St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta) sits inside the Prague Castle complex in the Hradčany area, on a hill above the city. The easiest “no-stress” route for most visitors is Tram 22 to the stop “Pražský hrad”, then a short walk to the cathedral.
Below are the clearest ways to reach St. Vitus Cathedral by metro, tram, train connections, and from the airport—plus a quick comparison table and a short FAQ.
Best ways at a glance (fast decision guide)
- Fast + simple: Tram 22 → “Pražský hrad” stop → walk 5–10 min to St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Metro-based: Metro Line A → Malostranská → walk up Old Castle Stairs (beautiful but steep).
- Most step-friendly (usually): Tram 22 → “Pražský hrad” (minimizes climbing compared with the stairs route).
- From the airport: Trolleybus 59 → Veleslavín → Metro Line A → (tram/walk).
Nearest metro station to St. Vitus Cathedral
Malostranská (Metro Line A – green) is the most practical “nearest” metro station for reaching St. Vitus Cathedral on foot, because it connects directly to the classic route up to Prague Castle via the Old Castle Stairs.
That said, Hradčanská (also Line A) can also work well if you prefer a more straightforward walk/tram connection on the castle side of the hill (often feeling “closer” depending on the exit and your route).
From Malostranská (recommended for metro users)
- Ride Metro Line A (green) to Malostranská.
- Follow signs toward the direction of Tram 22 and the Old Castle Stairs (Staré zámecké schody).
- Climb the stairs up toward the Prague Castle gates, enter the complex, then follow signs to St. Vitus Cathedral.
Tip: This route is scenic, but it includes lots of steps—not ideal with heavy luggage, strollers, or mobility issues.
From Hradčanská (good alternative)
- Ride Metro Line A to Hradčanská (Hradčany/castle district area).
- Continue on foot (about 10–15 minutes) or connect by tram/bus depending on your starting point and comfort level.
- Enter the Prague Castle complex and follow signs to St. Vitus Cathedral.
How to get to St. Vitus Cathedral by metro
To get to St. Vitus Cathedral by metro, take Metro Line A (green) to Malostranská, then walk up the Old Castle Stairs into Prague Castle and continue to the cathedral.
Step-by-step metro route (most common)
- Get onto Metro Line A (green) anywhere in Prague.
- Exit at Malostranská.
- Walk toward the Old Castle Stairs and climb up to the Prague Castle area.
- Once inside the castle complex, follow signs for St. Vitus Cathedral (it’s one of the most prominent buildings, so signage is usually easy).
If you’re coming from other metro lines
- From Line C (red): transfer to Line A at central interchange stations (commonly via the city center), then continue to Malostranská.
- From Line B (yellow): transfer to Line A in the center, then continue to Malostranská.
(Transfer stations can vary based on where you start; the simplest approach is to route yourself onto Line A and aim for Malostranská.)
Metro + tram (less stairs than the staircase route)
If you want to keep the “Metro A” convenience but reduce climbing, you can:
- Take Metro A to Malostranská, then hop on Tram 22 up to Pražský hrad and walk in.
Closest train station to St. Vitus Cathedral
Praha-Dejvice is the closest major railway station to St. Vitus Cathedral’s (Prague Castle) area, and it’s convenient because it sits right by the Metro A/tram network for a quick final connection.
From Praha-Dejvice to St. Vitus Cathedral (easy connections)
Option A (simple): Metro A → Malostranská → walk
- From Praha-Dejvice, head to Dejvická (Metro A) nearby.
- Take Line A to Malostranská.
- Walk up the Old Castle Stairs to Prague Castle and continue to St. Vitus Cathedral.
Option B (step-friendly): Tram 22 → Pražský hrad
- Use Tram 22 (it serves the Dejvická stop) and ride toward Pražský hrad.
- From Pražský hrad stop, you can reach the Prague Castle courtyards in about 5 minutes, then continue to St. Vitus Cathedral.
If you arrive at Prague Main Station (Praha hlavní nádraží)
The main station is extremely well connected—typically you’ll:
- Take the metro into the center and transfer onto Line A, then exit at Malostranská (or connect onward to Tram 22).
How to get to St. Vitus Cathedral by tram
Trams are often the easiest way to reach St. Vitus Cathedral because they bring you close to the castle entrances with minimal effort.
