From Prague airport to the city center: bus, metro, taxi 2026
Prague Airport (Letiště Václava Havla, code PRG, formerly known as Ruzyně) sits on the northwestern edge of the city. There's no metro line to the airport, so getting downtown means taking a bus or trolleybus to the nearest metro station, riding the direct Airport Express bus, or booking a taxi or private transfer. You can figure it out in five minutes.
Below are all the options with 2026 prices, travel times, and tips on where to buy a ticket and how to avoid an illegal taxi driver. Public transport (PID) fares went up on 1 January 2026, so the numbers floating around in older blog posts are out of date — everything here has been checked against official sources.
From Prague airport to the center: which option to choose
| Option | Time to center | Price (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trolleybus 59 + metro A | 35–40 min | 50 Kč (46 Kč in the app) | The fastest budget option |
| Bus 100 + metro B | 40–45 min | 50 Kč (46 Kč in the app) | If your hotel is near the yellow line |
| Airport Express (AE) | ~40 min | 200 Kč | Straight to the main train station, no transfers |
| Night buses 910 / 907 | ~45 min | 50 Kč | At night, when the metro is closed |
| Taxi from the official rank | 25–35 min | ~600–800 Kč | Fast, but pricier |
| Private transfer | 25–35 min | fixed rate | With luggage, kids, at night, or a driver holding a name sign |
Trolleybus 59 (formerly bus 119) → metro A
This is the most popular and fastest way to get from Prague airport by public transport. One important update: since 6 March 2024, the former bus 119 has been replaced by trolleybus 59 — the route, stops and fare are the same, only the number changed. If an older guide mentions “119,” look for “59” on the display board.
- Stops are right outside both terminals (Terminál 1 and Terminál 2), and signs lead straight to them.
- It runs every few minutes, all day long.
- It terminates at Nádraží Veleslavín, a station on the green metro line A.
- The trolleybus ride takes about 15 minutes, plus another roughly 13 minutes on the metro to the center (Můstek, Staroměstská).
At Veleslavín, you go down into the metro on the same ticket at no extra charge and ride into the center. All told, it's about 35–40 minutes from the terminal to Old Town Square.
Bus 100 → metro B (Zličín)
The second city route. Bus 100 runs from the airport to Zličín, the terminus of the yellow metro line B. The bus ride takes about 18 minutes.
This option is handy if your hotel is closer to the yellow line (Anděl, Náměstí Republiky, Florenc): you won't need an extra transfer. It costs the same as trolleybus 59 and uses the same 90-minute PID ticket.
Airport Express (AE): a direct bus to the main train station
Airport Express is a dedicated direct bus to Prague's main train station (Praha hlavní nádraží), the hub for trains across Czechia and Europe as well as metro line C. There are no transfers, and there's room for suitcases — handy if you're continuing by train or staying near the station.
- Route: Letiště (Airport) → Terminál 1 → Terminál 2 → Hlavní nádraží (and back).
- It runs every 20–30 minutes during the day, and the ride takes about 40 minutes.
- Price (2026): 200 Kč for an adult, 100 Kč for a child aged 6–15.
- Buy your ticket from the driver (card accepted) or at the information desks at the airport and the station.
One important detail: a regular PID ticket does not work on the Airport Express — it runs on its own separate fare and ticket. It's noticeably more expensive than trolleybus 59, so it mainly makes sense if you want a direct, transfer-free ride to the station.
PID tickets: 2026 prices and where to buy them
Trolleybus 59, bus 100, the metro and trams all run on Prague's unified PID transport fare. One ticket covers every mode of transport for its validity period, including transfers. As of 1 January 2026, the fares are (paper / in the PID Lítačka app):
- 30 minutes — 39 Kč / 36 Kč.
- 90 minutes — 50 Kč / 46 Kč. This is the optimal ticket for the airport trip: it comfortably covers the bus plus the metro.
- 24 hours — 150 Kč / 140 Kč.
- 72 hours (3 days) — 350 Kč / 340 Kč.
The cheapest way to buy is through the PID Lítačka app (the interface is simple enough to figure out). For a paper ticket, use the yellow machines in the arrivals area or buy one from the AE driver; the machines accept cards and coins. There's also SMS payment, but it's the most expensive option and requires a Czech phone number — the app or a machine is easier for tourists.
