Getting Around the Czech Republic
Prague's trams, metro, and buses form one of Europe's best-value transit systems — a 24-hour ticket runs about $5.50 and covers nearly everything. For Český Krumlov and other day trips, direct RegioJet or FlixBus coaches ($8–15) usually beat the train on price and comfort. All three major ride-hailing apps — Bolt, Uber, and Liftago — operate reliably in Prague, so skip street taxis entirely.
Getting to the Czech Republic
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is the country's main gateway. Flight time runs 8–11 hours depending on origin — direct from most of Europe in 1.5–3 hours, with a connection typical from the US and Australia. Round-trip fares from a major hub start around $450–950. The airport connects to the city center by a combination of bus and metro (about 45 minutes, under $2) or a taxi/ride-hailing ride (25–35 minutes, $25–35).
Getting around: the real options
The Czech Republic is compact and Prague-centric for most visitors, but the country's rail and bus network makes day trips and onward travel to neighboring capitals genuinely easy.
- Trains — Czech Railways (ČD) plus private operators RegioJet and LeoExpress run modern, comfortable service on main domestic routes (Prague–Brno, Prague–Ostrava) and international ones (Prague–Vienna in 4 hours, Prague–Berlin in about 4.5 hours), both from roughly $15–30.
- Buses — RegioJet and FlixBus cover routes the train doesn't reach directly, including the popular Prague–Český Krumlov run (2.5–3 hours, $8–15) — often cheaper and just as comfortable as the train for that specific trip.
- Domestic flights — not worth it; the country is small enough and trains fast enough that nobody flies internally.
- Car rental / driving — driving is on the right, and because the Czech Republic is landlocked and surrounded by Schengen neighbors (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia), there are typically no border checks at all when driving between them. A car is optional for Prague itself (parking is a hassle) but useful for a slower countryside loop beyond Český Krumlov.
Getting around inside cities
Prague's trams, metro, and buses are cheap, frequent, and genuinely excellent — a single ticket costs about $1.40, and a 24-hour pass runs roughly $5.50, which is worth it if you're taking more than 3–4 rides in a day. For point-to-point trips, all three major ride-hailing apps — Bolt, Uber, and Liftago (a Czech-founded app) — operate reliably here and show the fare upfront, which has largely ended the city's old meter-tampering taxi problem.
| Route/option | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Prague Airport to city center (bus + metro) | $2 | 45 min |
| Prague Airport to city center (Bolt/Uber/Liftago) | $25–35 | 25–35 min |
| Prague to Český Krumlov (direct bus) | $8–15 | 2.5–3 hrs |
Book the direct RegioJet or FlixBus route to Český Krumlov online a few days ahead in summer — the popular morning departures do sell out in July–August, and it's the cheapest, most comfortable way to make the trip.
Common transport mistakes
Hailing a random taxi off the street instead of opening an app — Prague's old meter-tampering reputation is largely a thing of the past for anyone using Bolt, Uber, or Liftago, but it's still a real risk for anyone who flags a cab on Wenceslas Square or outside a tourist restaurant. The second mistake: doing Český Krumlov as a rushed midday round-trip on a big tour bus, which leaves maybe two hours in the actual town once you subtract travel time — the direct public bus gives more flexibility for the same or less money.