ČD

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České dráhy (ČD) is the state railway company of the Czech Republic and operates a large part of passenger services on the Czech rail network.

Summary

  • FIP 50 Tickets and FIP Coupons are accepted
  • Reservation requirement only in SuperCity trains
  • Surcharges for commercial trains
  • In some regions, FIP is not valid on selected ČD trains (Pilsen and Brno)

Validity of FIP Tickets

FIP Coupon: ✅FIP Coupon for relatives: ⛔FIP 50 Ticket: ✅

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on ČD services. For cross-border journeys, either a continuous FIP 50 Ticket or FIP Coupons for both countries are required.

Important Information

On some routes and in some regions, FIP Tickets are not valid, even if the services are operated by ČD.

Further information: ČD services without FIP

Train Categories and Reservations

Seat reservations are only mandatory on SuperCity SC and some IC trains.

SuperCity (SC) ⚠️

Description:SuperCity trains offer the fastest connections on the Prague – Pardubice – Olomouc – Ostrava route. Twice daily, trains continue from Ostrava to Slovakia. They stop only at major stations and offer very comfortable travel in both 1st and 2nd class. The modern tilting trains (“Pendolino”) feature a bistro and a high service standard. Bicycles, prams, and other bulky luggage can be taken on board.

A seat reservation is mandatory in both classes.

In 1st class, passengers receive a small refreshment; in 2nd class, a bottle of water. Free newspapers are available in both classes. During the journey, an on-board entertainment and information portal is available, allowing passengers to order food and drinks to their seat, read books, listen to music, play games, or watch movies. More informationReservation possible: yesReservation required: ⚠️ yesReservation prices are variable (see trains with mandatory reservations).

Railjet (RJ) ℹ️

Description:Railjet trains connect Brno and Prague quickly and comfortably and also offer a direct connection via Břeclav to Vienna and Graz. They stop only at major stations. From December 2025, international ComfortJet trains between Prague and Germany/Denmark will also fall under this category. There are usually three classes:

Economy: Comparable to 2nd class.First Class: Comparable to 1st class. An FIP pass for 1st class is required.Business: 1st class with welcome drink and private compartments. Not usable with FIP Coupon (even with surcharge).

Seat reservations are possible, and mandatory in Business Class. The trains feature modern rolling stock in the ÖBB Railjet style, but with blue exterior. Bicycles, prams, and other bulky luggage can be taken on board. Food and drinks are available in the restaurant car or via at-seat service. In 1st class, passengers receive a free bottle of water and a newspaper; in Business Class, additionally a welcome drink and a 50 CZK voucher for the restaurant (within Czechia only). For children, there is a dedicated children’s cinema. More information

ℹ️ Not to be confused with RegioJet trains, which are sometimes also marked as RJ. This private operator does not accept FIP Tickets.Reservation possible: yesReservation required: no (only Business Class)

Eurocity (EC)

Description:International long-distance trains with high comfort and regular-interval service. The air-conditioned coaches come from various railway companies and often include a popular restaurant car. More informationReservation possible: yesReservation required: no

Intercity (IC) ⚠️

Description:Long-distance trains with high comfort, stopping only at major stations. Some are equipped with a restaurant car or minibar. More informationReservation possible: yesReservation required: ⚠️ Partially (see trains with mandatory reservations)

Expres (Ex)

Description:Fast trains in domestic traffic and between Prague and Žilina or Košice. They usually have modernized rolling stock and on-board catering. More informationReservation possible: yesReservation required: no

Rychlík (R)

Description:Fast trains in regional and long-distance traffic with more frequent stops than Express trains. They sometimes use older rolling stock and connect Prague with holiday regions in the Giant and Jizera Mountains as well as spa towns in Moravia and West Bohemia. More informationReservation possible: noReservation required: no

Spěšný vlak (Sp)

Description:Semi-fast trains in local traffic, often only with 2nd class. More informationReservation possible: noReservation required: no

Osobní vlak (Os)

Description:Local trains stopping at all stations, often only with 2nd class. More informationReservation possible: noReservation required: no

