# Two nights of Czech beer by train from Prague: Pilsner Urquell in Plzeň and Budvar in České Budějovice First night in Plzeň, with the Pilsner Urquell brewery, its museum and the tunnels; second on the square in České Budějovice, with the Budvar tour and the tank beer of Masné krámy. All by train. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/czechia/pilsen/itineraries/two-nights-from-pilsner-to-budvar · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Dónde: Plzeň The two best-known Czech beers outside the country are made about two hours apart by train, with a direct service between their towns. This getaway links them without passing through Prague twice: the first night in Plzeň, where the first pilsner was brewed in 1842, with the Pilsner Urquell brewery, the brewing museum and the tunnels beneath the old town; the second in České Budějovice, with the Budweiser Budvar tour and dinner at Masné krámy, Budvar's brewery restaurant in the town. ## Why by train? Because every visit ends with a tasting and every meal with a mug. Prague to Plzeň is an hour and a half; Plzeň to České Budějovice, about two hours by direct train, and České Budějovice to Prague, a little over two. In both towns you get around on foot from the station: the Pilsner Urquell brewery is ten minutes away, and in Budějovice the Budvar brewery, the square and the hotel are linked on foot or by city bus. ## Where to sleep? AccommodationAreaWho it suits Hotel CentralRepublic Square, PlzeňFour stars facing the cathedral, within walking distance of everything Grandhotel ZvonPřemysl Otakar II square, České BudějoviceOn the square, with its own brewery restaurant downstairs If you want a more beer-focused night in Plzeň and do not mind a taxi, the Hotel Purkmistr, in Černice, has its own brewery and beer baths. ## What about October? In early October, the Plzeň brewery celebrates the Pilsner Fest for the anniversary of the first brew: in 2026 it ran from 5 to 10 October, with free entry. If it coincides, change the order and sleep the second night in Plzeň. ## With children The breweries admit children on the tour, but the tasting is only for over-18s; at Budvar children from age 6 pay a reduced ticket. They will like the Plzeň tunnels and the Black Tower more. ## El plan ### Day 1 · 08:00 · Train to Plzeň From Praha hlavní nádraží; you arrive around 9:30. Leave your bag at the Hotel Central or in left luggage. ### Day 1 · 10:00 · Pilsner Urquell The brewery tour: brew house and cellars, 100 minutes, 430 CZK, with an unfiltered glass in the cellar for over-18s. Book the time slot on its website and bring a coat. ### Day 1 · 12:00 · Lunch at Na Spilce Inside the brewery grounds, with the house unfiltered beer. Open from 11:00 every day. ### Day 1 · 14:30 · Brewing Museum In a brewers' house in the old town, 150 CZK, one hour. ### Day 1 · 16:00 · The tunnels beneath Plzeň The historic underground, one hour, 250 CZK. ### Day 1 · 19:30 · Dinner and night at the Central In the hotel restaurant or at a beer hall on the square. You sleep facing the cathedral. ### Day 2 · 09:00 · Train to České Budějovice Direct, about two hours. You arrive around 11:00 and leave your bag at the Grandhotel Zvon. ### Day 2 · 12:00 · Lunch at Masné krámy Tank Budvar and Czech cooking in the town's old butchers' stalls. ### Day 2 · 14:40 · Budweiser Budvar The 14:40 tour in English, 70 to 80 minutes, 290 CZK, with a tasting of the tank beer for over-18s. Book it beforehand: there are few places. ### Day 2 · 17:30 · The square and the Black Tower One of the biggest squares in Europe, with arcades and the Samson fountain; the tower has 225 steps and opens in season. ### Day 2 · 19:30 · Dinner at the Pivnice Zvon The hotel's brewery restaurant, with tank Pilsner Urquell: you close the trip with both beers on the same square. ### Day 3 · 10:00 · The square in morning light A leisurely stroll through the centre of Budějovice. ### Day 3 · 13:00 · Train to Prague A little over two hours to Praha hlavní nádraží. ## Un consejo más Book the 14:40 Budvar tour first and build the second day around it: it has the fewest places. ## Cuándo no ir Doing it by car: with two tastings and four meals with beer, the train is quicker and you do not have to choose who drives. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does the Pilsner to Budvar getaway cost? About €150–240 per person with two nights in a four-star hotel, the tours, meals and trains. ### Is there a direct train between Plzeň and České Budějovice? Yes, in about two hours, so there is no need to go back to Prague between one brewery and the other. ### Can it be done the other way round? Yes: start in České Budějovice and finish in Plzeň, which is closer to Prague on the way back. ### Can children go? Yes, but the tasting at both breweries is only for over-18s. