Major city · Czech Republic
Karlovy Vary
Sleep 1 night, 2 if you take spa treatments: walk the colonnade, drink from the springs, ride the Diana funicular, then move on.
Karlovy Vary is a spa town in West Bohemia, 2 h by bus or about 3 h 10 min by train from Prague, built around 12 hot springs along the Teplá river. The colonnades, Belle Époque facades and the Grandhotel Pupp are the draw; the town itself is small and walkable in a day. Most travellers come for one night, or as a stop between Prague and Germany.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CZK
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many spa hotels closed or quiet), early July (film festival: rooms sell out and prices spike)
- Airports
- KLV · PRG · NUE
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Czech Republic ↗Czechia is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Czech Republic ↗The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro: decline dynamic currency conversion and avoid street exchange booths.
- Czech Republic ↗Motorways need an electronic vignette bought before you drive on them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Karlovy Vary112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Karlovy Vary, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Czech koruna (CZK, Kč).Czech Republic-wide
- SIM or eSIMO2, T-Mobile and Vodafone sell prepaid SIMs; EU roaming covers EU SIMs at home prices.Czech Republic-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Czech Republic-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%, told to the server when paying ('make it 500').Czech Republic-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Czech Republic-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a spa town; the real risks are pickpockets in the colonnade crowds in July, overpriced riverside bars…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation and shopping-centre toilets often charge CZK 10–20 (≈ under US$1); restaurants reserve theirs for customers.Czech Republic-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies · 155 ambulance · 158 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany castles and châteaux outside Prague open only April–October, closed on Mondays.Czech Republic-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKLV Karlovy Vary Airport (Very few scheduled international routes; check before booking.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable end to end in about 20–25 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee45–80 Kč
- Sit-down mealCzech main course in a mid-range restaurant165–350 Kč
- Beer0.5 l draught40–70 Kč
- Museum or sight ticketBecherovka museum tour100–250 Kč
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personKč 500
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomKč 2,000
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomKč 3,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Kč 900 · Mid Kč 1,600 · High Kč 3,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KLV Karlovy Vary Airport (Very few scheduled international routes; check before booking.) · PRG Prague Václav Havel (The practical choice: bus or train from Prague, about 2–3 h 10 min.) · NUE Nuremberg (Regional trains via Cheb, about 2 h 40 min with one change.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Care*
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Jun, Aug–Sep. Mixed: Jul. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Karlovy Vary: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable end to end in about 20–25 min. Buses are cheap and a weekly pass also covers the Diana funicular. The funicular runs to the Diana tower; walking up through the forest is an option. Trains use two stations: the main station north of the centre and the lower station by the bus terminal.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Loket
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or train from Karlovy Vary, about 20–30 min
Small castle town on a river bend; half a day is enough.
Mariánské Lázně
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Regional train on line 149 through the Slavkov Forest
The scenic route; another spa town in the triangle.
Františkovy Lázně
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train via Cheb, about 1 h 15 min
Quiet and small; combine with Cheb rather than a dedicated trip.
Cheb
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Regional train on line 140, about 45–55 min
Historic square and the gateway to Nuremberg trains.
Aš
skipDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train on line 142 via the Ore Mountains
Scenic ride but little to do at the end; only if you like slow trains.
Door to door: 2–3 h 10 min
Hourly bus from Florenc or Dejvická, or train every 2 h
Not a day trip; use it as your arrival or departure leg.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centre along the Teplá (Stará Louka / Tržiště)
Colonnades, springs and restaurants on foot; noisiest and priciest, book ahead in July.
Near the upper station (Horní nádraží)
Quieter, 10–15 min walk downhill to the springs; good for early trains.
Near the lower station and bus terminal (Dolní nádraží)
Best for buses to Prague; western edge of the centre.
Bohatice and the outskirts
Guesthouses and camping, cheaper, 15–25 min walk or a short bus ride in.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 900–1,400 Kč excl. bed
- Mid
- 1,400–2,500 Kč excl. bed
- High
- 2,500 Kč+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × Kč 2,000 | Kč 2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Kč 1,600 | Kč 3,200 |
| Bus Prague → Karlovy Vary, one way2 × Kč 155 | Kč 310 |
| Diana funicular, round trip2 × Kč 150 | Kč 300 |
| Elizabeth Baths entry2 × Kč 300 · range 85–900 Kč | Kč 600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Kč 500 | Kč 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Kč 741 |
| Trip total≈ Kč 4,076 per person per day, bed included | Kč 8,151≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in koruna; travel to Karlovy Vary excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Spa wafer (oplatky), warm from a stand | 20–40 Kč |
| Coffee | 45–80 Kč |
| Czech main course in a mid-range restaurant | 165–350 Kč |
| Beer, 0.5 l draught | 40–70 Kč |
| Becherovka museum tour | 100–250 Kč |
| Bus Prague → Karlovy Vary, one way | 155 Kč |
| Train Prague → Karlovy Vary, one way | from 159 Kč SuperAction, 331 Kč ordinary |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Establishments on the river charge roughly double places 20 m off the main drag: compare before sitting.
- The film festival in early July fills hotels and raises prices; book months ahead or avoid those dates.
- Some spa hotels and treatments need booking in advance, and several close in winter.
- KLV airport has very few scheduled flights: check before planning around it.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
- Ambulance
- 155
- Police
- 158
- Fire
- 150
- City police
- 156
Pocket card
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Karlovy VaryKarlovy Vary
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na tuto adresu, prosímTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Ambulance155
- Police158
Embassy
No embassies in Karlovy Vary; most countries are represented in Prague (check your embassy's site).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Prague Florenc → Karlovy Vary: about 155 Kč, 2 h
- Train Prague → Karlovy Vary: from 159 Kč SuperAction, 3 h 10 min
- Diana funicular, one way / round trip: 100 Kč / 150 Kč
Say or show
- Dobrý den — Hello (dobree den)
- Děkuji — Thank you (dyekooyi)
- Prosím — Please (proseem)
- Kolik to stojí? — How much is it? (kolik to stoyee)
- Můžu platit kartou? — Can I pay by card? (moozhoo platyit kartow)
- Kde je toaleta? — Where is the toilet? (gde ye toaleta)
Tipping: round up or about 10%, told to the server as you pay.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Karlovy Vary. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many spa hotels closed or quiet), early July (film festival: rooms sell out and prices spike) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KLV and PRG: last bus and train departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: the colonnades, Stará Louka and the Pupp, the upper town and Diana.
- Place pages with verified hours (Hot Spring Colonnade, Lázně I, Diana tower, Jan Becher Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Festival and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialKarlovy Vary tourism
- officialCity of Karlovy Vary
- officialCzech Railways (ČD)
- officialKarlovy Vary Airport
- officialKarlovy Vary International Film Festival
- secondaryWikivoyage: Karlovy Vary, revision 5320667 (CC BY-SA 4.0)