Travelling to Prague

By air

Prague has only one international airport, Letiště Václava Havla Praha (Václav Havel Airport Prague). 17km northwest of the city centre, this is the main international gateway to the Czech Republic. The national carrier, Czech Airlines, operate direct flights to Prague from many European cities. The airport has no metro or train connection with the city centre and is only served by buses and taxis.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxi: This is the most expensive way to travel. Prices for a taxi journey range from 150 CZK (approximately €6) to 1000 CZK (approximately €37), depending on your precise destination. Prague’s taxi drivers have earned a poor reputation in recent years, for some tips on travelling by taxi in the city click here.
Bus: You can take the City Bus (119/100), the Airport Express or the regular Airport Shuttle Service to Dejvická metro station (by the Diplomat Hotel) and then continue by public transport.
- City Bus 119 - This connects the airport to the metro station and is the best choice if your destination is in the historical centre of Prague. Bus 119 leaves from outside the Arrivals terminal and runs from around 04:20 until approximately 23:45. It takes you to the Nádraží Veleslavín metro station on line A. From there you can take the metro using the same ticket to continue to your destination. You can buy a ticket for 24 CZK (approximately €1) valid for 30 minutes or 32 CZK (approximately €1.5) valid for 90 minutes, in the airport lounge. Tickets must be validated by date-stamping it on the bus.
- City Bus 100 - A fast and frequent service connects the airport with the Zličín metro station (yellow line B), from which you can get directly into the centre of Prague. This is the best choice if your destination is in the New Town. Bus 100 leaves from outside the Arrivals terminal and runs from 05:45 until 23:39.
- Airport Express - This connects Prague Airport with Prague Main Station (Hlavní nádraží) which is on line C of the metro. A ticket costs 60 CZK (approximately €2.5), and can be purchased directly from the driver.
- The Airport Shuttle Service costs 120 CZK (approximately €5), and can be purchased directly from the driver.

Dejvická metro station is the first stop of both the Airport Express and the Airport Shuttle Service. A map of the metro and tram system can be found here.

Prague airport shuttle service provides private airport transfers costing around 600CZK (approximately €22 for up to four passengers), please click here for more information

By rail

The Czech Republic has one of the most extensive railway networks in Europe. The quickest way of travelling along the major lines is on express trains or fast trains (rychlík). Local passenger trains (osobní vlaky) stop everywhere and are very cheap. Direct rail links connect Prague with more than 20 European cities, including Munich (journey time five hours), Vienna (journey time four hours 30 minutes), Berlin (journey time five hours 30 minutes) and Paris (journey time 10 hours). Seat reservations are strongly recommended on all services.

International trains (EC, IC) arrive at two railway stations in Prague: Praha-Hlavní nádraží (The Main Railway Station) and Praha-Holešovice (Holesovice Railway Station). Both are situated in the centre of Prague, near a metro station (red line C). More information on train and bus connections can be found here (National Timetable Information System). Prague is well integrated into European rail networks. České dráhy, the Czech state rail operator, sells tickets for international destinations.

Most domestic and international trains arrive at Praha - Hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Station). Some trains, particularly from Berlin, Vienna and Budapest, also stop at Praha-Holešovice, north of the centre. Both stations have stops on metro line C (red).

By bus

Several bus companies offer coach services connecting Prague to other European cities. Most international buses use the Florenc bus station. All bus terminals are easily accessible by Metro (the name of the stop usually corresponds with the name of the terminal). More information on bus and train connections can be found here.

By road

Prague lies at the nexus of several European highways and is a relatively easy drive from many major regional cities.

Nuremberg: three hours
Berlin, Munich and Vienna: four hours
Budapest: five hours

Visa Information

The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union (EU) and of the Schengen area, therefore most participants do not require a visa to visit Prague, just a valid passport (or ID card for EU citizens).

Visas are NOT required for stays up to 90 days by citizens of these countries:

(a) UK and other EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland;

(b) Albania*, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia & Herzegovina*, Brazil, Brunei, Canada*, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong*, Israel, Japan, Macedonia*, Macao*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Christopher & Nevis, Salvador, San Marino, Serbia*, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan*, USA, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.
*some restrictions apply.

Visas are also NOT required in the following circumstances:

Schengen Visa: Where travellers arrive with a Schengen visa, either directly into the Czech Republic or via another Schengen area country, no further visa is required.
Family member of an EU citizen: If a family member of an EU citizen who is not an EU citizen himself/herself holds a temporary or permanent residence permit in another EU country, he/she does not require a visa.

More information on travellers not requiring a visa is available here.

Visas ARE required by all visitors not covered by the above.

Where a visa is required to visit Prague, for a stay of up to 90 days you will need to apply for a Schengen (short-term) visa. Please note the following:

Visas are not available at border crossings or at Prague Airport. If you require a visa and arrive without one, you will be refused entry to the Czech Republic.
Travellers with a visa must register with the police within three working days of arrival.

More information on travellers that require a visa is available here.

Further information on visas

Prague Experience has compiled the information on this page based on its understanding of current visa requirements, but it is a complicated area and changes to the rules do occur. If you are in any doubt, you are strongly advised to contact the Czech embassy in your country by visiting www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/diplomatic_missions/czech_missions_abroad/index.html and apply for your visa as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, the ECPR cannot offer any further advice on visas.