Getting Around Brno

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Brno has a small-town feel, but outside of the immediate center it sprawls considerably. While pretty much anywhere you might want to visit is within walking distance if you're prepared to hike, it will benefit you to use public transport if you want to get out of the center.

The city is serviced by a network of trams and buses; the trams reach most general areas, and the buses fill in the gaps and extend further along their routes.

The three main hubs worth knowing about and marking on your map are; Hlavni Nadrazi (Main Station), Ceska (Just to the north of Namesti Svobody) and Mendlovo Namesti.

Tickets are available from the bright yellow ticket machines located at most main stops; note you will need to press the button once for each ticket you want, then insert the coins. Then wait for a few minutes while it prints out each ticket individually.

Tickets are also available at kiosks and newsagents, but the people manning these posts aren't always that happy to sell you them, and a basic grasp of Czech can be handy in these situations.

You are also supposed to have the option of buying tickets off the driver for a higher price; however, eager to stick to their schedules, drivers can be somewhat reluctant to sell you one, and don't always have enough change. You're best off using the machines if you can.

The trams and buses are almost always exactly on time, which is particularly refreshing coming from England. The stop you are at is highlighted on the timetables, with a little arrow pointing in the direction the tram or bus is going in. The final destination is on the front of the vehicle.

Once on board, validate your ticket in the yellow stamping machines. It operates on a trust system, and with luck you could ride around forever without buying a ticket, but there are inspectors. In the old days they used to be quite obvious to spot, but now they rather unsportingly blend into the general public, and pop out of nowhere to ask for your ticket. The fine is quite steep in comparison to the ticket price, so don't chance it.

After 11pm the routes are serviced by less frequent night buses, and these are an experience of their own. Packed to bursting with drunken revellers, there is usually standing room only, and jammed to the point that when the bus opens its doors, people fall out onto the street. And hold on tight - when the night buses take off, the drivers accelerate hard and brake harder, and take corners like they think they're at Daytona.

Also be prepared for plenty of elbowing and jostling to get on and off public transport generally, as Czechs aren't too fussed about the whole queuing thing. Old people will usually expect you to give your seat up for them, and not doing so can be frowned upon by other passengers.

Rajec nad Svitavou is 5 km north of the city of BLASKO.
You may park your car directely at the gate to the castle and will have to pay a small fee.

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The next train-station is called Rajec-Restjebi

Search here for the best train-connections

To get there by bus, search for the station called Boscovice

search here for the buses

I love taking the trams around Brno city. It is a pleasant ride all through the city.

From the city centre, it would transport you to the housing areas, making many stops along the way. I love watching Brno daily life pass me by when I was there.

This photo was taken in front of my hotel. It is a good memory for me, waiting for the tram. One night, I missed my stop & I had to walk like 1 mile back ! It was the LAST tram ! It was a good experience anyway.

I always go by motorcycle! But Brno is easily accessible from Prague by train and bus. There is a train connection from the main Railway Station to Vienna, which is only 80kms away, plus there are buses.

From England, there are a number of bus services that run to Brno. I have used it only once and it was cheap.
Once in Brno, use your feet. For sightseeing in the centre of the city, walk.

To get out to the outlying areas, then use the trams.

Take one of this (not the white one - the one in the back). The white with red stripe is good only if you have too much burcak :-))