The short answer
Charles Bridge has an Old Town end and a Malá Strana end. For the Old Town end, take metro line A to Staroměstská or tram 2, 17 or 18 to Karlovy lázně. For the Malá Strana end, take tram 12, 15, 20, 22 or 23 to Malostranské náměstí. From any of these stops you walk the rest.
The bridge itself is for pedestrians. Do not plan on a car, a taxi or a parking space on the bridge. Walking across is free, and there is no reservation. The towers, a museum or a boat trip are separate services with their own tickets.
Walking tours and transfers in Prague
Guided walks over the bridge, river cruises and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Stops and walking times
Stop lists can change when lines are diverted, so check the timetable on the day.
| Stop | Lines by day | Night lines | Which end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staroměstská | Metro A, trams 2, 17, 18 | – | Old Town |
| Karlovy lázně | Trams 2, 17, 18 | 93 | Old Town |
| Malostranské náměstí | Trams 12, 15, 20, 22, 23 | 97 | Malá Strana |
From Staroměstská it is about 5 minutes on foot to the Old Town end of the bridge. From Old Town Square you walk along Karlova, about 10 minutes. These are approximate times, not measured step-free journeys. At the western end, the way from Malostranské náměstí runs along Mostecká to the bridge. The old paving is coarse and the kerbs slope, which matters for wheelchairs.
Fares in 2026
Since 1 January 2026 Prague public transport (PID) has had different prices for the Lítačka app and for paper tickets. The Airport Express has its own fare.
| Validity | PID Lítačka app | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | CZK 36 | CZK 39 |
| 90 minutes | CZK 46 | CZK 50 |
| 24 hours | CZK 140 | CZK 150 |
| 72 hours | CZK 340 | CZK 350 |
Seniors aged 60 to under 65 pay CZK 18, 23 or 70 in the app and CZK 19, 25 or 75 on paper for the 30-minute, 90-minute and 24-hour tickets. There is no reduced 72-hour ticket, and you need proof of age. Children under 15 and seniors from 65 travel free in Prague with the right proof. That does not apply to the Airport Express or to every regional train.
Validating and paying
Small rules that save a fine.
Stamp the paper ticket once
Validate a paper ticket before your first ride or before you enter the metro. You do not stamp it again at every change. A 24-hour or 72-hour ticket runs from the moment you validate it, not until midnight.
Card payment
Trams and buses have contactless terminals. A ticket printed there is already valid. The metro train itself has no card payment, so buy your ticket before you board.
Currency
The currency is the Czech crown (CZK, Kč). Euros are not required to be accepted, and change may come back in crowns.
From the airport
Two ways to reach the centre, and a night option.
Trolleybus 59 and metro A
Trolleybus 59 runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín in about 15 minutes. There you change to metro A towards the centre and Staroměstská. The airport gives about 15 minutes for the metro ride. Waiting, changing and walking come on top, so do not add the figures up as a promise. No reservation is needed for regular airport public transport.
Airport Express
The Airport Express has its own fare of CZK 200, or CZK 100 for children aged 6 to 15. Normal PID time tickets do not cover it. The ride to the main railway station takes about 40 minutes, and from there you continue to the bridge.
Night buses 907 and 910
Night buses 907 and 910 each take about 45 minutes to the centre. They do not stop at the bridge, so expect a further walk or a tram change.
Driving and parking
Park outside the centre and ride in.
Park and ride car parks on the edge of town are the easier choice. In 2026 Chodov, Zličín and Černý Most cost CZK 50 for the first 24 hours. Holešovice and Ládví cost CZK 100. A few outlying car parks are free. None of this is free parking in the Old Town. A ticket for a tower or museum does not give you permission to drive to the bridge.
If your day continues at Prague Castle, you can take metro A to Malostranská and walk up the Old Castle Steps to the Na Opyši gate. Tram 22 to the Pražský hrad stop plus a short walk is the alternative. If it continues in the Old Town, the Old Town Square is the other end of your walk.
Next on your plan
What to look at once you arrive.
Getting to Charles Bridge: frequently asked questions
What is the nearest metro station to Charles Bridge?
Staroměstská on line A, about 5 minutes on foot from the Old Town end of the bridge.
Which tram goes to the Malá Strana end?
Trams 12, 15, 20, 22 and 23 stop at Malostranské náměstí. Night line 97 stops there as well.
How much is a public transport ticket in Prague in 2026?
A 90-minute ticket costs CZK 46 in the app and CZK 50 on paper. A 24-hour ticket costs CZK 140 and CZK 150. The Airport Express is separate at CZK 200.
How do I get from the airport to Charles Bridge?
Take trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then metro A to Staroměstská, and walk about 5 minutes. The Airport Express to the main station is an alternative.
Can I drive across Charles Bridge?
No. The bridge is a footbridge. Park at a park and ride car park and take public transport to a stop near either end.
Is there a night service to the bridge?
Night line 93 stops at Karlovy lázně and night line 97 at Malostranské náměstí. From the airport, night buses 907 and 910 take about 45 minutes to the centre.