First time in Prague: airport to city, and how many days do you need?

How many days do you need in Prague? 4 to 5

Prague is a city of medieval lanes and red roofs where Prague Castle faces the Old Town across the Vltava River. Its sights link up nicely on foot, and trams and the metro make getting around easy. The guide suggests 4 to 5 days.

With 4 days you can take one area a day: the Old Town and Charles Bridge first, then Prague Castle and Malá Strana, then the Jewish Quarter and the New Town, and finally Vyšehrad and Vinohrady. The Jewish Museum is officially closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, so if Day 3 falls on a Saturday, swap it with another day.

The Petřín funicular resumed service with new cars on 22 September 2026 and accepts 24- and 72-hour tickets.

• Day 1: AE bus or city bus plus metro into town and check in → the Astronomical Clock on the hour in Old Town Square → sunset walk over Charles Bridge
• Day 2: Prague Castle in the morning (St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane) → Malá Strana's lanes → funicular up Petřín Hill to the lookout tower
• Day 3: Jewish Quarter and Jewish Museum (closed Saturdays) → Wenceslas Square and the New Town → evening Vltava cruise
• Day 4: Charles Bridge early → tram to Vyšehrad for river views → lunch in Vinohrady, then the airport

• Full Prague travel guide →
• Airport to city: which option to choose →
• First trip abroad checklist →

Airport to the city: AE bus, city bus plus metro, or official taxi

From Václav Havel Airport (PRG), the simplest option is the Airport Express (AE) bus. It runs directly to Prague Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží, metro C) and has extra space for large bags. It takes about 33-40 minutes (depending on traffic) and costs about CZK 200. Regular public transport tickets are not valid; buy the AE ticket at the Visitor Centre in the arrival halls or from the driver.

To save money, combine a city bus with the metro. Bus 59 reaches Nádraží Veleslavín on metro line A in about 15-17 minutes, and bus 100 reaches Zličín on line B in about 16-18 minutes. Both take a regular PID 90-minute ticket (about CZK 46-50, app or paper) bought before boarding. At night, buses 910 and 907 run instead, so check the timetable officially.

For a taxi, use the airport's official taxi pick-up points right in front of the Terminal 1 and 2 arrival halls. Book via the app, a kiosk or a counter and give the driver your six-digit PIN. Check fares officially.

• AE bus: to Prague Main Railway Station (metro C), about 33-40 min, about CZK 200, its own ticket
• Bus 59 + metro line A: about 15-17 min by bus, 90-minute ticket about CZK 46-50
• Bus 100 + metro line B: about 16-18 min by bus, 90-minute ticket about CZK 46-50; buses 910 and 907 at night
• Official airport taxi: six-digit PIN, check fares officially

Getting around: PID tickets and the Lítačka app

PID tickets are time-based and valid across the metro, trams and buses, in 30-minute, 90-minute, 24-hour and 72-hour versions. Paper tickets must be stamped exactly once, on first use, in the vehicle or at the entrance to the metro paid area. Tickets bought from the contactless-only terminals on board have their validity printed and need no stamping.

The official PID Lítačka app sells every ticket type, slightly cheaper than paper. App tickets become valid one minute after activation, so activate before your tram or bus arrives. Metro lines A, B and C run roughly from 5 a.m. to midnight, and trams link the Old Town, Malá Strana and Vinohrady. The Old Town and the Charles Bridge area are best explored on foot.

If you plan lots of sightseeing, look at the Prague Visitor Pass, the official city card from Prague City Tourism. Valid 48, 72 or 120 hours, it covers public transport including airport transfers plus free entry or discounts at many sights, for about CZK 2,700-3,900 for adults.

• PID tickets: 30 min, 90 min, 24 h, 72 h
• Paper tickets: stamp once, on first use
• App tickets: valid one minute after activation
• Metro: roughly 5 a.m. to midnight
• Prague Visitor Pass: 48, 72 or 120 hours, about CZK 2,700-3,900 for adults

Where to stay: neighbourhoods and daily budget

First-timers do well in the Old Town (Staré Město). Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge are all within walking distance, but it is very crowded by day and hotel prices are high. Malá Strana, the Baroque lanes below Prague Castle, is lovely for evening strolls, though hills and cobblestones make big suitcases awkward.

The New Town (Nové Město and Wenceslas Square) is where metro lines meet, so it is very convenient, but it can be noisy late at night. Vinohrady is a quieter residential district of parks and cafés, a short metro or tram ride from the centre.

Daily budgets per person: about CZK 1,500-2,500 (hostel, pubs and supermarket meals, public transport), about CZK 4,000-6,000 (mid-range hotel, restaurants, one or two paid sights), or about CZK 10,000+ (upscale hotel, guided tours, taxis).

• Old Town: first-timers, walking
• Malá Strana: atmosphere, near Prague Castle
• New Town: transport, shopping
• Vinohrady: local vibe, quieter stays

When to go: spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October)

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the most pleasant for walking. Summer is the busiest, and winter is cold, but during Advent Christmas markets fill Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and other squares.

Average temperatures: April highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C, May 21°C and 11°C, June 24°C and 15°C, September highs of 20°C, and October 14°C and 8°C. July highs reach 27°C, and January sits at about 4°C by day and 0°C at night. June is the wettest month at 69 mm and February the driest at 16 mm.

The climate figures are 1991–2020 normals from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI / ČHMÚ), Praha, Klementinum station. Opening hours of the Prague Castle buildings change by season, so check officially.

• Spring, April-June: good for walking; June rainfall 69 mm
• Summer: the busiest season; July highs 27°C
• Autumn, September-October: good for walking
• Winter: cold, but Advent Christmas markets

Money, pickpockets, taxis and entry checks

Czechia's currency is the koruna (CZK). Korea's embassy warns that some exchange offices advertising no commission still charge heavy fees, so use banks, ATMs or card payments.

According to Korea's embassy in Prague, most incidents are pickpocketing, especially at Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square (Astronomical Clock) and on crowded trams and metro. Keep valuables in front of you, and don't hang bags on restaurant chairs. Taxis have city-set maximum rates, but cabs hailed on the street can cost far more, so book by app or phone, make sure the meter is on and ask for a receipt.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is in operation, so non-EU travelers have their passport scanned and fingerprints and a facial image registered at the border. Allow extra time for passport control, and check entry requirements and the current status of ETIAS on the official EU website before you travel. Also check your government's current travel advice for Czechia.

• Money: banks, ATMs, card payments
• Pickpockets: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, crowded trams and metro
• Taxis: book by app or phone and ask for a receipt
• Entry: EES registration; check entry rules and ETIAS officially

• Full Prague travel guide →
• Paying abroad: cash vs card vs travel card →

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