We will be in Vienna and Prague end of November. There are 4 adults and two 6 year olds. We are planning on taking a train from Vienna to Prague and would arrive at the Prague hl.n station around 11:15 am. How easy is would it be to use the metro to get from the train station to the hotel with the luggage? There is a metro stop (Namesti Republiky) not too far from the hotel. Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Chicago, IL
44 posts
You would take the red line (2 stops) to Florenc, then transfer to the Yellow line (1 stop) to Namesti Republiky. If you are only using transit this once you will only need the 30 minute ticket, and you will also need to purchase the ticket with luggage. If you buy a 24 hour or 72 hour ticket, the extra luggage ticket is not necessary. When you arrive a the Prague train station, make your way to the exit. Just before leaving the station you will see kiosks to purchase the tickets (press the British flag to change the language to English if needed). Nearby are the stairs down to the metro. **Be sure to validate your tickets before you head down!
If you don't have that much luggage, the walk is only about 10-15 minutes. We travel with only a back pack each, so we would typically walk that distance.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2676 posts
it is probably easier just to walk, you would have to take a metro as describe by Carol, I am fairly experienced in using the metro in that area and changing lines and you will walk as much under ground ,up and down stairs and escalator as you would above ground and will take you longer. Google suggests walking takes 12 minutes and I know I would do it a lot quicker but I would not be dragging luggage. There is the option of trams but with your group it is difficult and not that convienient. not sure what trams go there now as the route numbers have changes recently.
Taxi is always a possiblity but i never use them in the city so can't advise but you would need two. some airport transfer companies will also do them from the train station so you could look into that.
unless you have loads of luggage then walking is the best option.
Posted by
Prague
436 posts
If you arrive at 1115 then it would be better to leave the station at park level, turn right and at the end of the park is the Station tram stop because it will be off-peak and not too many people going in this direction. Get on any number 15 or 26 heading to your left and Republic Square is officially the second stop but there are roadworks at Wenceslas Square which means there is a temporary stop so Republic Square is currently the third stop. Tickets are the same as described by Carol above. By the way, what's the hotel? it might mean a different tram stop.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the advice!
Posted by
SoCal
919 posts
A caution: the park immediately west of the train station is a somewhat rough area; some locals call it "Sherwood Forest." Watch your stuff as you exit the station. Don't think personal danger; think crowds of opportunistic vagrants.
Also, if you're walking, the streets in the Novy Mesto are extensively torn up right now for repairs of both pavement and underground utilities; Wenceslas Square is majorly affected, and it's not the beautiful place it usually is. You'd hope the work would be finished by November, but I'm not optimistic. It can make walking routes subject to change.
Posted by
eastern US
126 posts
Cab was so easy (and cheap, if memory serves) from the train station in Prague. We are here now and opted not to walk the 15 minutes to our hotel (proximate to Republic Square) because we travel heavy and were somewhat frazzled from the "adventurous" train trip from Budapest. Concierge called taxi for us (AAA taxi) and we have subsequently found them to be very reliable with fast service. Taxi dispatch phone operators speak excellent and understandable English. It"s been very hot here and cabs have come in handy. With six people, two of whom are kids, I would be inclined to take a van-sized cab. But that's just (I) me. My wife is in the background yelling "take a cab" lol.
Posted by
SoCal
919 posts
Actually, every Prague metro station we used had a lift. Not sure advising against the metro is necessarily a great idea. Remember too that many of Prague's trams require a high lift to load luggage onto the tram car.
If metro is closer, I'd recommend the metro. Or taxi. Or just walk.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1296 posts
Or you could send the luggage and kids with one or two adults by taxi and the others could walk. It's probably not going to make much difference time wise.
Posted by
66 posts
With small children and luggage, take a Bolt.
It should not cost more than about 100 Czech crowns, which is about $4.50 US.
Uber is more expensive than Bolt in Prague.