Guide to Prague

Beer, bridges, and more fairy-tale towers than you can count.

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Getting to Prague

By Plane
Václav Havel Airport (PRG) is the city’s international hub. You can land here via nearly every major European carrier plus plenty of budget airlines.

• Traditional carriers: Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways.
• Budget carriers: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Eurowings, Smartwings.

From the airport:

• Airport Express Bus runs to the main station in 35 minutes.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available, but use Bolt or Uber to avoid “creative” pricing.

By Train
Prague’s Hlavní Nádraží station (try saying it after a few beers) connects you to:

• Berlin (4.5 hrs),
• Vienna (4 hrs),
• Munich (5 hrs),
• Budapest (6.5 hrs).

Czech trains are comfortable, with café cars offering beer—because, well, this is Czechia.

By Bus
RegioJet and FlixBus run frequent, affordable routes from nearby cities. Think of them as trains without tracks.

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Getting Around Prague

• Metro: Only three lines, but they cover the essentials. Simple and efficient.
• Trams: Charming, frequent, and perfect for sightseeing. Tram 22 is practically a free city tour.
• Buses: Mainly for suburbs; not usually needed by tourists.
• Tickets: One unified system. Buy paper tickets from machines or kiosks, or use the PID Lítačka app. Validate paper tickets before boarding.
• Ride-hailing: Bolt and Uber are reliable.

Connections to Other Destinations
Prague makes a great hub for exploring Central Europe: Vienna, Dresden, Bratislava, and even Kraków are all within train or bus range.

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Major Sights

• Prague Castle: The world’s largest ancient castle complex. Don’t miss St. Vitus Cathedral. Buy tickets online to avoid queues.
• Charles Bridge: The most romantic stroll in Prague, if you don’t mind 3,000 other tourists. Go early morning or late at night.
• Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock: The medieval heart of Prague. Join the crowd every hour as the clock puts on its quirky show.
• Jewish Quarter: A poignant visit with synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Combination tickets available.
• Wenceslas Square: History, shopping, and people-watching collide here.
• Petrín Hill & Tower: Prague’s mini Eiffel Tower, complete with sweeping views.

Tickets: For major attractions, buying online saves time. Consider the Prague Visitor Pass, which includes transport and entry to many sights.

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Museums

• National Museum: Prague’s pride and a lesson in history and natural science.
• Kafka Museum: Dedicated to Prague’s most famous literary son.
• DOX Centre: Bold contemporary art in a converted factory.
• Beer Museum: Yes, this is real, and yes, you get to taste.

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Eating & Drinking in Prague

Breakfast
Prague does breakfast in two moods: decadent or practical. Try Café Savoy for elegance or Můj šálek kávy for serious coffee.

Cafés
Order at the counter or wait for a server—both systems exist, so watch what locals do. Always finish with “děkuji” (thank you).

Cheap Eats
Lokál serves traditional Czech food at reasonable prices. Think goulash, schnitzel, and dumplings.

Mid-Range
Eska in Karlín mixes modern flair with hearty Czech flavors.

Expensive
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise offers Michelin-starred Czech cuisine with a modern twist.

Beer Halls & Pubs
U Fleků and U Medvídků are institutions. Ordering beer is simple: say “pivo” and wait for the half-liter to arrive.

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Etiquette: How to Behave Like a Local

1. Don’t jaywalk at traffic lights (locals may, but you’ll look like a reckless tourist).
2. When clinking glasses, look your companions in the eye. Superstition says failing to do so curses your love life.
3. In pubs, beer will often keep coming until you say stop. Pace yourself.

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Staying Connected

• SIM Cards: Buy prepaid SIMs from O2, Vodafone, or T-Mobile. Available at the airport, train station, or malls. Plans with several GB of data start around 10–15€.
• Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels, and public spaces, but not always fast.

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Perfect 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Old Town & First Impressions

• Morning: Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock.
• Afternoon: Charles Bridge and Mala Strana.
• Evening: Dinner at Lokál, night stroll along the Vltava.

Day 2: Castles & Cathedrals

• Morning: Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral.
• Afternoon: Explore Golden Lane and the castle gardens.
• Evening: Beer hall dinner at U Fleků.

Day 3: Culture & Museums

• Morning: Jewish Quarter tour.
• Afternoon: National Museum or Kafka Museum.
• Evening: Wine or cocktail bar in Vinohrady.

Day 4: Parks & Perspectives

• Morning: Petrín Hill and tower.
• Afternoon: Letná Park with views of the bridges.
• Evening: Dinner at Eska, sunset by the river.

Day 5: Beyond Prague

• Day trip to Kutná Hora (Bone Church), Karlovy Vary (spa town), or Český Krumlov (storybook castle). Return to Prague for a farewell pint.

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Final Word

Prague is that rare European capital that feels both monumental and intimate. One moment you’re staring up at Gothic spires, the next you’re crammed in a pub with locals debating which lager reigns supreme. Romantic, historic, yet refreshingly affordable—Prague makes you believe in fairy tales, with a foamy pint in hand.

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