Prague travel guide

Walking

Central Prague is compact. Old Town Square to Charles Bridge is about ten minutes on foot, and from the Malá Strana end of the bridge it is a 20-minute climb to Prague Castle. Pavements are often cobbled and the castle district is steep, so bring comfortable shoes.

Metro, trams and buses

Prague's public transport (PID) covers three metro lines, trams, buses, ferries and the Petřín funicular on one ticket. Prices from 1 January 2026, in the PID Lítačka app or on paper: 30 minutes 36 CZK or 39 CZK, 90 minutes 46 CZK or 50 CZK, 24 hours 140 CZK or 150 CZK, and 72 hours 340 CZK or 350 CZK. Validate paper tickets when you first board or enter the metro. The 24 and 72-hour tickets cover the Petřín funicular, which otherwise costs 100 CZK one way (90 CZK in the app), but not the historic tram 41 and 42 routes or the Airport Express. Trams are the best way to reach Prague Castle: lines 22 and 23 stop at Pražský hrad.

Airport transfers

Václav Havel Airport Prague is about 12 km west of the centre, with no rail link. Trolleybus 59 runs to Nádraží Veleslavín for metro line A, about 35 minutes to the centre in total; bus 100 runs to Zličín for metro line B, about 45 minutes. Both use a 90-minute PID ticket: 50 CZK on paper, 46 CZK in the app or 55 CZK by SMS, and you can pay by contactless card on trolleybus 59. The Airport Express (AE) bus runs from Terminal 1 to the main railway station for 200 CZK, paid on board, in about 45 minutes. Night buses 907 and 910 run when the metro is closed. Ride-hailing apps and taxis wait outside arrivals; agree on an app or official taxi rather than accepting an offer inside the terminal.

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Trains beyond the city

Praha hlavní nádraží, the main station, is a short walk from Wenceslas Square, with trains to Kutná Hora, Karlštejn, Plzeň, Český Krumlov (with a change) and international services to Dresden, Vienna and Berlin. Long-distance buses leave from Florenc. Check times on the IDOS journey planner, as timetables change on 13 December 2026.

Tourist tax

Prague charges a local accommodation fee (poplatek z pobytu) of 50 CZK per person for every day of a paid stay except the day of arrival, which in practice means 50 CZK per person per night. It applies to hotels, hostels, guesthouses and short-term rentals for stays of up to 60 consecutive nights with one provider, and guests under 18 are exempt. Your hotel or host collects it, usually on top of the room rate. The rate has been the legal maximum since 1 January 2022; city politicians have called for a higher cap, but no increase has been adopted. Check with your accommodation if you are unsure whether it is included in your price.