How to Get to Prague Castle: Tram 22, Walking & Metro

The best route to Prague Castle at a glance

Prague Castle sits above the Vltava on the Hradčany hill. It is a large complex with several access points, not one building with a single front door. That makes the arrival stop and entrance more important than the name of the transport mode alone.

Route	Final approach	Best for
Tram 22 to Pražský hrad	About 5 minutes on foot to the Second Courtyard	Most visitors; minimal uphill walking
Tram 22 to Pohořelec	About 10 minutes downhill to Hradčany Square	A scenic, easier approach from above
Tram 22 to Malostranské náměstí	Uphill route and New Castle Stairs	Visitors who want a rewarding climb
Metro A to Malostranská	Old Castle Stairs uphill, or connect to a tram	Visitors coming by metro
On foot via Charles Bridge	Malá Strana and uphill streets	Travelers who enjoy a longer city walk

 

These are route choices, not fixed journey-time promises: the starting point, walking speed, service changes and crowds all matter. If your main goal is the cathedral and castle interiors, saving your energy for the complex is usually sensible.

Tram 22 to Pražský hrad: the easiest arrival

The castle’s official directions call tram 22 to Pražský hrad the easiest option. After alighting, follow the signs toward the castle and turn left as directed by the administration; the Second Courtyard is approximately five minutes away on foot. This approach avoids the long uphill climb from the river and works particularly well when you want to spend several hours inside.

Prague trams are part of the integrated public transport network. You can transfer from other lines or metro services using a valid time-based PID ticket. Rather than assuming tram 22 stops outside your hotel, use the live journey planner to find the best boarding stop and travel direction.

Prague also has nostalgic tram line 23, operated with historic T3 vehicles. The public transport operator lists Pražský hrad among its stops and states that ordinary PID fares apply. It can be an appealing alternative when its current service matches your route, but it is not a guaranteed substitute for every tram 22 departure.

Always check the live DPP/PID timetable before traveling. Engineering work can temporarily change which stops are served; a historic route description is not a real-time departure board.

Pohořelec: arrive above the castle and stroll downhill

Pohořelec is the other official tram 22 approach worth remembering. From this stop, the castle administration describes a pleasant walk downhill of about ten minutes to Hradčany Square, with access near the western side of the castle complex.

This is an attractive option if you would rather approach the historic frontage from the neighborhood than arrive directly at the Second Courtyard. The route passes through the Hradčany area, where the streets feel quieter than the riverfront. It also allows you to appreciate the castle setting before entering the main visitor spaces.

Pohořelec is not necessarily completely step-free: historic streets can have cobblestones, slopes and uneven surfaces. Visitors using a wheelchair or stroller should inspect the current access information rather than equating ‘downhill’ with fully accessible.

If you are combining the castle with a nearby landmark such as Loreto, this western approach may be especially convenient. The important point is to choose the stop for your first destination rather than following the crowd off the tram automatically.

Walking from Old Town via Charles Bridge and Malá Strana

The classic pedestrian approach begins in Old Town, crosses the Vltava by Charles Bridge and continues into Malá Strana. From there, visitors can climb toward the castle through the historic streets around Nerudova or choose the New Castle Stairs route from Malostranské náměstí.

It is a beautiful walk, but it is not the shortest or easiest way to reach a timed admission or tour meeting point. The final ascent is noticeably uphill. Cobblestones, steps, pauses for photographs and busy crossings can make it much slower than a map’s optimistic walking estimate.

For a scenic approach, treat the journey as part of your sightseeing rather than merely transport. Allow time for the bridge, the Lesser Town streets and viewpoints, and do not schedule a tightly timed attraction immediately after a long uphill walk. In summer, carry water; in wet or icy weather, pay attention to the paving.

The official castle directions also describe a New Castle Stairs ascent: take tram 22 to Malostranské náměstí, follow Zámecká and Thunovská, and climb to Hradčany Square. It rewards fit walkers with views over Malá Strana but is a poor choice if you need to avoid stairs.

Metro line A: Malostranská or Hradčanská?

Metro line A is useful for reaching the castle district from elsewhere in Prague, but there is no metro platform inside Prague Castle. The two relevant stations on the official visitor directions are Malostranská and Hradčanská.

From Malostranská, the official route to the eastern side uses the Old Castle Stairs. After leaving the station, follow the tram route for approximately 100 metres and turn toward the staircase leading to the Na Opyši gate. This is a memorable ascent with views, but it involves climbing and is unsuitable for visitors who cannot manage stairs.

For a less strenuous approach, use metro line A as a connection and continue by tram toward the higher castle stops, checking the current route first. Hradčanská can also be a useful interchange depending on your origin, but do not assume that its station exit puts you at a castle courtyard.

Choose the final walking segment before you board the metro. A route that looks short on a flat map may include substantial elevation change.

