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Prague airport to the city centre
There is no train. Four ways in, ranging from 46 to several hundred koruna, and one of them is where the city’s best-known overcharging happens.
Vaclav Havel Airport sits about 17 km west of the centre. Prague is unusual among European capitals in having no rail link to its airport — the project has been discussed for years and is still not open in 2026. Everything below is road-based.
The four options, compared
| Option | Price | Time to the centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trolleybus 59 + metro A | 46 CZK | ~35–40 min | Almost everyone |
| Bus 119 + metro A | 46 CZK | ~35–40 min | Same route, older service |
| Airport Express bus | 200 CZK | ~40 min | Going straight to the main station |
| Bolt or Liftago | ~400–700 CZK | ~25–35 min | Late arrivals, groups, heavy bags |
Take trolleybus 59 to Nadrazi Veleslavin, then metro line A into the centre. One 90-minute ticket at 46 CZK in the PID Litacka app covers the whole journey, including the transfer. Buy it before you board.
Why the Airport Express is now poor value
The Airport Express runs directly to Hlavni nadrazi, the main railway station, without a change. That was a reasonable trade when it cost around 100 CZK. In 2026 the price doubled to 200 CZK per person, which makes it more than four times the cost of the bus-and-metro route for a journey that is not meaningfully faster.
It still makes sense in one case: you are heading straight for a train out of Hlavni nadrazi, or staying in the New Town near the station, and you would rather not carry bags through a metro change.
Taxis: use an app, not the rank
Taxi overcharging from the airport is the second most common complaint visitors make about Prague, after currency exchange. The fix is simple and costs nothing: book through Bolt or Liftago in the app, where the price is agreed before you get in, rather than taking whatever is waiting at the rank.
Liftago is the Czech option and works with licensed taxi drivers; Bolt is the international ride-hailing app. Both have designated pick-up areas at the terminals. More detail on taxis versus Bolt.
Arriving late
- Until ~23:30Trolleybus 59 and bus 119 run normallyMetro A runs until around midnight.
- After midnightNight bus 910Runs all night to the centre, on the same 46 CZK ticket.
- Any hourBolt or LiftagoFixed price in the app. The sensible choice at 02:00 with luggage.
Going back out to the airport
Reverse the route: metro A to Nadrazi Veleslavin, then trolleybus 59. Allow 40 minutes plus the usual airport buffer. From Vinohrady this is particularly easy — line A runs straight there with no change at all, which is one of the underrated arguments for staying in that district.
For two people travelling together, the app-based taxi starts to compete with the Airport Express on price and beats it comfortably on convenience.
Castle tickets and river cruises are the two things that sell out. Everything else can wait until you are there.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Prague airport to the city?
No. As of 2026 there is still no rail link to Vaclav Havel Airport. A dedicated airport line has been discussed for years but is not open.
What is the cheapest way from Prague airport to the centre?
Trolleybus 59 to Nadrazi Veleslavin and then metro line A, on a single 90-minute ticket costing 46 CZK in the PID Litacka app. Bus 119 follows the same principle.
Is the Airport Express worth it?
Rarely, since it doubled to 200 CZK in 2026. It makes sense if you are going directly to the main railway station or staying nearby with heavy luggage.
How long does it take to get from Prague airport to the centre?
About 35 to 40 minutes by bus and metro, and 25 to 35 by car depending on traffic. Budget two hours from landing to hotel door once you include passport control and bags.
Should I take a taxi from Prague airport?
Use Bolt or Liftago from the app rather than the rank. Airport taxi overcharging is a long-standing problem and an app price agreed in advance removes it entirely.