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Václav Havel Airport Prague (airport code PRG) sits around 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) west of the historic centre, in the Ruzyně district, which puts it close enough that almost every transfer option gets you into town in under an hour. Unlike some capitals with two or three competing airports, Prague keeps things simple: this is the only airport serving the city, so there is no need to work out which terminal complex you actually need before booking a transfer. The airport itself is split between Terminal 1, used for flights outside the Schengen Area, and Terminal 2, used for flights within it, with a short walk connecting the two.
For most visitors, the choice comes down to budget versus convenience. Public transport is by far the cheapest way in, combining a bus with either the metro or a direct coach service, and it runs reliably throughout the day. A metered taxi or ride-hailing app costs more but drops you at the door, which matters after a long flight or with heavy luggage. Prague also has a well-documented problem with unlicensed drivers touting for business in the arrivals hall, so knowing which option is genuinely official matters as much as knowing the price.
This guide covers every legitimate way to get between the airport and the city, including the bus and metro combination, the direct Airport Express coach to the main railway station, taxis and ride-hailing apps, private transfers, car hire desks, and what to expect from the airport itself if you are killing time before a flight. There is currently no direct rail link into the airport terminal, so we also cover the nearest useful station and what a rail connection project due to open later this decade might change.
Prague Airport Transfers at a Glance
Before getting into the detail, it helps to see the main options side by side. Prices and journey times below are approximate and can shift with traffic, time of day and exchange rates, but they give a realistic sense of what to expect for a single adult travelling from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 into the historic centre.
| Method | Price (approx.) | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 59 + Metro Line A | 46 CZK app / 50 CZK paper (£1.60-1.75 / €1.85-2 / $2.20-2.40) | Around 35 minutes |
| Bus 100 + Metro Line B | 46 CZK app / 50 CZK paper | Around 40-45 minutes |
| Airport Express (AE) to Hlavní nádraží | 200 CZK (£7 / €8 / $9.50) | Around 30-40 minutes |
| Uber or Bolt | Approx. 380-520 CZK (£13-18 / €15-21 / $18-25) | Around 25-35 minutes |
| AAA Radiotaxi (metered) | Approx. 500-650 CZK (£17-22 / €20-26 / $24-31) | Around 25-35 minutes |
| Pre-booked private transfer | Approx. 700-900 CZK (£24-31 / €28-36 / $33-43) | Around 25-35 minutes |
| Night bus 907 or 910 | 46 CZK app / 50 CZK paper | Around 50 minutes |
The public transport combinations are the best value by a wide margin, while a taxi or private transfer buys you a direct, door-to-door journey. Full detail on each option, including how to book it and what to watch out for, follows below.
Bus 59 and Metro Line A: The Cheapest Route Into the Centre
The single best value route from the airport is the combination of bus route 59 and Metro Line A. Since March 2024, an electric trolleybus running as route 59 has covered the old route 119, connecting Terminals 1 and 2 directly with Nádraží Veleslavín, the nearest Metro Line A station, in around 15 to 17 minutes. If an older guide or app still mentions bus 119, it is describing this same corridor under its previous number.
From Nádraží Veleslavín, Metro Line A runs straight through the centre, calling at useful stops including Dejvická, Hradčanská for the castle district, Malostranská for the Charles Bridge area, and Staroměstská for Old Town Square. The full journey from the terminals to Staroměstská works out at roughly 35 minutes door to platform, which makes this route the fastest as well as the cheapest way into the historic core.
A single 90-minute PID ticket covers the entire journey, bus and metro included, with no need to buy a separate fare for each leg. Buying through the PID Lítačka app costs 46 CZK (£1.60 / €1.85 / $2.20), while a paper ticket bought from a machine or the DPP information desk costs 50 CZK (£1.75 / €2 / $2.40). Tickets must be bought and validated before boarding the trolleybus, since there is no conductor selling them on board.
