First, stay on the train until the main station (Prague has 5 stations) It's called "Hlavni
nadrazi" --main stain-- in Czech. It's real name is Wilson station, after Woodrow Wilson, instrumental in the creation of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918.This FAQ assumes you already are fairly familiar with the Prague public transport system. If not, read Sample FAQ A.
Method A: Taxi
This is efficient but not very economical. It will not be at all economical if you get a taxi that charges illegally high rates, and using the wrong taxi can even be physically hazardous. Do NOT, NOT, NOT take just any cab waiting in the underground area of the train station. Bad to very bad scene! Try AAA or Profi Taxi. Store those phone numbers in your mobil (cell phone) or have them handy in your notes.
See Hedgie's tips on good taxis. A reasonable price to the airport is currently about 600Czk.
If you must take a taxi, agree on a price before getting in. If the driver does not speak English, have him write it down. For this purpose, always have a notepad handy.
Method B: Metro to Cedaz van
The Cedaz vans are a very economical and efficient way to get to the airport and are not hard to reach from the train station. They leave from Namesti Republiky and go directly to the airport.
See other info at the Cedaz site
NOTE: Due to closure of Stefanik bridge for extensive repairs, traffic is being rerouted.
Neither trams nor Cedaz vans are going to Namesti Republiky again until August 22, 2007, though the Metro still goes there, of course.
Cedaz vans are now using a stop on "V Celnici" street, in front of CSA terminal, 50 m from namesti Republiky, close to the Renaissance and Marriot hotels. If you are using trams, it
is a quick walk from Masarykovo nadrazi. See the map on the Cedaz site.
One way to get to the vans is by Metro. If it is raining, you may prefer to stay inside for as long as possible, even though this option involves transferring from one line to another. The Metro is in the train station.
There is an public transit office for purchasing tickets there, or you can get them from the machines. The same tickets are used for all public transit. As you walk out of the old part of the station into the badly neglected "modern" add-on entry hall, you come down some steps and see a wall of glass windows and doors. The Metro/tram ticket booth is to your right, near the 2 towers that house elevators for the handicapped to get to the Metro. It supposed to be open til 6pm.
You will need one ticket for yourself, and one for each piece of luggage if bigger than 25x45x70 cm..
Time stamp your tickets at the entry to the Metro, before you go down the stairs from the train station. Take the Metro in the direction of Ladvi one stop to Florence station and switch to the yellow line, in the direction of Zlicin. Go one stop to Namesti Republiky (Republic Square). Walk to end of the platform that exits to Namesti Republiky and Revolucni street, not the end that goes to Masarykovo nadrazi (Masaryk train station).
The Cedaz vans are in this square. See details below.
Method C: Take a tram to the Cedaz van
For the most direct way to get to the Cedaz van with no transfers and involving fewer stairs, use a tram. The tram stop is about a block from the train station. Take the same transit tickets you would use for the Metro.
Go out any of the glass doors at the front of the entry hall. There are no signs to guide you. Fortunately, the Czech word for tram is "tramvaj" (roughly "tram vi" with a long i) if you need to ask. Follow the crowds walking down the path to the right. As you walk, you will see the "freeway" and the beautiful old part of the station to your right, and a statue of a soldier embracing another man.
Tram 5 goes from Hlavni nadrazi to Namesti Republiky where the vans pick up passengers. Cross to the "island" in the middle of the street to get #5 going in the direction you want, away from the freeway.
See note above about rerouting until August 22, 2007. Cedaz vans are now using a stop on "V Celnici" street, in front of the CSA terminal. Get out at the Masarykovo nadrazi stop. See the map on the Cedaz site.
At the tram stop you'll see posted time tables. The station you are standing at will always be underlined. You read the table going down, to see if you're headed in the right direction. Tram 5's table will look roughly like this (The accented Czech letters are rendered as unaccented, as they would might be screwed up by your browser.):
Map of station and tram area in Czech.
Satellite view in Google.
Locating the Cedaz vans
Method D: Metro to Public Bus
Have a good trip!
© Copyright 2004-2005 Hedgehog Holding s.r.o.
To catch the Cedaz van, just walk to its stop. If you don't see it, just ask. It runs every half hour, appearing a little before the appointed time and simply stooping at the curb near the Cedaz sign.
If time is not a problem and you are comfortable with trading a bit more hassle for a
much cheaper fare, take the red (C) line of the Metro, transfer to the green (A) line and go to Dejvicka. Catch Bus 119 to the airport.
See more at the CSA site. It will only cost you the necessary Metro tickets.
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