From Prague Airport to City Centre

From Prague Airport to City Centre takes about half an hour. Vaclav Havel International Airport is about fifteen kilometers northwest of the centre of Prague. It takes  30 minutes by taxi (40 minutes in the rush) and 30 minutes by public transport – 15 minutes by bus to Veleslavin Metro Station and then in 15 minutes to Prague city centre.

Three ways to go from Prague Airport to City Centre

1. Prague Airport Shuttle or Private Transfer
The shuttle bus from Prague Airport to City Centre is a Mercedes Benz minibus which you share with eight other passengers. It leaves every half hour and takes you straight to your hotel, no lugging of suitcases. However, the disadvantage is that if you are the last person to be dropped, you see lots of other hotels and the trip takes twice or three times longer than by public transport. 

Private transfer: Avoid the hassle of finding the taxi-rank. Book a private transfer from Prague Airport and enjoy a relaxed 30-minute trip to the city centre. Included in the price is a complimentary tourist maps and a free 4-hour tour voucher.

TIP: Book online and enjoy our special offer!

2. Airport Express Bus
The Airport Express bus takes you straight to Dejvická (metro station A), Masarykovo (train station) or Praha Hlavní nádraží (Prague Central Station). The Airport Express is not much faster than the regular bus, but more expensive.

3. Bus and metro
The cheapest way to travel from Prague Airport to city center is by public transport trolleybus number 59 to Veleslavin Metro Station and then by Metro Line A to the city centre. Your ticket is valid both for the bus and the metro. Bus 59 operates at intervals of 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day. If your final destination is on Metro line B, take bus 100 to Zlicin Metro station.

Buying Tickets

The public transport desk is in the airport arrivals hall and is open from 07.00 until 22.00. You can also buy your ticket from the vending machine at the bus stop, in which case you will need coins. If you do not have change, buy your ticket from the driver, but you will pay a little more. Large baggage is not free of charge. If you have a big suitcase or backpack, you will have to buy a half-price ticket.

Read here How to buy public transport tickets

Public Transport Children

Children under the age of six travel free and children from 6 to 15 years pay half price, but have to be in possession of an ID card clearly indicating their age. You can also buy tram and metro tickets via SMS, but only if you have a Czech SIM-card. Send DPT32 to number 902 06. Within a minute you will receive a message and that is your ticket. Pay contactless inside trams or from the vending machine at the tram stops and at entrance of the metro stations

Night Bus to the City Centre

Night tram number 91 runs between twelve o’clock at night and half past four in the morning from Lazarska via namesti Republiky to Divoka Sarka tram stop. From here you take bus 910 to the airport. 

Conclusion

Travelling by bus and metro is a convenient, cheap and easy way to get from Prague International Airport to the city centre because public transport is fast, frequent and reliable. The disadvantage is that you have to transfer from bus to metro which involves getting up and down some steps and taking the escalators. If you have heavy luggage, it’s worth taking the shuttle bus. It won’t be faster but it will be more convenient.