Getting Around Prague

How to Get from Prague Airport to the City Centre

The Prague Airport (Václav Havel Airport Prague) is about 15 km (9 miles) from the city centre. It takes approximately 30 minutes (50 minutes in heavy traffic) to reach the centre by car and about 40 minutes by public transport (trolleybus + metro). Public transport is the cheapest way of getting to downtown Prague — it is easy to use, clean, reliable and runs frequently.

How Best for Journey time Cost
Trolleybus 59 + Metro A Old Town, city centre, Prague Castle 35–40 min 46–50 CZK
Bus 100 + Metro B Zličín, Smíchov, New Town about 40 min 46–50 CZK
Airport Express (AE) Main Railway Station, trains about 40 min 200 CZK
Night buses 907 & 910 0:00–4:30, when the metro is closed 30–45 min 46–50 CZK
Taxi, Uber, Bolt Door to door about 30 min 500–800 CZK
Transport sorted? Enjoy your evening in Prague. Classical concerts take place every evening in the city's historic halls.
See concerts & dates
Step 1 · Choose your line

Which Line to Take

Three daytime lines connect the airport with the city: trolleybus 59 (the fastest way to the centre), bus 100 (metro line B), and the direct Airport Express bus to the Main Railway Station. At night, buses 907 and 910 take over. (There is also bus 191, but at around 50 minutes to the centre it is rarely worth taking.)

Bus stops at the Václav Havel Airport Prague:

59 Trolleybus 59: Airport - Metro Line A (Green line) Nádraží Veleslavín

Travel Time: approx. 15 minutes

Trolleybus 59 runs between the Václav Havel Airport Prague and the Nádraží Veleslavín metro station (metro line A). It replaced the former bus 119 in 2024 and is operated by modern, air-conditioned electric trolleybuses. This is the best choice if your destination is in the historical centre of Prague (the Old Town, Lesser Town, New Town, Prague Castle area) or anywhere along line A.

Find Timetable

Taking Trolleybus 59 from the airport:

Trolleybus 59 leaves outside the Arrivals terminal. It will take you to the Nádraží Veleslavín metro station on line A. The metro will get you to the centre in no time (6 - 8 stops, depending on where you're going), and you can use the same ticket.

Taking Trolleybus 59 to the airport:

Take line A of the metro to Nádraží Veleslavín. Trolleybus 59 departs from a designated area near the station exit. The airport is at the end of the line, and it stops at all the terminals - 3 (private flights), 1 (flights to non-Schengen countries), and 2 (flights to Schengen countries). Announcements are in English at each of the terminals.

100 Bus 100: Airport - Metro Line B (Yellow line) Zličín

Travel Time: approx. 18 minutes

Bus 100 runs between the Václav Havel Airport Prague and the Zličín metro station (metro line B). Take this bus if your final destination is near any of the metro stations on line B, such as in the New Town (Nové Město) or Smíchov districts.

Find Timetable

Taking Bus 100 from the airport:

Bus 100 leaves outside the Arrivals terminal. It will take you to the Zličín metro station, the last stop of metro line B. After that, you can take the metro using the same ticket to continue to your destination. Once you get on the metro, expect the journey to take about 20 minutes (11 - 13 stops) to get you into the centre.

Taking Bus 100 to the airport:

Take line B of the metro to Zličín and get on bus 100. The airport is at the end of the line, and the bus stops at all terminals - 1, 2, and 3.

AE Airport Express (AE): Airport - Main Railway Station

Travel Time: approx. 40 minutes

The Airport Express is a direct bus with extra luggage space that links the airport with the Main Railway Station (Praha hlavní nádraží). It is the right choice if you are catching a train or staying near Wenceslas Square. The AE runs daily every 30 minutes, roughly from 5:30 until 21:00 from the airport (and until 22:00 towards the airport). There is no night service.

Regular public transport tickets are not valid on this line. A one-way ticket costs 200 CZK (children 6-15: 100 CZK, children under 6: free, luggage: free) and can be bought directly from the driver - cards accepted - or at the Visitor Centre in the Arrival Hall. From the airport, the AE departs from Terminal 1; when heading to the airport, it stops at both terminals.

AE Line Details and Timetable

907 · 910 Travelling at Night: Buses 907 and 910

Bus 907 direction: Hradčanská – Hlavní nádraží – Karlovo náměstí – Anděl
Bus 910 direction: I. P. Pavlova (New Town) and the southern districts

The metro does not run between midnight and about 4:30 a.m. If you land at night, take night bus 907 or 910 - together they leave roughly every 30 minutes and regular public transport tickets are valid. The Airport Express does not run at night.

