The airport is the part of a trip that stresses people out — some travelers even rearrange plans to avoid dealing with it. Good news: in Prague it’s easy. Václav Havel Airport (PRG), the old Ruzyně, is small and quick to move through, and the center is close: depending on how you go, 25 to 45 minutes door to door. Here’s every option for 2026, with times and prices in CZK and dollars.
The airport has three terminals, though in practice you’ll use two: T2 for Schengen flights and T1 for non-Schengen international flights (the UK, US, and others). T3 is for charter and private aviation. T1 and T2 are linked by a 5-minute indoor walkway.
If you’re still planning the trip itself, see our guides to Prague in one day and Prague in two days.
Prague airport to the city center: options at a glance
| Option | Approx. price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trolleybus 59 + Metro (line A) | 50 CZK / $2.20 (46 in app) | 35–45 min | Cheapest. Transfer at Nádraží Veleslavín; same ticket covers the metro. |
| Bus 100 + Metro (line B) | 50 CZK / $2.20 (46 app) | 40–50 min | Handy if your hotel is near the yellow line. |
| Airport Express (AE) | 200 CZK / $9 | 35–40 min | Direct to the main station (Hlavní nádraží). No transfer, good with luggage. |
| Night bus 910 | 50 CZK / $2.20 | ~45 min | Only when the metro is closed (00:30–04:30). Stops at I. P. Pavlova. |
| Uber / Bolt | 500–700 CZK / $22–30 | 25–30 min | More reliable than a street taxi; fare fixed up front. |
| Official taxi (yellow AAA) | 600–800 CZK / $26–35 | 25–30 min | Only the official ones. Confirm the price first. |
| Car rental | from €17–20/day | 25–30 min | Worth it for trips outside Prague. |
Public transport from the airport to central Prague
Getting from the airport into Prague (and back) is simple and fast if you do it the right way. The bus stop is right outside the terminal, at ground level, and the yellow ticket machines are at the same stop. The ticket you want is the 90-minute one: 50 CZK on paper, or 46 CZK in the PID Lítačka app, and you can pay by card — no need for Czech cash yet. If you do want crowns for later, here’s our guide to changing money in Prague.
Trolleybus 59 (formerly bus 119) + Metro line A (green)
This is the cheapest combo, and the one we guides take ourselves. For 50 CZK (about $2.20) on paper, or 46 CZK in the PID Lítačka app, you’re in the center in about 35–45 minutes. Since March 2024 the old bus 119 was replaced by trolleybus 59, which runs the exact same route with newer, bigger, electric vehicles. It leaves every 5–10 minutes at peak times; take it to the last stop, Nádraží Veleslavín, where the green metro line starts. You’ll see the metro entrance as you step off, and the same ticket is valid for the metro — no need to validate again. Central stops are Můstek or Staroměstská.
Bus 100 + Metro line B (yellow)
If your hotel is near a yellow-line metro stop, this is the alternative. Instead of trolleybus 59, take bus 100 from the same stop. It leaves every 15 minutes during the day and reaches Zličín in about 20 minutes, where you change to the yellow metro. Central stops are mainly Můstek and Národní třída. The ticket is the same 50 CZK as for trolleybus 59.
Airport Express (AE)
The Airport Express is the easy way straight into town. You catch it at the same place as the other buses, and it runs direct to the main train station, Hlavní nádraží, just north of Wenceslas Square. It’s marked “AE.” From there, if you’re early, you can walk into the historic center or link up with a first Old Town free tour. It runs from the airport 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m. (center to airport 5:30 a.m.–9 p.m.), every 30 minutes. The fare went from 100 to 200 CZK (about $9) on January 1, 2026, so it’s noticeably pricier than it used to be; the ride is still about 35–40 minutes, and kids 6–15 pay 100 CZK. You need the dedicated AE ticket — the normal 50 CZK ticket doesn’t work. It’s the pick if you’re traveling with luggage: on your last day you can leave your bags in the station’s left-luggage and grab the AE straight to the airport from the door.
Getting from the airport at night
Arriving late is a little different, because the metro stops around 12:30 a.m. and the trams switch to their own night routes. The process is still easy: instead of trolleybus 59 or bus 100, take night bus 910, which leaves the airport every 30 minutes and runs straight into the center without a tram change. The useful stop for hotels near Wenceslas Square or the New Town is I. P. Pavlova, about 45 minutes from the airport. If your hotel is near the Old Town, stay on the 910 to Divoká Šárka and switch to night tram 91, which drops you at Dlouhá třída, 3 minutes from the square. The standard 90-minute ticket (50 CZK) covers the whole trip.