You must validate your ticket (yellow validator) the first time you board. The on-the-spot fine for riding without a valid ticket is 1,200 Kč (more if you pay later), and inspectors do check.
Luggage and discounts
A separate luggage ticket (zavazadlo) costs 25 Kč (paper) or 23 Kč (electronic), but with a ticket valid for 24 hours or longer, luggage and dogs travel free. Children under 6 ride free, and children aged 6–15 and seniors 65+ get a 50% discount.
From Prague airport at night: buses 910 and 907
The Prague metro shuts down around midnight and reopens around 5 a.m. At night, night buses run to and from the airport at the regular PID fare:
- Bus 910 — via I. P. Pavlova (metro line C), running about every 30 minutes. Handy if you're headed somewhere along the red line.
- Bus 907 — passes through Hradčanská (metro A), Hlavní nádraží (metro C), Náměstí Republiky and Anděl (metro B), running about every 60 minutes. It touches all three metro lines in the center in one go.
At night, the ride to the center takes about 45 minutes, with the bus making several stops. If you land in the middle of the night with suitcases or kids, honestly, it's simpler to book a transfer or take a taxi than to wait for a night bus and change along the way.
Taxi from Prague airport
Official taxi ranks are right outside the terminal exits. Contracted carriers with regulated fares operate at the airport — only take a car from these ranks or through a dispatcher, and don't agree to offers from people who approach you in the arrivals hall.
- The approximate fare to the center is 600–800 Kč, depending on the district and traffic. The city-regulated maximum is up to 60 Kč for pickup plus up to 36 Kč per km.
- Travel time is 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Ask for the price or ask the driver to switch on the meter before you get in, and keep the receipt.
How illegal drivers scam people. The classic trick: a “private” driver in the arrivals hall promises a “cheap” ride, then demands 1,500–2,000 Kč on arrival, blaming “nighttime,” “luggage” or “traffic.” Genuine drivers don't solicit passengers inside the terminal. If someone approaches you first, that's a bad sign.
Among the apps, Uber and Bolt operate here — often cheaper than a street taxi (Bolt Economy is frequently around 400 Kč). The airport has separate pickup zones for app-based taxis — just follow the “Uber / Bolt pick-up” signs.
Private transfer: a driver with a name sign and a fixed price
A transfer is a car booked in advance: the driver meets you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name, helps with your luggage, and drives you straight to your hotel door for a fixed price that you see when you book. No surprises from the meter, traffic, or a “night rate.”
When a transfer really beats a bus or a taxi:
- You're landing late at night, when the metro is closed and you don't feel like hunting for a taxi.
- You're traveling with children — you can pre-book a child seat.
- You have a lot of luggage or a large group — a minivan is available.
- It's your first time in Prague and you'd rather not deal with tickets and transfers while hauling suitcases.
You lock in the price online in advance, pay by card, and the driver tracks your flight number — so even if your flight is delayed, someone will still be there to meet you.
If you want to compare a few services and choose by price and car type (sedan, minivan, with a child seat), it's handy to check offers on an aggregator.
Luggage storage at Prague airport
If you land early but your hotel check-in isn't until evening — or you've checked out but your flight is late — you don't have to drag your suitcases around all day. Prague airport has a left-luggage office in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, charged by the day.
In the city center and near the train stations, it's more convenient to use a network of luggage storage points and partner locations (shops, hotels, cafés) — you drop your bag near wherever you're actually going, instead of making a special trip to the airport for it.
In short
- Fast and cheap: trolleybus 59 (formerly 119) to Nádraží Veleslavín, then metro A. A 90-minute ticket costs 50 Kč (46 Kč in the app).
- To the yellow metro line: bus 100 to Zličín, then metro B. Same ticket.
- Straight to the main train station: Airport Express, 200 Kč, no transfers, separate ticket (PID tickets don't work).
- At night: buses 910 and 907 on the regular PID fare, about 45 minutes to the center.
- Taxi: only from the official rank, ~600–800 Kč. Don't get in with anyone who approaches you in the hall.
- Transfer: fixed price and a driver with a name sign — the best option with luggage, kids, or at night.
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