By plane
International flights to the Czech Republic arrive at Prague's Vaclav Havel International Airport, about 90 km from Plzeň. There are several options for getting from the airport to the site (Hrad Nečtiny):
- From the airport to Pilsen (Plzeň) by bus, and to the site by bus
- From the airport to Pilsen (Plzeň) by train, and to the site by bus
- From the airport to the site by rental car
- From the airport to the site by hired minivan
From Prague airport to Pilsen (Plzeň) by bus, step-by-step
NOTE: you should change money at the airport, the Czech Republic does not use the Euro currency.
(1) From the airport to Zličín metro / bus terminal
Prague city bus No. 100 departs from the airport (with stops in front of both terminals) every 15 minutes and goes to Zličín metro / bus terminal. The schedule of the No. 100 bus is here (PDF format). If you're arriving from a non-Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 1, if arriving from a Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 2 (the terminals are not very far from each other). Buy a 24 CZK ticket from in the terminal or from a vending machine or from the driver and stamp it when you board the bus.
From the airport to Zličín takes 18 minutes. The No. 100 bus will let you off at location (A). If you need to buy a Student Agency bus ticket, go to the Student Agency ticket office at location (C). If you have a reserved ticket or are taking a different bus line (no reservations required for other buses), go to bus stand No. 1 at location (D).
(2) From Prague's Zličín bus terminal to Plzeň CAN (Pilsen Central bus station)
The Student Agency company runs a Prague-Pilsen line from Zličín bus terminal to Plzeň CAN (Pilsen central bus station) with the first bus departing at 6:30 and last at 20:45. The timetable is here. It's possible to book Student Agency bus tickets on-line. The bus is often full, so reservations are recommended. If you don't want to book on-line (in case of concerns about flight delays), they also have a ticket office at Zličín bus terminal (see map above).
Other bus companies also have buses to Pilsen (Plzeň) leaving from stand No. 1 (location D on the map), unreserved first-come, first served. Just wait in line at the bus stand and buy a ticket from the driver when boarding. Search for connections on this website or view these schedules:
The Student Agency bus is 100 CZK, other buses have similar prices from 80 - 110 CZK. Travel time from Prague (Zličín bus terminal) to Pilsen is about 1 hour on Student Agency and ČSAD lines 400321 and 43100. (Line 490820 takes longer).
(1) From the airport to Zličín metro / bus terminal
Prague city bus No. 100 departs from the airport (with stops in front of both terminals) every 15 minutes and goes to Zličín metro / bus terminal. The schedule of the No. 100 bus is here (PDF format). If you're arriving from a non-Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 1, if arriving from a Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 2 (the terminals are not very far from each other). Buy a 24 CZK ticket from in the terminal or from a vending machine or from the driver and stamp it when you board the bus.
From the airport to Zličín takes 18 minutes. The No. 100 bus will let you off at location (A). If you need to buy a Student Agency bus ticket, go to the Student Agency ticket office at location (C). If you have a reserved ticket or are taking a different bus line (no reservations required for other buses), go to bus stand No. 1 at location (D).
(2) From Prague's Zličín bus terminal to Plzeň CAN (Pilsen Central bus station)
The Student Agency company runs a Prague-Pilsen line from Zličín bus terminal to Plzeň CAN (Pilsen central bus station) with the first bus departing at 6:30 and last at 20:45. The timetable is here. It's possible to book Student Agency bus tickets on-line. The bus is often full, so reservations are recommended. If you don't want to book on-line (in case of concerns about flight delays), they also have a ticket office at Zličín bus terminal (see map above).
Other bus companies also have buses to Pilsen (Plzeň) leaving from stand No. 1 (location D on the map), unreserved first-come, first served. Just wait in line at the bus stand and buy a ticket from the driver when boarding. Search for connections on this website or view these schedules:
- 400321 Domažlice - Plzeň - Praha
- 431300 Klatovy - Plzeň - Praha
- 490820 Tachov - Bor - Nýřany - Plzeň - Rokycany - Praha
The Student Agency bus is 100 CZK, other buses have similar prices from 80 - 110 CZK. Travel time from Prague (Zličín bus terminal) to Pilsen is about 1 hour on Student Agency and ČSAD lines 400321 and 43100. (Line 490820 takes longer).
