The Czech Republic captivates visitors with its fairytale castles, medieval towns, and rich cultural heritage. From Prague's stunning architecture to the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and the natural beauty of Bohemian Switzerland, this Central European gem offers diverse experiences for every traveler.
- Public
- Excellent metro (3 lines), tram, and bus network in Prague — integrated ticketing, frequent service, clean and safe. Czech national rail well-developed for intercity travel.
- Taxi
- Bolt and Uber are safe, metered, and very fairly priced in Prague. Traditional taxis reputable when booked via AAA Taxi app. Avoid street taxis near tourist areas.
- Rental
- Good for Šumava, Bohemian Switzerland, and South Moravia — less useful in Prague where parking is expensive and public transport superior. Highway vignette required ($16/10 days).
- Walking
- Prague Old Town and Malá Strana are extremely walkable — most major attractions within 30-minute walk of each other. Cobblestones can be tiring; wear comfortable shoes.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Airport Express Bus - $3 (70 CZK), 35 minutes to Main Station
- Shuttle
- Public Bus 119 to Metro - $1.50 (32 CZK), 45 minutes total
- Bus
- Taxi - $25-30 (550-650 CZK), 25-30 minutes
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus network throughout cities and countryside. Prague city buses use same tickets as metro. Intercity buses via RegioJet and FlixBus offer cheap connections (Prague-Brno from $5).
Alternatives
metro, tram, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Legitimate taxis have yellow roof signs and meters. Base fare $2 (45 CZK) plus $1/km (23 CZK). Use AAA Taxi or Uber/Bolt for fair pricing. Avoid unmarked taxis at tourist areas.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
RegioJet and FlixBus connect major cities with modern, comfortable coaches. Often faster and cheaper than trains. Prague-Karlovy Vary 2 hours ($8), Prague-Český Krumlov 3 hours ($10). Free wifi and refreshments on board.
Flights
Limited domestic flights as country is small. Prague-Ostrava flight exists but train more practical and economical for most routes.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Václav Havel Airport Prague
From centre: 17 km
Options: Airport Express Bus - $3 (70 CZK), 35 minutes to Main Station; Public Bus 119 to Metro - $1.50 (32 CZK), 45 minutes total; Taxi - $25-30 (550-650 CZK), 25-30 minutes; Uber/Bolt - $15-20 (350-450 CZK), 25-30 minutes; Private Transfer - $30-40 (700-900 CZK)
Brno-Tuřany Airport
From centre: 10 km
Options: Bus 76 to Main Station - $1.50 (32 CZK), 20 minutes; Taxi - $12-15 (280-350 CZK), 15 minutes; Rental car available at terminal
Ostrava Leoš Janáček Airport
From centre: 20 km
Options: Bus to city center - $2 (45 CZK), 35 minutes; Taxi - $18-22 (400-500 CZK), 20 minutes
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
PID Lítačka
Official Prague Integrated Transport app for all bus, metro and tram routes, real-time arrivals, and purchasing digital tickets
Bolt
Ride-hailing app — the most popular and reliable in Czech Republic, often cheaper than Uber
Uber
Available in Prague and Brno — good alternative to Bolt, reliable and metered
Liftago
Czech-developed taxi app aggregating local licensed taxis — useful alternative to Bolt/Uber
CD Průvodce
Czech Railways official app for booking intercity train tickets, checking schedules, and managing reservations
RegioJet
App for booking premium intercity bus and train tickets — excellent for Prague-Brno, Prague-Karlovy Vary routes
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always validate your ticket before boarding metro, tram, or bus — plain-clothes inspectors actively check and the fine is 1,500 CZK ($65)
Use Bolt app for taxis in Prague — cheaper and more reliable than street taxis; Uber also works well
The Airport Express bus (AE) from Prague Airport to Main Station costs only $3 (70 CZK) and runs every 30 minutes — much cheaper than a taxi
Czech Railways (CD) tickets are cheapest when booked online at cd.cz or via RegioJet app; last-minute tickets at stations are more expensive
Night trams (N1-N9) replace the metro after midnight and are safe, cheap, and well-used by locals
Prague metro is so efficient that renting a car in the city is unnecessary and parking is expensive ($3-5/hour in centre)