For the first time in Czech railway history, a passenger train reached 200 km/h in regular service. On Sunday, August 31, 2025, a Pendolino set operated by Czech Railways sped along two modernized sections between Prague and Ceske Budejovice, cutting the travel time between the capital and South Bohemia to just 90 minutes.

The inaugural evening service departed Prague at 20:27 and arrived in Ceske Budejovice at 22:02, with officials including the Minister of Transport Martin Kupka and representatives of Czech Railways on board. From now on, the fast Pendolino will run daily: evenings from Prague to the south, and early mornings back to the capital.

The maximum speed of 200 km/h is currently possible only on two upgraded stretches of the southern corridor — between Votice and Sudomerice and between Sobeslav and Doubi. Even so, the improvement marks a major leap forward. In the early 1990s, the same journey lasted nearly three hours, while today the modern Pendolino covers it in just an hour and a half.

Pendolino units offer comfort on board with air-conditioned coaches, Wi-Fi, power sockets, bistro service, a children’s cinema, and a quiet zone. Czech Railways operate six of these trains, each with 327 seats, including 52 in first class.

Transport authorities highlight this milestone as a stepping stone toward future high-speed rail in the Czech Republic. New tunnels between Nemanice and Sevetin are expected to cut travel times further, with construction beginning next year. The long-term vision includes trains capable of reaching up to 320 km/h.

The launch of the Prague–Ceske Budejovice Pendolino underlines the broader modernization of Czech rail, offering passengers faster, more comfortable, and more competitive connections both within the country and to neighboring regions.