How to get to Zlín
Zlín, a vibrant Moravian city in the Czech Republic, is well-connected by various transportation options. Whether you want to get here by plane, train, bus, or car, here is how you can reach Zlín efficiently:
By plane
Unfortunately, Zlín does not have its international airport. The Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is the air gate to the Czech Republic with daily connections from/to major European cities. More information about flight timetables and transport connections from/to the airport are available on the website of Václav Havel Airport Prague. There are reliable and frequent connections from Prague airport to the city center by public transport and special airport buses (AE – Airport Express). There is the possibility of buying tickets, including from/to airport transport and tickets for connecting buses/trains to Zlín.
Other options frequently used by our international students are to fly to Bratislava (Slovakia) – approx. 150km from Zlín, Vienna (Austria) – approx. 180km from Zlín, Katowice (Poland) – approx. 215km from Zlín, or Kraków (Poland) – approx. 290km from Zlín. There are train or bus connections to Zlín from all of these cities.
By train
The Czech Republic has an extensive railway network, operated by four major railway companies: České dráhy (ČD, Czech Railways), RegioJet, LEO Express, and Arriva. The timetables and connections are changing approximately once per year. Due to that, we recommend checking the connections at the websites of the mentioned railway companies.
Zlín itself has several train stations even though they are all quite small. The main train station is called Zlín – Střed and it has only one direct train from Prague (Zlínský expres). However, the neighbouring town Otrokovice is placed on the main train corridor. Due to that, it is possible to get directly from Otrokovice to five European capitals (Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Vienna, and Warsaw). So it is possible to search for the connections to Otrokovice and then use the public transportation working between Zlín and Otrokovice.
Traveling by České dráhy
Tickets are sold at most of the train stations, and it is not mandatory to purchase your tickets online. However, we recommend buying them online because the online reservation goes together with the free seat reservation inside the train. Then you can download the ticket to your mobile device without the necessity of printing it for the domestic trains. The international trains might require a ticket to be printed due to the incompatibility of national systems. The company provides first and second class travel. Most of the scheduled trains stop at Otrokovice, where it is possible to change for a local train going in the direction of Zlín Střed, or it is possible to use the public transportation mentioned above.
Traveling by RegioJet
RegioJet provides service on the arterial train lines. In combination with their buses, it is possible to get to Zlín from major Czech cities. If you travel with RegioJet, we highly recommend you buy your tickets online. From Prague, it is possible to take their yellow train from the main Prague train station to Olomouc, where a connecting RegioJet bus to Zlín is available.
Traveling by LEO Express
LEO Express trains go from Prague main train station to Přerov, where you can change to a bus or a train to Zlín. The company no longer operates trains, or buses to Zlín, or Otrokovice.
Traveling by Arriva
At this moment, there are no train connections provided by Arriva on the track between Prague and Zlín. Nevertheless, Arriva operates several regional train tracks in the Zlín region.
By bus
If you do not like traveling by train, you can use a large network of coach lines instead. Usually, buses are more frequent, and slightly cheaper than trains. The Czech Republic has connections from/to major European cities several times a week. Most international buses arrive in Prague (Florenc AN) or Brno (Zvonařka AN). Several buses get you to Zlín from Prague and Brno each day. Further information on train and bus connections within the Czech Republic is available at idos.cz.
By car
Zlín is connected to the Czech motorway network thanks to highways D49 and D55. You can easily get to the country’s major cities (Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava, and Prague) from here. In the Czech Republic, it is mandatory to have an e-vignette for using a motorway. There are four available versions of the e-vignettes:
- 1 day for CZK 210 (EUR 8.40; USD 8.95)
- 10 days for CZK 290 (EUR 11.60; USD 12.35)
- 1 month for CZK 460 (EUR 18.35; USD 19.60)
- 1 year for CZK 2,440 (EUR 97.40; USD 103.90)
All the sales points for the e-vignettes can be found online here or you can purchase them directly via the official e-shop.
Connection search
Information on all domestic and most international connections of trains and buses is possible to find at idos.cz. We also recommend the mobile app for Android or iOS with the same name. It is always possible to find the desired connections there.
Public transportation in Zlín
Once you are in Zlín, the city has a well-organized public transport system, including trolleybuses and buses. Tickets are available at kiosks, ticket machines, directly in the trolley/buses, via mobile apps, or from the driver. The following single tickets are available:
- One-ride ticket for 30 minutes for CZK 18 (EUR 0.72; USD 0.77)
- One-ride ticket for 60 minutes for CZK 24 (EUR 0.95; USD 1.00)
- One-ride ticket purchased from driver for 60 minutes for CZK 30 (EUR 1.20; USD 1.30)
- One-use ticket for luggage, or an animal for 60 minutes for CZK 18 (EUR 0.72; USD 0.77)
There are also daily or weekly tickets available:
- One-day ticket (24 hours) for CZK 100 (EUR 4.00; USD 4.25)
- One-week ticket (168 hours) for CZK 270 (EUR 10.80; USD 11.50)
Zlín’s public transport system is divided into five (5) different zones, while the tickets you can get are valid in all zones:
- Zone A is Zlín’s wider centre.
- Zone B is valid for the outskirts of Zlín.
- Zone C is valid for neighboring town Otrokovice and a few smaller villages.
- Zone D is only for train connections to Želechovice nad Dřevnicí
- Zone E is only for train connections to Lípa nad Dřevnicí, Zádveřice, and Vizovice.
Bolt
Since autumn 2024, Bolt is available in Zlín and in the wider area around the regional capital. All requests for rides are booked through the mobile app (Android, or iOS) that connects a customer with the driver for a guaranteed and previously agreed price.