Charles Bridge and Prague Castle from Smíchov: routes and visit planning

Tram 22, the metro and a walk through the historic centre are the main ways to reach Prague Castle by public transport or on foot. From Smíchov, start by deciding whether you want a direct transit approach or to make the journey part of a walk across the centre.

The Prague Public Transit Company recommends tram 22 to Pražský hrad, Pohořelec or Královský letohrádek for the castle. It also suggests taking Metro A to Malostranská and walking up the Old Castle Stairs. Check the Prague transit operator’s current route information before setting out.

Anděl can serve as a local transit starting point. For more on connections around the neighbourhood, the guide to getting around Prague from Anděl explains the area’s transport options.

For a longer approach on foot, the suggested city-centre sequence runs from Wenceslas Square to Old Town Square, across Charles Bridge to Lesser Town Square, then uphill to Prague Castle.

If Charles Bridge is part of your plan, its place in this route makes it easy to combine the crossing with the castle visit. The Charles Bridge visitor guide covers its history, access and timing.

Prague Castle is a large complex of historic buildings, courtyards and gardens, and access rules vary between outdoor areas and ticketed interiors. Founded in the 9th century, it became the seat of Bohemian kings and later Czech presidents.

The complex itself is open daily from 6:00 to 22:00; Prague City Tourism identifies 24 December as an exception when it remains open. The historical buildings have separate hours, so an early or late walk through the grounds does not necessarily mean the interiors will be open.

Allow time for security at the entrances: visitors may be subject to random checks. Prague Castle also asks visitors not to bring bulky luggage into the grounds. These checks and restrictions can affect how quickly you enter, so avoid planning a tight connection immediately after your visit.

The visitor and exhibition buildings are barrier-free apart from Daliborka Tower, White Tower, the South Tower of the Cathedral and the Golden Lane defence corridor. If step-free access matters for your route, use this distinction when choosing which areas to include.

St Vitus Cathedral is one of the main ticketed interiors at Prague Castle, and its opening hours vary by season and day of the week. The cathedral’s western façade portal is the visitor entrance, opposite the passage between the Second and Third Courtyards.

From April to October, the historical buildings, including the cathedral, are open from 9:00 to 17:00. The cathedral’s more detailed schedule gives Monday to Saturday hours of 9:00 to 17:00 and Sunday hours of 12:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:40. Hours differ across other parts of the year, so check the official site before you go.

A valid circuit ticket is required to visit the cathedral. The Basic Tour includes the Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica, St Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower. Prices are CZK 450 for a basic ticket, CZK 300 for a reduced ticket and CZK 950 for a family ticket; prices and ticket arrangements can change.

Circuit tickets are valid for two days, with one entry to each building per ticket. Sales are available at information centres in Courtyards II and III, the ticket office in the cathedral tower, and online in advance through Ticketportal. Services do not require an entrance fee, but visits during religious ceremonies are not possible.

Prague Castle’s outdoor areas add gardens and city views to a visit focused on its historic buildings. The complex includes the Old Royal Palace, St Vitus Cathedral, St George’s Basilica and Golden Lane; Prague City Tourism also recommends the Royal Garden, with the Ball Games Hall and Queen Anne’s Summer Palace.

The Royal Garden, Stag Moat and South Gardens have seasonal opening patterns: 10:00–19:00 from April to June, 10:00–20:00 in July and August, 10:00–19:00 in September, and 10:00–17:00 in October. Garden schedules are separate from the hours for the castle complex and buildings.

If you want to see the ceremonial changing of the guard, it takes place daily at noon in Courtyard I, with fanfare and a change of the standard.

Other guard changes take place every hour from 9:00 to 18:00 at the Titans Gate and Powder Bridge Gate. Fit this into your route rather than treating the courtyards as a quick passage between interiors.

A one-day itinerary can help you balance the castle with other parts of the city; the one-day Prague plan from Smíchov sets out a broader day sequence.

Plan your return around the same transit options you used to reach the castle, and leave room for the walk from a stop or station. Tram 22 serves the recommended castle stops, while Metro A from Malostranská connects with a walk down the Old Castle Stairs.

Opening hours can differ between the complex, historic buildings and gardens, and ticket prices or arrangements may change. Confirm current hours and ticket details before your visit.

Can you enter St Vitus Cathedral during a service?

Participants in services can enter without an entrance fee. Visits to the cathedral during religious ceremonies are not possible.

Which Prague Castle areas are not barrier-free?

The listed exceptions are Daliborka Tower, White Tower, the Cathedral’s South Tower and the Golden Lane defence corridor. Other visitor and exhibition buildings are described as barrier-free.

Is bulky luggage allowed at Prague Castle?

Prague Castle asks visitors not to bring bulky luggage into the grounds. Random security checks may also take place at entrances.