Prague has one of the best public transport systems in Europe: three metro lines, a dense tram network that runs all night on core routes, and a single ticket that covers all of it. Most visitors never need anything else inside the city. The exceptions are luggage, late arrivals, groups and day trips, which is where a car with driver earns its price. Here is how each option works.
The quick answer
Inside the centre, walk or take the tram. For the castle take tram 22 to Pražský hrad. Buy a 24-hour or 72-hour pass and validate it once. From the airport, the bus and metro combination takes 45 to 60 minutes and a private transfer 20 to 40 minutes for a fixed 750 CZK. Never take a taxi from the street without agreeing the price or using a reputable app.
Metro
Three lines: A (green) through the Old Town edge and to the airport bus connection at Nádraží Veleslavín, B (yellow) through the New Town and Anděl, C (red) north to south through the main station and Vyšehrad. Trains run from about 5:00 to midnight every 2 to 10 minutes. Stations are deep; the escalators at Náměstí Míru are the longest in the EU.
Trams
The trams are the sightseeing tool. Line 22 climbs from the National Theatre through the Lesser Town to the castle and on to Strahov; line 17 runs along the river; night trams (numbers 91 to 99) cover the city after midnight from the hub at Lazarská. Trams stop on request; press the button. Tickets are the same as for the metro.
Tickets
One ticket covers metro, tram, bus, the funicular to Petřín and the ferries. At the time of writing: 30 minutes 30 CZK, 90 minutes 40 CZK, 24 hours 120 CZK, 72 hours 330 CZK. Buy them in the PID Lítačka app, from machines at stations, or by contactless card on board trams and buses. Paper tickets must be stamped once in the yellow validator; inspectors are frequent and fines are real. Children under 15 travel free with ID.
Taxis and apps
Licensed Prague taxis have a yellow roof light and a price list on the door; the regulated maximum is around 40 CZK per kilometre plus a boarding fee. The problems are the unlicensed cars around Wenceslas Square, the main station and the airport. Use a ride app, ask your hotel to call one, or book a car in advance for a fixed price.
From and to the airport
- Bus 59 plus metro A: bus from Terminal 1 or 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then the metro. 45 to 60 minutes to the centre, standard ticket, awkward with suitcases on the escalators.
- Airport Express bus: direct to the main railway station, about 35 minutes, separate ticket.
- Private transfer: 20 to 40 minutes to any address for a fixed 750 CZK per sedan (up to 4 passengers), driver in the arrivals hall with a name sign, flight monitored. See Prague Airport to city centre for the full comparison.
When a private car with driver is the better choice
- Arrivals after midnight or departures before 6:00, when the metro is closed and the airport bus is infrequent.
- Three or more people, or anyone with more than a cabin bag.
- Day trips: most destinations around Prague are slow or impossible by public transport.
- Limited mobility: the metro's deep stations and the cobbled hills of the Lesser Town are hard work.
- A tight schedule: an hourly car with driver, from 800 CZK per hour, covers the castle, Strahov, Vyšehrad and the Old Town drop-off points in a morning.
Get an instant fixed price in the booking form — the quote you see is the price you pay, for the whole car.