Hluboká Castle makes an easy day trip from Prague, with train or bus connections via České Budějovice and a short onward journey to the château.
Czechia is a country of castles. And we hope that as you're reading this travel guide, you intend to visit at least this one, although there are more of them you can include in your itinerary on a first visit to Czechia.
Hluboka, located in a small town Hluboka nad Vltavou is one of the most visited castles in the Czech Republic. It usually ranks in the fourth place when it comes to total visitors per year, right behind Prague Castle, Lednice, and Cesky Krumlov, proving how exceptional it is.
Hluboka Castle is simply one of the top attractions in Czechia for several reasons. The most important one is that this chateau is simply breathtaking. But that's not all. The site is well-accessible from Prague, but also other must-visit destinations, such as Cesky Krumlov. It actually lies on the way to Cesky Krumlov so that you can visit these two bucket list places in the Czech Republic in one day.
Last but not least, Hluboka is open all-year-round, which is actually not a norm when it comes to the castles in the Czech Republic. We talked about visiting Hluboka Castle here, but now, we would like to share with you practical information that you might find helpful, no matter if you travel individually or with a tour.
As proud locals, we can only encourage you to explore the Czechia beyond Prague. Yes, the capital city is truly iconic. There are tons of things to do in Prague, and it is the destination on its own, but we would love to inspire you to explore more of our home country.
Best Ways to Get to Hluboka Castle
There are several options on how to get to Hluboka Castle, perched above the Vltava River. The good news is that it is a piece of cake with our guide to getting there individually. Still, thanks to the castle's popularity, it is also possible to take a tour or hire private transport, in case you are pressed for time or require comfort and a more individual approach.
By Car
The easiest way how to get to Hluboka nad Vltavou is by car. As locals, this is our favorite way to reach Hluboka Castle. You can rent a car at the Prague Airport or in the city center. Hluboka nad Vltavou is less than 2 hours drive from the capital. Make sure your car has an electronic vignette, so ask the rental agency whether the car is allowed to drive on highways before you go.
From Prague, head south via highway D1, and then turn off via exit 21 to E55 that will lead you via Benesov and Tabor. Before Tabor, you will join a new highway D3 and drive on this road almost to Ceske Budejovice. A few kilometers before the city, turn right on the road 146, which will take you to Hluboka nad Vltavou. The road is well signposted.
And by the way, make sure to visit Tabor as well. This medieval town in the South Bohemia is really worth it.
Parking at Hluboka Castle
In low season, we parked the car near the new jetty, just past Milan Vopicka Hotel, where the parking was free of charge. You can also park at the Central parking lot near Penny Market.
Another option is to drive to the main square and park in Masarykova street, but we do not recommend it during the high season as it will be very likely full. This parking costs 90 CZK per day and is payable in the info center. No matter which parking lot you choose, you need to walk to the castle for about ten minutes.
In case you decide to explore more from South Bohemia after visiting Hluboka Castle, the historic center of Ceske Budejovice is only 15 minutes drive from here. Cesky Krumlov, which is also very likely on your itinerary, is under 40 minutes drive from Hluboka nad Vltavou. In general, when pressed for time, you can fit these three sites in one day (in the summer when days are long), even though we would recommend you to take your time.
By Bus
There used to be a direct bus line from Prague to Hluboka nad Vltavou, but it is no longer the case. We are not sure whether this line will be restored in the future, but at the moment, you need to change buses in Ceske Budejovice. But no worries, it is not hard at all.
In Prague, you need to get to a bus station called Na Knizeci. It is on metro line B, Andel, and you will get there easily by Prague metro, tram, or bus. The good news is that getting around Prague is incredible easy.
Once there, hop on the Regiojet bus that will take you to Ceske Budejovice. Here, you need to change buses to Hluboka nad Vltavou. The good news is that the bus to Hluboka leaves ten to twenty minutes after the bus from Prague arrives, so you do not have to wait long.
The trip takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, and you will pay 229 CZK. As the bus from Prague to Ceske Budejovice then continues to Cesky Krumlov, we recommend making a reservation a few days in advance, especially if you travel in the summer season, many tourists use this bus.
