Transit Options from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary
If your final destination is the picturesque Karlovy Vary, the city which combines historical value with spa treatments -it is considered the top European spa resort- you’ll have a bunch of options for your ride from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary. Airport taxis are the old-time-classic alternative, whereas Prague airport transfers are the most luxurious way to travel from PRG Airport. On the other hand, DIY-travelers usually opt for car rentals, and passengers on a tight budget settle on a bus ride to their journey’s end.
| Options | Price (CZK) | Price (€) | Price ($) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 3500 | 150 | 164 | 100 min |
| Bus | 190 | 8 | 8.70 | 105 min |
Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary by Taxi
Prague airport taxi drivers used to be notorious for their scamming methods. Nowadays, scamming incidents still take place. However, many steps have been made toward the elimination of such practices. Hence, Prague airport taxis are now much safer and widely preferred by travelers heading to Karlovy Vary. Verily, airport taxis are always available at the official taxi ranks located outside the Arrivals area of each terminal. During rush hours, waiting in line for your taxi is always possible though. Thus, many individual drivers approach passengers, offering them skip-the-line services and/or cheap rides, only to overcharge them at the end of the journey. That’s the reason why it is crucial to take your taxicab from the official taxi stand. Even though licensed taxis aren’t uniformly colored (still, many of them are either yellow or white), they stand out because of the “Taxi” sign on their roofs and the company’s logo, their license number, and a price list stuck on their doors. Moreover, the license number, the driver’s personal data, and a detailed price table must be clearly displayed inside the cab.
If you have any questions concerning the operation of Prague taxis at PRG Airport, you can address the taxi counters lying in each terminal’s Arrivals hall.
In general, Prague airport taxis charge according to their taximeter (based on the distance and the traveling time), although some taxi companies offer set fares for rides to popular destinations. Still, the higher price limits are regulated by the government. Hence, the flag rate must not exceed 60CZK/3.85€/4.20$, and the price per km must be up to 36CZK/1.54€/1.68$. Waiting time (in traffic or while waiting for the passenger to come) is charged at a maximum of 7CZK/0.30€/0.33$ per minute. Nevertheless, electric taxis are costlier. Verily, their initial fare is 70CZK/3€/3.28$, and the cost per km is 39CZK/1.67€/1.83$.
The 120-km/74.50-mile journey from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary lasts about 75-100 minutes. However, if roads are congested, the duration of the ride can be up to 120 minutes. The usual fare for the journey to the famous spa resort is 3500CZK/150€/164$. Night rides and luggage don’t bring extra charges, while tipping isn’t obligatory. If you do want to tip your Prague airport taxi driver for a pleasant journey, you can round up the fee or leave a 5%-10% tip. Card and cash payments should be accepted. Still, it is always recommended to check with the driver to be on the safe side.
Some Prague taxi drivers don’t speak English fluently. Verily, your driver may not speak the English language at all. Hence, writing the exact address of your destination on a piece of paper is always a good idea.
We selected one of the best, most trustworthy and convenient 5-star airport taxi companies for your transfer from Prague Airport based on user reviews across various platforms such as Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travelers.
- Local English-speaking drivers
- Flat, pre-paid fee
- Flight monitoring for delays
- 24/7 Customer support + free cancellation
Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary by Bus
The RegioJet Fun & Relax Coaches handle rides from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary. Thus, if you want to travel via bus to your destination, you should head to the RegioJet bus stop, located under the pedestrian bridge linking the two Prague airport terminals, closer to terminal 1. RegioJet shuttles run multiple times a day. In fact, they operate from 08:00 am to 08:00 pm (until 09:00 pm on Sundays) every one to two hours. Nevertheless, they mostly run on an hourly basis. Traveling time from PRG Airport to Karlovy Vary is around 105 minutes.
The RegioJet Coaches are fully equipped with toilets, charging sockets, and entertainment screens on every seat. They offer free Wi-Fi, newspapers, and even complimentary hot drinks (self-service) to their passengers. The ticket for the ride from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary is around 190CZK/8€/8.70$. Kids and teens pay half the price, whereas children younger than 6 travel for free. Please note that excessive luggage usually brings an extra fee (approximately 24CZK/1€/1.10$). Tickets are available online and via the RegioJet app. Online tickets allow seat selection as well. Tickets can also be purchased from the driver inside the bus (as long as there are available seats). The price of tickets bought onboard is usually the same.
You can cancel your tickets up to 15 minutes before the departing time and get a full refund.
Our Tip: would you prefer a train ride from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary? Unfortunately, PRG Airport doesn’t house a train station. Thus, you’ll have to catch the bus to Hlavní nádraží (Prague main station) and take a train line to Karlovy Vary. Hence, your journey will be much more tedious and time-consuming.
Car Rental from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary
If you relish autonomous rides and are planning on exploring other Czech Republic attractions as well, you should definitely opt for a Prague airport car rental. In that way, you’ll travel from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary at your own pace while being able to plan your later schedule exactly as you imagine it. Fortunately, PRG Airport hosts plenty of car hire providers. Moreover, various car rental agencies provide their services at Vaclav Havel Airport even though they don’t have onsite desks. Thus, a search and compare process usually ferrets out not-to-be-missed deals and low-cost offers. As a matter of fact, the sooner you book your Prague car rental, the better prices and the more available cars you’ll find.
Once setting off with your Prague airport car rental, you should expect a 75-100-minute ride from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary. Still, heavy traffic may raise the duration of your journey. In any case, you should reach your destination within a maximum of two hours. You should also keep in mind that the route to Karlovy Vary is a toll road. After driving to the exact location of your destination, you’ll have to park your rental car. If your accommodation offers parking services, then the problem is solved! Otherwise, you’ll have to use one of the many car parks lying in the area. Street parking is also an option yet for a fee and usually for up to 3 hours. Please note that parking in the city center is, in general terms, forbidden.
Prague Airport Transfers from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary
The ideal way to traverse the 120-km/74.50-mile distance from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary is via a Prague airport transfer. Indeed, you’ll be able to enjoy every minute of the relatively long (close to two hours) journey to the well-known spa city, sitting comfortably in the back seat of the vehicle of your choice, while the driver will be giving you useful advice on how to fully exploit the Karlovy Vary’s activities and attractions. Are you eager to reach your destination as soon as possible after landing at Vaclav Havel Airport? A private airport transfer is more than an airport ride. Verily, your driver will be waiting for you at the Arrivals area, ready to help you with your luggage and escort you to the vehicle parked outside the exit doors. All in all, a Prague airport transfer will surely elevate your journey experience. On the other hand, it will come with a higher cost. Still, as numerous airport transfer providers are present at PRG Airport, dynamic deals and offers are always available, especially for early in-advance bookings.
FAQs
How to get from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary?
If you want to travel from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary, you’ll have the following options in your hands: you can either opt for a taxi ride or choose to travel with a luxurious Prague airport transfer. On the other hand, airport car rentals are ideal for independent rides, and RegioJet Shuttles offer efficient and cheap services to travelers on a tight budget.
How much is a taxi from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary?
Overall, Prague airport taxis are metered. Thus, their price is dependent on the traveling time, the traffic, and the exact location of the final destination. Still, the usual fare from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary is around 3500CZK/150€/164$.