To get to our next destination, Cesky Krumlov in the Bohemia region of Czech Republic from Vienna, we consider a number of routes (see map below):
- Private shuttle from Vienna direct to Cesky Krumlov
- Cost: 950 CZK (about 75 SGD)
- Irregular timing (e.g. 12 noon pick-up; reach Cesky Krumlov at about 4+pm)
- Train from Vienna to České Budějovice and then transfer to Cesky Krumlov by bus (red line on map)
- Cost: 40 EUR (about 80 SGD)
- Train from Vienna to Linz (using Einfach-Raus Ticket) and Private shuttle from Linz to Cesky Krumlov (black line on map)
- Cost: 399 CZK (shuttle) + 7 Euros (train) = about 46 SGD in total
- Arrival at Cesky Krumlov just before noon.
Routes from Vienna to Cesky Krumlov
We chose the black route since its cheaper with the Einfach-Raus-Ticket (ERT). The ERT allows a group of 2 to 5 people for only 28,- EUR with the following conditions:
- ERT is valid from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 3 am (next day) and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 0 – 3am (next day).
- ERT is valid on the following regional passenger trains of ÖBB: Regionalzug (R), RegionalExpress (REX), S-Bahn, Regio S-Bahn (RSB), EURegio (ER), Erlebniszug (EZ).
Einfach-Raus-Ticket
Since there are 4 of us, it will cost us only 7 Euros to travel from Vienna to Linz by train on a Sunday morning. As this ticket is not valid on express train which goes straight from Vienna to Linz; we had to take an earlier train and change trains at St Valentin to proceed to Linz.
OBB Train from Vienna (Wien) to Linz (via St. Valentin)
The train departs from Vienna at 6:30 and arrives at St Valentin at 8:40 and the train leaves for Linz at 8:43 so you have only 3 minutes to change the train but don’t worry, the trains are separated by one platform and you should be able to reach in less than 1 minute (with luggage). If you miss this train, the next one comes at 9:55.
To find a suitable schedule for an Einfach-Raus-Ticket, you can go to OBB’s Routeplanner site and select destination and Product (Einfach-Raus Ticket).
The train ride to Linz was much more comfortable compared to the Krakow to Budapest train we experienced earlier in the trip.
Don’t be confused if the train stops at some stations that is also called Linz e.g. Linz Sudbahnhof. You should get down at Linz Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) for the shuttle to Cesky Krumlov – the train from St Valentin terminates here. This completes the first part of the journey from Vienna to Cesky Krumlov.
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Shuttle from Linz to Cesky Krumlov
I had earlier arranged with Sebastian Tours and Transport via email for a shuttle transfer from Linz to Cesky Krumlov at a cost of 399 CZK per person and the agreement was to meet at Linz train station for the pick-up. Theoretically it sounded fine but in practice, potentially there are a number of issues:
- Which Linz station (Hauptbahnhof or Sudbahnhof or some other Linz station?)
- Where to meet at Linz Hauptbahnhof? The station is rather big and has many different exits.
We arrived at Linz Hauptbahnhof at 9:08 and we had 1.5 hours before the shuttle arrives. I assumed that the shuttle will pick us up at the only carpark in the station. To reach this carpark, just take the escalator near the ticket office up to the Ground Floor.
Thankfully, Sebastian (our shuttle driver and owner of the company) arrived with its prominently marked white van on time at 10:30 to pick us up to Cesky Krumlov. Sebastian is a friendly guy and kept us informed of the best places to eat and see in Cesky Krumlov during the 1.5 hours drive.
If you are exploring transport options from/to Linz/Vienna/Salzburg to/from Cesky Krumlov, his company takes care of it all at reasonable prices – he also owns an accommodation (Pension Sebastian) in Cesky Krumlov. Check out all Cesky Krumlov tour options available at his Sebastian Tour and Transport website.
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Zhiqiang
I’m trying to find out the route from Cesky Krumlov to Vienna.
Understand I can take a shuttle bus from Cesky Krumlov to Linz, and then a train from Linz to Vienna via the ERT ticket. Do you reserve the ERT ticket in advance before you go on the trip? Or you bought it over there on the exact departure day?
Thanks!
I bought the ERT at Vienna 2 days before cos we were leaving on an early train.
do you think it’s possible to buy the ticket on the day of departure?
Say for instance, I reach Linz on 28/01 and buy the ticket from Linz to Vienna on the same day?
The ERT is not a point A to point B ticket – its like a day pass so should be ok to buy on the spot – so take note of the ticket counter’s opening hours if you are leaving on an early train.
Thanks, Zhiqiang!
Hello,
Ur info is very helpful.
