Czech Guide : Getting to Prague

I've been living in the Czech Republic for at least 3 and a half years so I think I am a pretty good guide to the Czech Republic for foreigners. I figured, why not help you out and make a guide series about all things related to coming here, even if just for a visit, what to see, eat and do. And so, I find it only normal that I should start with the gateway to this country at the heart of Europe (such a cliche, I know): the Vaclav Havel Prague Airport.

Here is the map of the airport, on the website. I quite like the airport, there are 2 terminals: 1 for Non Schenghen and 2 for Schengen countries. To get to the buses you have to walk straigh out of any of the terminals. Quite straightforward, for an airport. When you are in a new place, especially in a busy, crowded space, you never know where to look first. In Prague you basically just have to look straight ahead and you will see a sign for the bus or the subway. The Prague underground or metro, doesn't reach as far as the airport, yet, but you can get a bus which will take you to the end of either metro B - Zlicin or A - Dejvicka.

Bus 100 takes you to Zlicin, a trip of 15 minutes, here you will be on the Western outskirt of Prague. You will be close to the highway D5 going to Plzen and Germany so this is where you can find buses going in that direction. Also there is a shopping center, Metropole and of course, the Metro B, yellow line which will take you to the center of Prague in about 40 minutes.

Bus 119 takes you to Dejvicka metro station in about 20 minutes and from there to the rest of Prague by tram or metro in about 15 more minutes. Or you can take 179 to Nove Butovice. These two may be the best if you want to reach the old town of Prague or the Castle area.

And the map of the Prague Metro from Wikipedia.

 I usually count 2-3 minutes per stop plus 2 for transfers. As you can see on the map, there are 3 transfer stations: Mustek, Florenc and Muzeum, arranged in a triangle. The system is barrier free but you must purchase a ticket and validate before access. You can use one of the vending machines or the ticket booth or even buy a ticket at the news stand. Everything about ticket sales, here. What about prices? You have to buy the tickets depending on the time you will spend in transit and the number of areas you transit. But it's quite simple and you should just remember the 90min for 32 czk or 30 mins for 24 czk. From the airport you will need to buy the 90 minutes ticket plus a supplement for luggage. And do pay, or else you'll meet with the dreaded revizor!

I think this is all about getting to the centre of Prague from the Airport. I don't mention the taxis which are, as everywhere else, expensive. If you do take one of the two yeloow cab companies, make sure you take the voucher for the return trip, you'll have a discount. There is as well the airport express bus going to the main train station but I find it not very handy as you have to cross all the city and sometimes during rush hour. The subway system is really very good.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. In any case, I will write more about surviving in Czech Republic as a tourist and not only.