How to get from Prague Václav Havel Airport to Charles Bridge

Getting from Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) to Charles Bridge in the historic centre is straightforward: you can combine the airport bus and metro, ride the Airport Express bus to the main station, or take a taxi, private transfer or shared shuttle—this guide compares each option with times, fares and step‑by‑step directions so you can start your Prague trip right on the bridge.

At A Glance (Prague Václav Havel Airport to Charles Bridge)

Mode	Duration	Best For
🚌 Public Bus 59 + Metro A	~40–50 minutes door-to-door	Most travelers, low cost, reliable
🏷️ Cost: 90-minute Prague ticket ~40 CZK (covers bus + metro) – buy at airport ticket machines or kiosks
🚌 Airport Express (AE) Bus + Metro/Walk	~45–60 minutes total	Those heading via Main Station, with heavier luggage
🏷️ Cost: AE bus ticket ~100 CZK one-way, metro/tram extra if needed
🚕 Taxi & Private Transfer	~25–40 minutes (traffic‑dependent)	Door-to-door comfort, late arrivals, groups
🏷️ Cost: From ~750–900 CZK per car; compare private options on Prague airport transfers
🚐 Shared Shuttle / Minivan	~35–60 minutes (plus drop-off rounds)	Solo travelers wanting comfort at lower cost
🏷️ Cost: From ~250–400 CZK per person; see prebooked shuttles on shared airport shuttle

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / Most Reliable Overall: Bus 59 + Metro A to Malostranská or Staroměstská—cheap, frequent and hardly affected by traffic in the central section.
• Most Comfortable Door-to-Door: Taxi or private transfer straight from the airport to a hotel near Charles Bridge or in Old Town.
• Best for Solo Travelers on a Mid-Range Budget: A shared shuttle that drops you at or near your accommodation.
• Best if You’re Connecting via Trains: Airport Express bus to Prague Main Station, then metro or a short walk/tram to Charles Bridge.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Get a transit ticket at the airport: Use the yellow PID ticket machines in the arrivals hall or near bus stops to buy a 90-minute ticket (40 CZK), valid on bus + metro + tram. You can pay by card.
• Validate your ticket: On the bus, stamp your paper ticket in the yellow machine once. After that, it covers your entire journey to Charles Bridge within the time limit.
• Prebook transfers if you land late: For evening or very early arrivals, consider reserving a car on a private airport transfer or with Welcome Pickups Prague so a driver waits in arrivals.
• Use ride-hailing if you prefer apps: Uber and Bolt operate in Prague and work well from the airport and central districts; they can be an alternative to prebooked transfers or regular taxis.
• Plan your sightseeing around luggage: If your room isn’t ready yet but you want to explore near Charles Bridge, store bags via services like Radical Storage Prague and pick them up later.
• Stay within walking distance of Charles Bridge: Look for hotels in Old Town or Malá Strana on Booking.com near Charles Bridge or browse central properties with airport shuttles on Trip.com Prague shuttle hotels.
• Consider two wheels once you’re in the centre: Prague’s centre is walkable but also fun by bike; compare rentals on BikesBooking Prague if you’d like a bicycle during your stay.

🚌 Option #1 — Public Bus 59 + Metro A (Cheapest, Very Efficient)

Low cost Frequent Some walking

• Overview: From both airport terminals, take trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then change to Metro Line A (green) toward Staroměstská or Malostranská. From either station, it’s a short walk to Charles Bridge.
• How to book (with price): You don’t need to prebook. Buy a 90-minute PID ticket for about 40 CZK at airport ticket machines or counters; it covers your whole bus + metro journey. For fare details and updates, see the official PID tickets & fares page.
• Pros: Cheapest and usually quite fast; frequent departures; ticket valid across the network for further rides.
• Cons: You must handle your own luggage on bus and metro; involves at least one change and a short walk to the bridge.

Step-by-step: Bus 59 + Metro A

1. From arrivals at Terminal 1 or 2, follow signs for Public Transport and find the stop for Bus 59 just outside the terminal.
2. Buy a 30- or 90-minute paper ticket from the machine or kiosk (90 minutes is safer for this trip), then validate it in the yellow machine when boarding the bus.
3. Ride Bus 59 to its terminus, Nádraží Veleslavín. The ride takes around 15–20 minutes.
4. At Nádraží Veleslavín, follow the crowd down into the Metro Line A station. Use the same validated ticket; don’t stamp again.
5. Take Line A toward Depo Hostivař or Skalka. For Charles Bridge, get off at either Malostranská (short walk up to the bridge from the Lesser Town side) or Staroměstská (walk through Old Town to the bridge).
6. From Malostranská: walk along Klarov and up Mostecká street; from Staroměstská: follow signs to Karlův most (Charles Bridge) via Křižovnické náměstí.

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Bus Stop / Nádraží Veleslavín)

• Airport bus stops: Located directly outside Terminals 1 and 2; look for signs showing bus 59 and PID branding.
• Nádraží Veleslavín: Easy cross-platform change from bus to metro via escalators; elevators are available for luggage.
• Malostranská & Staroměstská: Both stations sit a few minutes’ walk from Charles Bridge, with clear wayfinding signs in English and Czech.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #2 — Airport Express (AE) Bus + Metro/Walk

Direct to Main Station Space for luggage Slightly higher cost

• Overview: The official Airport Express (AE) bus runs between Prague Airport and Praha hlavní nádraží (Main Station). From there you can take metro Line C one stop to Muzeum, then change to Line A to Malostranská/Staroměstská, or walk/tram toward Charles Bridge.
• How to book (with price): You don’t need to reserve; buy your AE ticket (around 100 CZK) from the driver or at airport counters. AE is operated in cooperation with Czech Railways—see details on the official Airport Express page or the airport’s own AE information.
• Pros: Direct link to Main Station where you may connect to long-distance trains; comfortable buses with luggage space.
• Cons: Slightly more expensive than bus 59 + metro; not as direct to Charles Bridge as Option #1, since you still need metro/tram or a walk at the end.