The bus in Hluboka nad Vltavou stops at the station called Pod Kostelem (Under the Castle), and it is only about 800 meters from the chateau. To get back to Prague or to continue to Cesky Krumlov, you need to retrace your steps to Ceske Budejovice. The bus between Hluboka nad Vltavou and Ceske Budejovice runs frequently, several times per hour. Back in the day, this option used to be slightly better than the train, but it's not anymore.
By Train
Now, a better alternative to reach Hluboka Castle from Prague is by train. We know many travelers love trains, and even though the train station is a bit further from the castle (it is still walking distance), you might find this possibility more appealing than traveling by bus. Trains frequently leave from Prague's main train station, and you need to change trains either in Ceske Budejovice or Tabor.
Some of the departures connect in Ceske Budejovice or Tabor immediately so that the ride can take under 2 hours. Some departure times are less frequent, and you will have to wait for the connection, but it's still faster than the bus. The train ticket price is slightly pricier than the bus as you will pay around 285 - 325 CZK.
The route connecting Prague and Tabor or Ceske Budejovice is hectic on Friday evening or Sunday evening (in the opposite direction) because university students use the train, so plan your trip accordingly. To get back to Prague or continue to Cesky Krumlov, you need to travel via Ceske Budejovice again.
Our tip: It's also possible to combine these two transport methods. Check Jizdni rady app as there are more options, some involving even taking a bus to Pisek or even Strakonice. Obviously, there's also option to reach Ceske Budejovice by train and then take a bus to Hluboka Castle (or vice versa). Bus and train stations in Ceske Budejovice are right next to each other.
With a Private Transport
If you don't want to drive but also do not want to give up on your comfort, it is possible to hire a driver that will take you to Hluboka nad Vltavou. As we've already mentioned, Hluboka Castle is one of the top travel destinations in the Czech Republic, so the possibilities are endless. You can either book a Hluboka Castle Private Transport that will take you from Prague to Hluboka nad Vltavou, where you can spend the night and then carry on on your own.
On a Tour
If you love guided tours and do not mind to be a part of a small group, consider booking this Hluboka Castle and Cesky Krumlov Tour, that will later take you back to Prague. This option is perfect for all of you who want to experience a stress-free day full of sightseeing. Although we think visiting the castle independently is super-easy, we know it sometimes feels nice to have everything arranged and focus only on pleasant things.
By Boat
Hluboka nad Vltavou, as the name suggests, sits on the bank of the Vltava River, which means that the town is also accessible by boat. It is not the most ordinary way to reach the castle, but if you have time and want to experience something unusual, it is certainly an option.
Boats leave from Ceske Budejovice, so you need to get there first, either by car, bus, or train. When the weather is nice, the boat ride is definitely one of the most picturesque transportation options. Or you can just take the boat back to Ceske Budejovice once you're done with the castle.
Boats between Hluboka and Ceske Budejovice run between July and August daily except on Mondays and the ticket costs 250 CZK. You can search your options through this website. It is in the Czech language only, but you'll find there their timetables, and most importantly, contact form, so feel free to ask for more information.
By Bike
If you love spending your time actively and want to explore South Bohemia more thoroughly, it is good to know that Hluboka nad Vltavou is connected with many towns in the region by a dense network of cycle paths.
Actually, the most famous one connects Hluboka Castle and Ceske Budejovice, but there are many more. You can rent a bike in Ceske Budejovice, or even in Tabor, which is a bit further, but you can always get back by bus or train.
On Foot
There's also a possibility to walk from Ceske Budejovice to Hluboka Castle, but it's really not for most tourists. However for us, locals, this is our favorite way to get to Hluboka. The whole walk from the train station in Ceske Budejovice all the way to the Hluboka Castle is almost 13 kilometers long and takes you along Vltava River.
The trail is flat and paved (it's also for cyclists), but obviously it takes about two and half hours just to reach the place. We've done this trail many times, and once done touring the castle, simply took the train back home.
Hluboká Castle is a Neo-Gothic château in South Bohemia, famous for its white towers, elaborate interiors, historic collections, and landscaped gardens.