Where Prague sits: a map in words, from Dresden to Budapest

Prague is often filed under "Eastern Europe", and it is a poor fit. The city lies further west than Vienna, in the middle of the continent, with Germany on the near side. On a map it is closer to Dresden than to anywhere anyone would call the east.

The short answer

Prague is the capital and largest city of Czechia (the Czech Republic), a landlocked country in central Europe. The city lies on the Vltava river, in the historic region of Bohemia, in the western half of the country. It sits at roughly 50 degrees north, about the latitude of Frankfurt.

Prague is both a city and a region in its own right. Its population is about 1.4 million, the biggest in the country by a wide margin. Brno, the second city, is far smaller, and the two are linked by a direct rail line.

The neighbours

Czechia has four land neighbours. Germany is to the west and north-west, Poland to the north and north-east, Slovakia to the east, and Austria to the south. Prague is in the western half of the country, so Germany is the closest border on the map. Dresden, just across that border, is one of the nearest big foreign cities, which is why a day out there is so easy.

Czechia joined the European Union in 2004 and the Schengen Area on 21 December 2007. There is no routine passport check at borders with neighbouring Schengen countries, though temporary checks have been in place at times, so carry ID. Unlike Slovakia, Germany and Austria, Czechia has kept its own currency, the Czech koruna (CZK). Visitors from outside Europe should read the Schengen 90/180 rule.

How far is it to the cities you know?

Straight-line distances are only a rough guide, but they give the scale. Berlin is roughly 280 km to the north, Vienna roughly 250 km to the south-east and Munich roughly 300 km to the south-west. Budapest is farther, around 450 km. Roads and railways follow valleys, so real journeys are longer; expect several hours by train or bus to the first three and most of a day to Budapest, and check the booking pages. The comparisons for Vienna and Berlin weigh the options, and there are guides to Munich and Budapest.

Where it sits inside Czechia

The Czech lands are historically divided into Bohemia (the west, where Prague sits), Moravia (the east, with Brno and Olomouc) and a slice of Silesia in the north-east. Prague is the political, cultural and business centre, and also the transport hub. Rail lines fan out from it to the rest of the country. The day-trip towns Kutná Hora and Plzeň are both in Bohemia, within a short train ride; check the timetable.

Getting to Prague

Most visitors fly into Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), north-west of the centre. The others come by train to Praha hlavní nádraží, the main station, or by coach to Florenc. Think of them as three doors: the airport for flights, the main station for trains to Berlin, Vienna and Budapest, and Florenc for the long-distance coaches. For how to use the city once you are here, the guide to Prague's metro, trams and buses is the place to start.

Reading the map like a local

Czechs place themselves by region and river: "from Moravia", "from the Šumava". Know three rivers and you have most of the country. The Vltava runs through Prague, the Elbe (Labe) takes the Vltava in north of the capital and leaves for Germany via Dresden, and the Morava drains the east. Valleys decide where roads and railways run, which is why the routes to Dresden and Brno are so direct.

What it means in practice

Sitting in the middle makes Prague a good base for a longer European trip, with a weekend in Vienna, Berlin or Dresden within reach. The clocks match Berlin, Vienna and Paris and run one hour ahead of London, as what time it is in Prague explains. If the cold worries you, Prague weather month by month says when to come.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Prague located?

In central Europe, in the western part of Czechia, on the Vltava river, in the historic region of Bohemia.

Is Prague in Eastern Europe?

Geographically it is in central Europe, west of Vienna. The 'Eastern Europe' label is a leftover from the Cold War.

Which countries border Czechia?

Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. Czechia has no coastline.

Does Prague use the euro?

No. Czechia uses the Czech koruna (CZK), although some tourist places quote euro prices.

Open a map, find Dresden, then find Vienna. Prague sits between them, in the middle of the continent.