Prague Castle: what's free, what needs a ticket, and when to go
Photos: Sergey Ashmarin (CC BY-SA 3.0), Aconcagua (CC BY-SA 3.0), Zairon (CC0), Skot (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jorge Royan (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The short answer
The courtyards and the view are free (6:00–22:00). St Vitus and Golden Lane need the Main Circuit ticket: 450 CZK.
Free, or with a ticket
Walk in and look around
Open 6:00–22:00, no ticket and no queue beyond the bag check.
- Courtyards and view
The rooftops of Malá Strana from the castle ramp. Best before 10 in the morning.
- Changing of the guard
Every hour on the hour at the main gate. The noon change comes with a fanfare, and the biggest crowd.
Main Circuit ticket
One ticket for the insides. It also covers the Old Royal Palace and St George's Basilica.
- Adult
- 450 CZK
- Student or senior
- 300 CZK
- Family
- 950 CZK
- Inside St Vitus
You can step into the entrance area for free. The rest, with the stained glass and tombs, needs the ticket.
- Golden Lane
A row of tiny painted houses built into the castle wall.
Buy on the official site or at the castle ticket offices. Resellers often charge more.
Opening hours
- Courtyards and grounds
- 6:00–22:00
- Interiors, November to March
- 9:00–16:00
- Interiors, April to October
- 9:00–17:00
Get there without the climb
Ride tram 22 up to the Pražský hrad stop and walk in on the flat. Then walk downhill through Malá Strana to Charles Bridge.
Questions people ask
Is the ticket worth it?
If you want to go inside St Vitus and see Golden Lane, yes. For the view and the atmosphere, the free courtyards are enough.
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