Nightjet (NJ) / EuroNight (EN) ⚠️

Description:Night trains connect Czechia with Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Hungary. The trains offer sleeping, couchette, and seated coaches and are operated abroad in cooperation with other railway companies. More information and network

For Nightjet trains, reservations/supplements for sleeping and couchette cars can be booked. For this, an FIP Coupon for the countries/railways being travelled through is required. If no FIP Coupon is used, a ticket at the FIP Global Fare for the entire route can be purchased.⚠️ National free travel for Deutsche Bahn employees is not recognized in Germany. If any part of the Nightjet journey is in Germany (start, end, or transit), DB employees must purchase a ticket at the FIP Global Fare for the entire route. For journeys outside Germany with an FIP Coupon, a reservation/supplement for sleeping and couchette cars is required. The only exception is if the train also operates as an IC or EC on the German section, then this part can be used with DB free travel.Reservation possible: yesReservation required: ⚠️ yesFIP Global Fare: yesReservation cost:Depends on route, occupancy, and coach category.

Ticket and Reservation Purchase

Online

ČD Website
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ⛔
Reservation Costs
1st Class: 35 CZK
2nd Class: 35 CZK

FIP 50 Tickets cannot be purchased via the ČD app, as the 50% discounts offered in the app do not come from FIP quotas.

Reservations

České dráhy sells reservations on its website for Czechia and some other European countries. It is also possible to reserve specific seats.

To book only a reservation, search for a connection on the desired route using the journey planner. Then select the Reservation only option.

To Booking WebsiteAdditional Information
DB Website FIP (DB Employees)
Cross-border FIP 50 Tickets between Germany and Czechia, with ticket portion only for the Czech section. For Deutsche Bahn employees only.
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: € 6,90
2nd Class: € 5,50

FIP 50 Tickets

Deutsche Bahn employees can purchase FIP 50 Tickets online for journeys from Germany to neighboring countries. These tickets are available in the DB Reisemarkt > Bahnangebote > Ausland > FIP-Angebot. The FIP 50 ticket is only valid for the foreign section of the route. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in your own home country. Therefore, an additional ticket is required for the domestic section within Germany up to the border point.

Booking is only possible via the link in the DB Reisemarkt. Discounts do not need to be selected; they are applied automatically.

FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for the following countries:

  • Poland
  • Austria
  • Italyonly Brenner route with Austria and ECE Frankfurt – Milan
  • Czech Republic
  • Switzerland
  • Luxembourg
  • Denmark
  • Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • France

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Book seat only” option in the search.

Additional Information
DB Website FIP (International)
Cross-border FIP 50 Tickets between Germany and Czechia for the entire route (not valid in the issuing country of the FIP Card)
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: € 6,90
2nd Class: € 5,50

FIP 50 Tickets

Online FIP 50 Tickets for journeys within Germany and neighboring countries can be booked via Deutsche Bahn. The tickets must include at least one section within Germany. The FIP 50 ticket is issued for the entire route. The ticket is not valid in the country where the FIP Card was issued; an additional ticket is required there.

Booking is only possible via the link. Discounts do not need to be selected—they are applied automatically.

FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for the following countries, as long as a section in Germany is included:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italyonly Brenner route with Austria and ECE Frankfurt – Milan
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Switzerland

Reservations

The reservation price is charged per journey. For connections with transfers, you only pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Seat reservation only” option in the search.

To Booking WebsiteAdditional Information

On Site

ČD Ticket Office
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: 35 CZK
2nd Class: 35 CZK

FIP 50 Tickets

At ČD ticket offices, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for travel within Czechia and to other European countries.

Reservations

České dráhy sells reservations at its ticket offices for Czechia and some other European countries. It is also possible to reserve specific seats.

Additional Information

On the Train

FIP-discounted tickets can only be purchased on the train if departure is from a station where the ticket office is closed.

Discounts

For regular tickets, children up to 6 years travel free in 2nd class. Children up to 18 years receive a 50% discount on the adult fare. Persons aged 18 and over pay the full adult fare.

