Home › Routes › Cesky Krumlov to Vienna
How to get from Cesky Krumlov to Vienna
Door-to-door shuttle minibuses take about 3 hours for roughly €40–60 per person, and driving takes about 2 h 45 to 3 h. There is no direct train; rail journeys need one or two changes, usually at České Budějovice, and take about 4 to 5 hours.
Best option: Car. A car or a shared shuttle avoids slow connections; without a car, the shuttle is the easiest choice.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car Via Linz and the A1 motorway, or via Třeboň and Gmünd | about 2 h 45 – 3 h | Austrian motorway vignette needed; fuel | Český Krumlov’s old town is closed to most traffic; park in the car parks around it. | |
| bus Shared door-to-door shuttle minibuses (several companies) | about 3 h | a few a day, book ahead | about €40–60 per person | Pick-up from your hotel in Český Krumlov; drop-off at your address in Vienna. |
| train České dráhy local train to České Budějovice, then trains via Linz or via Gmünd to Vienna | about 4 h – 5 h | several connections a day | about €25–45 | Český Krumlov station is a 20-minute walk from the old town. Check current timetables. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Book shuttle seats a day or two ahead.
- Buy the Austrian vignette before joining Austrian motorways.
- If you take the train, check the connection in České Budějovice.
- Combine with a stop in Linz or the Wachau valley if driving.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Český Krumlov to Vienna?
No. There is no direct train. Train trips need a local train from Český Krumlov to České Budějovice and then onward trains via Linz or via Gmünd to Vienna. This takes about 4 to 5 hours with one or two changes. The shuttle or a car is faster.
How much does a shuttle cost?
Shared shuttle minibuses typically cost about €40–60 per person and take about 3 hours, picking up from your hotel in Český Krumlov and dropping off at your address in Vienna. Private transfers cost more but can be good value for a group. Book a day or two ahead in summer.
Do I need a vignette to drive into Austria?
Yes. Austrian motorways and expressways need a vignette, which you can buy online in digital form or as a sticker at border petrol stations. If you take the route via Gmünd, some roads are not motorways, but you will still need it for the final part into Vienna.
Is it worth stopping on the way?
If driving, Linz and the Danube valley around Melk and the Wachau make good stops, and the route via Gmünd passes through quiet Waldviertel countryside. Some shuttle companies offer a stopover option, for example in Hallstatt or Melk, for an extra fee. With a train, Linz is the easiest place to break the journey.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.