Tram 22 (best overall)
Prague’s public transport guides commonly point to Tram 22 → “Pražský hrad” stop as the closest and easiest tram approach to Prague Castle.
Steps
- Board Tram 22.
- Get off at Pražský hrad.
- Turn left and walk into the Prague Castle area (about 5 minutes to the courtyards), then follow signs to St. Vitus Cathedral.
Tram 22 via Pohořelec (pleasant downhill walk)
If you prefer a more scenic stroll, you can take Tram 22 to Pohořelec and walk downhill toward the castle.
This is enjoyable but can be slippery in winter.
How to get to St. Vitus Cathedral from Prague Airport (Václav Havel Airport)
From Prague Airport, take trolleybus 59 to Veleslavín and transfer to Metro Line A, then continue toward Malostranská (or connect to Tram 22).
Route 1 (recommended public transport): 59 → Line A → Malostranská
- At the airport, board trolleybus 59 toward Veleslavín.
- Transfer to Metro Line A (green).
- Ride to Malostranská.
- Walk up the Old Castle Stairs to Prague Castle and continue to St. Vitus Cathedral.
Route 2 (Airport Express + metro)
If you prefer a single direct link from the airport to rail/metro connections, Airport Express (AE) runs between the airport and Prague Main Railway Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) in about 40 minutes.
From the main station, take the metro into the center and connect to Line A toward Malostranská.
Taxi / ride-hailing to St. Vitus Cathedral
A taxi (or Bolt/Uber/Liftago) is the most comfortable option if you have luggage, are traveling with kids, or want to avoid stairs—especially early morning or late evening.
- Typical time from central Prague: ~10–20 minutes (traffic dependent)
- Best drop-off idea: ask to be taken toward the Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) area, then walk a short distance to the cathedral.
Practical tip: streets near the castle can be busy and sometimes restricted, so your driver may drop you at the nearest accessible point—plan for a short walk.
Driving and parking (what to know)
Driving is usually the least convenient option around Prague Castle because roads are narrow, traffic is heavy, and parking is limited. If you must drive, it’s often smarter to park farther out and use metro/tram for the last stretch.
Comparison table: best transport options to St. Vitus Cathedral
| Option | Best for | Typical time (from city center) | Cost | Stairs / hill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tram 22 → Pražský hrad → walk | Easiest overall | 15–25 min | Low | Low–Moderate |
| Metro A → Malostranská → Old Castle Stairs | Fast metro users + views | 20–35 min | Low | High (many steps) |
| Metro A → Malostranská → Tram 22 → Pražský hrad | Metro convenience, fewer steps | 20–35 min | Low | Low–Moderate |
| Airport: 59 → Veleslavín → Metro A → (tram/walk) | Cheapest from airport | 45–70 min | Low | Varies |
| Taxi / ride-hailing | Comfort + luggage | 10–25 min | High | Low |
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, waits, and walking speed.
Final walking directions (once you reach Prague Castle)
No matter which route you choose, the last part is similar:
- Enter the Prague Castle complex (you’ll see signage for major buildings).
- Follow signs for St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Expect a 5–10 minute walk inside the complex depending on your entrance gate and pace.
Accessibility note: If you want to minimize steps, prioritize Tram 22 → Pražský hrad rather than the Old Castle Stairs route.
FAQ
Is St. Vitus Cathedral inside Prague Castle?
Yes—St. Vitus Cathedral is located within the Prague Castle complex, so most transport directions aim for “Prague Castle / Pražský hrad” first.
Which stop is closest by public transport?
The most direct approach is typically Tram 22 to “Pražský hrad”, then a short walk into the complex toward the cathedral.
What’s the easiest route with the fewest stairs?
Use Tram 22 → Pražský hrad rather than walking up from Malostranská via the Old Castle Stairs.
How do I get there from Prague Airport by public transport?
Take trolleybus 59 to Veleslavín, transfer to Metro Line A, then continue toward Malostranská (and walk or connect to Tram 22).
Can I rely on Metro A for the whole trip?
Metro A gets you close (Malostranská/Hradčanská), but you’ll still need a walk—or add Tram 22 to reach the castle area more easily.
Sources: Official website of https://www.cd.cz
Sources: Official website of https://www.hrad.cz/
Sources: Official website of https://www.hrad.cz/
