- Vaclav Havel Airport
- How to get from the airport to the center by taxi
- Independent road to the center
- Which ticket to buy
- Bus routes
- Aeroexpress
- Other options
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, an old city with many cultural and historical sights, which has always attracted tourists. People from all over the world come to see Prague, every day planes arriving at the Vaclav Havel airport bring thousands of guests on board. And if you like to drive and travel on your own, the question for you - how to get from the airport to the center of Prague - is quite relevant.
The historical center of the capital contains the most beautiful monuments, architectural objects, museums, theaters, it is here that the famous Charles Bridge and other tourist sites are located. Traveling on your own, without a tourist group and a guide assigned to it, is much more interesting. So you can choose a program to your liking and experience the lifestyle of this city. But a problem arises - without knowledge of the language and local characteristics, it is difficult to navigate the city.
Vaclav Havel Airport
The international airport, named after Vaclav Havel, is the largest airport in the state and is located in the historical district of Ruzyne (or Prague-6). It is very close to the center, only 17 km from the main square of the city. At the end of 2016, the airport became the largest in Eastern Europe, and 11 million passengers were served during the year.
The airport is modern and comfortable. Here it is not only possible, but also necessary to exchange euros or other currencies for crowns, otherwise you will not be able to make purchases in the city. Euros are not accepted in cafes and shops, the calculation is carried out only in local currency. It is best to change money in the "clean zone" of exchangers, which work from 6 am to 11 pm. You can also cash out currency at an ATM: money exchange devices work around the clock.
How to get from the airport to the center by taxi
When visiting Prague airport for the first time, it will not be easy to navigate and find the right direction of travel, therefore, very often tourists resort to the services of taxi drivers.
There are two options: take a taxi or use public transport. Tourists (unknowingly and for fear of getting lost) usually catch a taxi at the airport, but it costs much more than a minibus or bus. In addition, the Prague public transport system in Prague is so well established that it will be even faster to get to the center than by taxi. You will have to pay 10 times less for a bus ticket than for a taxi, and it will take a little time to travel. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the capital of the Czech Republic, you need to understand the public transport routes.
You can catch a taxi right at the airport, but then get ready to pay at least 2-3 times more than the dispatcher will tell you. Or you can order a car in advance, as soon as the plane lands, you can call a taxi service and call a car, or use online taxi services and place an order even before your flight to the Czech Republic. This will save you a lot of money.
The cost of a Prague taxi ranges from 400-600 CZK and you need to pay only in local currency. Travel time will take no more than 20-25 minutes, even in the presence of traffic jams.
Independent road to the center
However, if you want to save money on the trip, and also do not mind seeing the city from the window of public transport, it is better to take the bus. Prague Airport is located on the outskirts of the capital, but not outside the city limits. Regular buses run regularly from the airport, there are three routes in total. Prices for these routes and for transport running around the city are the same. The airport is large enough, so for the convenience of people on its territory there are not one, but three bus stops at once. From each of them you can reach the center and all buses pass through these three stops. Tourists arriving on regular international or domestic flights usually do not have problems. They exit through Terminal 1 and immediately see a bus stop across the road. Terminal 1 is the landing point for all aircraft from the CIS countries that are not part of the Schengen area.
To use the bus, you need to purchase a ticket. For which, in turn, you need to have small Czech money with you. By the way, it is better not to change a lot of euros at the airport, because the rate here is not very favorable for exchange. At the bus stop, you can buy a ticket in a special terminal. Please note that it only accepts change and does not read banknotes. Therefore, when exchanging money, ask that you exchange 200 crowns in small change. In terminals at bus stops or at the airport, you can buy tickets for 90 minutes - this is a feature of public transport: a travel document is valid for a certain period of time. They buy a ticket at the entrance to the bus from the driver, although this way it will cost a little more. To buy a ticket from the driver, get on the bus and say: "Jizdenka", which means travel. The driver will issue a ticket, and it will be possible to pay for it with both bills and coins.
Be sure to book a ticket, otherwise it will be considered ineffective, and controllers are very strict about paying for travel in the Czech Republic.
Which ticket to buy
It is difficult for a tourist who visits the Czech Republic for the first time to deal with the public transport system. If you do not plan to travel frequently, you can buy a fixed-term pass at the airport information desk. If you are only going to make one trip, then a limited ticket is suitable for you. Its cost is 24 CZK, and children receive a 50% discount. The limited ticket is valid for only 30 minutes, that is, you need to go on a trip immediately, but this time will be enough for you to get to the center. The cost of a ticket, which is valid for 90 minutes, is more expensive - 32 kroons for an adult passenger and 18 kroons for a child.
Bus routes
There are two shuttle buses running around the airport:
- Bus number 100 goes to the metro line B, before that it passes through the center. The interval of movement is 7-30 minutes, the travel time is 18 minutes.
- Bus number 119 will take passengers to the metro line A. The interval of movement is 5-20 minutes, and the journey duration is only 15 minutes.
- Bus number 191 has a longer route - it goes around the whole city. On the way, the bus is 45 minutes, and the interval is 20 minutes.
All Prague buses run from 5.30 am to 9 pm, but there is also a night bus that carries tourists arriving later. Its number is 510, the travel time is 38 minutes, and the interval of movement is 12-18 minutes.
All buses stop at each of the terminals. The best option for tourists is bus 119, it is popular because of the shortest route and small interval of movement.
Now that you have arrived by bus to metro line A, get down to the station and head to the city center. If you have purchased a ticket for 90 minutes, then you will not have to buy a new metro ticket - its validity has not yet expired. Re-punching the ticket is also not required, this is a valid travel document.
Bus 119 and the green metro line are the best options for those heading to the very center of Prague. By bus and metro, it will take forty minutes to reach the final point of the route.
If the plane arrives at night, the 510 bus running at this time will do. It stops at Terminal 1 and goes to Prague 12. You can get to the center only with a change to tram 51.
Aeroexpress
In Prague, tourists are provided with the best conditions, and so that you do not have to make several transfers after a tiring flight, you can use such transport as the Aeroexpress. Aeroexpress is an ordinary bus, which is characterized by an increased level of comfort and additional amenities for children and disabled people. The ticket can be purchased at the terminal or from the driver.
The Aeroexpress stop is located near Terminal 1 and is marked with the AE sign, so it will not be difficult to find it. Its route connects the airport with the railway station, and on the way the bus bypasses all metro lines. The interval of movement is 30 minutes, the bus runs according to the schedule from 5.30 to 22.00. The cost of a ticket for an Aeroexpress is higher than for a city bus - it is 60 kroons.
Other options
The CEDAZ shuttle runs directly from the airport to the Republic Square - this is an improved minibus. The ticket price is higher than that of a city bus - it will be 150 CZK, but you can get to the place directly, and you will carry your luggage for free. The minibus runs from 7 am to 10 pm every 30 minutes.
And finally, to get from the capital's airport to the center, you can use the Prague Airport Transfers. It transports any tourist to the appointed place with comfort and at the time specified in advance, but the ticket price for travel starts at 290 kroons.
As you can see, getting to the center of Prague and appreciating all the advantages of this ancient city will not be difficult for a tourist with any budget.
