Prague Airport to City Travel

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 17, 2024
Panoramic view of Prague and the Vltava river

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

Prague Airport in the evening

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.

View of Prague from the plane

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

Validating a ticket on Prague's public transport system

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

Yellow taxi cab in Prague

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

Woman walking across Charles Bridge

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.

Save on Prague’s Most Popular Attractions

Save money on Prague attractions, tours and activities with a Prague attraction pass. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Top 10 Attractions in Prague

Prague’s cobbled lanes, fairytale towers and cavernous beer halls are an absolute joy, drawing camera-toting Insta addicts and thirsty tourists to the Golden City year-round. It’s a medieval masterpiece of a place, chock-full of weird and wonderful architecture, fine museums and magnificent monuments. But what are the main draws, the bucket-list highlights that first-timers simply should not miss? Read on for our pick of the top 10 attractions in Prague, including: The Old Town Square Prague Castle Petřín Tower Charles Bridge The Jewish Museum St Vitus Cathedral Prague Zoo … and more! Old Town Square Stepping onto Prague’s magnificent Old Town Square (or Staroměstské náměstí, if you want to get technical) feels like walking into the pages of a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, all baroque churches, gothic spires and a quite extraordinary 15th-century town hall clock. The eye-popping astronomical clock is as good a place as any to kick off your Prague adventure. Join the crowds to catch the hourly show as figures (including several apostles and a skeleton representing Death) emerge to strike the hour. Snap a selfie in front of picture-perfect pastel-colored baroque buildings, admire Kinský Palace’s ornate stucco facade, and don’t miss the stunning Church of Our Lady before Týn, a gothic confection par excellence, complete with elaborate 80-meter-tall spires Prague Castle One of Prague’s most popular nicknames is the ‘city of one hundred spires’, based on an account by Bohemian mathematician Bernard Bolzano in the early 19th Century. It was a bad day at the office for Bernard though, as the actual number of turrets, towers and spires in the city is estimated at anywhere between 500-1,000. Regardless of the true number though, it’s Prague Castle, high on a hill overlooking the Vltava river and old town, that dominates the skyline. This vast ancient complex takes in palaces, cathedrals, banquet halls, towers, gardens and more, and is the largest of its kind anywhere on the planet, well worth an hour or six of your time. St Vitus Cathedral St Vitus Cathedral is a key attraction – perhaps the key attraction – at Prague Castle and as such merits a top 10 slot all of its own. This towering gothic masterpiece, boasting over a thousand years of history, is a sight to behold. Goggle at its flying buttresses, eye-popping mosaics, and striking Art Nouveau stained glass windows by 19th-century Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. Step inside its vast, hushed interior for more Insta-perfect eye candy, including a quite enormous baroque and neoclassical organ, and the extraordinary Chapel of St Wenceslaus, which houses relics of the saint as well as several medieval religious murals and frescoes. Top tip: Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, and several other Prague tours and attractions, including river cruises, walking tours, and the Spanish Synagogue are included with a Prague pass from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on regular prices. Find out more and bag your pass here. Wenceslas Square More a boulevard than a square, Wenceslas Square is one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, thanks to its excellent shopping, café culture and people-watching opportunities. Give your credit card a workout, then