This route runs frequently throughout the day, generally every 10 to 15 minutes at peak times, and it is the option most locals and frequent visitors default to. It is also the most practical choice if your accommodation sits anywhere near Metro Line A, which covers a large share of the most visited parts of the city.
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Compare pricesBus 100 and Metro Line B: An Alternative Route
The airport’s second regular bus route is bus 100, which runs from both terminals to Zličín, the western terminus of Metro Line B. The bus leg takes around 18 minutes, after which Line B heads into the centre via stops including Anděl in Smíchov and Můstek at the bottom of Wenceslas Square.
For most visitors staying in the traditional tourist core around Old Town, Malá Strana or the castle, this route is less direct than bus 59, since Line B does not serve those areas as closely as Line A does. It becomes genuinely useful, however, if your hotel or apartment sits closer to Smíchov, Anděl or the southwestern districts, where a change onto Line A would otherwise be needed anyway.
Ticketing works identically to the bus 59 and Metro Line A combination. The same 90-minute PID ticket covers the whole journey, priced at 46 CZK (£1.60 / €1.85 / $2.20) through the Lítačka app or 50 CZK (£1.75 / €2 / $2.40) on paper, and the ticket must be bought and validated before boarding.
Journey times end up slightly longer overall than the bus 59 route, typically 40 to 45 minutes door to platform once the onward metro leg is included, since Zličín sits further from the centre along the line than Nádraží Veleslavín does. It is a genuinely fine option, just rarely the fastest one unless your destination happens to sit directly on Line B.
Airport Express (AE): Direct to the Main Railway Station
The Airport Express (AE) is a dedicated coach service run by the Prague Public Transit Company, offering a direct connection between the airport terminals and Praha hlavní nádraží, the main railway station, without any change of vehicle. It stops right in front of the station building, which makes it the obvious choice for anyone arriving with an onward domestic or international train to catch.
The AE runs at regular 30-minute intervals, daily, generally between around 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. heading to the airport, with a slightly earlier last departure in the opposite direction. Journey time is officially quoted at around 30 minutes, though the operator itself warns that unpredictable traffic can stretch this closer to 40 minutes at busy times of day.
Unlike bus 59 or bus 100, standard PID public transport tickets are not valid on the AE. A one-way fare costs 200 CZK (£7 / €8 / $9.50), bought from the Visitor Centre in the arrivals hall, directly from the driver, or at a Prague Public Transit Company information point. No advance reservation is needed, and the service carries extra luggage space for larger bags, which the standard city buses do not really accommodate as comfortably.
Czech Railways also sells a combined Train + Airport ticket, which bundles the AE fare together with a discount on an onward domestic rail journey. It is worth checking if you are heading straight from the airport onto a train elsewhere in the country, since the combined price usually beats buying the AE fare and the rail ticket separately.
Taxi From Prague Airport: Uber, AAA Radiotaxi and Avoiding Unlicensed Drivers
Uber is the official taxi partner at Václav Havel Airport Prague, with dedicated pick-up points directly in front of the arrivals halls at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, staffed around the clock. You can book through the Uber app, at a self-service kiosk in the terminal, or at a staffed service counter open roughly 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. After booking, you receive a six-digit PIN to confirm with the driver, and the app shows the price and destination before you commit. Expect to pay somewhere around 380 to 520 CZK (£13-18 / €15-21 / $18-25) into the centre, with the ride taking 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Bolt also operates throughout Prague and can be booked from the same terminal pick-up areas.
AAA Radiotaxi is Prague’s long-established, licensed metered taxi firm, and it remains a genuinely safe option, though its cars no longer wait directly outside the arrivals doors. Since 2017, AAA vehicles pick up from the P1 Express car park at Terminal 1 and the P2 Express car park at Terminal 2, bookable by phone on +420 222 333 222 (24 hours), through its own app, or online. Metered rates run from roughly 28 to 36 CZK per kilometre plus a 40 CZK flag fall and 6 CZK per minute of waiting time, working out to a typical fare of around 500 to 650 CZK (£17-22 / €20-26 / $24-31) into Old Town.