Uber and Bolt at Prague Airport
Uber and Bolt both work well in Prague and are the more reliable alternative to a street taxi. They run 500–700 CZK to the center (about $22–30), with no surprises on the fare, because you see it before you accept — and they’re usually cheaper than a regular taxi. One tip: the pickup points aren’t right at the terminal door but in the parking lot across from it, clearly signed. Order the car before you clear passport control so you’re not waiting around when you come out.
Renting a car at the airport
The car-rental desks are on the ground floor of parking garage C; you’ll pass them on the way out of the terminal, so they’re easy to find. Basic models run around €17–20 a day, depending on how long you rent. If you plan to drive around the city, read up first on parking in Prague — it has its quirks. One warning, after repeated complaints from colleagues and travelers: we’d avoid the rental company Budget, which has been reported for unauthorized charges weeks after the car was returned.
Taxis at the airport
We’ve left this one for last on purpose. Taxis aren’t always reliable in Prague — prices vary a lot between drivers, and attempts to overcharge tourists are unfortunately common. If you’ve no other option, use the official yellow AAA taxis at the terminal exit; they’re easy to spot. Before you get in, confirm the price and that it’s no more than 600–800 CZK (about $26–35) to the center. The ride is around 25 minutes. Better still, just open Bolt.
That’s the whole picture. Pick the cheap bus combo if you’re traveling light, the Airport Express if you’ve got luggage and want zero transfers, and Bolt if you’d rather be driven. Whichever you choose, you’ll be in the center before you know it.
See you in Prague.
Our experience
The airport run is the first thing travelers ask us about, and we take it ourselves all the time. The combo we actually use is trolleybus 59 to the metro — it's the cheapest, and with the new electric trolleybuses it's a smooth ride to Nádraží Veleslavín, then straight into the center on the green line. We'll tell you which ticket to buy (the 90-minute one, not the 30), where the machines are, and how to dodge the taxi touts at arrivals. After 8+ years meeting travelers off these buses — and 70,000+ reviews at a 4.96 average — this is the routine, not the theory.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Prague Airport from the city center?
Václav Havel Airport (PRG) is about 17 km (11 mi) northwest of the historic center. Public transport takes 35–45 minutes; a car or taxi is 25–30, depending on traffic on the way out through Dejvice.
What's the cheapest way from Prague Airport to the city center?
Trolleybus 59 plus Metro line A, on a single 90-minute ticket: 50 CZK ($2.20) on paper, or 46 CZK in the PID Lítačka app. The same ticket covers the trolleybus and the metro transfer, and it takes about 35–45 minutes.
How much is the Airport Express in Prague?
200 CZK (about $9) for adults and 100 CZK for kids 6–15, as of 2026 — the price doubled from 100 CZK on January 1, 2026. It runs direct from the airport to the main train station (Hlavní nádraží) in 35–40 minutes, with no transfer. You need the dedicated AE ticket; the normal 50 CZK ticket doesn't work.
Does Prague Airport have a metro or train?
No. There's no metro or train directly to Václav Havel Airport. You take a bus or trolleybus (59 or 100, or the Airport Express) and transfer to the metro, or take a taxi or Bolt. A metro line to the airport has been planned for years but isn't built yet.
How do I get to the center if my flight lands at night?
After the metro stops around 12:30 a.m., take night bus 910, which runs from the airport every 30 minutes straight into the center — I. P. Pavlova (near Wenceslas Square) is about 45 minutes. For the Old Town, stay on to Divoká Šárka and change to night tram 91. The 90-minute 50 CZK ticket covers it all.
Is it safe to take a taxi at Prague Airport?
Stick to the official yellow AAA taxis at the terminal exit and agree the price before you get in — the center should be 600–800 CZK ($26–35). Don't accept rides from anyone soliciting inside the hall. Honestly, Bolt or Uber is more reliable: you see the fare before you accept, usually 500–700 CZK.
Where do you buy transport tickets at the airport?
At the yellow machines right by the bus stop outside the terminal, at ground level. Buy the 90-minute ticket (50 CZK, or 46 in the app); cards are accepted, so you don't need Czech cash yet. Validate it when you board the trolleybus, and the same ticket then covers the metro.
How many terminals does Prague Airport have?
Three. T2 handles Schengen/EU flights, T1 is for non-Schengen international flights (the UK, US, and others), and T3 is for charter and private aviation. As a regular traveler you'll only use T1 or T2, and they're linked by a 5-minute indoor walkway.
