Prague Transport Guide · 2025
The fastest route is Tram 22 to Pražský hrad (12 minutes from the city center). The best route is walking over Charles Bridge and up Nerudova Street. Here's everything you need to know.
Choose based on where you're staying, how much time you have, and how much you care about the journey itself. Make sure you've already sorted your entry tickets before you set off — the ticket office queue adds 30–60 min in peak season, separate from the journey. A skip-the-line ticket bypasses it entirely.
The easiest and fastest route from the city center. Tram 22 runs frequently and drops you right outside the castle's main gate at Hradčanské náměstí.
The classic Prague route. Cross Charles Bridge (one of the world's great walks), wind up through Malá Strana, and climb Nerudova Street to the castle gate. Save an hour for this.
Best if you're coming from outside the city center or arriving at a major metro hub. Take the green line to Malostranská and connect to Tram 22 for two stops uphill.
These are the most useful boarding points. The journey runs in about 12 minutes from Náměstí Míru.
| Stop Name | Where It Is | Time to Castle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Náměstí Míru | Vinohrady neighborhood | ~15 min | Metro Line A interchange; good if staying in Vinohrady |
| Náměstí Republiky | Near Palladium shopping center | ~14 min | Central stop; walk south from Old Town Square ~8 min |
| Národní třída | Near Wenceslas Square / New Town | ~12 min | One of the most central boarding points |
| Malostranské náměstí | Malá Strana (Lesser Town) | ~4 min | Can also walk up from here in ~15 min via Nerudova |
| Pražský hrad ★ | Main castle gate — Hradčanské náměstí | Arrive here | Best stop for the main entrance. Walk straight in. |
| Pohořelec | Strahov Monastery side | 1 stop after Pražský hrad | Use this if approaching from the Strahov / Loreta side |
If the weather is good and you have time, walking is the right choice. The route from Old Town Square to the castle is one of the best 30-minute walks in Europe — full stop.
Cross Charles Bridge in the early morning before the souvenir sellers set up and you'll have the 30 Baroque statues almost to yourself. Then wind up through the cobbled streets of Malá Strana, past the beautifully preserved 17th-century houses, and up the steep Nerudova Street to the castle gate.
One thing to know: Nerudova Street is steep. It's not brutal, but it's a sustained uphill climb on uneven cobblestones. Wear comfortable shoes — the number one regret of first-time Prague Castle visitors is wearing the wrong footwear. There's also a long staircase called the Old Castle Steps that approaches from the Malostranská metro side — equally beautiful, slightly more vertical.
One ticket covers a full-day hop-on hop-off bus that stops at the castle, plus a narrated Prague Castle tour and an included river cruise. Useful if you want to see multiple parts of the city and don't want to figure out public transport. Rated 4.1 on Tiqets.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus — from €19 →Tram 22 is the one to take. It runs from Náměstí Míru through the city center and climbs up to the castle. Exit at Pražský hrad for the main gate (Hradčanské náměstí) or Pohořelec if you're approaching from the Strahov Monastery direction.
The ticket costs 32 CZK (~$1.30) and is valid for 90 minutes including connections. Buy from yellow machines at metro stations or the PID Lítačka app.
Three options from Old Town Square: (1) Walk — west to Charles Bridge, across, then up Nerudova Street to the gate. About 25–30 minutes, very scenic. (2) Tram 22 — walk south ~8 minutes to Náměstí Republiky or Národní třída, then ride Tram 22 to Pražský hrad (~12 min). (3) Metro A to Malostranská then Tram 22 uphill for 2 stops.
For most first-time visitors, the walk via Charles Bridge is the right call if the weather allows.
There's no metro station at the castle. The closest is Malostranská on Metro Line A (green line), which is about a 20-minute uphill walk from the main gate. From Malostranská you can connect to Tram 22 for 2 stops to Pražský hrad, which saves the climb.
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. The roads around Hradčany are narrow and heavily restricted. Public parking is scarce and expensive. Getting dropped off by taxi or Uber at Hradčanské náměstí works fine — but plan for a ride back as pick-ups in the same spot can be tricky. For self-drive, park in the city center and take public transport up.