The clearest public-transport route from Václav Havel Airport Prague to Prague Castle is trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, Metro Line A to Malostranská, and tram 22 to Pražský hrad. At Malostranská, board tram 22 in the direction of Bílá Hora and leave at Pražský hrad. Turn left after getting off; Prague Castle’s official access guidance places the 2nd Courtyard about five minutes away on foot.
This is not a direct airport-to-castle journey. It requires two changes: trolleybus to metro, then metro to tram. The route nevertheless keeps most of the journey within Prague’s integrated public transport system and avoids the long uphill walk from the lower side of the castle.
Trolleybus 59 stops in front of the arrival halls at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Its journey to Nádraží Veleslavín takes approximately 15 minutes. From there, take Metro Line A toward the city centre, normally signed for Skalka or Depo Hostivař, and leave at Malostranská. Do not board toward Nemocnice Motol, which is the opposite direction.
After reaching Malostranská, follow the signs to the tram stops and check the platform display before boarding. On the castle-bound side, the relevant tram 22 sequence is Malostranská, Královský letohrádek, Pražský hrad, Brusnice, and Pohořelec. Pražský hrad is the standard stop when your priority is the shortest official approach to the main castle courtyards.
The tram reconstruction that suspended service at Pražský hrad and Královský letohrádek ran from March 21 through July 17, 2026. The current tram 22 timetable again lists both stops. Temporary diversions can still occur elsewhere on the network, so check the live PID or DPP journey information on the day rather than relying on an old closure notice.
Pohořelec is the main alternative when you prefer to approach from above and walk downhill toward Hradčany Square. Malostranská is also a valid Metro A stop for Prague Castle, but walking directly from the station means climbing the Old Castle Stairs to the Na Opyši gate. That route is better treated as a deliberate walking choice, not as the default airport arrival.
Use Metro Line A as the airport-to-castle backbone
Metro Line A connects the airport side of Prague with the stations used for Prague Castle access. Trolleybus 59 does not continue into the historic centre; it ends at Nádraží Veleslavín, where passengers transfer to Line A.
From Nádraží Veleslavín, take a train toward Skalka or Depo Hostivař. The station sequence toward Prague Castle is:
- Nádraží Veleslavín
- Bořislavka
- Dejvická
- Hradčanská
- Malostranská
Malostranská is the most useful transfer point for the standard airport route because tram 22 runs from there uphill past Královský letohrádek to Pražský hrad. The metro does not take you directly inside the Prague Castle district. It brings you to the lower transport corridor, and the tram completes the climb.
Hradčanská is geographically close to the castle area, but it is not the clearest interchange for this particular route. Leaving Metro A at Malostranská gives you a direct choice between two verified approaches: continue by tram 22 to Pražský hrad, or walk up the Old Castle Stairs to the Na Opyši gate.
The direction matters at Nádraží Veleslavín. Line A continues west to Nemocnice Motol and east through the centre toward Skalka and Depo Hostivař. From the airport, you need the city-centre direction. Checking the terminal name on the platform display prevents the most disruptive metro mistake: travelling one stop or more away from central Prague before noticing the error.
Metro A normally operates as part of the same Prague Integrated Transport system used by trolleybus 59 and regular tram 22 services. Buy a ticket with enough validity for the complete journey and make sure it is valid before boarding the trolleybus. A ticket that expires during the metro or tram stage does not cover the complete trip simply because the journey began within its validity period.
From PRG Airport by trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín
At Václav Havel Airport Prague, public transport stops are directly in front of the arrival halls at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Follow the signs for buses and trolleybuses, then find line 59 toward Nádraží Veleslavín.
Terminal 1 handles arrivals from outside the Schengen Area, while Terminal 2 handles arrivals from within the Schengen Area. You do not need to travel between terminals to find line 59; it serves both terminal areas before continuing to Nádraží Veleslavín.
The airport gives an approximate travel time of 15 minutes for the trolleybus segment. Waiting time, traffic around the airport, and the transfer at Nádraží Veleslavín will affect the total journey, so do not build a timed Prague Castle tour around the 15-minute figure alone.
Buy or activate your ticket before boarding. Ticket machines are available in the terminal arrival areas and at the public transport stops. Tickets are also available through the PID Lítačka app. When using the app, allow for any activation requirement before stepping onto the vehicle.