Prague Airport itself warns explicitly about unlicensed drivers touting for business in the arrivals hall, some wearing yellow lanyards or badges reading “Info” or even fake “Official Taxi” labels to appear legitimate. These drivers have been documented charging 70 to 100 CZK per kilometre, roughly double or triple the regulated maximum of around 36 CZK per kilometre, sometimes with rigged meters, inflated luggage surcharges, or a refusal to hand over a proper receipt. One widely reported case saw a traveller charged 1,800 CZK for a 17-kilometre journey that should have cost closer to 600 CZK.
Do not accept an unsolicited offer from anyone approaching you inside the terminal. A genuine licensed taxi displays an external TAXI roof sign, a yellow registration sticker, and a visible driver ID card, and it will quote a fare in advance or run a legitimate meter. If you are overcharged, the airport advises refusing to pay, contacting the Municipal Police on 156, and reporting the driver to [email protected] with any documentation you have.
Private Airport Transfers
If you would rather have a driver waiting with your name on a sign the moment you clear customs, a pre-booked private transfer is worth considering, particularly for families, larger groups, or anyone arriving late at night with heavy luggage. Most operators offering this service work with a fixed price agreed before you fly, so there are no surprises when you land, and the driver tracks your flight in case it runs late.
As a rough guide, a private transfer for up to three or four passengers into the centre typically costs somewhere around 700 to 900 CZK (£24-31 / €28-36 / $33-43), similar to or a little above a metered taxi fare, in exchange for the certainty of a pre-arranged pickup and a driver who is already expecting you. Larger vehicles for bigger groups or extra luggage cost more, so it is worth comparing quotes for your exact group size before booking.
This is usually the least stressful option after a long journey, since there is no need to queue, negotiate a fare, or work out which pick-up zone to head for. It suits travellers who would simply rather pay a bit more for total predictability than shop around on arrival.
Whichever operator you eventually book through, always confirm the total price in advance, check whether it includes tolls or a meet-and-greet service inside the terminal, and keep your booking confirmation and driver contact details easily accessible on your phone before you land.
Compare Airport Transfer Companies
Pre-booking your airport transfer can save time and reduce stress when you arrive. Whether you need a private taxi, shared shuttle or executive transfer, comparing providers can help you find the best price and service for your journey.
We’ve selected three trusted airport transfer companies so you can compare prices, vehicle options, cancellation policies and customer reviews before you travel.
Car Hire at Václav Havel Airport
For anyone planning to explore beyond Prague itself, perhaps combining a city stay with a run out to Karlovy Vary, Český Krumlov or the countryside, picking up a hire car at the airport is straightforward. All the main desks sit together in the Car Rental Centre on the ground floor of the Parking C building, a short signposted walk from both terminals.
Confirmed operators with a desk at the airport include Sixt, Hertz, Avis and Enterprise, alongside Europcar and the local Czech firms Czechocar and CAR4WAY. Between them, this covers everything from small city runabouts to larger family cars and vans, and most accept online pre-booking with collection handled entirely at the counter on arrival.
Typical desk opening hours run from roughly 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with several agencies, including Sixt, also offering 24-hour vehicle returns for flights landing or connecting outside normal desk hours. Bring your driving licence, passport and the credit card used to book, since a hold is almost always placed on the card for the excess at pickup.
If you only need a car for a day trip rather than the whole stay, it is worth weighing the cost of a rental, fuel and city parking against simply booking a day trip transfer or joining an organised tour from the centre instead, since driving into Prague’s historic core is neither necessary nor especially relaxing for a short visit.
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When public transport does not fit your plans in Prague, hiring a car can give you more control over your route and travel times.
