The clearest way to get to Petřín Tower in 2026 is to plan as if the Petřín funicular is not available, then choose one of the walking approaches before you start. For most first-time visitors, the best public-transport anchors are Pohořelec, Koleje Strahov, Stadion Strahov, or Újezd, depending on whether you want a gentler upper approach or a steeper lower approach through Petřín Hill. If you are coming from Václav Havel Airport Prague, take trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, continue by Metro Line A, then connect to the tram or bus route that best matches your chosen side of the hill.

The main mistake is treating Petřín Tower like a normal city-centre landmark. It is close to central Prague on a map, but it sits high on Petřín Hill, and the final approach matters more than the distance. While the Újezd–Petřín funicular is suspended, the easiest route is not automatically “go to Újezd.” Many visitors will have a smoother arrival from Pohořelec or the Strahov side because those approaches reduce the hardest part of the climb.

Why Pohořelec and Strahov matter more while the Petřín funicular is closed

When the funicular is operating, Újezd is the obvious lower access point because you can ride up toward Petřín. While the funicular is closed, Újezd changes character. It remains useful, but it means starting low and walking up through Petřín Hill. That can be scenic, but it is not the easiest route for everyone.

For first-timers, the better question is not “Which stop is closest to Petřín Tower?” The better question is “Which stop gives me the most manageable final walk?” Prague City Tourism lists Pohořelec tram stop and Koleje Strahov bus stop as the nearest public-transport stops for Petřín Tower. It also describes Pohořelec as a gentle incline route and the Koleje Strahov / Stadion Strahov approach through the campus and Rose Gardens as an easy walk with no hills.

That makes the route choice clearer. If you want a classic tram approach with a manageable climb, use Pohořelec. If you want to avoid most of the uphill work, look at Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov. If you want the lower Petřín park approach and do not mind a steep walk, Újezd is still a valid choice. The route is not difficult, but choosing the wrong side of the hill can make it feel much harder than it needs to be.

The best route for most first-time visitors

For many visitors, the most balanced route is to take tram 22 to Pohořelec, then walk toward Petřín Tower from the upper side. This keeps the trip simple, gives you a known tram stop, and avoids making Újezd the default while the funicular is out of service.

From Pohořelec, walk via Strahovská or Úvoz toward Petřín Hill. This approach still involves an incline, but it is more controlled than starting from the lower side at Újezd. It also puts you near the upper Prague Castle and Strahov area, which can be easier to understand than trying to climb from the river-side streets below.

If you are travelling with someone who dislikes hills, or if you want the lightest walking approach, check routes to Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov. Prague City Tourism describes the walk from those stops through the campus and Rose Gardens as an easy walk with no hills. That does not mean every surface will feel perfectly smooth, but it does mean the route avoids the main lower-hill climb that catches many visitors by surprise.

Use Újezd when you specifically want to walk up through Petřín Hill from the lower side. It is a pleasant approach in good weather if you are not in a hurry, but it should not be sold as the easiest first-time route while the funicular is closed.

From Václav Havel Airport Prague to Petřín Tower

From Václav Havel Airport Prague, start with trolleybus 59 from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín. At Nádraží Veleslavín, change to Metro Line A. This is the main public-transport handoff from the airport into Prague’s metro network.

From there, choose the hill-side route before you continue.

If you want the Pohořelec approach, stay on Metro Line A toward the city and connect to a tram route that takes you toward Pohořelec, commonly tram 22. This is usually the strongest public-transport plan for visitors who want a clear arrival without starting from the bottom of the hill.

If you want the Strahov-side approach, use your route app from Metro Line A to reach Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov. This may involve a bus or tram combination, but the advantage is the final walk. If avoiding steep climbing matters more than having the simplest line-by-line route, this option is worth checking.

If you prefer the lower Petřín approach, you can use Metro Line A toward Malostranská or another suitable city-side stop, then take a tram toward Újezd. From Újezd, walk up through Seminářská zahrada. Do this only if you are comfortable with a steep incline, especially because the funicular should not be treated as available unless official sources confirm it has resumed.