Step-by-step: Airport Express

1. From arrivals, follow signs for Airport Express (AE); the stop is just outside the terminals.
2. Buy an AE ticket from the driver or airport visitor centre and board the bus with your luggage stored securely.
3. Ride the AE to its final stop at Praha hlavní nádraží (Main Station), right by the city centre.
4. From Main Station, either walk 20–25 minutes via Wenceslas Square and Old Town to Charles Bridge, or take Metro Line C one stop to Muzeum, change to Line A and continue to Malostranská or Staroměstská.
5. Follow signs toward Charles Bridge and the river once you exit the metro.

Getting to the main embarking points (AE Bus Stops / Main Station)

• Airport AE stops: Clearly marked AE bus signs outside airport terminals; buses run roughly every 30 minutes during the day.
• Praha hlavní nádraží: The bus stops right outside the station; you can access metro Line C and station facilities (shops, ATMs, restrooms) easily.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚕 Option #3 — Taxi & Private Transfer (Most Comfortable)

Door-to-door Best with luggage Higher cost

• Overview: A taxi or prebooked private transfer takes you directly from the airport arrivals hall to your accommodation near Charles Bridge or anywhere in the centre—no transfers, great after a long flight or if you have children or bulky bags.
• How to book (with price): Standard fares to central Prague are usually around 750–900 CZK per car. You can queue at the official taxi stand outside arrivals, order an Uber or Bolt via their apps, or prebook a car with meet-and-greet through services like Prague airport taxi & minivan transfers or a tailored Welcome Pickups Prague transfer.
• Pros: No need to handle bags on public transport; great if arriving late at night; fixed prices from many prebooked providers.
• Cons: More expensive than public transport; you may still hit traffic entering the centre at busy times.

Step-by-step: Taxi / Private Transfer

1. After collecting your luggage, exit into the arrivals hall and follow signs for Taxi or meet your prebooked driver at the agreed point (often holding a sign with your name).
2. If using Uber or Bolt, connect to mobile data or airport Wi‑Fi, set your pick-up location to the correct terminal and your destination to your hotel or “Charles Bridge, Prague”.
3. Confirm the vehicle details and plate number before getting in; sit in the back and keep valuables close.
4. Drive directly into the centre via the city ring roads; typical travel time is around 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
5. Ask your driver to drop you as close as possible to your hotel or to one of the streets just off Charles Bridge (e.g. Mostecká or Karlova).

Getting to the main embarking points (Taxi Rank / Pickup Zones)

• Taxi ranks: Official taxi stands are right outside each terminal; look for marked vehicles and posted fare info.
• Ride-hail pickup: The Uber/Bolt apps will show you the precise pickup point for your terminal, usually a short walk from arrivals.
• Central drop-offs: Many hotels in Old Town and Malá Strana allow cars to stop briefly outside even if the streets are narrow; your driver may drop you at the nearest accessible corner if your street is pedestrianised.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #4 — Shared Shuttle / Minivan (Good Value, Less Hassle)

Mid-range cost Pickup at arrivals Multiple stops

• Overview: Shared shuttles or minivans group several passengers from similar flights and drop them at central hotels. You’ll share with other travelers but still get a comfy ride close to Charles Bridge.
• How to book (with price): Prebook your seat online; prices generally start from around 250–400 CZK per person. You can compare options and reviews on shared shuttle transfers or browse other Prague transfer services.
• Pros: Cheaper than a private taxi but more convenient than navigating public transport with heavy luggage.
• Cons: You may wait for other passengers; the route can zigzag through different hotels before reaching yours.

Step-by-step: Shared Shuttle

1. Before flying, reserve a shuttle for Prague Airport → central Prague, giving your flight details and accommodation address near Charles Bridge.
2. On arrival, follow the provider’s instructions to the meeting point (usually in the arrivals hall or just outside) and check in with staff.
3. Wait for your van to be ready; staff will group you with others going to similar areas.
4. Ride into the city with a few intermediate stops. When it’s your turn, you’ll be dropped at or near your hotel or a central landmark within walking distance of Charles Bridge.

Getting to the main embarking points (Shuttle Desks / Meeting Points)

• Airport meeting points: Most shuttle firms have counters in arrivals or clearly signed meeting spots—follow their email/app instructions.
• Central drop-off: Expect to be dropped at hotel doors or key central squares; from there, Charles Bridge is usually a short walk.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Prague Václav Havel Airport to Charles Bridge)

How long does it take to get from the airport to Charles Bridge?
In normal conditions, the bus 59 + Metro A route takes around 40–50 minutes door-to-door. A taxi or private transfer usually takes 25–40 minutes, but this depends on traffic, especially at rush hour.

What’s the cheapest way to reach Charles Bridge?
The cheapest and still very comfortable way is public transport: take bus 59 from the airport to Nádraží Veleslavín and then Metro A to Malostranská or Staroměstská. A 90-minute ticket costs about 40 CZK and covers the entire trip.

Is there a direct metro or train from the airport?
No—there is currently no direct metro or train line from Prague Airport. All public options require at least one bus or shuttle connection to the metro or city centre.Can I use the same ticket on bus, metro and tram?
Yes. As long as your time-limited PID ticket (e.g. 90-minute) is valid, you can change between bus, metro and tram as much as you like without stamping again. Time—not the number of transfers—is what matters.

Are taxis and ride-hailing safe and regulated in Prague?
Generally yes, but always use official taxis from marked ranks or trusted apps like Uber and Bolt. Avoid unmarked cars that approach you directly in the terminal.