Czech RepublicPragueChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Prague Christmas Markets

Prague's Old Town Square market, with its huge tree and Gothic spires, is one of the most atmospheric in Europe, and it's only about 2 hours' flight from London. This guide covers flights, the sleeper train, getting from the airport to Old Town Square, and 2026 market dates.

28 Nov – 6 JanWenceslas Sq market 2026/27
Prague (PRG)Best airport from London
~2hFlight time from London

The short answer

Fly direct from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton to Prague, which takes about 2 hours. At the airport, take trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then metro line A to Staroměstská, a few minutes' walk from Old Town Square. The whole transfer takes about 45 minutes on a single public transport ticket.

Market essentials

Prague runs several Christmas markets, but the two big ones are on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.

Dates

Prague's official tourism site lists the Wenceslas Square market from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. The Old Town Square market usually runs on similar dates, but its 2026 dates aren't confirmed yet, so check prague.eu before you book.

Opening hours

Wenceslas Square is listed as open from 10:00 to 22:00. Last season, food stalls on the main squares stayed open until midnight.

Where

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is the centrepiece, with the main tree. Wenceslas Square is a 10-minute walk away. Smaller markets run at Náměstí Míru, Náměstí Republiky and Jiřího z Poděbrad.

Good to know

The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), and cards are widely accepted. Opening weekend, when the Old Town Square tree is lit, gets very busy. Visit on a weekday if you can.

Every way to get there

From London to Prague, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly to Prague, then trolleybus 59 and the metro

Best for most
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, short breaks
  1. London to Prague (PRG)About 2 hours. British Airways flies from Heathrow. easyJet and Wizz Air fly from Gatwick and Luton. Ryanair flies from Stansted, and Jet2 is scheduled to add Stansted flights from late November 2026. Check current schedules.
  2. Trolleybus 59 and metro A to Old Town SquareTrolleybus 59 runs from the terminal to Nádraží Veleslavín. From there, take metro line A to Staroměstská, a short walk from Old Town Square. It takes about 45 minutes and costs about 50 CZK on a 90-minute public transport ticket.
Compare STN–PRG flightsCompare LHR–PRG flightsTransfer options: Prague Airport → Old Town Square

Typical return fares are £40–£150 with the budget airlines and £90–£250 with British Airways. Prices are highest on December weekends.

2

Fly, then a taxi or ride-hailing app to your hotel

Families
Door to door3h 30m–4h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forFamilies, groups, late arrivals
  1. London to Prague (PRG)About 2 hours from any of the four London airports above.
  2. Taxi, Bolt or Uber to the Old TownAbout 20–35 minutes. Expect roughly 400–800 CZK, depending on traffic and demand. Use the official taxi rank outside the terminal or book through an app, and don't accept rides from drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Compare LGW–PRG flightsTransfer options: Prague Airport → Prague Old Town

The Airport Express (AE) bus goes to the main railway station, not the Old Town. It's only handy if you're staying near the station.

3

Eurostar to Brussels, then the European Sleeper

Flight-free
Door to door20–22h
£ Cost£££
Best forRail fans, avoiding flying
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels-MidiAbout 2 hours. Choose a train that arrives by mid-afternoon to leave a buffer.
  2. European Sleeper: Brussels-Midi to Praha hlavní nádražíLeaves Brussels on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at about 18:00. It calls at Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden and arrives in Prague at about 11:00 the next morning. Fares start at about €30 for a seat, €50 for a couchette and €119 for a sleeper. Check times for your date, because timetables can change from mid-December.
  3. Prague main station to Old Town SquareAbout 15 minutes on foot, or a short tram or metro ride.
Train times: London → BrusselsTrain times: Brussels → Prague

You arrive at Prague's main station, close to Wenceslas Square, so it's a good fit for a Christmas-market break.

Where to stay in Prague

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Prague

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly to Prague, then trolleybus 59 and the metro4–5h££Most trips, short breaks
Fly, then a taxi or ride-hailing app to your hotel3h 30m–4h 30m££Families, groups, late arrivals
Eurostar to Brussels, then the European Sleeper20–22h£££Rail fans, avoiding flying

Where to stay and day trips

Prague is compact, so stay central and add a day trip if you have time.

Your base

Prague Old Town

Stay in the Old Town (Staré Město) or New Town (Nové Město) to walk to both main markets. Malá Strana, across Charles Bridge, is quieter.

Hotels in Prague
About 1h by train

Kutná Hora

Kutná Hora is a UNESCO-listed silver-mining town with a striking cathedral and the bone chapel at Sedlec.

Hotels in Kutná Hora
About 2h 30m by train

Dresden

Dresden's Striezelmarkt is one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, and the scenic Elbe valley line runs from Prague.

Hotels in Dresden

Local tip: Change money only at banks or reputable bureaux, never on the street. Taking out koruna from a bank ATM usually gives a better rate than airport exchange desks.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When are the Prague Christmas markets in 2026?

The Wenceslas Square market is listed from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. The Old Town Square market usually runs on similar dates, but check prague.eu for confirmed 2026 dates.

Which London airports fly direct to Prague?

British Airways flies from Heathrow. easyJet and Wizz Air fly from Gatwick and Luton, and Ryanair flies from Stansted. Jet2 is scheduled to start Stansted flights in late November 2026.

How do I get from Prague airport to Old Town Square?

The cheapest way is trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then metro A to Staroměstská. It takes about 45 minutes and costs about 50 CZK. A taxi or app ride takes 20–35 minutes and typically costs 400–800 CZK.

Can I get the train from London to Prague?

Yes. Take the Eurostar to Brussels, then the European Sleeper night train, which runs three nights a week via Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden. The trip takes about a day, including the night on board.

Is it worth driving to Prague for the markets?

For most people, no. It's about 1,200km (750 miles) each way via the Channel Tunnel or a ferry, so it's a long two-day drive in winter. You also need a Czech motorway vignette.

Do I need euros in Prague?

No. The Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK). Some places accept euros, but at a poor rate, so pay in koruna or by card.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.