Prague Castle Tour and Tickets

What you can see inside

The castle is not a single building but a hilltop complex of palaces, churches and courtyards. The ticket circuits normally include St Vitus Cathedral, with its stained glass and the tomb of Saint Wenceslas, the Old Royal Palace with the Vladislav Hall, St George’s Basilica and Golden Lane, the row of tiny houses along the wall. A longer circuit adds the Powder Tower and the Rosenberg Palace. The grounds and the first courtyards are free to enter, but the interiors need a ticket.

Ticket only, or a guided tour?

• Ticket only if you like to go at your own pace and read the signs. It is the cheapest way in, and the official ticket has the most reviews.
• A cheaper skip-the-line entry if you want an optional audio guide in your ear. Check which circuit it covers.
• A guided tour with the ticket included if you want the history explained. The small-group tour and the 2.5-hour tour both have thousands of reviews, and a good guide turns a long walk through courtyards into a story.

Why book in advance

• You skip the ticket-office queue and go straight to the security check, which is useful from April to October and around the holidays.
• You choose the date and circuit at home instead of on a hot courtyard.
• The two-day validity gives you time to see the interiors without rushing.

Remember that you still pass airport-style security at the entrance, which can take 20 minutes on a busy day. Arrive early or after lunch to avoid the peaks.

How long does a castle visit take?

Plan for at least two to three hours inside. The cathedral and Old Royal Palace take about an hour, and walking the grounds, the gardens and the lookouts adds more. The changing of the guard at noon in the first courtyard is worth a look if you are there. A guided walking tour covers the exterior history, and the ticket gives you the interiors.

Getting there

The easiest way up is tram 22 to the Pražský hrad stop, or a walk up the Old Castle Stairs from Malostranská metro station (Line A). From Charles Bridge, the walk through the Lesser Town takes about 25 minutes. The castle is open year-round, with shorter hours in winter. The hop-on hop-off bus also stops near the castle.

What to wear and bring

• Comfortable shoes: courtyards are cobbled and the stairs are steep.
• A warm layer in winter, because the cathedral and palace are not heated like a museum.
• A small bag: large backpacks may be refused at security.