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Hotel Central**: The house A four-star hotel on Republic Square, the centre of Plzeň, with the Cathedral of St Bartholomew in front of its windows. It has 77 rooms, a 24-hour reception and a restaurant with views of the square. What it has A wellness area with Finnish sauna, steam bath and whirlpool, and a gym open every day. It offers packages combining room, breakfast, dinner and the brewery tour. Getting there and parking It can keep your car in a closed courtyard, with limited spaces: book beforehand. Without a car, from the railway station it is about fifteen minutes' walk or a short tram ride; the Pilsner Urquell brewery is about 15 minutes' walk away. - **Hotel Purkmistr**: The house A four-star hotel inside the courtyard of a former brewing farm in Černice, a village absorbed by Plzeň, about 15 minutes by car from the centre. On the same site are the Purkmistr brewery, which makes unfiltered, unpasteurised beers to old recipes, and the restaurant. What it has Its draw is the beer baths: a wooden tub with hot water, brewer's yeast and herbs, in private, with a beer tap beside it. There is also a wellness area and parking. Who it is for For those who come by car and want a quiet, beer-flavoured night outside the centre. Without a car it is less practical: the centre is a long way on foot. - **Parkhotel Plzeň**: The house A large hotel with a conference centre on the edge of Borský Park, south-west of the centre. It has a restaurant, an outdoor pool for the summer and parking with charging for electric cars. Who it is for For families and for those who come by car and want hassle-free parking. Without a car it also works: the tram drops you in the centre in about five minutes, and on foot it is about fifteen. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Hotel Central**: The house A four-star hotel on Republic Square, the centre of Plzeň, with the Cathedral of St Bartholomew in front of its windows. It has 77 rooms, a 24-hour reception and a restaurant with views of the square. What it has A wellness area with Finnish sauna, steam bath and whirlpool, and a gym open every day. It offers packages combining room, breakfast, dinner and the brewery tour. Getting there and parking It can keep your car in a closed courtyard, with limited spaces: book beforehand. Without a car, from the railway station it is about fifteen minutes' walk or a short tram ride; the Pilsner Urquell brewery is about 15 minutes' walk away. - **Parkhotel Plzeň**: The house A large hotel with a conference centre on the edge of Borský Park, south-west of the centre. It has a restaurant, an outdoor pool for the summer and parking with charging for electric cars. Who it is for For families and for those who come by car and want hassle-free parking. Without a car it also works: the tram drops you in the centre in about five minutes, and on foot it is about fifteen. ## Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Hotel Central**: The house A four-star hotel on Republic Square, the centre of Plzeň, with the Cathedral of St Bartholomew in front of its windows. It has 77 rooms, a 24-hour reception and a restaurant with views of the square. What it has A wellness area with Finnish sauna, steam bath and whirlpool, and a gym open every day. It offers packages combining room, breakfast, dinner and the brewery tour. Getting there and parking It can keep your car in a closed courtyard, with limited spaces: book beforehand. Without a car, from the railway station it is about fifteen minutes' walk or a short tram ride; the Pilsner Urquell brewery is about 15 minutes' walk away. - **Hotel Purkmistr**: The house A four-star hotel inside the courtyard of a former brewing farm in Černice, a village absorbed by Plzeň, about 15 minutes by car from the centre. On the same site are the Purkmistr brewery, which makes unfiltered, unpasteurised beers to old recipes, and the restaurant. What it has Its draw is the beer baths: a wooden tub with hot water, brewer's yeast and herbs, in private, with a beer tap beside it. There is also a wellness area and parking. Who it is for For those who come by car and want a quiet, beer-flavoured night outside the centre. Without a car it is less practical: the centre is a long way on foot. - **Parkhotel Plzeň**: The house A large hotel with a conference centre on the edge of Borský Park, south-west of the centre. It has a restaurant, an outdoor pool for the summer and parking with charging for electric cars. Who it is for For families and for those who come by car and want hassle-free parking. Without a car it also works: the tram drops you in the centre in about five minutes, and on foot it is about fifteen.