Central Europe - Day 1 🇨🇿

Today was the first day of travel across Central Europe. I checked out of the hotel and left my bags at the front desk, as I planned to return after four days for one more night before flying home.

I had been researching the best way to move between cities on my go-to site for train travel, seat61.com. I found an excellent option to get from Frankfurt to Prague via Nürnberg and Cheb for only €16 each way, which I booked on the Czech Railways website. I walked to the station to catch the ICE 23 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Nürnberg, a smooth start on Germany’s high-speed rail. I then changed to the RE 5285 regional train at Nürnberg; it was a modern, air-conditioned ride that took me through the scenic Bavarian countryside to Cheb, where I officially entered Czechia. From Cheb, I boarded the Ex 559 Interjet, a comfortable Czech express train that brought me into the heart of Prague.

The train journeys were quite comfortable and I reached Prague at around 3:30 PM and exited the station towards the old town. I passed by the Jerusalem Synagogue, a striking building known for its vibrant Art Nouveau design and Moorish-style colorful facade. On my way, I saw Henry’s Tower, the highest free-standing bell tower in Prague, and the Powder Tower, a monumental Gothic gate that once served as a gunpowder store and marks the start of the Royal Route.

I walked past the Old Town Square, the historic heart of the city, and reached the Charles IV Statue, which honors the beloved Holy Roman Emperor who founded the university and built the famous bridge. There I joined the Charles Bridge & Prague Castle Free Tour 🔗 at 5:30 PM.

After finishing the tour at Vyhlídka Na Opyši, I walked down the Old Castle Stairs, a historic stone pathway that offers beautiful views over the city’s red rooftops. I headed towards the river where I saw the Memorial of the Second Resistance Movement, a somber monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers and resistance fighters of World War II.

It was already dark by then; I saw the Prague Castle and the Petrin Tower all lit up at night. The castle looked majestic on the hill, while the Petrin Tower resembled a mini-Eiffel Tower glowing against the dark sky.

I crossed the Mánes Bridge and walked back to the train station via the Old Town Square. I stopped to see the Prague Astronomical Clock, the oldest working clock of its kind in the world, but it was being repaired. The Church of Our Lady before Týn’s twin Gothic spires dominate the square’s skyline. I went to Burger King there for a quick bite before my late train.

After a nice afternoon and evening in Prague, it was time to continue my journey to Kraków. Based on advice from seat61.com, I opted for the EuroNight sleeper train. This is a highly time-effective option that saved me a night’s hotel bill while moving me to my next destination. I booked a spot in a 3-berth sleeper compartment for €33 on the Czech Railways website.

I boarded the train and found my compartment. There was a toilet and shower at one end of the coach. The compartment setup featured three stacked berths, a small washbasin with a mirror, and a dedicated rack for luggage and clothes. Only one other person had been assigned to my compartment, so we both had a bit more room to breathe. My cabin mate was a professional working in Prague who was heading home to his family in Kraków for the weekend. After chatting for a while, we set up the middle berths and called it a night as our train began its overnight journey into Poland.

🍽️ Burger King