Sitting near the departure gate in Dublin Airport, I was already happy with the decision to take a late afternoon flight from here to Prague. The airport is half less crowded, making the visa check, security check quick like a bunny. Late that evening, I arrived in Prague. Same speed in the immigration check offered more time for my long list of queries at the tourism information centre. The lady at the counter was very polite to answer them all. She also helped me solve the puzzle of what combinations of transport work best to reach my hotel near the old town centre.
Airport to Old Town Centre Prague
This was my second visit to Prague and last time we were put up in an Airbnb around the same area. So I had carried a printout of the transport option given by the Airbnb host. Looks like things have changed in two years! And I thanked my stars for confirming the bus option with the lady from the tourism office.
Option 1 – AE (Airport Express)
This was the option my husband and I had taken in the last visit. It used to smoothly bring us to the old town near Namesti Republiky. Not anymore! Now AE runs from both the Terminals to the main train station only. From there we have to take a metro to the Prague city centre.
Noting the time of the day and I being a solo traveller, the lady warned it might not be the best transport option. Probably the park we cross to catch the metro isn’t all that great after dusk. Now I was waiting for her to suggest the alternative.
Option 2 – Bus 119 and tram 26 to Old Town
Take the 90 minutes travel ticket from the Tourist Info counter at the airport and it will cost Kč 32. The bus stop to take bus 119 is right outside the airport and the buses are very frequent. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the last stop, Nadrazi Veleslavin.
Following the map, getting confused and then asking a local who seemed to be heading home after work, I figured out the tram stop beside the bus stop is what I had to take. I kept moving around, crossing the road, going downstairs to the metro station – all this for about 5 minutes. Because I am a mess at times with maps 🙂
Finally, the tram number 26 stopped in front of me and soon I was sitting on one of the seats by the window. All seats are by the window because the tram had single seats on both sides and room in between so that people can stand comfortably. In a few stops after that, I couldn’t see the co-travellers seating on the opposite windows. We were like hot dogs sandwiching the large filling of standing people.
In about 25 minutes we crossed the wide river Vltava and reached Dlouha Trida, my stop near the hotel. This time I followed the map wisely and was at my hotel in no time! Good because I was starving.
Getting around Prague
If you’re wondering is it easy to get around Prague, I will comfort you with a big YES. It is extremely convenient to travel within Prague. Public transport looks also available but it is more enjoyable to walk around. Prague is a small city and very beautiful. You are doing justice to the beauty and to your time in Prague by travelling on foot.
Activities for Solo Travellers
First things first, solo travellers have a mind of their own and Prague is most glamourous when you are exploring most of it, unplanned. Go for it and you will have a gala time. Here, I’ll tell what I did and like always you as a solo traveller make your choices that match your pace of exploring this city.
While, most of the time, around me there were couples, groups of friends and families, I did spot a few business travellers too. Hardly any solo travellers on holiday! But none of that made me feel left out, awkward or alone. Prague is a city that makes everyone blend in so well together like ingredients in a smooth curry. I was a happy solo traveller living the pleasant, smooth pace of the place strolling around and tasting the magic of Prague.
Walking Trails of Prague
Prague has retained its old world charm with the Baroque and Gothic architecture, so walking the beautiful streets of Prague is the first must-do.
As soon as you land in the city, visit a Tourist Information Office and pick the pocket-size book on Prague Walks. You can also visit the page of Prague City Tourism on Walking Itineraries.
People enjoying Trdelník 
Signage on the way to my hotel!
Free Walking Tour
Another way to start exploring is walking and listening to the fascinating stories of Prague. There are many providers of free walking tours and the concept is that at the end of the 2.5 hours to 3 hours of the walking tour you offer a worthy tip to the tour guide. Most of these tours begin at the Old Town Square where tour guides will be standing with umbrellas that also display their company names, making it easier for us to spot them in the crowd.
Although you can book the tour online, at times it is easier to make a decision on which provider you want to take the tour with, by seeing them in person and booking on the spot. Remember what time of the year you’re visiting Prague and if it’s peak season, I suggest booking online is safer.
From April to December are the months considered as high season in Prague as the number of tourists double or go triple from what I saw in February. Although I had booked a slot for a tour at 2 pm with one tour company after I reached the meeting point I was magnetically pulled by the youthful spirit of Generation Tours.
They offer 2 tour options – Old Town plus Jewish Quarter and the other is of Prague Castle.
Travelling solo gives you enough time to include more if you aren’t tired for the day! After the walking tour, I visited the famous Globe Bookstore and got myself a Franz Kafka novel. It is also a great souvenir if you ask. 🙂
The walking tour ended, and I crossed this to go to the Globe Bookstore 
Inside the glorious Globe Bookstore
Jewish Quarter
Once you’re moved by the stories and history of Jews in the Czech Republic, it is worth visiting the Jewish Museum, Synagogues, Cemetery, exhibitions and the entire area where Jews lived in Prague. You can do this by buying one ticket that covers the whole of Jewish town in Prague. The ticket is valid for up to 7 days, giving us a good time to slowly cover all the places.
Vysherad
For one of the best views of the city and for a good walk up the hill, Vysherad is the place to visit. If you’ve visited Vysherad like I did last time, you know why it shouldn’t be missed.
