Day trips from Karlovy Vary
A chateau with a hidden reliquary, a fortress over a river, a spa with a mining history and a border town — each by bus, but two only on a single day of the week.
- Loket
- bus (line 92
- Bečov nad Teplou
- bus (line 91
- Jáchymov
- bus (line 421801
If it's Saturday, the trip is Bečov nad Teplou; if it's Sunday, it's Loket's turn — both lines run only on that day, and only 1 April – 30 October. On other days, and outside that season, Jáchymov, Mariánské Lázně and Cheb remain, with no such restriction.
Worth it, Sundays only
The fortress stands on a rock in a bend of the river Ohře, and half a day is enough for the whole visit. Tourist line 92 from Tržnice takes about 20 min, but only runs on Sundays and only 1 April – 30 October. The ticket is €3.28.
Worth it, Saturdays only
Bečov nad Teplou Chateau holds the Reliquary of St Maur, a medieval goldsmith's treasure hidden for decades in a walled-up niche and only discovered in 1985. Line 91 from Tržnice takes about 35 min, only on Saturdays and only 1 April – 30 October, ticket €3.28.
A spa with no restriction by day
Jáchymov is known for its radon springs and its history of uranium and silver mining — Pierre and Marie Curie sourced ore from here for their research for decades. Bus line 421801 takes about 29 min, with no restriction by day of the week, ticket €3.93.
Another spa, a longer ride
Mariánské Lázně is western Bohemia's other major spa town, with its own colonnades and parks, different enough to justify the whole trip. The ride takes about 40 min (bus) by bus, return ticket €8.69 (return).
Worth it for the historic core
Cheb was a border town facing Bavaria for centuries, with a well-preserved medieval old town and a castle on the bank of the river Ohře. A direct train takes about 40 min (train, direct), the bus via Sokolov is slower; the return bus ticket is €6.72 (return, bus).
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Which trip only runs on a specific day?
Loket only on Sundays, Bečov nad Teplou only on Saturdays, both 1 April – 30 October. Other days lead to Jáchymov, Mariánské Lázně or Cheb.
Do I need a car for these trips?
No, all five run by bus or train. A car only helps if Loket or Bečov need to be seen outside their one day of the week.
What if the trip falls midweek?
Jáchymov, Mariánské Lázně and Cheb run with no restriction by day, so they're the choice from Monday to Friday.
Ready for Karlovy Vary?
Where to next
Where to stay in Karlovy Vary
→The town has no hostel, so the choice is between a room right on the colonnades and one a little further out…
Pilsen · 65 km
→The brewery that gave the world pilsner is the reason to come; the country's tallest church tower and the tunnels under the square hold a second day.
How well does Karlovy Vary suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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