Český Krumlov is famous and compact, not hidden. Its planning advantage comes from staying overnight: the castle and old town can be experienced without matching the timetable of a long same-day transfer from Prague, and the river and streets become part of a stay rather than a short circuit between buses.
Build around the castle, not a checklist
The castle complex is large enough to anchor a substantial block. Interior tours, tower access, gardens, and seasonal opening patterns do not always share the same schedule, so check the parts that matter for the travel date. Pair that visit with one side of the Vltava bend and save the remaining lanes and viewpoints for later rather than repeatedly climbing across town.
An arrival afternoon and a full following morning often create a better rhythm than arriving, touring, and departing on the same day. This also leaves room for a riverside walk, a performance or museum, and an ordinary dinner after many day visitors have left. It does not guarantee empty streets, but it gives the traveler more than one chance to see the town at a comfortable pace.
Treat South Bohemia as a connected region
Tábor, České Budějovice, Hluboká, and other South Bohemian stops can form a coherent route, but transfers by train and bus need to be planned as part of the day. Avoid changing accommodation simply to collect another town. Use one or two bases and make the transfer days lighter.
The South Bohemia itinerary shows that slower structure. Use the overnight collection, then plan your Český Krumlov trip around confirmed castle access and the connections you will actually use.