Find Timetable

Taxi, Uber and Bolt

Travel Time: approx. 30 minutes (up to an hour in rush hour)

Licensed taxis wait at ranks in front of both terminals, and the ride-hailing apps Uber and Bolt pick up at the airport as well. Expect roughly 500-800 CZK to the city centre, depending on the service and traffic. Booking through an app shows you the price in advance; never accept a ride from drivers offering their services inside the Arrival Hall.

Step 2 · Your ticket

Public Transport Tickets

Ticket types

For the trip from the airport to the centre, buy the 90-minute ticket (50 CZK paper / 46 CZK in the app) - it covers the whole journey including the transfer to the metro. The 30-minute ticket is not enough once you change to the metro. Tickets are cheaper in the PID Lítačka mobile app than on paper; both prices are shown below.

Ticket Paper In the app
30 minutes 39 CZK 36 CZK
90 minutes (to centre)90 min (to centre) 50 CZK 46 CZK
24 hours 150 CZK 140 CZK
72 hours 350 CZK 340 CZK

Children and seniors: children under 15 and seniors over 65 travel free - carry a passport or ID as proof of age (children aged 10-15 need any ID with their name and date of birth, a school card works). Seniors aged 60-65 pay roughly half price (e.g. 25 CZK paper / 23 CZK app for 90 minutes).

Prague public transport tickets can be used on any public transportation and allow for transfers between lines (metro to metro, tram to tram, etc.) and transfers between different types of transport (metro to tram, tram to a bus, etc.).

Do not forget to validate a paper ticket - stamp it once in the yellow machine at the entrance to the metro station or on board the tram/bus.

Luggage and dogs

One piece of luggage up to 25 × 45 × 70 cm travels free. Larger suitcases need a luggage ticket (25 CZK paper / 23 CZK in the app, valid for 180 minutes) - but if you hold a 24-hour or 72-hour ticket, one large piece is free. Dogs travel free on a leash and with a muzzle (or in a carrier). On the Airport Express, all luggage travels free.

Step 3 · Where to buy

Where to Buy Your Ticket

At the airport

Public transport counters

The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) has counters in both Arrival Halls (Terminal 1: 7:00-21:00, Terminal 2: 9:00-21:00), where you can buy tickets and get directions in English.

Ticket vending machines

Touch-screen vending machines stand directly at the bus stops outside both terminals. They have an English menu and accept contactless payment cards as well as coins and banknotes.

On board trolleybus 59

Trolleybus 59 has a contactless terminal on board - tap your card immediately after boarding and the ticket is valid right away, no stamping needed. On the Airport Express, buy the ticket from the driver (cards accepted).

Around the city

Ticket vending machines

Vending machines are installed at all metro stations and selected surface transit stops. The modern touch-screen machines accept contactless payment cards as well as coins and banknotes; some older push-button machines accept coins only.

On board trams and buses

All trams and most city buses have a contactless terminal on board (usually by the second door). The ticket bought there is valid immediately and no longer needs validation.

Mobile application "PID Lítačka"

The official app "PID Lítačka" is available on Google Play and the App Store. It offers all tickets for Prague public transport, and it can also search your connection and suggest the most suitable ticket. You can pay with a credit/debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Activate the ticket before boarding - it becomes valid a minute or two after activation.

Newsstands and retailers

Some shops, especially newspaper shops, offer tickets for Prague public transport.

SMS (Czech SIM cards only)

If you have a Czech mobile number, you can buy a ticket by sending a text message to 90206: "DPT42" (30 minutes), "DPT55" (90 minutes), "DPT150" (24 hours) or "DPT350" (72 hours). The ticket usually arrives within one minute, and you must receive it before boarding. SMS tickets do not work with foreign SIM cards - use the app or a vending machine instead.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

The 90-minute ticket (50 CZK paper / 46 CZK in the app). It covers the trolleybus or bus, the transfer to the metro, and any tram or bus you might need afterwards.
Only for large ones: luggage up to 25 × 45 × 70 cm travels free, bigger pieces need a 25 CZK luggage ticket - unless you hold a 24-hour or 72-hour ticket, which includes one large piece for free.
Yes, almost everywhere: at the touch-screen vending machines, on board trolleybus 59 and all trams (contactless terminals), from the Airport Express driver, and in the PID Lítačka app.
No. The metro does not reach the airport - take trolleybus 59 or bus 100 to the nearest metro station, or the Airport Express to the Main Railway Station.
Yes, both pick up at the airport, and licensed taxis wait in front of the terminals. A ride to the centre takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly 500-800 CZK.
The metro runs daily from about 5:00 until midnight. Trolleybus 59 and bus 100 run from early morning until around midnight; between midnight and 4:30 the airport is served by night buses 907 and 910. The Airport Express runs from 5:30 until about 21:00 (from the airport).