Which entrance should you use—and how should you leave?

For a tram arrival at Pražský hrad, the Second Courtyard is the logical destination. For Pohořelec or an uphill walk through Malá Strana, Hradčany Square and the western approach make sense. If you climb the Old Castle Stairs from Malostranská, you approach the eastern Na Opyši side.

These are different approaches to the same large complex. Your ticket, guided visit or hosted-entry product may specify a particular collection or meeting point, so do not confuse a castle entrance with a tour meeting point. Follow the location on your booking confirmation if you have one.

A satisfying one-way route is to arrive by tram at the higher side, visit the courtyards and buildings, and finish by descending the Old Castle Stairs toward Malostranská—provided the stairs suit your mobility and the exit is open. This avoids making the steepest part of the outing your first task of the day.

Before visiting, check the castle’s official access notices. Entrances, gardens and routes can be affected by ceremonies, operational restrictions and seasonal arrangements.

Prague tram tickets and current fares

You do not need a special ‘Prague Castle tram ticket’. Tram 22 and the nostalgic line 23 use the standard Prague Integrated Transport fare. According to the official DPP fare list, the following adult Prague prices apply from the 2026 tariff:

Validity	PID Lítačka app	Paper ticket
30 minutes	36 CZK	39 CZK
90 minutes	46 CZK	50 CZK
24 hours	140 CZK	150 CZK
72 hours	340 CZK	350 CZK

 

Time-based tickets permit transfers within their validity, so you generally do not need a second fare simply because you change from metro to tram. Choose a ticket long enough for your complete journey, not just the final tram ride. If you expect to use transport repeatedly throughout the day, compare the 24-hour option with separate rides.

Paper tickets that require validation must be stamped when first used. Tickets purchased from an onboard contactless terminal are issued with a validity time already printed, while mobile-app tickets follow the app’s activation rules. For the latest prices, discounts and purchase instructions, consult the official DPP fare list rather than relying on old travel-blog figures.

Accessibility, strollers, luggage and bad-weather planning

The best route is not always the prettiest. Wheelchair users, families with strollers and visitors who struggle with hills should generally avoid planning around the Old or New Castle Stairs. Arriving at Pražský hrad by an accessible tram, when available, reduces the uphill approach. Check the live vehicle accessibility information and the castle’s entrance guidance before setting off.

Even after you reach the grounds, historic paving can be uneven. Prague City Tourism reports barrier-free entrances to many visitor and exhibition buildings, with exceptions including the towers and some defensive areas. That does not mean every corner of the site is obstacle-free. Check the specific interior you hope to visit and contact the venue if you require a particular arrangement.

If you are traveling with luggage, remember that the castle visit involves walking between multiple buildings; it is not a convenient luggage-transfer stop. For families, tram-first planning can preserve children’s energy for the courtyards and cathedral area. In rain or winter conditions, a downhill return may still be slippery—take the tram back if that feels safer.

A private transfer or taxi may help with the approach for some visitors, but road access and permitted drop-off locations can change. Ask the driver to confirm the legal drop-off point and do not assume the vehicle can enter the castle courtyards.

Plan a half-day visit without mixing up transport and admission

A straightforward itinerary is to ride tram 22 to Pražský hrad, walk to the Second Courtyard, orient yourself and then visit the areas you actually want to see. Leave room for the cathedral, royal buildings, courtyards and a break rather than rushing through the site simply because your tram ride was short.

The grounds and paid interiors are separate experiences. The castle administration and Prague City Tourism publish their own access and opening information; the latter lists the grounds as generally open daily from 06:00 to 22:00, with historical interiors on shorter seasonal hours. Confirm exceptional closures and the day’s visitor schedule before traveling.

If you are mainly coming for views and the atmosphere, read which Prague Castle areas are free and which require tickets. If you want the historical interiors, consult our guide to choosing the right castle ticket before committing to a particular route through the complex.

Travelers who prefer arranging entry ahead of time can check the Prague Castle official-entry activity and current booking options. The referenced GetYourGuide listing is activity 406279; confirm the precise inclusions, collection point, accessibility, cancellation rules and live price at checkout. This is an admission product, not a tram transfer.

For a more detailed seller comparison, see where to buy Prague Castle tickets. You can also review Prague Castle ticket availability for your visit date once you know when you expect to arrive.

Suggested order: choose your entrance and transport first; confirm whether you want free courtyards or paid interiors; then select the ticket or tour that fits your actual arrival time. That sequence prevents an easy-to-avoid mistake: booking a meeting point on one side of the castle and arriving at the opposite side just before your slot.

For more things to do nearby and citywide planning, explore the Prague travel guide. When your route and visit time are settled, see current Prague Castle entry choices rather than assuming that a tram fare covers the historic buildings.