After boarding, keep your luggage clear of the doors and prepare to leave at Nádraží Veleslavín. The trolleybus is designed for airport passengers, but the transfer still involves moving from the surface stop into the metro station. Follow signs for Metro A rather than railway platforms or local bus connections.
At the Metro A platform, choose the city-centre direction toward Skalka or Depo Hostivař. Leave at Malostranská for the tram 22 connection. Malostranská comes after Hradčanská, so seeing Hradčanská on the station display confirms that your stop is next.
This public-transport route is suitable when you can manage your luggage through two transfers and onto a tram. Large suitcases are more awkward during the final stage because Prague Castle is a hilltop complex with stone paving, pedestrian areas, security entrances, and walking between buildings. The route remains usable with luggage, but it is not a station-to-door transfer.
Continue by Metro A to Malostranská, then take tram 22
Leave Metro Line A at Malostranská and follow the signs to street level and the tram stops. Before boarding, confirm three details on the stop display or PID Lítačka journey result:
- The vehicle is tram 22.
- It is travelling in the Bílá Hora direction.
- Pražský hrad appears among the upcoming stops.
The castle-bound stop order is useful when the tram is crowded or the onboard screen is difficult to see. After leaving Malostranská, tram 22 serves Královský letohrádek and then Pražský hrad. If the tram reaches Brusnice, you have passed Pražský hrad. You can continue to Pohořelec and use the downhill approach, or cross to the opposite platform and travel back.
Do not board tram 22 in the Nádraží Hostivař direction. That service travels away from Prague Castle after Malostranská. The direction display is therefore more reliable than boarding simply because the tram number is correct.
Temporary works elsewhere in central Prague may alter part of tram 22’s route without closing the castle stops. For an airport arrival, the question that matters is whether the section from Malostranská through Královský letohrádek, Pražský hrad, Brusnice, and Pohořelec is operating. Check the current stop list rather than assuming that every disruption involving line 22 affects Prague Castle.
The former March 21–July 17, 2026 suspension at Pražský hrad and Královský letohrádek has ended. Current PID information lists both stops on the line 22 route. Older travel pages, saved maps, and screenshots may still show Pohořelec, Brusnice, or Prašný most as compulsory substitutes from that reconstruction period. Those were temporary access arrangements, not the permanent standard route.
Use Pražský hrad for the shortest tram approach
Pražský hrad is the standard tram stop for visitors who want the shortest official approach to Prague Castle. After leaving tram 22, turn left and walk for approximately five minutes to reach the 2nd Courtyard.
The stop places you above the lower Malá Strana streets, so you avoid climbing the Old Castle Stairs or New Castle Stairs before entering the complex. This is particularly useful after an airport journey, when you may already have spent time standing, transferring, and managing luggage.
Check the stop name carefully. Pražský hrad means Prague Castle, while Královský letohrádek refers to the Royal Summer Palace stop. Královský letohrádek can provide access through the Royal Garden during the summer season, but it is not the same arrival point as the short walk from Pražský hrad to the 2nd Courtyard.
Once off the tram, do not follow the tracks toward Brusnice. Turn toward the castle-side approach indicated on the official access route. If you reach a residential stretch without the expected castle entrance movement, check your position before continuing downhill or farther west.
Prague Castle is a large complex rather than one building with a single front door. Reaching the 2nd Courtyard does not mean that every attraction is immediately beside the entrance. St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, exhibitions, gardens, and visitor facilities occupy different parts of the grounds. Allow additional walking after reaching the courtyard.
Opening arrangements, security access, ceremonial events, and temporary closures can affect movement through the complex even when public transport is operating normally. Check Prague Castle’s current visitor notices separately from the tram timetable.
Use Pohořelec for a downhill approach to Hradčany Square
Pohořelec is the main alternative to Pražský hrad when you prefer to approach Prague Castle from the higher western side. From the stop, walk downhill toward Hradčany Square. Prague Castle’s official guidance gives an approximate walking time of ten minutes and directs visitors toward the IV Courtyard entrance.
This approach involves more walking than leaving at Pražský hrad, but most of the route toward the castle is downhill. It can be a sensible choice when you want to arrive at Hradčany Square, see the Gate of Giants side first, or avoid climbing from Malá Strana.