From Prague airport to Pilsen (Plzeň) by train, step-by-step
The advantage to the train is that you don't need a reservation and it's never full. It runs once per hour every day. It's also a beautiful ride along the river from Prague to Pilsen.
1) From the airport to Zličín metro / bus terminal
Prague city bus No. 100 departs from the airport (with stops in front of both terminals) every 15 minutes and goes to Zličín metro / bus terminal. The schedule of the No. 100 bus is here (PDF format). If you're arriving from a non-Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 1, if arriving from a Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 2 (the terminals are not very far from each other). Buy a 24 CZK ticket from in the terminal or from a vending machine or from the driver and stamp it when you board the bus.
From the airport to Zličín takes 18 minutes. The No. 100 bus will let you off at location (A). Proceed to the Metro station Zličín (B) and buy a 24 CZK ticket either at the newsstand ("trafika"), Metro office, or from a vending machine.
(2) Go to Prague's Smichov train station (Smíchovské nádraží)
Prague's Smichov station is closer to the airport than Prague's main station. From Zličín to Smíchov: Stamp your metro ticket as you enter the metro. There is only line B, direction Černý Most -- no chance of a mistake. Go 8 stops and get off at Smíchovské nádraží. From Zličín to Smíchovské nádraží takes 15 minutes.
(3) Buy a train ticket to Plzeň main station (Plzeň hl. n.)
Direct trains from Smichov to Plzeň main station (Plzeň hl. n.) go once per hour, departing Smichov station at 23 minutes past the hour. The trip takes 1 hour 27 minutes. Confirm train (and bus) schedules here (scroll down to the bottom to find the buttons for English and German versions). The price (1-way per person) from Prague Smicov station to Plzeň hl.n. is 100 CZK. Ask for a group discount ticket if 2 or more people are traveling together. A reserved seat is not necessary.
1) From the airport to Zličín metro / bus terminal
Prague city bus No. 100 departs from the airport (with stops in front of both terminals) every 15 minutes and goes to Zličín metro / bus terminal. The schedule of the No. 100 bus is here (PDF format). If you're arriving from a non-Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 1, if arriving from a Schengen state, you will be in Terminal 2 (the terminals are not very far from each other). Buy a 24 CZK ticket from in the terminal or from a vending machine or from the driver and stamp it when you board the bus.
From the airport to Zličín takes 18 minutes. The No. 100 bus will let you off at location (A). Proceed to the Metro station Zličín (B) and buy a 24 CZK ticket either at the newsstand ("trafika"), Metro office, or from a vending machine.
(2) Go to Prague's Smichov train station (Smíchovské nádraží)
Prague's Smichov station is closer to the airport than Prague's main station. From Zličín to Smíchov: Stamp your metro ticket as you enter the metro. There is only line B, direction Černý Most -- no chance of a mistake. Go 8 stops and get off at Smíchovské nádraží. From Zličín to Smíchovské nádraží takes 15 minutes.
(3) Buy a train ticket to Plzeň main station (Plzeň hl. n.)
Direct trains from Smichov to Plzeň main station (Plzeň hl. n.) go once per hour, departing Smichov station at 23 minutes past the hour. The trip takes 1 hour 27 minutes. Confirm train (and bus) schedules here (scroll down to the bottom to find the buttons for English and German versions). The price (1-way per person) from Prague Smicov station to Plzeň hl.n. is 100 CZK. Ask for a group discount ticket if 2 or more people are traveling together. A reserved seat is not necessary.
