Prague Airport to City Center: Best Ways to Get There 2026
Tips
How to Get from Prague Airport to the City Center
By Uliana Formina · top-category licensed Prague guide · 17 years of experience
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You've just landed at Václav Havel Airport Prague. The bags are collected, the passport is stamped, and now comes the question every visitor faces: how do I actually get into the city? The good news is that Prague has one of the simplest and cheapest airport connections in Europe. The bad news is that most travel blogs still give you outdated advice.
The airport sits about 17 km west of the historic center. Four options cover every budget and situation — from a two-euro trolleybus ride to a door-to-door private transfer. Here's how each one works, what it costs, and which one makes sense for you.
Trolleybus 59 + Metro A — The Cheapest and Fastest Option
This is the route locals use, and for good reason. Trolleybus 59 departs from directly outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. It runs to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station in about 15 minutes, where you step off and walk straight into Metro line A (the green line). Seven stops later, you're at Staroměstská — the heart of the Old Town.
Total journey time: roughly 45 minutes from terminal to Old Town Square. A 90-minute ticket costs approximately 50 CZK (about 2 EUR), or around 46 CZK if you buy it through the Lítačka app (as of 2026). That's the same ticket for the bus and the metro — no need to buy two.
We tell every guest to download Lítačka before they land. The app works in English, accepts card payment, and saves you from hunting for coins at the bus stop ticket machines, which do not take cards. Metro station machines accept cards, but the bus stop ones are coin-only. The Lítačka app eliminates that problem entirely.
Here's the critical update that most travel blogs miss: Bus 119, which ran the airport route for years, was replaced by trolleybus 59 in 2024. If you read a guide telling you to take bus 119 — it no longer exists. The trolleybus follows the same route to Nádraží Veleslavín, but it's electric, quieter, and has modern low-floor access.
One thing to know about the trolleybus: at peak hours (roughly 7:00-9:00 and 16:00-18:00 on weekdays), it can get crowded with airport workers commuting. If you're traveling with large suitcases, try to board from the middle or rear doors where there's more space. Off-peak, the bus is half-empty and comfortable.
The metro ride from Nádraží Veleslavín to Staroměstská takes about 12 minutes. If your hotel is in Malá Strana or near Prague Castle, get off one stop earlier at Malostranská instead. For Wenceslas Square and the New Town area, ride to Můstek and transfer to line B.
Airport Express Bus — Direct to the Main Train Station
If you're staying near Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square) or need to catch a train onward, the Airport Express (AE) bus goes directly to Praha hlavní nádraží — Prague's main railway station — in about 35 minutes with no transfers.
The AE costs approximately 100 CZK (as of 2026) and departs from the same platform area as the trolleybus — follow the signs from arrivals. It runs roughly every 30 minutes during the day. The AE is not covered by standard Prague transport tickets; you need to buy a separate AE ticket from the driver or online.
The main railway station sits at the top of Wenceslas Square, so if your hotel is in the New Town or Vinohrady neighborhood, this route drops you closer than the trolleybus-metro combination. The bus has luggage space and is less crowded than the trolleybus.
When we have guests arriving who plan to travel by train to Vienna or Budapest the next day, we often suggest the AE so they can scope out the station on arrival. Knowing where your platform is the night before removes morning stress.
Bolt and Uber — Door to Door Without the Hassle
Both Bolt and Uber operate at Prague Airport, and this is the option we recommend most often for families, groups, and anyone arriving exhausted after a long flight. Open the app in the arrivals hall, request a car, and follow the signs to the designated ride-share pickup area in the short-stay car park.
Expect to pay approximately 400-700 CZK (roughly 16-28 EUR) to the Old Town, depending on traffic and time of day. Bolt tends to run slightly cheaper than Uber in Prague. Surge pricing can push costs up 1.5-2x during weekend peaks, late Friday evenings, or around midnight.
