Prague Central Station – a historic railway station

Those who travel to Prague by train will get off here – Prague Central Station – Praha hlavní nádrazí. It is the largest passenger railway station in the Czech Republic and the most important railway station in Prague.

Trains are arriving from Germany, France, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Switzerland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Austria. But also many connections between the most important, large cities as well as regional routes within the Czech Republic call at the central station in Prague. The Prague underground line C connects the station with the city. There are also tram and bus stops within walking distance as well as a bus service to Prague Airport.

Our experience

Arrival in Prague has been laid back and easy, swimming with the constant current of arriving passengers, we quickly reached the exit of the station. Unfortunately, the bus and tram connections are not signposted. Therefore it is advisable to check out the exact place of departure beforehand.

Tip: Tickets for the tram are not sold on the train. They can be picked up at the station.

There are plenty of lockers and luggage storage. We used the luggage storage and were quickly served by friendly staff. When you leave Prague again by train, you will not find the number of your platform on your ticket. Large boards in the entrance hall display the platforms about 20 minutes prior to departure. Whenever a platform gets announced, a stream of people is set in motion causing small traffic jams at the escalators to the tracks. But do not worry, it is not far from the entrance hall to the platforms and you will reach the train in time.

Prague Central Station

Entering from the parking area into the lower level of the station you will find boutiques and shops. A large bookstore in the middle hall on the second floor is especially beautiful. The second entrance lies higher up the road and is also characterised by shops and fast food restaurants.

If you have some time before the departure of your train, use it to visit the historic area of the station. From the main hall, a staircase leads up into a really impressive hall (signposted). The hall and its dome are beautifully restored and the atmosphere is quieter than in the busy main hall. Here you will find yourself in an Art Nouveau hall with large, coloured glass windows. The dome is decorated with Czech coats of arms and some statues of women. The Latin words right in the middle of it proclaim: “Praga mater urbanum” (Prague the mother of cities).

This area used to be a cafe, but today everything is empty. Walking from the escalator in the other direction shows more emptiness, a changing room, a wall with boards and the lounge for first class passengers (also empty!).