A taxi or ride-hailing car from the airport is useful if you arrive tired or with luggage. Ask for a drop-off near the side you actually want to use: Pohořelec or Strahov for an easier upper approach, Újezd for the lower park approach. Do not assume the car can remove the final walk completely; Petřín Tower is still inside a hill and park setting.

From Praha hlavní nádraží to Petřín Tower

From Praha hlavní nádraží, the cleanest route is to use the metro only as the first handoff, then switch to the correct tram or bus approach for Petřín Hill.

Enter Metro Line C at the main station and ride to Muzeum. At Muzeum, change to Metro Line A. From there, continue toward the side of the hill you have chosen.

For the Pohořelec route, use Metro Line A and connect to tram 22 toward Pohořelec. After getting off, walk toward Petřín Tower via the upper approach. This is the route I would choose for most first-time visitors arriving by train, because it avoids making the final climb too dramatic.

For the Strahov-side route, use the metro and surface transport connection that gets you to Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov. This is useful if the walking part matters more than keeping the transport part perfectly simple.

For the Újezd route, connect to a tram going to Újezd, then walk uphill. This can work well if you want the Petřín park climb, but it is not the easiest route while the funicular is closed.

Choosing between Pohořelec, Strahov, Újezd, and Malostranské náměstí

Pohořelec is the best all-round choice for many first-time visitors. It works well with tram 22, gives you an upper-side approach, and keeps the climb more manageable than Újezd.

Koleje Strahov and Stadion Strahov are useful when you want the easiest walking profile. The route through the campus and Rose Gardens is the best choice for visitors who want to reduce hill stress. It may feel a little less “classic Prague sightseeing route” than Újezd, but it solves the practical problem better.

Újezd is best when you actively want to walk up Petřín Hill from the lower side. It is easy to understand as a tram stop and it is historically tied to the funicular, but the funicular closure changes the decision. Without the funicular, Újezd means a steep uphill walk through Seminářská zahrada.

Malostranské náměstí is possible, but it is not the easiest first-time route. Prague City Tourism describes the approach via Tržiště and Vlašská as steep, and the path is not maintained in winter. Use it only if you are already in Malá Strana and comfortable with a more demanding climb.

When a taxi or ride-hailing car is worth it

A taxi or ride-hailing car is worth considering if you are arriving with luggage, travelling with children, visiting after a long flight, or trying to avoid the mental work of transfers. The important part is choosing the drop-off side, not simply entering “Petřín Tower” and hoping the car solves everything.

For a more comfortable final approach, set the drop-off near Pohořelec, Strahov Monastery, Koleje Strahov, or Stadion Strahov, then walk from the upper side. For the lower park route, use Újezd, but remember that the walk climbs. If a driver suggests a lower drop-off that leaves you with a long uphill section, it may be better to ask for an upper-side point instead.

A car is not always faster through central Prague traffic, and it does not remove the need to walk inside the hill area. It is best used to reduce transfers and place you on the right side of Petřín before the final approach begins.

Walking from Újezd while the funicular is closed

Újezd is still useful, but it needs honest framing. It is not the easiest route right now; it is the lower-hill walking route.

From Újezd, walk up through Seminářská zahrada toward Petřín Hill and the tower area. Expect a steady climb. This can be a lovely route in good weather if you enjoy walking, but it is a poor choice if you are carrying a suitcase, rushing, or travelling with someone who struggles with hills.

The main advantage of Újezd is simplicity. Many trams stop there, and it is easy to understand as the base of the hill. The disadvantage is the incline. If your map shows a short route but the street or garden path starts rising quickly, that is not a mistake. That is the nature of the Újezd approach.

In winter, rain, or poor light, be more careful. Prague City Tourism notes that some steep routes are not maintained in winter. If conditions are bad, use Pohořelec or the Strahov side instead of forcing the lower climb.

The final approach to the tower

The final approach changes depending on which side you choose.

From Pohořelec, the walk should feel like a gradual transition from the upper city and Strahov area toward Petřín Hill. You are already high enough that the climb is less punishing than from Újezd. Stay focused on the tower area rather than drifting down toward Malá Strana.

From Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov, move through the campus and Rose Gardens toward Petřín Tower. This is the practical route when you want the walking part to be as easy as possible. It may not feel as scenic at the very beginning, but it pays off by avoiding the steeper lower-hill climb.

From Újezd, the route feels more like a proper hill walk. You start low and climb through the garden side of Petřín. This is good if you chose it intentionally. It is frustrating if you expected a flat final walk or assumed the funicular would be available.

If the route starts to feel wrong, do not chase the nearest point on the map. Petřín has paths, gardens, slopes, and edges that can make the tower look close while still leaving you with an awkward climb. Stop, check whether you are approaching from the upper side or lower side, and reroute toward Pohořelec or Strahov if you want to reduce the climb.

If you get lost or choose the wrong side

If you are still on the public-transport network, reset around Metro Line A and aim for a clear tram or bus connection. Malostranská is useful for connecting to trams in the lower Malá Strana area, but it is not automatically the easiest walking start for Petřín Tower. If you want the upper approach, aim for Pohořelec or Strahov instead.

If you are already at Újezd and the climb looks too much, do not force it. Take a tram or other connection toward Pohořelec or use a taxi to reposition to the upper side. This is not a failure; it is exactly the kind of route decision Petřín requires while the funicular is closed.

If you are near Malostranské náměstí, remember that the walking route from there can also be steep. It may be attractive if you are already sightseeing in Malá Strana, but it is not the best reset point for someone who wants the easiest final approach.

Common questions about getting to Petřín Tower

Is the Petřín funicular running?

No, not as a normal visitor route at the time of this update. DPP says the Újezd–Petřín funicular is suspended for full reconstruction and new vehicle production, with passenger trial operation expected around the turn of summer and autumn 2026. Check the official DPP page before relying on it.

What is the easiest route to Petřín Tower while the funicular is closed?

For many visitors, Pohořelec by tram is the best balance of simple transport and manageable walking. If you want the easiest walking profile, check routes to Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov and approach through the campus and Rose Gardens.

Is Újezd still a good stop for Petřín Tower?

Yes, but only if you are comfortable walking uphill. Újezd is the lower access point. While the funicular is closed, it means a steep climb through Petřín Hill rather than an easy ride up.

What is the best route from Prague Airport?

Take trolleybus 59 from the airport to Nádraží Veleslavín, then change to Metro Line A. From there, continue toward the tram or bus connection that matches your chosen Petřín approach. Pohořelec is usually the best first-time target; Strahov is better if you want to reduce uphill walking.

Is Petřín Tower doable with luggage?

It is possible, but not ideal. If you have heavy luggage, avoid the lower Újezd climb. Use a taxi or ride-hailing car to reach an upper-side drop-off near Pohořelec or Strahov, then keep only the final walk.

Sources

Prague City Tourism – confirmed Petřín Tower access routes, funicular closure notice, nearest public transport stops, Pohořelec, Koleje Strahov, Stadion Strahov, Malostranské náměstí, and Újezd walking approaches – https://prague.eu/en/objevujte/petrin-tower-petrinska-rozhledna/ (Prague City Tourism)

DPP Prague Public Transit Company – confirmed Újezd–Petřín funicular suspension, reconstruction, new vehicles, and expected passenger trial operation around the turn of summer and autumn 2026 – https://www.dpp.cz/en/entertainment-and-experience/funicular-to-petrin (dpp.cz)

Václav Havel Airport Prague – confirmed trolleybus 59 from Terminal 1 / Terminal 2 to Veleslavín train station, change to Metro Line A, and public-transport ticket guidance – https://www.prg.aero/en/public-transport-buses (Letiště Václava Havla Praha, Ruzyně)

Prague Airport – confirmed airport bus stops in front of both terminals and line 59 toward Nádraží Veleslavín with Metro Line A connection – https://www.prg.aero/en/where-can-i-find-public-transport-bus-stops (Letiště Václava Havla Praha, Ruzyně)

Last updated: June 2026