How to choose an area
The bridge links the Old Town on the east bank with Malá Strana (the Lesser Town) on the west bank. Kampa lies just below the bridge on the west side, between the Vltava and the Čertovka mill channel. All three are close to the bridge, so the better question is which end of the bridge you want to start from and which stop you will use most.
This page does not rank the areas or name hotels. Rooms, prices and availability change by date, so check them for your own dates. What stays stable is the map: where the metro and trams stop, and how far you walk with a bag.
Tours and transfers in Prague
Guided walks over the bridge, river cruises and day trips, with live prices and availability.
The three areas compared
A comparison of position, not a ranking.
| Area | Bridge end | Transport anchor | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Staré Město) | East end, by the Old Town Bridge Tower | Metro A and trams 2, 17, 18 at Staroměstská, trams 2, 17, 18 and night line 93 at Karlovy lázně | Cobbled streets, steps, the walk from the stop |
| Malá Strana (Lesser Town) | West end, by the Lesser Town towers | Trams 12, 15, 20, 22, 23 and night line 97 at Malostranské náměstí | Slopes, historic paving, tram routes |
| Kampa | Just below the bridge on the west side | Walk down from the bridge or through Malá Strana | Stairs or a longer route with luggage |
The Old Town side
The Old Town is at the east end of the bridge. Staroměstská on metro A is the stop most visitors use, and it is about 5 minutes on foot from the bridge. From Old Town Square you reach the bridge along Karlova in about 10 minutes. If you arrive from the airport by trolleybus 59 and metro A, Staroměstská is your stop.
A stay here puts you near Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock and the Old Town Bridge Tower. Streets are old and often cobbled, so ask the property about steps and the route from the nearest stop before you book.
Malá Strana and Kampa
The west bank, from the tram stop to the island.
Malá Strana
Malostranské náměstí is the tram stop for this side, with day trams 12, 15, 20, 22 and 23 and night line 97. Metro A also stops at Malostranská. From the square you go along Mostecká to the bridge. Historic paving and sloping kerbs make wheelchairs and rolling luggage harder. It is also the side of the Lesser Town towers and the way up to the castle.
Prague Castle guide →Kampa
Kampa is the island below the bridge, with the park, the mill wheel and Museum Kampa. It is close to the bridge, though the direct stairs from the bridge mean steps with luggage. A route with fewer steps leads through Malá Strana under the bridge arch. Look at the map before you pick it, because you reach the island on foot rather than from a stop.
Kampa Island guide →Staying further out
Rooms outside these three areas can be well connected. In that case use the metro or a tram to a stop at either end of the bridge. The getting there page lists stops, night lines and 2026 fares.
The stay fee and paying
Costs that sit next to the room price.
Prague 1 stay fee
The local stay fee in Prague 1 is CZK 50 per started day of stay, not counting the day of arrival. In practice that is CZK 50 per night. Guests under 18 are exempt, and there are further exemptions by law. Do not assume it is already in the room price. Check whether your booking shows it as a separate line.
Currency
The currency is the Czech crown (CZK, Kč). Shops and hotels do not have to accept euros, and change can come back in crowns. Do not rely on an exchange rate you saw a while ago.
Cards
Contactless terminals in trams and buses accept cards, but not in the metro train itself. That does not tell you how a hotel, a stall or a street performer takes payment, so keep some crowns with you.
Questions to ask before you book
Details that decide a stay.
The route from the stop
Ask how far it is from Staroměstská or Malostranské náměstí to the entrance, and whether the way is cobbled or has steps. Do not judge walking time with luggage by straight-line distance.
Lift and steps
Old buildings may have steps at the door or no lift. Ask directly if you need step-free access.
Noise and the street
Streets near a tram stop or a busy square are livelier in the evening. If that matters, ask about the room and its side of the building.
Late arrival
Night lines 93 and 97 serve the two bridge ends, and night buses 907 and 910 link the airport with the centre in about 45 minutes. Check how you reach the door after the last metro.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go once you have a bed.
Where to stay in Prague: frequently asked questions
Which area is closest to Charles Bridge?
The Old Town and Malá Strana each touch one end of the bridge, and Kampa lies just below it. All three are a short walk away.
Is it better to stay in the Old Town or in Malá Strana?
It depends on your stop. The Old Town has a metro stop at Staroměstská. Malá Strana is on tram lines at Malostranské náměstí. Pick the one that fits your arrival route and your luggage.
What is the Prague 1 stay fee?
CZK 50 per started day of stay in 2026, not counting the arrival day. Guests under 18 are exempt. Check whether your room price already includes it.
Do hotels in Prague accept euros?
They do not have to. The currency is the Czech crown, and change may come back in crowns.
Can I walk to Charles Bridge from the metro?
Yes. From Staroměstská it is about 5 minutes to the Old Town end of the bridge.