field the panicky calls from your bank manager as you watch the world go by over cappuccino and sweet Czech pastries. Or hit up the nearby Pilsner Urquell Experience for a taste of the good stuff, a refreshing pilsner lager brewed here in Czechia since 1842. Wenceslas Square is also home to one of Prague’s biggest and best festive markets, ideal for unusual gifts should you find yourself here in November or December. Charles Bridge Surely one of the city’s most photographed attractions, Charles Bridge is a swoonsome medieval stone arch bridge that links Prague Castle to the Old Town. Its 516-meter length is manna for hopeless romantics and selfie-seekers alike, all fine baroque statues, time-worn cobbles, street artists, and sweeping Vltava vistas. Take a stroll in the early morning as fog rolls in from the river, or at sunset when old-school lanterns light the way across. Or see it from a different perspective: gliding beneath its atmospheric arches on a Vltava river cruise. The Jewish Museum In a city crammed with beautiful places of worship – mostly medieval, gothic and baroque churches – the Spanish Synagogue offers a spectacularly eye-catching alternative. Completed in 1868, this Moorish Revival-style masterpiece is a joy to behold. Don’t let the spectacular dome, stained-glass windows and monumental Torah distract you from what’s beneath your feet: an intricate arabesque parquet floor that’s among the synagogue’s finest works of art. Come back for atmospheric classical concerts by candlelight in the evenings and make time to drop by the Jewish Museum’s neighboring sites, including the moving Second World War memorials in the Pinkas Synagogue, and the adjacent Old Jewish Cemetery. Petřín Tower No, you’re not in Paris, but here’s a chance to ascend a former transmission tower that shares a pretty strong resemblance to the Eiffel Tower. Petřín Hill is particularly picturesque in spring thanks to clouds of candy-colored cherry blossoms. Conserve energy by hopping on the fun funicular to the top of the hill – you’ll need it for the 299-stair ascent to the Petřín Tower’s lookout platform, where 360-degree vistas of the entire city tell you everything you need to know about why this is one of Prague’s most popular attractions. Prague National Museum Delve deep into Czechia’s rich heritage here at the country’s oldest museum. Established in the early 19th Century, this large complex of buildings houses brings millions of years of history to life via a vast collection of treasures that run the gamut from prehistoric meteorites and dino fossils to medieval tiaras and chalices and the world’s largest collection of artifacts relating to legendary Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, including portraits, letters and even his piano. National Theatre Nights at the opera don’t come much more spectacular than at Prague’s grand National Theatre, an imposing neo-Renaissance edifice set on the banks of the Vltava overlooking Prague Castle. Here’s where you can catch some of the finest opera, ballet and drama in Eastern Europe, from children’s theater to Mozart masterpiece Don Giovanni. Love history but hate high art? Fear not: tours of this vast venue’s four stages are also available, retaining all the drama of the building’s storied history, but without the men leaping around in tights. Prague Zoo Almost a century old, Prague Zoo is a stalwart of the city’s sightseeing scene, a reliable and constant presence in any list of the city’s top 10 attractions. Highlights of this 140-acre parkland in the Troja district north of the city center include a chairlift that takes you high over the animal enclosures, pony rides and a petting zoo for kids, a steamy tropical jungle, and more. Don’t miss the chance to say ‘ahoj’ (hey) to the stately Indian elephants, ferociously cute red pandas and rare and endangered Przewalski's horse. Save on Prague’s Most Popular Attractions Save money on Prague attractions, tours and activities with a pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Colorful houses along Golden Lane at Prague Castle
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Jewish Museum vs Prague Castle: Which is Better?