A detail that saves money: if two or more of you are traveling together, Bolt or Uber costs roughly the same per person as the Airport Express, with the advantage of going directly to your hotel door. For a family of four with luggage, it's almost always the better deal.
We've noticed that Bolt drivers at the airport are generally faster to arrive than Uber drivers — the Bolt driver pool in the airport area seems larger. But both apps are reliable. One tip: check that your phone has mobile data before landing (a Czech SIM, eSIM, or roaming). Without the app, you're at the mercy of taxi drivers outside — and that's where overcharging starts.
Important: Avoid the unofficial taxi drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall or at the terminal exit. They are not scammers in the dangerous sense, but they will quote flat fares of 1,500-2,500 CZK for a ride that should cost half that. The official AAA taxi rank outside is better, but still more expensive than the apps. Read more about avoiding this in our guide to Prague scams.
Private Transfer — When Comfort Matters Most
Pre-booked private transfers with an English-speaking driver start from around 30-40 EUR. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall holding a name sign — no searching for bus stops, no figuring out apps, no waiting in any line.
This is the premium option, and it's worth it in specific situations: when you're arriving with elderly family members, when you have more luggage than a car boot can handle (the driver brings the right vehicle), or when your flight lands at an awkward hour and you just want someone waiting.
Some transfer companies also offer a brief sightseeing stop on the drive into the city — a short detour past Prague Castle or over Charles Bridge that adds ten minutes but gives you your first jaw-drop moment before you even check in.
The metro shuts down at approximately midnight and trolleybus 59 runs its last departure around 23:30. After that, you're on night buses.
Night bus 907 departs from the airport roughly every 30 minutes through the night and goes via Hradčanská — the right choice if your hotel is in Malá Strana, near Prague Castle, or in Dejvice. Night bus 910 goes via I. P. Pavlova — better for the New Town, Vinohrady, or the Wenceslas Square area. Both use standard Prague transport tickets (a 90-minute ticket costs approximately 50 CZK).
The night bus network is safe, clean, and runs on a reliable schedule. But the ride is slow — roughly 50-60 minutes to the center, with many stops along the way. At 1:00 AM, after a delayed flight, that can feel like a long time.
Our honest recommendation for late-night arrivals: order a Bolt. After midnight, Prague's streets are empty, the ride takes 20 minutes, and the price is often lower than daytime because there's no traffic. It's one of the rare situations where the fast option is also the cheap option.
If you land between 23:00 and midnight — the awkward window when the last metro is leaving but your bags haven't arrived yet — assume you'll miss it and plan for the night bus or a car.
Which Option for Families With Luggage?
This is the question we get asked most by guests with children. Dragging suitcases through a bus-to-metro transfer with a toddler is not how you want to start a holiday. Prague's metro does have elevators at most stations, but the connection at Nádraží Veleslavín requires walking between the trolleybus stop and the metro entrance — about 100 metres, some of it uphill.
For families, we recommend Bolt or Uber as the default choice. It's door-to-door, the driver helps with bags, and kids can stay buckled in a car seat you bring from the plane. If you want guaranteed comfort and a car seat provided, book a private transfer in advance.
The trolleybus-metro combo works fine for couples or solo travelers with a single carry-on or small suitcase. But if you're rolling two large cases and a stroller? Take the car.
For budget-conscious families: the Airport Express to the main station is a reasonable middle ground. It has luggage space, runs direct with no transfers, and costs 100 CZK per person (children under 6 ride free on Prague public transport, and children 6-15 pay half fare).
Planning your visit? A private guide takes the logistics off your plate.
SIM Cards and Wi-Fi at the Airport
One thing many visitors forget until they land: you need mobile data to use Bolt, Uber, Google Maps, and the Lítačka app. If your home SIM doesn't include Czech Republic roaming (or if roaming charges are expensive), here's what to do.
eSIM: if your phone supports eSIM, buy a data plan before you fly. Providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad offer European data eSIMs that activate instantly. This is the fastest and most convenient option — you land with data already working.