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The Nearest Useful Train Station: Praha Hlavní Nádraží
Unusually for a European capital’s main airport, Václav Havel Airport currently has no direct rail link into the terminal itself. If you need to catch an onward domestic or international train, the nearest useful station is Praha hlavní nádraží, the city’s main railway station, reached most directly via the Airport Express (AE) coach covered earlier in this guide, which stops right outside the station entrance in around 30 to 40 minutes.
From hlavní nádraží, Czech Railways (ČD) and the competing operators RegioJet and Leo Express run regular services to destinations including Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň and Karlovy Vary, along with international connections towards Vienna, Berlin and Kraków. Anyone planning further rail travel around the Czech Republic should also see our separate guide to Czech rail tickets, all-day passes and group fares, which covers the various discount tickets available to visitors.
A genuine rail link project to the airport does exist, and as of the most recent planning updates, construction is expected to begin around 2027, with an express service into the city centre in around 25 minutes targeted to open by 2030. Until then, the bus and metro combination or the AE coach remain the only ways to connect the airport with the rail network.
It is worth building a little buffer time into your schedule if you are connecting from a flight onto a train at hlavní nádraží, particularly at peak times when the AE coach can run a little behind its scheduled 30-minute journey time.
If you are arriving at hlavní nádraží and need to press on to a particular part of the city, here is a rough guide to journey times from the station. These are typical, approximate times only, not guarantees, since actual journeys will vary with traffic, crowds and how quickly you move through interchanges.
| Destination | Approx. Journey Time | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| Wenceslas Square | Around 5 minutes | On foot |
| Old Town Square | Around 10 minutes | On foot, or a similar time via Metro Line C one stop to Muzeum, changing to Line A to Staroměstská, plus a short walk |
| Malostranská / Charles Bridge area | Around 10-12 minutes | Metro Line C to Muzeum, changing to Line A to Malostranská, plus a short walk to the bridge |
| Prague Castle | Around 20-25 minutes | Metro Line C to Muzeum, changing to Line A to Malostranská or Hradčanská, then tram 22 or a 10-15 minute uphill walk |
| Náměstí Míru / Vinohrady | Around 10-12 minutes | Metro Line C to Muzeum, changing to Line A a couple of stops |
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Book a transferAirport Facilities: Terminals, Lounges, Currency and Luggage
Václav Havel Airport is split between Terminal 1, handling flights outside the Schengen Area, and Terminal 2, handling flights within it, with a covered walkway connecting the two so transferring between them does not mean going back through security. For full up to date facility information, the airport’s own official site at prg.aero is the most reliable source.
Currency exchange counters operate both landside and airside in each terminal, though rates at airport counters are rarely the best available in the city, so changing only a small amount for immediate cash needs is generally the sensible approach. Free unlimited WiFi is available throughout the airport via the network named prg.aero-free, with no time limit or registration hoops to jump through.
Left luggage storage is available at both terminals, priced at around 120 CZK (£4 / €4.80 / $5.70) per item per day, with a desk near Entrance A in Terminal 1 and a facility near the baggage reclaim area in Terminal 2 that runs around the clock. Several paid airport lounges operate across the terminals, including the Mastercard Lounge and VIP Service Club Continental in Terminal 1, and the Erste Premier Lounge and a Fast Track lounge in Terminal 2, most with shower facilities included.
Both terminals have a reasonable spread of shops, cafes and duty-free retail, with the Aelia Duty Free store in Terminal 1 open around the clock to catch early departures and late arrivals alike. Neither terminal is enormous by international standards, so even a fairly tight connection between flights is generally manageable on foot.
Night Transport: Getting to the Airport After Midnight
Regular daytime bus routes, including bus 59 and bus 100, run less frequently once the evening winds down, and they stop entirely for a few hours overnight. Between roughly 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., Prague’s public transit network switches over to its night bus system instead, which keeps the airport connected to the centre even at the quietest hours.
