How to get around Prague: Transport, food & beer guide for visitors
Getting from the Airport to the Centre:
Václav Havel Airport Prague sits about 17 km from the city centre, and here are three ways to get to the centre:
Taxi. Official taxi ranks are located directly outside Terminals 1 and 2 — look for the "Fix Taxi" or "AAA Taxi" branding, since these operators post fixed prices to city-centre destinations (roughly 600–800 CZK). Avoid drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall offering a ride before you've reached the rank; these are rarely the best price.
Airport Express bus + Metro. The AE bus runs directly to Praha hlavní nádraží (Main Train Station) in about 35 minutes, where you can transfer onto Metro Line C. This is the cheapest, most reliable option and works well if you're not overloaded with luggage.
Ride-share apps. Bolt and Uber both operate at the airport and tend to be cheaper and more transparent than hailing a taxi on the spot — a good option if you'd rather not negotiate a fare on arrival.
The metro: Prague's fastest way around
Prague's metro has three lines — A (green), B (yellow), and C (red) — and covers most of the places visitors actually want to reach: Old Town, the Castle area (via Malostranská), Wenceslas Square, and the Main Train Station. Trains run roughly every 4–10 minutes from 5:00 to midnight. A single ticket (valid for transfers within a set time window) covers metro, tram, and bus, so buy it once at a yellow ticket machine and validate it the moment you board — inspectors do check, and fines are issued on the spot without a valid stamp.
Trams: the scenic alternative
Trams are slower than the metro but far better for sightseeing. Route 22 is the one locals mention to visitors first; it runs past the National Theatre, up through the Castle district, giving you a moving view of the city for the price of a regular ticket. Night trams (numbered in the 90s) run after midnight when the metro closes, on a slightly wider network than the daytime lines. Buy your ticket beforehand in one of the yellow machines or directly on the tram, paying with your credit/debit card.
Taxis in the city
Stick to marked taxis with visible licence numbers and a working meter, or book through an app — Bolt and Liftago are the two most reliable in Prague. Street-hailed taxis around Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and the airport are the most common source of overcharging complaints from visitors; app-based booking removes that risk almost entirely since the fare is agreed before the ride starts.
Praha hlavní nádraží: the main train station
Praha hlavní nádraží is Prague's principal railway station and a striking building in its own right — its original Art Nouveau hall, built in 1909, sits just above the modern departure level. It connects directly to Metro Line C, has left-luggage lockers on the lower level, and serves both domestic trains and international routes to Vienna, Berlin, and Budapest. If you're catching an early train, the station's cafés and shops open well before most city-centre restaurants.
Czech Cuisine: what to actually order
Czech food is built around a handful of dishes that reward a bit of research before you sit down:
- Svíčková — marinated beef sirloin in a creamy vegetable sauce, served with bread dumplings and a spoon of cranberry sauce
- Guláš — a heartier, paprika-forward stew than its Hungarian namesake, usually with dumplings
- Vepřo-knedlo-zelo — roast pork, bread dumplings, and braised cabbage; about as traditional as Czech food gets
- Trdelník — worth knowing this one is a Slovak-Hungarian import sold heavily to tourists in Old Town, not a historic Czech dish, despite the signage everywhere
For an honest meal, look a few streets back from the main squares — restaurants directly on Old Town Square or Charles Bridge tend to charge tourist prices for average food.
Czech beer: a short primer
The Czech Republic has one of the highest beer consumption rates per capita in the world, and Prague takes it seriously. Pilsner Urquell (from Plzeň) is the original pale lager the style is named after; Budweiser Budvar (from České Budějovice) is its best-known rival. Beyond the big two, small pivovary (breweries) across Prague pour their own unfiltered or specialty lagers worth seeking out.
A few etiquette notes: beer is typically ordered by size (0.3L or 0.5L) rather than by name alone, a coaster left face-up signals you'd like another round, and tipping isn't expected the way it is elsewhere — rounding up the bill is the norm.
Our recommendation on where to get a good Czech meal and beer:
Vinohradský Parlament - by Náměstí Míru, offers typical Czech cuisine, great beer
Restaurant U Marčanů - don´t miss this authentic folklore evening. Plenty of food, beer, or wine. Great entertainment!
Strahov Monastery Brewery - not far from Prague Castle, in a monastery founded in the 12th century, a real treat and a fantastic beer
Slivovitz Museum - located near Kampa Park. Go on a tasting tour to try the typical Moravian alcoholic drink made of plums
Restaurant Tips
- Tipping: rounding up to the nearest 50–100 CZK, or roughly 10%, is standard — leave it in cash where possible rather than through a card terminal
- Couvert charge: some restaurants add a small per-person cover charge for bread or table service; it should be listed on the menu, so check before ordering
- Menus: many central restaurants have English menus, but prices can vary between the Czech and English versions in less scrupulous places — comparing both is a fair habit
- Reservations: not usually necessary outside peak dinner hours, but recommended for well-known restaurants
Practical Extras
Currency and payments. The Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted, including contactless, but small kiosks and some pubs remain cash-only. Avoid the currency exchange booths on Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square — their rates are consistently among the worst in the city; a bank or an ATM offers a fairer rate.
SIM cards and connectivity. Vodafone, O2, and T-Mobile kiosks are all in the airport arrivals area, and prepaid tourist SIMs are inexpensive and quick to set up.
Safety. Prague is a safe city by European standards, but pickpocketing is a real risk in the densest tourist spots — Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and crowded trams and metro cars during rush hour. Keep bags zipped and in front of you in these areas.
Dress code for concerts and theatres. Prague's concert halls and churches host performances nightly, and while formalwear isn't required, smart-casual is appreciated — worth keeping in mind if an evening concert is part of your plans.
A Simple first day in Prague
Landing in the morning, take the Airport Express bus to Praha hlavní nádraží, drop your bags, and ride the metro into Old Town for lunch a few streets off the main square. Spend the afternoon walking towards the Castle via tram 22, then close the evening with a Czech beer and, if your timing allows, a classical concert in one of Prague's historic venues — a fitting way to end a first day in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber available in Prague? Yes, alongside Bolt, which is generally the more widely used ride-share app in the city.
How much does a taxi from the airport cost? Official airport taxi ranks post fixed rates to the city centre, typically in the 600–800 CZK range.
Do I need cash in Prague? Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but small pubs, market stalls, and some public toilets are cash-only, so carrying some koruna is worthwhile.
Is trdelník a traditional Czech dessert? No, it originates from Slovak and Hungarian traditions and became popular in Prague's tourist areas relatively recently.
What's the best way to get from the airport to the city centre? The Airport Express bus connecting to Metro Line C is the cheapest, most reliable option; a taxi or ride-share app is faster and more convenient with luggage.