On tram 22 toward Bílá Hora, the stop order after Pražský hrad is Brusnice and then Pohořelec. Do not assume that Pohořelec comes before Pražský hrad when travelling from Malostranská. The sequence reverses when travelling in the opposite direction.
If you accidentally remain on the tram past Pražský hrad, continuing to Pohořelec can be more practical than immediately trying to retrace the route. The downhill walk still leads to the castle’s western side. However, choose this deliberately when carrying luggage: a longer walk over uneven surfaces may offset the advantage of avoiding an uphill climb.
Brusnice and Prašný most may appear in disruption notices because they can serve as alternative access points when tracks near the castle are closed. They are not the main everyday recommendation when Pražský hrad is operating. Use them when current DPP or PID information specifically directs passengers there, not because an expired reconstruction notice lists them.
Pohořelec also works well when Prague Castle is the first stop in a wider walk through Hradčany and Malá Strana. Enter from the Hradčany Square side, cross the castle complex, and descend toward Malostranská after the visit. That avoids climbing back to the same western stop at the end.
From Praha hlavní nádraží to Prague Castle
From Praha hlavní nádraží, use Metro Line C to Muzeum, change to Metro Line A, and continue to Malostranská. From Malostranská, take tram 22 toward Bílá Hora and leave at Pražský hrad.
At Hlavní nádraží, board Line C toward Háje. Muzeum is the next station. Change there to Line A toward Nemocnice Motol, not toward Depo Hostivař or Skalka. Leave at Malostranská and complete the route by tram.
The complete sequence is:
- Metro Line C from Hlavní nádraží to Muzeum.
- Metro Line A from Muzeum to Malostranská.
- Tram 22 toward Bílá Hora from Malostranská to Pražský hrad.
- Turn left and walk approximately five minutes to the 2nd Courtyard.
This route has one metro interchange and one tram transfer. Muzeum is a large interchange, so follow the green Line A signs and confirm the direction before entering the platform. On Line A toward Nemocnice Motol, the train passes Můstek, Staroměstská, and Malostranská.
Travellers with large luggage should decide whether they need to take bags to Prague Castle at all. Lockers, hotel storage, or leaving luggage near the railway arrival area may be preferable to carrying it through Muzeum and onto tram 22. The castle grounds include stone paving and security-controlled access, and not every interior route is suitable for wheeled luggage.
A taxi may be more practical when arriving by train with several bags, but central road traffic can reduce the time advantage. Public transport gives a predictable route without needing to navigate a vehicle drop-off around the castle complex.
Using Malostranská if you are willing to walk uphill
Malostranská is not only a tram interchange. It is also an official walking approach to Prague Castle.
After leaving Metro Line A, follow the route of tram 22 for approximately 100 metres, then turn left toward the Old Castle Stairs. Climb the stairs to the Na Opyši gate on the eastern side of the castle complex.
This route removes the tram transfer but replaces it with a sustained uphill walk. Choose it when you are comfortable with stairs, have little or no luggage, and want to approach the castle from below. It is not the better option merely because it uses fewer vehicles.
The Old Castle Stairs are different from the New Castle Stairs. The New Castle Stairs are reached from the Malostranské náměstí side through Zámecká and Thunovská streets and lead toward Hradčany Square. The official Malostranská metro route uses the Old Castle Stairs toward Na Opyši.
Wet weather, ice, heat, crowded conditions, and heavy bags can make the climb more demanding. Travellers with reduced mobility should not treat this as an equivalent substitute for tram 22 to Pražský hrad. Continue by tram unless current service information or your own walking plans favour the stairs.
The walking route can work well in the opposite direction after your castle visit. Enter from Pražský hrad or Hradčany Square, cross the complex, and descend the Old Castle Stairs toward Malostranská. This keeps the stair section downhill and returns you directly to Metro Line A.
When a taxi from PRG is worth using
A taxi or airport ride service is worth considering when avoiding transfers matters more than keeping the fare low. The public-transport route requires trolleybus 59, Metro Line A, tram 22, and a final walk. A car removes the vehicle changes but does not remove the need to identify the correct side of the Prague Castle complex.
