How to Get to Ostrava

There are many options for you to get to Ostrava, via bus, train or plane. However, we recommend you take a train to Ostrava, which is the most often and practical choice. If you are arriving late at night or wish to explore different options, please let me know.

Prague International Airport

After your arrival to the airport, passing through immigration and collecting your luggage your next step will be to get to the Prague Main Train Station. Public transportation to the train station is convenient and inexpensive. Just outside the terminal are two options, but we recommend the express bus:

The express bus takes you directly to the Prague's Train Station and is called “Bus AE” (Bus Airport Express). You can buy the ticket at the airport or on the bus by cash or card.
If you intend to stay in Prague before leaving for Ostrava, Bus 119 will take you to the nearest Metro station, and from there you can get just about anywhere in Prague.

Please note these tips:

The buses leave regularly from the airport so do not feel rushed or upset if you miss the bus.
Use of public transportation will require you to purchase a ticket. This means you need cash (Czech crowns, code: CZK; sign: Kč). There are ATM machines available in the Prague airport.
You may purchase tickets from Public Transport counters in Arrival Halls of Terminals 1 & 2 during business hours. Otherwise you may purchase a ticket from the bus driver (AE bus only) or you can use the yellow vending machines located at the bus stop.
Do not travel with large sums of cash. Use an ATM (“bankomat”) to withdraw cash as you need it, we recommend to have at least 500 CZK and be cautious when having more than 2000 CZK. The amount of 1000 CZK should be more than enough for your journey to Ostrava.

If you plan to stay in Prague for sightseeing, we recommend purchasing a guide book to get accustomed to Prague and Czech Republic. Otherwise you may go straight to Ostrava by train.

Trains to Ostrava

Taking a train to Ostrava is very convenient and takes a little more than three hours offering excellent views of the countryside. Schedules can be found at Idos. You may purchase your ticket online and print the ticket or have the ticket sent to your phone. You may also purchase tickets at the train station. You may pay in cash or by card. If you buy the ticket online in advance the ticket might be cheaper. Tickets range normally from 350−500 CZK.

There are three companies operating in the Czech Republic, you may choose from:

RegioJet is a Czech private railway company offering quality service for a cheap price. We recommend this service to get to Ostrava.
LEO Express is another private train operator offering quality for a cheap price. Also comfortable and recommended.
České dráhy is the Czech Railways (abbreviated ČD). They are the main railway operator in the Czech Republic. To Ostrava, we can recommend taking their train named “Pendolino”. Any other train, comfort declines and adventure goes up.

Tips when going by train:

The Czech word for “main train station” is Hlavní nádraží and you will see it abbreviated as hl.n. Thus your ticket to Ostrava should state “Ostrava hl.n.” (Ostrava has more stations).
Seat reservations, if you choose Pendolino or the private operators your ticket will come with a carriage and seat reservation (which is extremely convenient). Finding your reservation on the ticket might be a challenge, so ask if you need to. However, if it is not shown in English look for two things:
- Vůz = Carriage
- Místo = Seat
If you will be hungry during your three-hour train journey you can order food from the train's food car. However, it is very typical and cheaper to buy some snacks/food to eat before boarding the train. Prague's Main Train Station has a grocery store.

Ostrava Hlavní nádraží (Ostrava Main Train Station)

Once you arrive in Ostrava you will need to get to your dorm. Public transportation in Ostrava is fairly convenient with many buses and trams. There are trams with regular departures just outside the Main Train Station.

You must purchase a ticket while boarding a tram or bus. Tickets prices vary by how much time you will be on the bus, maximum 24 CZK/ticket (45 minutes). The easiest way to buy a ticket is to pay with your bank card on a tram or bus. Later you will be able to buy a pre-paid transportation card.

How to get to your Dorm

From Ostrava Hlavní nádraží to the following dorms:

Jan Opletal Halls of Residence
You have two options:
1. Take bus 106 and get off at “Revírní br. pokladna” and walk.
2. Or take bus 108 and get off at “Gymnázium” and walk.
Find more information about Jan Opletal Halls of Residence on their website.
Campus Palace
Take any tram and get off at “Elektra” and walk a short distance near the city centre to Kampus Palace.
Find more information about Campus Palace on their website.

In case you stay at another dormitory, for example Poruba Dormitory or Student Hall of Vista, please, ask your Buddy for the directions how to get there.

Taking a taxi

If, after reading all the above, you want to take a taxi in Prague or Ostrava, please feel free to do so. We did not recommend taxi for two reasons, firstly, we are accustomed to the low cost and ease of the public transportation and secondly, in the past years the taxis have earned a bad reputation for being very expensive, especially for foreigners. In summary, a taxi will be expensive, probably a couple hundred crowns or more, but it will also be very convenient.

Good luck, we look forward to seeing you!