Two night routes serve the airport directly: bus 907, which runs via Anděl, Hlavní nádraží, Náměstí Republiky, Hradčanská and Bořislavka, and bus 910, which runs via I.P. Pavlova, Karlovo náměstí, Švandovo divadlo and Divoká Šárka. Both take around 50 minutes from their respective central stops, noticeably longer than the daytime bus 59 and metro combination, since night buses run on a wider loop and stop less frequently overall.
Fares on the night network are identical to daytime tickets, a standard 90-minute PID ticket at 46 CZK through the app or 50 CZK on paper, so there is no overnight premium to budget for on the bus itself. The main trade-off is simply waiting time between departures, which stretches out considerably compared with the daytime frequency.
For anyone landing on a genuinely late flight, Uber and Bolt operate around the clock at the airport with no overnight surcharge structure beyond the app’s normal dynamic pricing, and the official Uber Airport pick-up point outside the terminals stays staffed and lit through the night. For most travellers arriving after midnight, a ride-hailing app remains the simplest and least stressful option over waiting for a night bus.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Prague’s airport transfers are simple once you know the difference between the official options and the ones to avoid, so here’s what I’d want to know before landing.
- Buy your PID ticket before boarding: there’s no conductor selling tickets on bus 59 or bus 100, so grab one from the machine or app first.
- Ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal: genuine taxi and transfer bookings happen at a kiosk, counter or app, never through someone walking up to you with an offer.
- The AE coach needs its own ticket: your regular metro or bus pass will not work on the Airport Express, so budget for a separate fare.
- Old bus 119 is now trolleybus 59: if an older map or app mentions bus 119, it means the same route to Nádraží Veleslavín under its new number.
- Keep a little cash for luggage storage: card machines are common but not universal at every airport counter, so a small amount of CZK is handy.
- Check the AE timetable before a late flight: it stops running well before midnight, so a night bus or ride-hailing app is the better plan for a late arrival.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way from Prague Airport to the city centre?
The bus 59 and Metro Line A combination is the cheapest option, costing 46 CZK through the Lítačka app or 50 CZK on paper for the full 90-minute journey, and it takes around 35 minutes to central stops like Staroměstská.
Is there a train from Prague Airport to the city centre?
No, there is currently no direct rail link into the airport terminal. The nearest useful station is Praha hlavní nádraží, reached via the Airport Express coach, though a rail connection project is planned to open around 2030.
Is it safe to take a taxi from Prague Airport?
Yes, provided you use the official Uber Airport pick-up point or a licensed firm like AAA Radiotaxi booked by app or phone. Avoid anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride, since unlicensed drivers are known to significantly overcharge.
What happened to bus 119 at Prague Airport?
Bus 119 was replaced in March 2024 by an electric trolleybus running as route 59, which covers the same route between the terminals and Nádraží Veleslavín metro station on Line A.
Can I hire a car at Prague Airport?
Yes, all the major car hire desks, including Sixt, Hertz, Avis and Enterprise, sit together in the Car Rental Centre on the ground floor of the Parking C building, a short walk from both terminals.
How do I get to Prague Airport after midnight?
Regular daytime buses stop for a few hours overnight, but night buses 907 and 910 continue serving the airport on standard fares, and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt operate around the clock.
Further Reading
Once you have made it into the centre, our guide to Prague’s public transport network covers the metro, trams and buses in more depth, including how the Lítačka app and longer-duration tickets work if you are staying for more than a day or two. If you would rather skip individual tickets altogether, our Prague City Pass guide explains when a bundled pass covering transport and attractions actually works out cheaper.
For planning what to do once you have settled in, our roundup of things to do in Prague covers the essential sights, while our guide to day trips from Prague is worth a look if you are curious what lies beyond the city itself, particularly if you have hired a car at the airport already.
Visiting over the festive period brings its own transport quirks worth knowing in advance, which our Christmas in Prague guide covers alongside the seasonal markets themselves. And if onward rail travel around the country is on your itinerary, our guide to Czech rail tickets, passes and group fares is the natural next stop.