The official contracted taxi service at Václav Havel Airport Prague is Uber Airport. A ride can be ordered through the Uber app, airport self-service kiosks, or staffed counters in the arrival halls. Official pickup points are directly in front of the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrival halls.
Consider a car when:
- You have several large bags.
- You are travelling with young children.
- Someone in the group has limited walking capacity.
- You arrive late and do not want to manage several transfers.
- You have a fixed appointment or tour time.
- Your accommodation is in Hradčany or near Prague Castle.
- Poor weather makes the tram and walking stages unattractive.
Check the destination pin before confirming the ride. “Prague Castle” covers a large hilltop area, and two pins described as being near the castle can leave you with very different walks. Match the drop-off to the entrance, hotel, tour meeting point, or side of the complex you actually need.
Do not accept unsolicited transport offers from individuals approaching passengers inside or outside the terminal. Prague Airport advises travellers to use the official service or a clearly identified licensed alternative and warns about unofficial offers.
FAQ
What is the best public-transport route from PRG Airport to Prague Castle?
Take trolleybus 59 from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín. Change to Metro Line A toward Skalka or Depo Hostivař and leave at Malostranská. Then take tram 22 toward Bílá Hora to Pražský hrad and walk about five minutes to the 2nd Courtyard.
Is Pražský hrad the best stop for Prague Castle?
Pražský hrad is the best standard stop when you want the shortest official tram approach. After leaving the tram, turn left and walk for approximately five minutes to the 2nd Courtyard.
Are Pražský hrad and Královský letohrádek operating again?
The reconstruction suspension affecting both stops ended on July 17, 2026. Current PID tram 22 information again lists Malostranská, Královský letohrádek, Pražský hrad, Brusnice, and Pohořelec in the castle-side sequence. Check live information before travelling because later works can still alter service.
Should I use Pražský hrad or Pohořelec?
Use Pražský hrad for the shorter walk to the 2nd Courtyard. Use Pohořelec when you prefer a longer downhill approach toward Hradčany Square and the western side of the castle.
Can I reach Prague Castle directly by metro?
No. Metro Line A reaches Malostranská and Hradčanská, but neither station is inside the castle complex. From Malostranská, continue by tram 22 or walk uphill via the Old Castle Stairs.
How do I get from Prague Main Station to Prague Castle?
Take Metro Line C from Hlavní nádraží to Muzeum, change to Line A toward Nemocnice Motol, and leave at Malostranská. Take tram 22 toward Bílá Hora to Pražský hrad.
Is a taxi from PRG Airport worth using?
It can be worthwhile with heavy luggage, children, reduced mobility, a late arrival, or a fixed appointment. Check the drop-off pin carefully because Prague Castle covers a large area.
Sources checked
Prague Castle — How to get here? Confirmed the standard tram 22 approach to Pražský hrad, the five-minute walk to the 2nd Courtyard, the downhill Pohořelec route to Hradčany Square, the Malostranská walking route through the Old Castle Stairs, and the dates of the 2026 tram reconstruction.
https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors/how-to-get-to-castle
Václav Havel Airport Prague — Public Transport Buses. Confirmed trolleybus 59 from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín, the approximate 15-minute trolleybus journey, the transfer to Metro Line A, airport stop locations, and ticket-purchase guidance.
https://www.prg.aero/en/public-transport-buses
Prague Public Transit Company — Welcome to Prague. Confirmed T-Bus 59 as the airport connection to Nádraží Veleslavín on Metro Line A, the use of standard public transport fares, and tram 22 as the nearest public-transport approach to Prague Castle.
https://www.dpp.cz/en/welcome-to-prague
Prague Integrated Transport — Metro. Confirmed the Line A and Line C network structure used for the airport and Praha hlavní nádraží routes.
Prague Integrated Transport — Tram 22 Timetable. Confirmed the current castle-side stop sequence through Malostranská, Královský letohrádek, Pražský hrad, Brusnice, and Pohořelec, including the restoration of stops after the reconstruction period.
https://pid.cz/en/lines/trams/
Václav Havel Airport Prague — Taxi (Uber Airport). Confirmed the official airport taxi service, booking methods, and pickup points in front of the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrival halls.
Last updated: August 4, 2026
