The only Prague guide you need for 2026

TL;DR:

• See the Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town, and the Jewish Quarter.
• Use metro, trams, and a 24 or 72 hour ticket to save time.
• From the airport, take trolleybus 59 to Metro A, then ride into town.
• Book key sites early in peak months, April to October.
• Carry a contactless card, but keep small CZK for kiosks and cafes.

Prague is compact, walkable, and packed with art and history. The city center sits along the Vltava River. You can cross it by tram or on foot. This guide gives you a simple plan to see the best of Prague now, with practical steps as of January 8, 2026.

Quick orientation

Most visitors stay in one of four areas. Old Town puts you near the Astronomical Clock. Lesser Town sits under the Castle and feels quiet at night. New Town has bigger hotels and the main train station. Vinohrady offers cafes, parks, and good value.

You can walk between Old Town, the river, and Lesser Town in 15 to 25 minutes. Hills rise toward the Castle and Petřín, so plan gentle climbs in the morning.

Getting from the airport

Václav Havel Airport sits about 15 kilometers west of the center. The fastest public route is trolleybus 59 from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín. Change to Metro Line A, then continue to your stop, such as Můstek or Staroměstská. This is the current official advice from the airport.

If you prefer a taxi, book at an official counter inside arrivals. For a budget option late at night, use the Airport Express or night bus connections.

Moving around the city

Prague has an excellent public network. The metro runs roughly 4:30 a.m. to midnight. Trams fill the gaps and run all day, with night lines after midnight. Validate paper tickets at the start of your ride, or before entering the metro. If you buy a ticket from a machine on board, it prints already validated. This guidance comes from Prague Public Transit.

You can also buy contactless tickets on trams and at metro stations. The machines print a ready-to-ride ticket, so no extra validation is needed. This option is listed by Prague City Tourism.

Which ticket should you buy?

If you plan a busy sightseeing day, get a 24 or 72 hour ticket. If you want a pass that also covers many museums and tours, the Prague Visitor Pass bundles free entries and unlimited transport, including airport trips, during its validity. Confirm the latest inclusions in the official app before purchase.

What to see on your first visit

Day 1, the royal route

Start at Old Town Square to watch the Astronomical Clock strike the hour. Walk across Charles Bridge early to avoid crowds. Continue up to Prague Castle for St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for these monuments.

Late afternoon, ride tram 22 down to Národní třída. Stop for coffee near the National Theatre, then stroll the river at sunset.

Day 2, Jewish Quarter and New Town

Reserve time for the Jewish Museum sites and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Cross to Wenceslas Square for shops and the National Museum. End the day on a Vltava river cruise or at Letná Park for city views.

Day 3, neighborhoods and views

Explore Vinohrady for brunch and farmers’ markets. Take the funicular to Petřín for gardens and an easy tower climb on a clear day. Visit Vyšehrad for old ramparts, a quiet cemetery, and a calm sunset over the river.

When to go

April to June brings mild weather and long light. September and October are crisp and colorful. December is busy near Christmas markets. January and February are cold, but quiet and good for museums.

If you visit in summer, sightsee early, break at noon, and return out late. Book key entries and special tours ahead in peak months.

Money and payments

The currency is the Czech koruna, often written as CZK or Kč. Cards work at hotels, metro machines, and most cafes. Keep small cash for kiosks, public toilets, or markets. Avoid dynamic currency conversion on card terminals. Choose to pay in CZK for better rates.

ATMs inside bank branches are safer than free-standing units on tourist streets. Decline conversion offers on ATM screens.

Easy, proven itineraries

One day in Prague

• Old Town Square and the Clock.
• Charles Bridge at sunrise.
• St. Vitus Cathedral and Castle courtyards.
• Lesser Town lunch near Kampa.
• Tram 22 to Národní třída, then river walk.

Two days in Prague

Day 1 as above.
Day 2 adds the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, and a river cruise.

Three days in Prague

Days 1 and 2 as above.
Day 3 adds Vinohrady cafes, Petřín views, and Vyšehrad sunset.

Simple food plan

Breakfast is light, with strong coffee and pastries. Try chlebíčky, the local open-face sandwich, for a quick lunch. For dinner, look for roast pork with dumplings and cabbage, svíčková sauce with beef, or grilled fish and salads.

Book dinner near Old Town if you want a night walk across the bridge. In Vinohrady and Karlín you will find modern bistros, bakeries, and wine bars.

How to avoid lines and crowds

• See Charles Bridge at dawn, then return later for photos with light.
• Buy Castle complex tickets online when available, and enter early.
• Visit the Jewish sites in the morning, then return to Old Town after lunch.
• Use trams to leapfrog crowds at mid-day.
• Save museum visits for late afternoon.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting to validate a paper ticket. Inspectors check, and fines apply.
• Expecting turnstiles in the metro. There are few barriers, checks are random.
• Assuming airport buses go directly to Old Town. You must change to the metro from trolleybus 59.
• Planning every sight in one day. Prague deserves slow walks and breaks.

One-page checklist

• Flights booked to PRG.
• Hotel near Old Town, Lesser Town, or Vinohrady.
• Airport plan set, trolleybus 59 to Metro A, or taxi.
• 24 or 72 hour ticket, or Prague Visitor Pass.
• Must-see list: Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town, Jewish Quarter.
• Dinner bookings for one or two nights.
• Comfortable shoes, small CZK cash, contactless card.
• Early starts for bridge and Castle.

Practical safety and etiquette

Prague is safe in tourist zones. Watch for pickpockets near the Clock, on crowded trams, and at the bridge. Keep bags closed and phones in front pockets. On trams, give up priority seats to seniors and parents with strollers.

Smoking is not allowed inside most restaurants and bars. Tap water is safe to drink. Tipping is common, round up by 5 to 10 percent for table service.

48 hours with kids

Ride the funicular to Petřín and climb the lookout tower. Count statues on Charles Bridge. Visit the National Technical Museum for planes and trains. Take a short boat ride on the Vltava. Finish with gelato on Náplavka if the weather is warm.

“Why it matters”

Prague mixes great value with world-class sights. With the right airport transfer, a smart ticket, and a simple route, you save hours. That means more time on the bridge at sunrise, or in a quiet cafe after dark.

Sources:

• Prague Public Transit Company, Welcome to Prague, https://www.dpp.cz/en/welcome-to-prague, accessed 2026-01-08.
• Prague City Tourism, Public transport in Prague, https://prague.eu/en/public-transport/, accessed 2026-01-08.
• Václav Havel Airport Prague, Public Transport Buses, https://www.prg.aero/en/public-transport-buses, accessed 2026-01-08.