Kutná Hora Travel Guide: Things to Know Before Visiting
Valery at the St Barbora Cathedral
Essential Tips for a Perfect Day Trip from Prague
Planning a day trip from Prague? Kutná Hora is one of the best destinations to explore thanks to its rich medieval history, UNESCO-listed monuments, and easy train connection from the capital. Once a booming silver-mining center, the town is filled with fascinating sites — but there are a few practical things every traveler should know before visiting.
As a local Prague guide who has visited Kutná Hora many times, here are my top insider tips for a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Kutná Hora Train Station
1. Take a Direct Train from Prague
Getting to Kutná Hora by train is simple and affordable. Direct trains depart from Prague Main Train Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) about once every hour, and the journey takes roughly one hour.
However, some connections require a transfer and take up to 1.5 hours, so when buying your ticket (online or at the station), ask specifically for a “přímý spoj” — which means direct connection in Czech.
If you need extra help understanding Czech public transport, check out my full guide on how to navigate trains in the Czech Republic.
2. Be Ready to Get Off Quickly
Here’s a small but useful tip: the train stops in Kutná Hora are short. When I first visited, I didn’t realize how brief the stop was and accidentally ended up in the next town (hello, Čáslav!).
Make sure to move toward the train door as soon as the stop “Kutná Hora město” is announced so you don’t miss your stop.
St James Church
3. The Bone Chapel (Sedlec Ossuary) – Ticket Tips
The Bone Chapel (Kostnice Sedlec) is Kutná Hora’s most famous attraction, drawing crowds daily. To save time, you can buy your ticket online at sedlec.info or scan the QR code displayed near the entrance while waiting in line.
Tickets cost 220 CZK, but note that photography is not allowed inside, and the chapel is quite small — some travelers find the price a bit steep. You can also purchase tickets at a nearby physical office (about a 5-minute walk away), though you risk losing your place in line.
If you’re looking for a less touristy alternative, consider visiting smaller bone chapels in Mělník or Kolín — both are easy day trips from Prague as well.
The Silver Mines
4. The Silver Mines Tour – Is It for You?
Kutná Hora owes its wealth to its historic silver mines, and you can still visit them today. The mine tour costs about 200 CZK and lasts around one hour, with most of that time spent underground.
That said, the tour is not for everyone. It involves climbing 160 steps down and 36 steps back up, squeezing through tunnels as narrow as 40 cm and as low as 120 cm, and walking on slippery surfaces. Visitors with claustrophobia, epilepsy, or mobility/breathing issues should skip this one.
If that sounds too intense, stick to exploring the museum above ground — it’s still fascinating and offers great context about medieval silver mining in Bohemia.
St Barbora Cathedral
5. Plan Enough Time to See the Main Sights
Despite being compact, Kutná Hora has many amazing landmarks worth your time. Here’s a quick guide to help plan your visit:
Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr)– Former Royal Mint of Bohemia. Quick visit: 15 min; guided tour: 1 hour. Tickets: 70–250 CZK.
Bone Chapel + Sedlec Cathedral– Combined visit: about 20 minutes. Admission: 220 CZK.
Silver Mines (Hrádek Museum) – Allow at least 1.5 hours for tour + waiting time. Admission: 200 CZK.
St. Barbara’s Cathedral – One of the most stunning Gothic churches in the Czech Republic. Entry: 180 CZK, visit about 30–40 minutes.
Church of St. James – One of the oldest Gothic structures in Kutná Hora. Visit time: 20 minutes. Entry: 100 CZK.
Final Tip: Make It a Relaxed Day Trip
Kutná Hora is perfect for a relaxed day trip from Prague, but give yourself enough time to stroll its cobbled streets, enjoy local cafés, and soak up the town’s medieval charm beyond the main tourist spots.
WRITTEN BY VALERY
Licensed Prague guide and co-creator of Real Prague Guides (50K+ YouTube subscribers). My company, 100 Spires City Tours, leads some of the highest-rated tours in Prague.
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