Getting Around Brno
Brno is compact and easy to navigate, and visitors rarely need a car. The city runs on an integrated public transport network, and the historic centre is small enough to explore largely on foot. This guide covers the main ways to move around and how to reach the city from its airport.
Public Transport: Trams, Buses and Trolleybuses
Brno's public transport is operated by Dopravní podnik města Brna (DPMB) and is locally known as MHD. It is part of the Integrated Transport System of the Southern Moravia Region (IDS JMK), which covers the city and the wider region under a single ticketing system. That means one ticket can cover local trains, trams, buses and trolleybuses, regardless of the operator.
The network uses several modes, each with a distinct role:
- Trams (called "šalina" in the local dialect) form the backbone of the system, serving the city centre and the major districts.
- Trolleybuses are particularly useful for the city's hilly terrain.
- Buses reach the wider metropolitan area and smaller surrounding towns.
- Boats also operate as part of the city network.
There is no metro in Brno; the tram, trolleybus and bus network is the way to get around. Daytime services run from roughly early morning until around 23:00. After that, a night network takes over, with lines marked by an "N" prefix. Night buses run every 30–60 minutes and meet at a central transfer node at the Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží), from which they radiate out to all parts of the city. Some night buses connect onward to regional night services, so it is even possible to reach surrounding villages after dark.
Tickets and Passes
Brno uses a time-based ticket system, and the same ticket is valid across trams, buses and trolleybuses within the time limit and the zones you have paid for. The South Moravia Region is divided into tariff zones, and Brno itself consists of two central zones that cover the areas most visitors use.
Single tickets are sold in several durations, from a short transfer ticket up to longer options, with a one-day network ticket also available. A one-day ticket covers Brno, and a more expensive version covers the whole region. On weekends, a single network ticket can be used by two adults and up to three children.
There are several convenient ways to buy and use tickets:
- Ticket machines at bus and tram stops, and at railway station counters. Yellow vending machines are common at stops.
- Newsagents and directly in carriages on some services.
- Contactless bank card on board through the Beep&Go system. Every bus, trolleybus and tram has a terminal near the doors: tap your card, phone or smart watch when boarding and tap again before getting off. At the end of the day your rides are evaluated and charged, capped at the price of a 24-hour ticket. You can also buy tickets for people travelling with you, or for zones outside the city limits.
- Mobile apps, including the DPMB app and the Poseidon app, for e-tickets that you activate before boarding.
- SMS tickets, though these require a Czech SIM card and are impractical for most short-term visitors.
If you use a paper ticket, validate it immediately in the orange machines near the doors. Inspectors, sometimes in plain clothes, do check, and travelling without a validated ticket risks a fine. If you pay by contactless card, you must tap the same device on the inspector's reader when asked, so keep using the same card or device throughout your journey.
For longer stays, season passes (known locally as "šalinkarta") are available in monthly, quarterly and annual versions, with the annual pass offering the greatest savings. These are purchased online through BrnoID, which is available in English. An annual pass also lets one additional adult and up to three children under 15 travel free on weekends, and dogs and luggage travel free with any season pass.
Some travellers ride free or at a discount: passengers aged 70 and over travel free (show your passport if there is an inspection), and the companion of a child under three travels free.
Note that the Beep&Go contactless system does not apply to commuter trains and ferries, though ticket machines are located on the platform or pier for those.
Route Planning
Google Maps provides real-time public transport information for Brno, and the official DPMB website and the "Jízdní řády" app offer timetables and route planning. For a sense of where things are: trams run through Náměstí Svobody (the main square), the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is within a short walk of several tram lines, and Špilberk Castle is reached by bus or by tram plus an uphill walk, with stops named "Špilberk" or "Úvoz".
Arriving by Train
Brno's Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží) sits close to the city centre, and almost all the main attractions are just a few minutes' walk away. Coming out of the station, the attractions are to the north, so follow the sign marked "Centrum" rather than the one marked "Centra".
The city lies on the Prague–Vienna and Prague–Bratislava–Budapest routes, and all IC, EC and Railjet trains stop here. Some trains originating in Prague terminate in Brno. Direct trains also connect Brno with Olomouc, Ostrava, Bratislava, Plzeň and Vienna, among other destinations. A private operator, RegioJet, also runs services on several of these routes. Tickets can be bought online or at the station, and advance-purchase fares are often much cheaper than standard walk-up tickets.
Arriving by Bus
Coach services connect Brno with destinations across Europe, including frequent services from Prague that stop at assorted amenities and locations such as Prague Airport. A timetable of all buses, including international services, can be found on IDOS.
Two main bus stations serve the city, and it is worth checking your ticket to see which one you will use:
- Benešova street, a few hundred metres north of the train station at the Hotel Grand, is used by operators such as RegioJet and Flixbus.
- Central bus station Zvonařka is much bigger but more remote, and is used by local and international buses.
Usually buses stop at only one of the two stations, so confirm which one your ticket specifies before you travel.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Public transport is generally the better option in Brno, and it is advisable to avoid hailing taxis on the street. If you do take a street taxi, negotiate the price in advance. For taxis hailed on the street, the maximum price set by the city council applies. It is more reliable to call one of the major Brno taxi services, such as Lido Taxi or City Taxi Brno.
Walking and Cycling
The city centre is compact and flat, and many of Brno's attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, so walking is a practical way to cover the historic core. Note that cycling is not permitted in the pedestrian zone, mainly Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) and the surrounding streets, during working days from 09:00 to 17:00.
If you want to cycle, a map of bike paths is available on Brnonakole.cz. There is a bike-sharing service, Rekola, with stands across the city, and bike and e-bike rental is available in the city centre. Be aware that vehicles with alternative power, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, are not allowed on public transport (wheelchairs excepted).
Getting In from the Airport
Brno-Tuřany Airport (BRQ) has few destinations but is highly convenient, and its striking modern architecture is worth a look even if you are not flying in. Ryanair operates flights to London-Stansted year-round and seasonal flights to Milan-Bergamo, while Smartwings runs seasonal flights to Egypt and the Canary Islands.
To reach the city from the airport:
- Bus E76 runs every 30 minutes from about 04:30 to 23:30, connecting the airport with the bus and train stations in the city centre. The fare is 25 Kč, with a reduced fare for children under 15, and a discounted ticket is required for bulky luggage. You can buy a ticket from the validator on the bus using a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or from the ticket machine in the arrivals hall. A standard time-based ticket is sufficient for the journey.
- Night bus N89 serves the airport late at night and early in the morning, also running to the main train station.
From the Main Railway Station, you can connect onward to trams and buses across the city.
Several other major airports are within a few hours' travel and can serve as alternative arrival points: Bratislava (BTS), Prague's Václav Havel Airport (PRG), and Vienna International Airport (VIE). Direct coaches run from Vienna Airport to Brno, and RegioJet also provides regular train and bus connections from there. For the Vienna Airport coaches, it can be cheaper to take local public transport in Vienna to a metro station on the edge of the city and catch the same coach from there, since the trip from the airport itself costs more.
Arriving by Boat
An unconventional but beautiful way to approach Brno is by boat from the village of Veverská Bítýška. In the summer season, a boat crosses the Brno Reservoir (Brněnská přehrada) to Brno-Bystrc, from where you can continue to the city centre by tram.
Practical Tips
- Validate paper tickets on boarding, or tap on and off with a contactless card.
- For frequent use, 24-hour and longer passes offer better value than single tickets.
- Watch your belongings during peak and crowded times.
- Reserved seats are available for elderly, pregnant and disabled passengers.
- Public transport is a useful starting point for reaching suburban train and bus stations for day trips.