I search the web and find out there are several shuttle companies to choose from, are u happy w/ the service of Sebastian ? Would u recommend us to use it?
We will need shuttle from Salzburt to CK to Vienna.
Thanks for ur advice.
Jenny
I highly recommend sebastian – friendly and very punctual in picking us up
Thank you Zhiqiang!!
Hello Zhiqiang,
Not sure if you will be able to answer this question.
After I got your recommendation about Sebastian, I pretty much went ahead and make a reservation, but it was by then I realized they charge full price for my 18 months old toddler, the reason is, he is taking up a full seat and he needs to be in a car seat, like in US. This is understandable. So I send out a few emails to other shuttle companies that provide the same services and one gave me 66% off, they only charge 1/3. But I don’t know if they are reliable. So my question to you is, besides Sebastian, do you or your friends know of or have used other shuttle service that’s reliable and recommend to us?
During our trip, there were 4 adults so this wasnt a problem – I had compared a number of shuttle companies earlier; only sebastian was able to offer a 10am shuttle at Linz at a reasonable price – other shuttles is about 12-2pm and I didnt want to wait at Linz for that long. Perhaps you could take into consideration timing too.
I had not tried other shuttles but if the timing and price is right, then no harm trying others since its only a short 3 hour trip.
Thank you!!
Hi ZQ
Is it possible to get the Einfach raus ticket online earlier? Prefer not to rush through things cos bringing a little one with me. Thanks.
Regds
dont think its possible to get the ERT online. The ERT is not a ticket to a specific place but just sort of act like a day pass – so unlikely it will be sold out.
Hi Zhiqiang,
Your post is very useful and i’m planning to do the reverse direction…
How do you buy the Einfach-Raus-Ticket (ERT)? Online or at the train station?
Thanks.
i bought it at the station – dont think you can buy ERT online cos’ its not for any fixed directions.
Hi Zhiqiang,
Very kind of you to share this useful information!
I plan to do CK – Vienna and wonder if there is a cheaper way to go from CK – Linz apart from shuttle bus?
Moreover, my destination is actually “Wien Sudbahnhof” but assume ERT doesn’t operate until there, so I have to buy another ticket “Wien Westbahnhof” – “Wien Sudbahnhof” the same time in Linz?
Thank you!
Shuttle bus is typically the cheapest and most convenient way to get to Linz (Train you have to change and takes longer).
Travel by certain trains is covered by ERT – generally the express trains are not covered – so you might want to check with the train station.
Dear Zhiqiang
I now know why you are one of the best blogger in Singapore.
You are so helpful to answer everyone qns. Me and my wife going to Eastern Europe coming Oct this year. She is having trainnig at Amsterdam. So the plan will be Amsterdam->Prague->CK->Vienna->Budapest->Amsterdam. So far the shuttle bus you recommend i am thinking our big lauggage can taken in? Any cheap and convience for our plan? Thank you for answering my enquiry. 
Thanks Shawn
. The shuttle service from Linz to CK takes large luggages – if its just 2 of you, certainly no problem – we had 3 big luggages + 3 cabin-size luggages – it fitted in quite well.
For Amsterdam to Prague, suggest budget airlines e.g. easyjet, ryanair; not sure if there is an overnight train that takes this route. For Prague to CK, Student Agency Bus. From CK to Vienna, can consider the route we took (via Linz) as suggested in this post if its more economical (we had 4 travellers so the ERT gives us good savings) or a direct shuttle from CK to Vienna if it fits with your budget. From Vienna to Budapest, Orangeways Bus and from Budapest to Amsterdam, can take budget airlines e.g. Wizzair (the Hungarian airline). Hope this helps.
For what to do in these countries (except Amsterdam), can check our our posts in the relevant sections.
Although if you havent been to Belgium, France, these places are great for exploration and easy to travel from Amsterdam.
Thank you Zhiqiang for your fast response. We had been to Belgium,France and London 2 yrs ago.
That is why this time we going for Eastern Europe. Thank you for the effort you had put in. 
Sorry last few qns, for CK->Vienna, Student agency gives quite a best price 16Euro each. Only 2 of us going. Just want to ask the student agency bus is it comfortable& convience for CK to Vienna? We most likely confirm take this bus from Prague to CK but CK to Vienna is 5 hr journey for student agency bus. Any advise please?
The direct shuttle from CK to Vienna i am referring to private transfer not the student agency one – 5 hours on a bus might not be very comfortable. Alternatively, if your budget allows it, get a private shuttle (not student agency bus) that goes direct to Vienna – could be quite expensive (dont remember the price). Or you can take sebastian shuttle to Linz and then train from Linz to Vienna (as described in this post but reverse order).