Prague's Václav Havel Airport sits 17km west of the Old Town. There are four sensible ways into the city — bus 119, the Airport Express, a licensed taxi or a Bolt rideshare — and the right one depends on your budget, luggage and patience.
Quick comparison
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 119 + Metro | 40 CZK | 35–50 min | Budget, light luggage |
| Airport Express | 100 CZK | 35–40 min | Direct to main railway station |
| Bolt / Uber | 350–500 CZK | 25–35 min | Comfort, late arrivals, groups |
| Licensed taxi | 600–800 CZK | 25–35 min | Door-to-door, fixed-price |
Option 1: Bus 119 + Metro line A (cheapest)
This is what most Czechs do. Bus 119 is part of the standard Prague public transport network, so a single 90-minute integrated ticket (40 CZK) covers the bus, the Metro and any trams or buses you take afterwards on the same ticket.
- Where: Outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, well-signposted from arrivals.
- Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes between roughly 04:00 and 23:30.
- Endpoint: Nádraží Veleslavín Metro station (line A).
- From there: 4 stops to Můstek (Old Town / Wenceslas Square) — about 15 minutes.
Buy your ticket before boarding from the yellow ticket machines or the DPP counter at arrivals. Validate it in the yellow box once on board — fines for unvalidated tickets are 800–1500 CZK.
Option 2: Airport Express (AE) — direct to the railway station
The Airport Express is a dedicated coach that runs non-stop to Hlavní nádraží, Prague's main railway station — useful if you have an onward train, or if your hotel is near the station, Wenceslas Square or the upper end of Vinohrady.
- Price: 100 CZK, pay the driver in cash (CZK) or card.
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes, 05:30–22:00.
- Where: Look for the AE sign outside Terminal 1.
- Luggage: Storage racks on board — easier than the regular bus 119.
Option 3: Bolt or Uber (best value rideshare)
Bolt is the locally-dominant app and is usually 20–30% cheaper than Uber, with the same airport pick-up zone. Standard journeys to the Old Town run 350–500 CZK (about €15–€21), no haggling.
- Pick-up: Marked rideshare zones outside both terminals — follow the signs from arrivals.
- Pay: Card via the app. No cash needed.
- Surge: Late-night arrivals occasionally see 1.5–2× pricing.
Option 4: Licensed taxi
If you'd rather just step into a car at the rank, two firms have desks inside the arrivals hall: AAA Radiotaxi and FIX Taxi. Both quote a fixed price (currently around 600 CZK to most central addresses) before you set off. Avoid drivers touting for business in the hall — always use the desk or rank.
If you're three or four people travelling together with luggage, Bolt or a taxi works out cheaper per person than four bus-and-Metro tickets. If you're solo and travelling light, bus 119 is the right answer.
Special cases
Arriving very late or very early
Bus 119 stops running just before midnight; the Airport Express ends at 22:00. Between 00:00 and 04:00 your options are taxi, Bolt or the night bus 910 (which runs every hour but takes ~70 minutes into the centre). Pre-booking a transfer is worth it if your hotel is far from the centre.
With heavy luggage
Bus 119 has limited luggage space and gets crowded. If you have more than one large suitcase per person, the Airport Express or a taxi is the easier choice.
Travelling with kids
Children under 6 travel free on Prague public transport. The buses have low floors and pram space, but you'll still want a taxi or Bolt if your hotel is more than a short Metro walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Prague Airport to the city centre?
A licensed taxi from Václav Havel Airport (PRG) to central Prague costs roughly 600–800 CZK (about €25–€33 / £21–£28) for a 30-minute ride. Use the official airport taxi rank — AAA Radiotaxi and FIX Taxi have desks in the arrivals hall with fixed-price options. Bolt is usually 350–500 CZK and equally reliable.
Is bus 119 the cheapest way to get from Prague Airport to the city?
Yes. Public bus 119 plus a Metro line A connection costs 40 CZK (about €1.65) on a 90-minute integrated ticket. It runs every 5–10 minutes from 4am to midnight, takes about 35 minutes to Nádraží Veleslavín station, then 15 more on the Metro to Můstek in the city centre.
How long does it take to get from Prague Airport to the centre?
Bus 119 + Metro: 35–50 minutes. Airport Express bus to the main railway station: 35–40 minutes. Taxi or Bolt: 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Walking is not practical — the airport is 17km from the Old Town Square.
Does Uber work in Prague?
Bolt is the dominant rideshare in Prague and is more widely used than Uber, though Uber also operates here. Both have airport pick-up zones marked outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Bolt fares are usually 20–30% cheaper than licensed taxis.
Is there a train from Prague Airport to the city?
There is no direct train station at Václav Havel Airport. The Airport Express (AE) is a dedicated bus that runs to the main railway station (Hlavní nádraží) and costs 100 CZK. From there, frequent Metro line C trains reach the centre in 4 minutes.
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