How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Welcome at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport, which is located around 10 miles west of the city centre, which is a bit too far to walk. Fortunately, there are several ways to reach the city. After disembarking, simply follow the crowd towards the exit. Many people will want to use the toilet first, which is easily done at the airport. However, one thing you should avoid is withdrawing or exchanging money there – wait until you're in the city itself to save 10-15% on transaction fees.
Personal Tip
"Use public transport in Prague instead of a taxi. It saves you money, it is easy and comfortable."
1. By Public Transport (Bus + Metro)
This is the most cost-effective way to reach the city centre, and it’s quite straightforward.
Steps:
1. Buy a Ticket
- Purchase a ticket from the ticket machines in the arrivals hall (before heading outside) or at the bus stop. These machines accept (credit) cards and have an English language option.
- Alternatively, you can buy a ticket through the PID Litacka app.
- Tickets are valid for buses, metro, and trams. A 90-minute ticket costs approximately 40 CZK (€1.60). You'll need an extra ticket for large luggage (20 CZK)
You don't need to buy a new ticket
when you transfer between different modes of transport.
2. Validate Your Ticket
Once you have your ticket, be sure to validate it before or as soon as you board the bus by inserting it into the yellow ticket machine on the bus.
- validate only once
- validate on the right side of your ticket
Otherwise you might be fined for 1000-1500 CKZ (€40-60)
3. Take the Bus
- From Terminal 1 or 2, walk outside to the bus stops. You’ll want to take either:
- Bus 59: This bus will take you to the metro station Nádraží Veleslavín (The green Line A). The ride takes about 12-15 minutes.
- Bus 100: This bus goes to the metro station Zličín (The yellow Line B), a bit longer route to reach the centre.
4. Transfer to the Metro or Tram:
- At Nádraží Veleslavín (Line A), hop onto the metro. You can ride directly to popular city centre stops like Staroměstská, Můstek or Muzeum
- It is also possible to hop onto the tram 20 or 26 from here, depending on your final destination
5. Arrive in the City Centre:
- Depending on where you're staying, you can get off at one of the central stops. The total journey will take about 35-60 minutes.
Read more about the public transport and different tickets.
2. By Taxi or Ride-Share
If you prefer more comfort or are travelling with a lot of luggage, a taxi or ride-share is a good option. Be aware that taxis can vary in price, so it’s recommended to book in advance through a reputable company. Taxis or Uber will only save you about five to ten minutes compared to public transport.
- Taxi: Costs around €25-30, depending on traffic. Pre-booking online can ensure you don’t overpay.
- Ride-shares (Uber, Bolt): Prices start from around €16 but can go up to €30 during peak times. These apps are reliable and commonly used in Prague.
3. Airport Express
The Airport Express is a direct bus service that connects Prague Václav Havel Airport (Terminal 1) with Prague’s Central Station (Hlavní nádraží), and runs in both directions.
This option is particularly useful if your hotel or accommodation is near the Central Station. Otherwise, it’s better to use the regular public transport options, like Bus 59 and the metro, as described above.
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Journey Time: Approximately 40 minutes
Price:
- 100 CZK (€4), and tickets can be purchased directly on the bus. Other public transport tickets are not valid for this service.
- Children under 6 years: Free
- Children aged 6-15: 50 CZK
- Luggage: Free
This provides a straightforward and affordable option for those staying near Prague’s Central Station. If you’re staying further away from the Central Station, consider sticking with the more versatile public transport network, which can take you to various parts of the city.
Bus stop in front of Terminal 1
The bus only departs from Terminal 1, so when you arrive at terminal 2 (Schengen countries) it takes you 3 minutes to walk to the bus stop.
Bus stop in front of Prague Central Station
The bus departs from Wilsonova Street, in front of the old building of the central station.
Comparison of travel time and cost: from the airport to Můstek, Wenceslas Square:
- By regular public transport (bus 59 and metro line A): travel time 35-40 minutes, price €1.30
- By Airport Express: travel time 50-55 minutes (40 minutes by bus and 10-15 minutes walking), price €4.00
- By Uber/Bolt/taxi: travel time 30-35 minutes, price €16-30
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