Praha hlavní nádraží is the main railway station in Prague. The station has been inaugurated on 14 December 1871, five years after defensive walls were demolished. The main station consists of several buildings and space for passengers is generally divided between historical Art Nouveau beautiful building (“Fant building” 1901-1909) and brutalist main hall (1972-1979). On 9 May 1974 the Hlavní nádraží metro station was opened.
The station is located in the city center, close to the many tourists attractions, for example 5 minutes walk from Vaclav Square. In my opinion main vestibule is crowded, gray, sad and ugly despite the renovation. Historical building is beautiful – passengers can walk through building but there are no ticket offices and waiting rooms, but only a cafe and there is an exit to main road.
The main entrance to the Praha hlavní nádraží is through park. The place is generally unsafe, especially at night. Many drunkers, junkies and suspect individuals gather here.
Services
The following services are available for passengers at the station:
– ticket office
– luggage lockers
– toilets
– showers
– ČD Center
– waiting room
– ČD Lounge
– tourist information point
– newsstand
– bakery
– drugstore
– supermarket (Billa)
– restaurant
– café
– fast food
There are many shops in main hall. You can buy literally anything before your journey from the morning to the evening. Services at night are limited.
Various Czech rail operators have separated ticket offices and waiting rooms. You can buy ticket in ticket offices owned by České dráhy, Arriva, Leo Express and Regiojet.
Platforms
The station has eight platform, each of them with two tracks. Platforms are covered. Main hall is connected with platforms via three wide underpasses equipped with escalators, stairs and lifts. There are no problems with orientation despite size of the station.
The entire station is wheelchair accessible.
Public transport
From main hall you can walk to the metro station. Line C connects Prague main station with many important places in Prague. Tickets are available at ticket machines in the main hall. 24-hour tickets for the city of Prague or the entire region are highly recommended.
Trams are available from the stop “Hlavní nádraží”, which is located in Bolzanova street approximately 250 meters from the station exit.
There is also a bus stop above the new station hall, in front of the entrance to the historic building near the North-South Main Line, from which various international and domestic lines depart, including the night lines 905 and 911, and depart for Václav Havel Airport Prague every 15 to 30 minutes on the Airport Express.
Dopravni podnik hlavniho mesta Prahy – public transport in Prague
Additional information
Praha hlavní nádraží is open 24 hours a day. There is security at the station but I don’t trust them. Beware of pickpockets.
Related articles
Train travel in the Czech Republic – a comprehensive guide
Day trips from Prague by train
Scenic railways in the Czech Republic
Narrow-gauge railways in the Czech Republic
