Practical Prague for visitors: arrival, getting around, money and what not to miss

A short, practical overview for first-time visitors to Prague. No superlatives – just what is useful to know in advance.

Arrival

Václav Havel Airport Prague is located roughly 17 km west of the city centre. Schengen flights arrive at Terminal 2, all others at Terminal 1; both are connected on foot. You can reach the centre by a driver transfer (fixed price from 790 CZK per car, driver waiting in the arrival hall with a name sign), by city bus to the metro, or by the Airport Express to the main train station. Prague main train station (Praha hlavní nádraží) is directly on metro line C, and Florenc bus station is on metro lines B/C.

Getting around

• The metro has three lines (A green, B yellow, C red) and runs from roughly 5:00 to midnight; trams run through the night as well.
• Tickets are valid across metro, trams and buses; they can be bought from ticket machines, via the app, or with a contactless card directly inside trams and metro stations. Tickets must be validated before boarding (except when purchased by card or app).
• The historic centre (Old Town, Lesser Town, Castle District) is easily covered on foot; streets are cobbled, so comfortable shoes come in handy.

Money and payments

• The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK); euros are accepted by only a few shops and at unfavourable exchange rates.
• You can pay by card almost everywhere, including trams and markets. Avoid exchange offices advertising “0% commission” in the centre and never exchange money on the street.
• A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants, usually added when paying.

What to watch out for

• In the arrivals hall and at train stations, people may approach you asking “Taxi?” – riding with them is often several times more expensive. Have your transfer arranged in advance or use public transport.
• Pickpocketing occurs on tram line 22, on Charles Bridge and on the metro during peak hours – keep your backpack in front of you and your phone in a zipped pocket.
• ATMs in the main tourist area often charge high fees – stick to ATMs operated by major banks.

What to fit into 2–3 days

• Prague Castle and Lesser Town – in the morning before the crowds arrive.
• Charles Bridge and Old Town – early in the morning or in the evening.
• Vyšehrad, Letná, Vinohrady – a quieter Prague off the main tourist paths.
• Trips outside Prague – Kutná Hora or Karlštejn for a half day, Karlovy Vary or Český Krumlov for a full day.

Departure

Plan to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure (preferably 3 hours for non-Schengen flights). You can book a transfer for a specific pickup time at your hotel; the driver will drop you off at the correct terminal.

Book an airport transfer · Trips from Prague · How airport transfers work