Transportation in Prague
Prague is in the middle of Europe, it is a landlocked country surrounded by Germany, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia.
The central European infrastructure is excellent, you have many ways how to get to Prague.
Arriving in Prague:
You can come by train, bus or by air. The central bus and metro stations have signs in both Czech and English, and most of the staff speak English at a decent level. Prague International Airport won an award as the best airport among the new EU members, and English is the second most spoken language among the staff there.
IF YOU FLY TO PRAGUE:
Prague Airport
How to get there: Direct public bus ( Airport Express t AE ) from the
Main train station or Metro line A to station Nádraží Veleslavín and then by bus 119.
Prague Airport Václav Havel is an international transit airport located in the western part of Prague called Ruzyně.
IF YOU ARRIVE BY BUS:
Central Prague bus station Florenc,
How to get there: metro line C, station Florenc
The central bus station has just been reconstructed, and it has all the services a tourist might need. You will find many bus lines operating around all of Europe. Prague is very central, so from here you can travel to other European destinations and be there in a few hours depending on destination. This might be an economical solution also for backpackers who wish to tour the Czech Republic and Europe. However, for most foreigners, without the assistance of a licensed tour guide, it may be a little complicated to navigate the complexity of the Czech countryside and communicate with a citizen in rural areas.
IF YOU ARRIVE BY TRAIN:
Main Train Station ( Hlavní nádraží)
How to get here: metro line C, station Hlavní nádraží
The central train station has just been reconstructed, and it has all the amenities a tourist might need, such as restaurants, shops, etc. You will find here a few train lines operating around all of Europe. There are direct services to Berlin, Budapest, Dresden, Vienna, and you can be there within a few hours. This might also be an economical solution for backpackers. However, for most foreigners, without the assistance of a licensed tour guide, it may be a little complicated to navigate the complexity of the Czech countryside and communicate with a citizen in rural areas.
Taking a Taxi in Prague
The public transport in Prague is so good that you don´t really need a taxi, you can also walk depending on your departure point because it is the easiest and most economical way to get around in the center. A cab can be useful in case you are traveling with lots of luggage or during a period where public transportation is no longer available. Even the trams operate in the night, but there will be some longer intervals than during a day. Always use taxis registered and acknowledged by the government.
Taxis in Prague have a terrible reputation, and you might hear a lot of bad stories from tourists who were scammed by corrupt taxi drivers. However, if you follow our guidelines, the risk will be minimal. The situation is improving every year, thanks to Prague´s council.
We recommend you not to take taxis parked at tourist places, such as Airports, main train stations, and the Old Town Square. It is always better to book the transfer before you actually need it. We understand then sometimes you are in a rush, so then follow our recommendations below.
If you do take a taxi, then negotiate the price before you get into the car. Therefore tell where you need to go and ask for a pre-determined rate. If they refuse or find the cost unreasonable, find another taxi. You should know the average price for a ride from the center to your hotel and back. The price is usually 300 CZK ( 12€ ) around the center, and from the center to the airport, it is about 700 – 1000 CZK ( 30- 40 €). The price should be around 20 CZK ( 1€) per kilometer, they also have additional fees depending on circumstance, but the price list should be printed on the taxi door outside.
Make sure the driver has the meter on and tell him that you will need a receipt. If he refuses to give you the bill, you don´t have to pay him. If the driver wants to call the police, let him do it. The legit taxi driver doesn´t have to scare you if he has nothing to hide.
As we said, it is always better to book your taxi or airport transfer before!!!
Public transportation
The public transportation in Prague is by far one of the best among the European capitals. In Prague, three metro lines operate; trams, trains, buses, but you will find here also small ferries (boats) or a funicular railway. In the center, you might need just one ticket for the Prague integrated transport system. You can choose a day ticket ( 110 CZK ) or only 30 min ticket ( 24 CZK) or 90 min ticket ( 32 CZK ), and you can transfer from the metro to train or bus.
Before you enter any of these vehicles, MAKE SURE YOU VALIDATE YOUR TICKET IN THE VALIDATOR! There are controls for the metro, and passengers without a valid ticket are paying a fine of 800 CZK (if you pay at the spot or within four days, otherwise, you will have to pay 1500 CZK).