Apparently, the ability to teleport straight from our front doors to any hotel room on the planet is still a long way off (get a wriggle on, Elon!). So, until that day, we fleshpods must content ourselves with the time-honored method of delayed gratification: i.e. using trains, boats, planes and whatever other mode of terrestrial transport is necessary to get us to our final destination. Prague is no exception to the rule. Magical it may be, with those swoonsome spires, gothic churches, baroque palaces and extraordinary pieces of public art, but it stops short at actually being able to wizard you to its heart without the rigmarole of getting on public transport. Which is where we come in. Read on for our guide to the various options for getting into Prague from the airport….
Prague Airport in Brief
There’s only one international airport in Prague, which is handy for those prone to getting on the wrong flight (“I wanted Manchester, England, not Manchester, New Hampshire!”), or pitching up at the wrong city airport on the return leg. Established in 1937 as Prague Ruzyně International Airport, it held this name until 2012 when it was renamed Václav Havel Airport Prague in honor of the last president of Czechoslovakia and first president of the Czech Republic. This was prompted by a wave of popular opinion following Havel’s death in December 2011. The airport was officially renamed on what would have been his 76th birthday, 5 October 2012.
Its long and checkered history includes a pivotal role in the 1969 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, when it was stormed by paratroopers, and a role as stand-in for Miami International Airport in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale.
And now for the less interesting bit: Václav Havel Airport Prague services somewhere in the region of 17 million passengers every year and lies 13 kilometers west of the city center, in the Prague-Ruzyně area. Clear passport control, grab your bags from the carousel, and you could be in the Old Town in under 30 minutes. How? Well, it’s pretty simple really as there are only three ways to travel: bus, cab and private car. Here’s the lowdown…
Prague Airport to City by Bus and Metro
There are several buses that connect to the city’s metro system, providing what is arguably the best way to get to Prague from the airport, taking around 30 minutes all in. Take bus numbers 59, 119 or 191 to reach stations on metro line A (green) and 100 for metro line B (yellow). Both will take you to Wenceslas Square in the city center quickly and efficiently, but you’ll want to consult the Prague metro map to find out which will get you to the station nearest your accommodation. Metro trains run every few minutes between 5AM and midnight. For night owls arriving at the airport in the wee small hours, the 910 night bus service is your friend and goes all the way to the city center in around 45 minutes.
Tickets can be purchased in denominations of 30 minutes, 90 minutes, 24 hours and 72 hours, and cover travel on city buses, trams and metro trains. Tickets for 24 hours or longer also include travel on the Petřín Hill funicular, and at 120 CZK (around 5 USD) for a full day of unlimited travel, they’re pretty good value too. Buy yours online here, at the Prague Public Transit company counters in arrivals, or from vending machines throughout the terminals and at bus stops.
Prague Airport to City by Cab or Private Transfer
Tickets schmickets. If you shudder at the very thought of sharing mass transit systems with the great unwashed, you can also get to town from the airport in the comfort of a private car. The poor reputation of Prague cabbies is a hangover from a bygone era and, for the most part, you’ll find them friendly, courteous and honest. That said, some may still attempt to overcharge tourists fresh off the plane, so do keep your wits about you. It’s also worth noting that cabs are really no faster than public transport here, and often much slower during rush-hour traffic. You’ll find official airport cabs lined up and waiting at ranks outside each terminal. One-way prices start at around 25 USD but can rise dramatically if you find yourself sitting in traffic for long periods.
You can also pre-book meet-and-greet airport pick-ups with English-speaking drivers. Fixed prices to the city center from Prague Airport start at 750 CZK (32 USD) for up to four passengers. There’s also a minibus option (990 CZK/43 USD) for larger groups of up to eight people. These are probably your best private transfer options for absolute peace of mind. You’ll even be given complimentary bottled water on the ride to your hotel!
Prague Airport to City by Rental Car
You’ll find all the usual car rental suspects and more at Prague Airport: Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt, and so on. But car rental is better suited to people planning to explore the picturesque Southern Bohemian region than those here for a Prague city break. Indeed, Prague’s center is so compact, walkable and well-served by public transport that you really have no need for your own set of wheels at all. Because of this, not all hotels offer parking, so you may also find you have to spring for a space in a nearby paid parking lot, especially if you’re staying in the Old Town (lucky you!) which is almost entirely pedestrianized.
Read our full guide to getting around Prague the easy way (on foot, by tram and via metro) here.
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