Physical SIM cards are available at the airport. Look for the Vodafone or T-Mobile kiosks in the arrivals hall. A prepaid tourist SIM with data costs around 200-400 CZK and provides several gigabytes — more than enough for a week of maps, apps, and messaging. Bring a SIM eject tool (or a paperclip).
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport terminal. It works well enough to download the Lítačka app, order a Bolt, and check your hotel address. But it won't help once you're on the trolleybus.
If you're traveling within the EU on an EU SIM card, your home data plan applies in Czech Republic at no extra charge (EU roaming regulation). UK travelers post-Brexit may face roaming fees depending on their provider — check before you fly.
What to Do If Your Flight Is Delayed
Late-arriving flights are a reality, and they affect your transfer options. If your flight lands after 23:00, the metro is either closed or about to close, and trolleybus 59 may have run its last service.
Check the Lítačka app or Google Maps as soon as you land. Both show real-time departures for night buses from the airport. If a night bus 907 or 910 is leaving in 15-20 minutes, you have time to clear customs, grab your bags, and catch it.
If nothing is departing soon, order a Bolt from the arrivals hall. At 1:00 AM on a weekday, there's virtually no traffic and the ride to Old Town takes about 20 minutes.
Hotels with airport proximity: if your flight arrives very late (after midnight) and you have an early morning the next day, consider booking one night at a hotel near the airport. The Holiday Inn Prague Airport and the Courtyard by Marriott are both within a 5-minute shuttle ride. It's not glamorous, but it's practical.
Quick Comparison Table
Option | Price (2026 approx.) | Time | Best For
Trolleybus 59 + Metro A | ~50 CZK (2 EUR) | 45 min | Budget travelers, solo, couples
Airport Express (AE) | ~100 CZK (4 EUR) | 35 min | Going to main station / New Town
Bolt / Uber | 400-700 CZK (16-28 EUR) | 20-35 min | Families, groups, late arrivals
Private transfer | 30-40 EUR | 20-35 min | Elderly, lots of luggage, comfort
Night bus 907/910 | ~50 CZK (2 EUR) | 50-60 min | After-midnight budget option
Start Exploring Prague With a Local Guide
Once you've dropped your bags and caught your breath, the best way to get oriented in Prague is with someone who knows every shortcut. Our All Prague in One Day private tour covers the castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town, and the Jewish Quarter in a single walk — and we pick up from your hotel. Just your group, no strangers.
End your first evening with something unforgettable. The Medieval Dinner Show at U Pavouka Tavern features fire dancers, sword swallowers, and a five-course feast served the way Prague taverns did it five centuries ago. After a long travel day, sitting down to candlelit spectacle is the perfect reset.
How much is a taxi from Prague Airport to the city center?
Official taxis from the AAA rank outside the terminal charge around 550-800 CZK to Old Town. Bolt is typically cheaper at 400-700 CZK. Avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal — use the app or the official taxi rank.
Is there a direct bus from Prague Airport to Old Town?
Not directly to Old Town. The fastest public transport route is trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then Metro A to Staroměstská. Total time: about 45 minutes, total cost: about 50 CZK.
Can I use a credit card to buy transport tickets at the airport?
Metro station ticket machines accept cards. Bus stop machines are coin-only. The simplest solution is the Lítačka app, which lets you buy and activate tickets with a card before boarding.
How long does it take from Prague Airport to the city center?
By public transport: 40-50 minutes. By Bolt or Uber: 20-35 minutes depending on traffic. The Airport Express takes about 35 minutes to the main train station.
Is Prague Airport far from the city?
Prague Airport (Václav Havel Airport) is about 17 km west of Old Town Square. By European capital standards, that's close — London Heathrow is 24 km, Paris CDG is 25 km, and Rome Fiumicino is 32 km from their respective centers.
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