand is expected today, Friday 19 December, particularly on connections from Prague heading eastwards, for example to Ostrava. Additional carriages will also be deployed on routes to České Budějovice, Pilsen or Cheb. In addition to the scheduled reinforcement carriages, the company keeps further carriages on standby to increase train capacity from Prague at short notice. Even immediately before the holidays, on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December, trains will be strengthened with additional carriages.
For short-distance travellers in metropolitan areas such as Prague, ČD recommends using regional trains, for example on the Prague–Kolín, Prague–Benešov or Prague–Beroun routes, to relieve the heavily used long-distance services.
RegioJet also responds to high travel demand
The private operator RegioJet is likewise responding to the pre-Christmas peak season with additional capacity. Hundreds of seats are provided daily on the most popular routes – though some services are already fully booked. RegioJet therefore strongly advises booking tickets early, including return journeys after the holidays.
From 19 to 23 December, services will be particularly strengthened, especially the heavily used Prague–Ostrava–Košice route, as well as trains to Brno, Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest. The only direct train from the Czech Republic to Ukraine, to Chop, is already fully booked until Christmas; interested passengers will have to hope for any cancellations.
RegioJet also points out that return journeys after the holidays can fill up quickly, especially on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 December. Even after New Year, on 2, 3 and 4 January 2026, services will be increased to meet the expected high demand.
