Europe > Czech Republic > Prague (PRG)
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Prague can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Prague ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Prague ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Prague?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.Prague without a car 🚋🏰
Prague’s public transport system is outstanding by European standards. The metro, trams, and buses form a dense, reliable network that reaches virtually every neighbourhood a visitor might want to explore. A new mainline rail link to the airport is under construction too.
Trams in particular are part of the experience, gliding past the Charles Bridge, through Malá Strana, and up towards Prague Castle itself.
Walking is often the fastest way to move around the centre, while the city’s compact layout means most major sights are within easy reach on foot.
For day trips, Prague also excels by rail 🚆. Trains make it easy to reach Kutná Hora, with its famous bone church, Karlštejn Castle, Plzeň (home of Pilsner beer), and even Český Krumlov, albeit with a change. These rail-based trips are simple, affordable, and avoid the hassle of parking entirely.
When a rental car becomes useful 🚗🌲
That said, renting a car in Prague can make sense once you start looking beyond the classic rail corridors. Rural Bohemia, spa towns like Karlovy Vary, smaller castles, and scenic national parks such as Bohemian Switzerland are far easier to reach by car. These areas either involve multiple train and bus connections or require careful planning if you rely solely on public transport.
A standout excursion: Liberec and the Ještěd Mountain Hotel 🏔️🛸
One of the most striking and slightly surreal excursions from Prague is Liberec, home to the extraordinary Ještěd Mountain Hotel (Martian Child) and transmitter.
Perched dramatically on a ridge above the city, this futuristic structure feels more like a Bond villain’s lair than a conventional hotel, and it invites an obvious comparison with Piz Gloria near Bern in Switzerland, Blofeld’s mountaintop hideout in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. From Prague, Liberec can be reached by train in roughly 2½ to 3 hours, usually with a change, followed by a local tram or bus and then a cable car or steep walk to the summit.
While perfectly doable without a car, the journey does take time and rewards careful planning. A rental car makes the trip far more flexible, especially if you want to explore the surrounding Jizera Mountains or continue on towards the Polish border. It is also worth noting that Liberec sits closer to Dresden, which makes it an appealing cross-border addition to a Saxony itinerary, or a stop off on a rail journey between the two cities.
A practical rental car insight for Prague ✈️🚇
Another factor worth considering is where you rent your car in Prague. As expected, city-centre rental prices are often noticeably higher than those at Prague Airport, where larger fleets and more competition keep costs down.
Fortunately, this is easy to work around: the airport is connected by cheap and frequent public transport, including metro-linked bus services, making it simple to return to the airport to collect a car when you actually need one. Doing so also avoids one-way rental fees, as you can both pick up and return the vehicle at the airport. For travellers combining a few days in Prague with countryside exploration, this approach often offers the best balance of cost, convenience, and flexibility.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Prague?
For most visitors, Prague itself is a firm no-car city. However, if your itinerary includes deeper exploration of the Czech countryside, spa towns, or remote landscapes, renting a car for part of your stay can be worthwhile. A common and sensible approach is to enjoy Prague car-free, then pick up a rental for a few days once you’re ready to venture further afield 🚙✨.
