The quickest option is by car — from Brno to the heart of the karst (Skalní Mlýn) takes around 30 minutes. Without a car, take the train on the Brno–Česká Třebová line to Blansko station, then bus route 226 to Skalní Mlýn (about 10 minutes). For the Macocha Abyss and Balcarka, take route 232 from Blansko.
QUICK LINKS 🚗 By car · 🚆 By train and bus · 🅿️ Parking · ❓ FAQ
By car
From Brno to the heart of the karst (Skalní Mlýn, the starting point for the Punkva Cave and the Macocha Abyss) it’s around 30 kilometres, and the drive takes about 30–40 minutes. From Prague, allow roughly 2.5 hours along the D1 motorway. The access road to the Macocha Abyss runs from Vilémovice, about 10 km east of Blansko.
By train and bus
By train, you can reach the region on the Brno – Česká Třebová line as far as Blansko station. Direct fast trains (railjet, EuroCity) run from Prague to Brno roughly every hour, with good onward connections to Blansko.
From Blansko, continue on bus route 226 to the Skalní Mlýn stop, the starting point for the Punkva Cave, Kateřinská Cave and the cable car up to the Macocha Abyss. The journey takes about 10 minutes. Blansko’s bus station is only about 100 metres from the railway station. Route 232 runs from Blansko via Vilémovice (Vilémovice, Macocha rozc. stop) and Ostrov u Macochy (Ostrov u Macochy, Balcarka stop) onward to Vysočany. For up-to-date timetables, check idsjmk.cz.
What changed in 2026: the Krasobus brand has been discontinued. Route 226 from Blansko to Skalní Mlýn, however, continues to run as a regular IDS JMK route. Several services run year-round on weekdays, while weekend services run mainly during the tourist season (according to the timetable valid from 1 September 2026). The timetable changes from month to month, so check it before you travel.
Parking
Paid car parks can be found both at Skalní Mlýn and right by the Macocha Abyss, costing 150–200 Kč (approx. €6–€8) per day for a car in 2026 — this is a rough guide only, as exchange rates fluctuate. For more details, see Skalní Mlýn: Parking, the Little Train and the Cable Car. During peak season (July–August), we’d recommend arriving as early as possible at weekends, as car parks tend to fill up by midday.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Brno? Around 30–40 minutes to the heart of the karst (Skalní Mlýn).
Does the Krasobus still run to the karst? The Krasobus brand has been discontinued, but route 226 from Blansko to Skalní Mlýn continues to run as a regular IDS JMK route — mainly at weekends during the season, and on weekdays throughout the year too.
Do I need to book parking in advance? No, but during peak season it’s worth arriving early on weekends, otherwise you risk finding the car park full.
Can I reach the karst from Prague without a car? Yes — take the train to Brno, change onto the Brno–Česká Třebová line to Blansko station, then catch bus route 226 to Skalní Mlýn.
Part of our series A Week in the Moravian Karst: A Complete 7-Day Itinerary. Sources: propast-macocha.cz – transport, IDS JMK – special routes, skalnimlyn.cz – Krasobus. Timetables are subject to change — please check current connections at idsjmk.cz before travelling.
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