Charles Bridge at a glance
Charles Bridge connects the Old Town (Staré Město) with Lesser Town (Malá Strana) across the Vltava in Prague. It is 515.76 m long, 9.5 m wide and stands on 16 arches. You enter on the east side at the Old Town Bridge Tower and leave on the west side at the Lesser Town Bridge Towers.
The walkway itself is a free pedestrian route with no ticket and no reservation, and it is normally open day and night. The towers, museums, guided walks and boats are separate services with their own prices.
From Staroměstská (metro line A, trams 2, 17 and 18) it is about 5 minutes on foot to the bridge. On the west side, Malostranské náměstí is served by trams 12, 15, 20, 22 and 23. A 90-minute public transport ticket costs CZK 46 in the PID Lítačka app and CZK 50 on paper in 2026.
This guide covers the history of the bridge, its statues and St John of Nepomuk, the two bridge towers, the bridge at sunrise and at night, walking tours, Vltava cruises, Prague Castle, Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, Kampa Island, how to get there, the best time to visit and where to stay. It is an independent site, not run by the City of Prague, a tourism board or a museum, and not connected to any tour operator or hotel. Prices are in Czech crowns (CZK) as of 2026, and they change.
Our picks: tours around Charles Bridge
Tower tickets, a canal cruise with museum entry and a guided walk with a boat ride.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Charles Bridge walk with river cruise
A guided walk around the bridge, a boat ride with audio guides, a Charles Bridge Museum ticket, a small snack and a drink. Hotel transfer is not included.
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Canal cruise around Charles Bridge
A 45-minute boat ride with audio commentary in 19 languages, a drink and gingerbread (ice cream in summer). Charles Bridge Museum entry is included.
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Combined ticket for both bridge towers
Entry to the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Towers on one ticket. A guide is not included.
Check availability →Prague tours across Charles Bridge
Walking tours, river cruises and castle visits, with live prices and availability.
Everything about Charles Bridge
One page for each part of your visit.
Walking tours over the bridge
Group walks, what they include and what costs extra.
Charles Bridge history
From the foundation in 1357 to the flood of 2002.
The statues and St John of Nepomuk
Thirty statues and groups, copies and originals.
The two bridge towers
Tickets, opening hours and the climb.
Charles Bridge at sunrise
Where to stand and what to expect early in the day.
Charles Bridge at night
Lights, evening walks and getting home.
Vltava cruises
Sightseeing, dinner and the Devil's Channel.
Prague Castle
Circuits, opening hours and the walk up.
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
Show times and the town hall tower.
Kampa Island
Quiet paths, the museum and the Lennon Wall.
Getting to Charles Bridge
Tram, metro and the way from the airport.
Best time to visit
Seasons, weather and the Christmas markets.
Where to stay
Old Town, Lesser Town and Kampa compared.
A few things to know before you plan
Facts that save you a wrong turn.
The towers have separate tickets
The Old Town Bridge Tower costs CZK 250 for adults and the Lesser Town Bridge Towers CZK 200. A combined ticket for both towers costs CZK 340. The first opening hour each day is half price.
Tower tickets and hours →Public transport fares changed on 1 January 2026
The PID app ticket is now cheaper than the paper ticket. A 24-hour ticket costs CZK 140 in the app and CZK 150 on paper. The Airport Express has its own fare of CZK 200.
Getting there →The town hall ticket has parts
The basic ticket for the Old Town Hall costs CZK 350. Guided tours and the lift cost extra, so the basic ticket is not a package.
Old Town Square →The founding moment is a tradition
The foundation stone is said to have been laid on 9 July 1357 at 5:31 a.m., a time that gives the number sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 7, 5, 3, 1. Treat the minute as tradition, not as a record.
Read the history →Not every statue is a copy
The bridge carries 30 statues and groups. Many of the figures on the bridge replaced originals, and some originals are kept elsewhere. Saying that all of them are copies would be wrong.
About the statues →Maintenance is not a closure
Cleaning, restoration or filming can narrow the walkway for a while without closing the bridge. Allow a little extra time on busy days and keep bags closed and in front of you in crowds.
Charles Bridge: frequently asked questions
Is Charles Bridge free to walk across?
Yes. The bridge is a public pedestrian route, and you do not need a ticket or a reservation. Only the towers, museums, guided tours and boats charge admission.
How long is Charles Bridge?
The bridge is 515.76 m long, which is about 516 m, and 9.5 m wide, so almost 10 m. It has 16 arches. Walking across takes a few minutes, but with the statues and the views most visitors stay longer.
Can I walk across Charles Bridge at night?
The walkway is normally open around the clock. There are gas lamps on the bridge. The towers are not open at night. More on Charles Bridge at night.
How do I get to Charles Bridge?
The closest metro station is Staroměstská on line A, about 5 minutes on foot from the Old Town end. Trams 2, 17 and 18 stop at Karlovy lázně, and trams 12, 15, 20, 22 and 23 stop at Malostranské náměstí on the Lesser Town side. See getting there.
How much does it cost to climb the bridge towers?
In 2026 the Old Town Bridge Tower costs CZK 250 for adults and the Lesser Town Bridge Towers CZK 200. The combined ticket is CZK 340. Reduced prices apply to children, seniors, and young adults aged 16 to 26.
What is the best time to visit?
That depends on what you want. Early morning suits a quieter walk, and the evening suits the lights. The seasons are compared on the best time page.