Special Tariff Conditions

ČD Commercial Services (Surcharge Required)

On so-called commercial services operated by ČD, a surcharge must be purchased. These usually include only certain trains in the SC, IC, and Ex categories (and R trains marked “NATO Days”). 1

ČD provides an overview of affected services: ČD commercial trains and selected lines 2024-2025

For trains with mandatory reservations listed there, special rules apply—see Trains with Mandatory Reservations.

The surcharge costs about 125 CZK (as of November 2025) and can be purchased before departure at a ČD ticket office or on board (please contact the train staff directly). The validity of the surcharge matches the current field on the FIP Coupon (2 days) and is valid on all commercial services. 1

Refunds for surcharges are possible until 23:59 on the day before the first day of validity (no deduction) or within 15 minutes of purchase (no deduction). If an unused surcharge is returned by 08:00 on the first day of validity, a handling fee of 100 CZK is charged. In all other cases, no refund is possible. 2

Trains with Mandatory Reservations

Some ČD trains require a seat reservation. This includes all SC and some IC trains (all services are listed in the commercial services). The affected IC trains mainly operate on the Prague – Ostrava route.

These trains require a special seat reservation (including surcharge). ČD currently does not offer a dedicated fare option for this. The following options for seat reservations are generally accepted: 1

Before boarding, it may be helpful to inform the train staff.

ČD Services without FIP

In principle, FIP is not valid on any ČD trains that operate under public tenders and where at least part of the route is not directly contracted by the Ministry of Transport. Trains in the EC and RJ categories are generally not affected and can always be used with FIP within Czechia. All other long-distance services (e.g. SC, IC, Ex) are considered commercial services and can only be used with a surcharge.

For services contracted by regional authorities (trains in the SP and OS categories), ČD does not provide a list of eligible services. In case of doubt, you can ask ČD support or at a ČD ticket office which services accept FIP. However, the most important non-eligible services are as follows:

Regional Trains in the South Moravia Region (Brno)

FIP tickets are not valid on regional trains in South Moravia, even if operated by ČD.

Overview of the services: Exclusion list CD JMK 2024-2025

Regional Trains in the Pilsen Region

FIP tickets are not valid on some regional trains in the Pilsen area.

Overview of the services: Exclusion list CD Region Pilsen 2024-2025

Buses and Replacement Services

FIP Coupons are not valid on buses operated by ČD, except for rail replacement services.

For some connections, discounted tickets are available:

  • Václav Havel Airport Prague – Praha hl. n. (Prague Main Station)
  • Hranice na Moravĕ – Nový Jičin – Příbor – Frýdek-Místek

No FIP discounts apply on other connections.

A ticket (reservation required) must be purchased at least 15 minutes before departure at a ČD ticket office, ticket machine (no FIP available), or in the ČD eShop (no FIP available).

Cable Cars

FIP discounts are not valid on cable cars operated by ČD.

Special Trains and Historic Services

FIP discounts are not valid on special trains and historic services operated by ČD.

Foreign Section (Děčín – Rumburk)

FIP Tickets are valid on the through routes 083 and 098 (Děčín – Rumburk via Dolní Žleb and Dolní Poustevna and back) even for journeys that leave and re-enter Czechia. However, boarding or alighting at an international station is not permitted.

Journey Interruption

A journey interruption is not permitted on domestic journeys up to 100 km. For journeys of 101 km or more, interruption is possible (but not at an international station).

Recommendations

The ČD Lounges in Praha hl. n., Olomouc hl. n., Břeclav, and Brno hl. n. can be used with a first-class FIP 50 Ticket or a FIP Coupon. They can also be accessed with a second-class ticket in combination with a seat reservation. 3

Personal Tip

České dráhy enjoys a good reputation among passengers for reliable and mostly comfortable travel with very good service. Railway staff are usually very friendly and helpful. Connections often wait in case of delays, except at major hubs like Praha hl. n. Using the ČD app (“Můj vlak”) is highly recommended, as it provides live data, coach compositions, and other important information.

Sources

  1. Feedback: ČD reservations and commercial service ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Rail Delivery Group ↩︎

  3. ČD Lounges ↩︎