11 ways to experience Prague on a budget

13.07.2024 - 00:20 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 1, 2024 • 7 min read

Prague has long held a reputation as a prime budget city getaway. Although the days of gasp-inducing low prices are gone, the Czech capital won’t punish your wallet the way many other European destinations can.

Its good value is partly down to the affordability of some key ingredients to a great city break – namely public transportation, food and beer. It also doesn’t hurt that the city’s medieval center is akin to a free-wheeling open-air gallery, where Gothic grandeur, surprising street art and ancient bloom-filled gardens can all be admired for free. 

Still, it’s useful to have a few money-saving tips to hand if you want to stick to a budget. Here are some ways to cut your costs when visiting Prague.

Most major European airports, and some smaller regional ones, have regular low-cost flights to Prague. Book well ahead for the best deals, and be aware some routes don’t operate in winter. Should you be connecting through a European capital, do some research before booking an onward low-frills flight from an airport on the other side of the city, as the transfer costs could negate any savings on airfare. 

Flying generally works out to be cheaper than rail. That said, if you want to gorge on panoramic views and take in a couple of different cities en route, it’s worth investigating train tickets; a single seat from Berlin to Prague can be had for as little as €35. Intercity buses like Flixbus also run from many major European capitals to Prague, though prices are not much less than the train. 

Prague’s public transport system is safe, reliable and excellent value. Using the network to travel from the airport to central Prague takes around 50 minutes, and although there’s a bus-metro transfer required, the trip costs only 40Kč. You can buy tickets at the visitor-information office or from machines at the terminals.

Other than festive December, winter in Prague is a cold, quiet season. This tranquility not only means fewer people drifting into your photos but also substantial savings on accommodations, with some hotel rates dropping to half of their August peaks. Of course, these winter deals come with a trade-off: the shorter days and freezing temperatures make it harder to savor the city’s free yet primarily outdoor diversions. A possible solution is to invest in a hardy winter wardrobe and budget for the odd stop at a warming beer cellar or cafe. 

Whatever the season, you’ll find tempting accommodation prices by booking at least a few months ahead and by looking at neighborhoods beyond Prague’s cobblestone center. The districts of Karlín and Holešovice are well served by trams and the metro, and their colorful mansion blocks house a choice of unfussy holiday apartments and sociable