There’s a moment, just before a train glides into Prague, when the city begins to reveal itself – towers in the distance, flashes of bridges across the Vltava, rooftops glowing amber in the sun. You can feel its rhythm long before you arrive.
Travelling by rail to Prague isn’t simply transport; it’s an experience that captures everything this city represents – a balance of history and elegance, motion and stillness. Whether you’re coming from Germany, Austria, or elsewhere in Europe, the journey always ends in the same remarkable place: the main station, a gateway that blends the grandeur of the past with the ease of the present.
A Gateway to the Golden City
Taking the train to Prague remains one of the most scenic ways to see Central Europe. Passengers with train tickets from Berlin to Prague follow a route that winds through Saxony’s countryside and into the rolling green valleys of northern Bohemia. Forests slide past the window, rivers glint in the sunlight, and small towns appear like storybook illustrations.
By the time you reach the Czech capital, you’ve already been eased into its beauty. There’s no rush, no airport chaos – just the simple pleasure of arriving in a city by rail, as travellers have done for more than a century.
The main Station: History in motion
At first glance, Prague main station (Praha hlavní nádraží) might seem like any modern European hub, but look a little closer and you’ll find layers of history quietly coexisting with the present.
The building itself is a masterpiece of early 20th-century Art Nouveau design. Step into the original hall – known as the Fanta Building – and you’re greeted by sweeping domes, frescoed ceilings, and stained-glass windows that glow with soft golden light. It’s a space that feels more like a grand theatre than a terminal, and even amid the bustle, there’s a certain calm that lingers.
Today, this historic beauty connects seamlessly with a newer, glass-and-steel concourse below, where shops, cafés, and modern conveniences keep pace with contemporary travel. It’s this blend of old and new that gives the station its charm – a living symbol of Prague itself, where the past is never left behind, only carried forward.
Modern Comforts and Everyday Ease
Prague’s main station isn’t just beautiful; it’s also highly functional. Inside, you’ll find ticket offices, digital displays, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of shops ranging from bakeries to bookshops. There are luggage lockers, currency exchange points, and a reliable metro connection just downstairs that links directly to the rest of the city.
Everything is clearly signposted in both Czech and English, making it friendly even for first-time visitors. Travellers can grab a fresh pastry and coffee, take a seat overlooking the platforms, and watch the trains come and go beneath the arched glass roof — a peaceful pause between journeys
Safety and Accessibility
The station is open 24 hours a day and feels safe and well-managed, even at night. Security staff and police patrol regularly, and the information centre is always staffed by English-speaking attendants.
Accessibility is excellent – lifts and escalators connect every level, and platforms are wide and well lit. Families with prams, solo travellers with luggage, or those with reduced mobility will find navigation straightforward and stress-free.
For those travelling with children, the metro and tram connections beneath the station make exploring Prague easy and efficient. You can reach Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square in under ten minutes.
Where to Eat, Pause, and Soak It In
Prague’s station surprises many visitors with its café culture. On the upper level, tucked within the restored Art Nouveau dome, is Café Fanta — a quiet refuge where you can sip strong Czech coffee while gazing down at the platforms below.
Elsewhere, bakeries sell warm kolá?e pastries filled with poppy seed or apricot, and small shops serve fresh sandwiches and salads for those catching an early train. Unlike most transport hubs, the food here feels local — less fast-food chain, more neighbourhood comfort.
If you have an hour or two to spare, wander through the historic ticket hall. The murals, arches, and original signage feel like a step back in time, and occasionally small art exhibitions or music performances bring the space to life once again
Practical tips for smooth travel
To make your journey through the station seamless, keep these small details in mind:
- Currency: The Czech koruna (CZK) is still used, but card payments are widely accepted.
- Timing: Arrive 15–20 minutes before departure to find your platform calmly – trains are famously punctual.
- Tickets: Local tram or metro tickets must be validated before boarding. Machines are near all entrances.
- Storage: Short-term and overnight lockers are located in the lower level near the supermarket.
- Clean Facilities: Toilets and showers are open all day, spotless, and inexpensive – a rare European perk.
From long-distance routes to local connections, the station makes moving through Prague and beyond simple, safe, and surprisingly elegant.
A city just beyond the tracks
Step outside the station and Prague’s beauty greets you almost immediately. Within minutes you can reach Wenceslas Square, where modern life buzzes beneath neo-Renaissance facades. A short stroll further brings you to the Old Town – a maze of cobbled alleys, gothic towers, and the sound of street musicians drifting between cafés.
This proximity is what makes Prague such a joy to explore: the line between travel and arrival barely exists. One moment you’re watching trains depart; the next, you’re standing beneath the Astronomical Clock, gelato in hand, feeling utterly at home in a city that feels made for wandering.
A station that tells a story
Prague’s main train station is more than a point of arrival – it’s part of the journey itself. Every traveller who passes through adds another layer to its history: the commuters, the dreamers, the families beginning their adventures.
It captures what makes Prague special – a harmony of beauty and practicality, where history breathes through modern life. And when your train finally departs, there’s a quiet satisfaction in knowing that this, too, is part of the city’s story. Because in Prague, even a station can feel like a destination.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
