In this article I will help you to learn the best ways of how to get from airport to city centre of Prague. Though the international airport is located not too far from the city and its centre, there are some issues to discuss and clarify. And the main are:
- comfort;
- price;
- speed;
So according to these three main and some other criterion we will look at the all possible ways of getting from airport to Prague. And as a result we will have a full step by step manual either for comfortable or super cheap ways of getting to centre of Czech capital from the airport.
Navigation in the Airport
But let’s start with the basic information about the place you are going to arrive in. Prague Vaclav Havel Airport is a modern and comfortable hub. There are 3 Terminal: for private jets, for Non-Schengen countries, for inner Europe flights.
When you arrive and pick up the luggage, pay attention at the signs, which will navigate you to the exit from the terminal. Make sure, that you don’t exchange money (better withdraw some Czech crowns from ATM). For any information you can address assistants in Travel Information kiosk on the ground floor of Terminal 2.
How to get from airport to city centre of Prague by public transport?
There are some ways how to get from airport to city centre. They are:
- UBER;
- taxi;
- bus+metro;
- express bus;
- transfer.
I have checked all of them and compiled the chart for you. From this list you can pick up the variant that goes with your plan and budget: the fastest, the cheapest or the most comfortable way of getting from Prague airport to your hotel in down town.
With UBER for 15-25 Euros for 2-3 people
Uber works in Prague, though taxi drivers protest a lot and make troubles for Uber drivers. You can get a car simply downloading an application. If you have never used this service, go and read my big article about UBER in Prague and its application. It will give you full understanding of pros and cons of the service. Uber is an option, if you travel with small luggage and with one or two more people.
Uber cars are not always big enough to fit all the suitcases, which can really become an issue. Moreover, the drivers are not professional, which means while driving they follow the application only. The latter sometimes makes the routes longer or not as fast as they could be. Therefore I don’t recommend to use Uber when getting from the hotel to Prague airport.
With taxi for 30-100 Euros for 2-3 people
Taxi drivers in Prague are the worths people to have any business with after street exchange men. Both cheat and want to screw you. There has been a lot of reports saying how boldly they act with tourists. Just one case from experience of my tourists: trip from the airport to down town of Prague took them 30 minutes and the driver wanted 120 Euros (3000 CZK) for the drive. They asked the receptionist in the hotel to help and to call the police. As a result the price was reduced to normal 800 CZK (32 Euros).
Even though the authorities tighten the laws and regulations, there are still constant cases of such scam. Therefore, I just want you to warn and avoid yellow (or any other color) taxis in Prague. Walk, use UBER or private transfers instead.
By bus and metro for 1,5 Euros per person
- Metro in Prague operates from 5.00 till 24.00.
There is an office in the airport you see in the picture, were you can buy tickets for tram, bus or metro. The price for the one ride ticket is about 1.5 Euro and you will have 90 minutes to use it. This time is usually enough to get from the bus stop near one of the Terminals to the city centre. If you want to be on the safe side, buy a day ticket for 110 CZK (about 4 Euros). It is valid for 24 hours from the moment you validate it on the bus.
There are two buses from Prague Airport: #119 and #100. Both go to metro stations. I would recommend taking the 119 line. You go to the Nádraží Veleslavín stop and take the Green line metro. You can use the same ticket in metro. There is no need to validate it after you make it on the bus.
Central metro stations start with Hradcanska and Malostranska stations. There are also Staromestska (the hear of Old Town), Mustek and Wenceslas Square, which are in the New Town. Check in advance the district you are going to stay in and with help of google maps learn the nearest metro station.
- I sincerely recommend reading the article about Public Transport in Prague.
With Airport Express bus for 2-3 Euros per person
Another way of how to get from Prague Airport to the city centre is Airport Express bus. You will find the blue bus near Terminal 1 exit D and Terminal 2 exit E. There is no need to buy tickets in advance, because you can buy them only from the driver. So it is better to have some cash with you.
Express buss from the airport goes to the main railway station. The latter is located in the centre of Prague: some 5 minutes from Wenceslas square and 15 minutes from the Old Town. It operates from 5:30 to 22:30.
This variant of traveling from the airport to the centre of Prague is good for you if:
- you don’t have too much luggage;
- the hotel/hostel you stay in is on the way of the bus;
- you are comfortable to travel on crowded bus.
With comfortable Skoda private transfer for 25 Euros for 2-3 people
Few years ago, when we were going for a trip to Rome where we do have reliable transfer company (rome4.us), I decided to find in Prague a trustworthy person or company. Luckily it did not take me much of time and today I can sincerely recommend you and all other travelers a very reliable service transferinprague.eu
Reliable and comfortable way how to get from airport to city centre of Prague
My new friend Vlad and his team has been working a lot on building comfortable and easy rides for tourists from all over the world. Using mostly Czech cars, they guarantee perfect service and reasonable prices. What I personally like about them are the comfort, punctuality and absolutely friendly attitude towards clients. Check out their page and plan your trip.
Transfer are also good if you travel with big luggage or in a big group. The driver will pick you up from the exit from the Terminal and will help with luggage.
With rental car from 40 Euros
If you like to travel by car, I strongly recommend you to rent a vehicle and to pick it up right after arrival. It will save your money and time as well as you will have a bigger choice of available cars than in the rentals in the city centre of Prague.
- I’ve written a complete manual about all the issues and ways of how to rent a car in Prague. Check it and plan a trip.
I hope that it is a clear manual of how to get from Prague airport to the city centre. If there are still any questions, please ask them in the comments below. I will be pleased to reply and assist you.