(4) From Pilsen main train station (Plzeň hl. n.) to Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN) by public transport
Buy an 18 CZK tram ticket from a newsstand ("trafika") in the trains station or from a vending machine at the tram stop. Walk about 50 metres to the main street, turn right under the railroad bridge, and go down the escalator into an underground passage. In the underground passage, follow the sign for "Skrvňany" up to the tram stop. Take the number 2 tram (direction "Skrvňany," in the direction shown by the red arrow on the map above). After getting on the tram, punch your ticket. Go 5 stops (10 minutes) to the stop "CAN, Skvrňanská." Enter the underground passage to the bus terminal platforms (see map below).
For schedule details, consult the Pilsen municipal public transport journey planner.
Alternatively, there is a taxi stand at the train station. A taxi from Pilsen main train station (Plzeň hl. n.) to Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN) should cost about 80 - 100 CZK.
Radio Taxi Plzeň, tel. +420 377 377 377
Taxi Elektra Plzeň, tel. +420 377 327 377
Buy an 18 CZK tram ticket from a newsstand ("trafika") in the trains station or from a vending machine at the tram stop. Walk about 50 metres to the main street, turn right under the railroad bridge, and go down the escalator into an underground passage. In the underground passage, follow the sign for "Skrvňany" up to the tram stop. Take the number 2 tram (direction "Skrvňany," in the direction shown by the red arrow on the map above). After getting on the tram, punch your ticket. Go 5 stops (10 minutes) to the stop "CAN, Skvrňanská." Enter the underground passage to the bus terminal platforms (see map below).
For schedule details, consult the Pilsen municipal public transport journey planner.
Alternatively, there is a taxi stand at the train station. A taxi from Pilsen main train station (Plzeň hl. n.) to Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN) should cost about 80 - 100 CZK.
Radio Taxi Plzeň, tel. +420 377 377 377
Taxi Elektra Plzeň, tel. +420 377 327 377
From Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN) to Hrad Nečtiny
Important: there is a village called Nečtiny with a castle, but it is NOT THE SAME as Hrad Nečtiny (it is 3 km away). If you search for bus connections on this website, enter the search term "Nečtiny,,Hrad Nečtiny." Or download the schedule (PDF) for the bus line with no changes (however it takes longer and doesn't run as often). Cost will be about 50 - 65 CZK depending on the connection.
Travel time from Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN) to Hrad Nečtiny is 1 hour 10 minutes - 2 hours, depending on the connection.
If you plan to travel to the site by public transport and contact us in advance, we will try to organize a local Shintaido member to meet you at the Pilsen central bus station and make sure you get on the right bus to Hrad Nečtiny.
Travel time from Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN) to Hrad Nečtiny is 1 hour 10 minutes - 2 hours, depending on the connection.
If you plan to travel to the site by public transport and contact us in advance, we will try to organize a local Shintaido member to meet you at the Pilsen central bus station and make sure you get on the right bus to Hrad Nečtiny.
Renting a car at Prague airport
Avis (+420) 235 362 420
Hertz (+420) 220 114 340
Czechocar (+420) 220 113 454
Easycar (online reservation system only, no phone number)
Hertz (+420) 220 114 340
Czechocar (+420) 220 113 454
Easycar (online reservation system only, no phone number)
Minivan or taxi from Prague airport to Pilsen bus station or direct to the site
Hiring a taxi (maximum 4 people) or minibus (maximum 8 people) may be convenient for groups or families with luggage. Prague-Plzen Taxi Transfers is courteous and reliable.
Their fixed price 1-way for 1-8 people:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PragueTaxiTransfers
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+420) 777 885 925
Phone 2: (+420) 775 744 447
Fax: (+420) 233 353 537
Their fixed price 1-way for 1-8 people:
- from the airport to Pilsen central bus station (Plzeň CAN): 85 €
- from the airport directly to Hrad Nečtiny: 120 €
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PragueTaxiTransfers
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+420) 777 885 925
Phone 2: (+420) 775 744 447
Fax: (+420) 233 353 537