Prague Castle and the Jewish Museum are two of the biggest, best and most popular attractions in the Golden City, with each deserving of *at least* half a day of your sightseeing time. The very first thing you need to know about these bucket list must-sees are that the terms ‘Prague Castle’ and ‘Jewish Museum’ are actually catch-alls for expansive historic complexes – located at the top of the hill overlooking Malá Strana, and in the former Jewish ghetto across the Vltava respectively. We’re talking Gothic cathedrals and royal palaces up at the castle and spectacular synagogues galore in the Jewish Quarter. But which is better: the Jewish Museum or Prague Castle? We took a deep dive into these two essential Prague attractions to find out. Jewish Museum: The Lowdown The Jewish Museum is composed of six historical locations around the tiny Josefov district, the former Jewish ghetto that has been located at the heart of Prague’s Old Town for nearly a thousand years. Once a flourishing part of the city, said to have been home to around 18,000 inhabitants, the district was largely demolished in the early 20th Century as part of an initiative to remodel the city on Paris. It’s fortunate then that a number of its most impressive buildings and monuments were preserved, including the 15th-century cemetery, old town hall, and several impressive synagogues. The museum was established in 1906 and has itself had a very turbulent history, only regaining its independence in 1994, following many years of Nazi and Communist interference. Its magnificent buildings now play host to permanent exhibitions about Jewish life, culture and tradition through the ages, and boast a collection of some 40,000 Jewish artifacts, including prints, paintings, textiles and jewelry. There’s also an extensive library of books from Bohemia and Moravia, some of which date as far back as the 15th Century. No wonder then that the museum is one of Prague’s most-visited attractions, welcoming around one million visitors every year. Jewish Museum: Key Highlights The Old Jewish Cemetery. One of the largest (and oldest) preserved Jewish burial sites in Europe, this 15th-century cemetery is deeply moving and atmospheric. Wander its leafy lanes, where thousands of crumbling memorial stones lean against one another, including those of important Jewish figures including Mordecai Maisel, Rabbi Loew, and Avigdor Karo, a chief rabbi and court poet to King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia. The Spanish Synagogue. The domed exterior of this 19th-century gem hints at the Moorish Revival style within, but little can prepare visitors for the eye-popping grandeur, all intricate stucco arabesques, floral motifs, and colorful geometric tiling.  The Pinkas Synagogue. This grand Gothic confection is the second-oldest preserved synagogue in the city, dating way back to 1535. Inside, memorial walls are inscribed with the names and personal information of nearly 80,000 Bohemian and Moravian Jews murdered during the Nazi occupation, and there’s a very moving exhibition of drawings by children held in the notorious Terezín Ghetto.  The Klausen Synagogue. Prague’s largest synagogue is a monumental building in the early Baroque style, big enough to comfortably house an extraordinary three-tiered Torah Ark. Prague Castle: The Lowdown The fairytale spires and turrets of Prague Castle are one of the most distinctive features of the city skyline. This vast complex, perched high on a hill overlooking Malá Strana, the Vltava river, and the Old Town beyond, is home to several important buildings, gardens and lanes across its 17-or-so acres. These include the mighty St Vitus Cathedral, a stunning royal palace, and the rows of colorful shops and houses huddled along Golden Lane. The castle complex began life as a hilltop fortress way back in the 9th Century and has served as the Czech seat of power for many centuries. Its mixture of early Romanesque ruins and picture-perfect Gothic edifices have made it one of Prague’s most enduring attractions, pulling in something in the order of two million punters every year. Its huge size means you can easily make a whole day of it. Indeed, so large is the complex that it has even earned itself the accolade of biggest preserved ancient castle in the Guinness Book of Records! Prague Castle: Key Highlights St Vitus Cathedral. The crowning glory of Prague Castle, this huge 14th-century Gothic confection is one of Prague’s greatest treasures, with its photogenic flying buttresses, Art Nouveau stained glass windows, mosaiced Golden Gate and, of course, those trademark twin spires. Pop inside to ogle the massive pipe organ, hushed gothic chapels, and the sacred tomb of St Wenceslas himself. St George’s Basilica. It must be hell playing second fiddle to St Vitus Cathedral, especially when you’re the older brother by far, but 12th-century St George’s puts up a pretty good fight. That’s largely thanks to its picturesque Romanesque towers (nicknamed Adam and Eve) and decorative features that include a bas-relief of St George giving the dragon what-for and, um, a nightmarish statue of a rotting corpse with a coiled snake hanging out in its decaying gut. Golden Lane. The colorful rows of painted houses along Golden Lane will have Insta addicts jumping for joy. These pretty historic houses, once home to the goldsmiths who gave it its name, are now largely occupied by souvenir shops. So don’t forget to snag your St Vitus Cathedral keyring or rotting-corpse-statue postcard while you’re there. Garden on the Ramparts. Here’s where to get some of the best views in towne, whether looking out over the rust-red Malá Strana rooftops to the Vltava beyond, or gazing back up at the grand Old Royal Palace behind. Jewish Museum vs Prague Castle: Which is Better? It’s near-impossible to choose between these old-school Prague attractions. Both have huge appeal for history buffs and incurable Instagrammers alike, and both provide a real insight into the storied past of this great city. So here’s the good news: both the Jewish Museum and Prague Castle are included with a Prague pass from Go City. And that’s just for starters. The pass also includes access to Old Town tours and breweries, plus Museum Kampa, the Žižkov TV Tower Observatory and much more. In short, It’s a great way to save up to 50% on entry fees if you plan to visit a number of attractions during your Prague vacation. Find out more and get your pass here. Save on Prague’s Most Popular Attractions Save money on Prague attractions, tours and activities with a pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Prague tram
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Getting Around Prague

Whether on foot, by bike or by tram, get all the info on how to get around the beautiful city of Prague to ensure you're getting to your sightseeing on time!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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