Tram 22 runs between Bílá Hora and Nádraží Hostivař, passing Old Town, Malá Strana, and Prague Castle viewpoints.
The city’s most photogenic streetcar glides from the leafy west at Bílá Hora across the historic core and out to the residential east at Nádraží Hostivař. It strings together castle slopes, baroque churches, river views, and cafe-lined boulevards. Use it like a moving lookout, a cheap cross-town ride, or a ready-made sightseeing line.
Route At A Glance
This daytime line runs seven days a week with dense headways in the center. On workdays the mid-town section goes via Národní třída; on weekends it swings through Anděl on the left bank, creating two flavor-rich variations of the same cross-city spine.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Termini | Bílá Hora ↔ Nádraží Hostivař (common short turns to Radošovická) |
| Core Sights | Castle district views, Malostranské náměstí, Újezd, Národní třída or Anděl, Vinohrady edge |
| Typical Frequency | About every 5–10 minutes in the center by day; wider headways late evening |
| Operating Span | Early morning to after midnight, with night routes taking over later |
| Ticketing | Time-based fares across the PID network; validate paper tickets on board or buy an already-validated contactless e-ticket |
| Good Seats | Right side from Bílá Hora toward the center for castle panoramas; left side after Malostranská for river glimpses |
| Accessibility | Newer low-floor cars appear regularly; stop platforms vary in height |
| Crowd Pattern | Busy near Prague Castle midday; calmer beyond Vršovice and Hostivař |
Prague Tram Line 22 Route Details
This cross-town workhorse is beloved by locals and visitors because it strings together ridge-top views and downtown errands in one continuous ride. You’ll glide above the castle, dip into Lesser Town, skim the river, and head east through New Town and Vršovice to suburban greenspace.
Western Rise: Bílá Hora To Pohořelec
The western end starts in quiet residential streets near the Břevnov Monastery. As you roll east, the line climbs toward Pohořelec above the castle, with sweeping looks across red roofs. Morning light from here flatters the skyline and the photos are crisp even from a moving window.
Castle Slopes To Lesser Town
Past Pohořelec the cars drop toward the castle precincts. Stops around Pražský hrad and Malostranské náměstí place you within steps of courtyards, Golden Lane, and the dome of St. Nicholas. From Újezd you can ride the Petřín funicular or stroll the Kampa island paths before hopping back on.
Two City-Center Variants
On weekdays the track continues through Národní třída near the National Theatre and café strips. On weekends the alignment heads through Anděl, a shopping and dining cluster on the left bank. Both versions merge onto the same eastbound trunk beyond the center, so you won’t lose your way either day.
New Town, Vršovice, And The Eastern Stretch
Leaving the river, the line glides past I. P. Pavlova, Vršovické náměstí, and the football ground in Vršovice before rolling to residential Hostivař. Many trips flip at Radošovická during lower demand; through cars continue to Nádraží Hostivař for rail connections and a calmer parkland finish.
How To Ride Without Hassle
Buy And Validate
Prague uses time-based tickets that work across trams, metro, and buses. Purchase paper tickets at metro machines and many shops, then stamp them in the orange validators when you board your first vehicle. Contactless ticket machines on board sell e-tickets that activate at purchase, which removes the need to stamp.
Pick The Right Pass
Short stays pair well with 30- or 90-minute tickets, a 24-hour pass, or a 72-hour pass if you’re in sightseeing mode. Regular inspections happen across the network, so keep your active ticket handy during the ride.
Plan For The Two Alignments
Weekday daytime trips go through Národní třída; weekend daytime trips go through Anděl. If you’re aiming for the National Theatre and central passages, pick a weekday. If you want Smíchov dining and shopping, a weekend ride serves you better. Both versions reach Lesser Town and the eastern neighborhoods all the same.
Self-Guided One-Hour Loop
Want a sampler without committing half a day? Try this simple loop. Start near the castle, drop to the river, cross the center, and bail out for coffee before finishing on a leafy boulevard.
- Pohořelec → Pražský hrad: Ride a single stop for the ridge-top look, then step off to the castle gates.
- Pražský hrad → Malostranské náměstí: Two quick stops with grand facades and tram-filled squares that frame your photos.
- Malostranské náměstí → Újezd: Peek at the river and set up a walk across Kampa if you have time.
- Újezd → Národní třída (weekday) / Anděl (weekend): Choose theatres and passages or a Smíchov cafe run.
- Continue east to I. P. Pavlova: Swap to the metro C here or linger in Vinohrady for bakeries and leafy streets.
Popular Stops And Nearby Sights
Use this compact guide to make quick choices at the door when the bell pings.
| Stop | What’s Nearby | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Pohořelec | Castle ridge, Strahov Monastery | Panoramas, morning photos |
| Pražský hrad | Castle courtyards, Golden Lane | Palaces, history stroll |
| Malostranské náměstí | St. Nicholas Church, baroque lanes | Architecture, cafe pause |
| Újezd | Kampa, Petřín funicular | Parks, riverside walks |
| Národní třída | National Theatre, passages | Cafes, galleries |
| Anděl (weekends) | Smíchov dining and shops | Lunch stop, shopping |
| I. P. Pavlova | Metro C link, Vinohrady edge | Transfers, bakeries |
| Radošovická | Short-turn point | Return toward center |
| Nádraží Hostivař | Train station, parklands | Regional rail, quiet walks |
Timing, Crowds, And Seat Strategy
Mid-morning gives bright light and fewer tour groups. Late afternoon glows along the castle slopes. If you want a window, step toward the front half of the second car in a coupled set; doors there see slightly less churn near the core sights. Keep bags on your lap to free aisle space and be ready to slide out briskly at busy squares.
Connections And Shortcuts
Metro Links Worth Knowing
At I. P. Pavlova you can jump to the red-line metro. Malostranská sits near Line A by the river if you walk a few minutes from the square. These swaps trim travel times during rain or when you need a guaranteed seat across the center.
When Service Short-Turns
During quieter periods some trips end at Radošovická rather than continuing to the rail hub. If you’re heading to the eastern terminus, glance at the car’s front display for the destination before boarding. When in doubt, the next car usually follows within minutes in the core.
Tickets, Apps, And Inspections
For maximum ease, buy a contactless e-ticket from the machine by the door or use the official mobile app to hold a time-based pass. Inspections are random and professional; keep your active ticket ready. Children up to 14 and seniors 65+ ride free on the city network, while ages 60–65 ride at a discount with city fare products.
Sample Half-Day Plan Using This Tram
Start at Pohořelec for a ridge-line look, descend to the castle, pause at Malostranské náměstí for coffee, and continue to the center for galleries around Národní třída. From there, ride east for lunch in Vinohrady or Smíchov if it’s a weekend variant through Anděl. End the ride at the railway parklands in Hostivař for a greener finish and an easy train link if you’re continuing out of town.
Practical Tips That Save Time
Boarding Etiquette
Let people step out before you enter. Move down the aisle so others can board. Offer priority seats to those who need them. Keep strollers braked and close to the fold-down bay.
Accessibility Notes
Most trips feature modern low-floor cars with space for wheelchairs and strollers. Platform heights vary, so signal the driver early if you need a longer stop at the curb. Request buttons and visual stop displays assist riders with hearing or vision needs, and stop names appear on interior screens.
Photo Pacing
If you plan to shoot through the glass, pick a clean window and sit slightly ahead of the bogie to reduce vibration. For street photos, Malostranské náměstí offers wide angles with trams curving through heritage facades, while the ridge near Pohořelec yields skyline layers.
When To Skip The Tram For A Bit
Heavy rain, major events near the castle, or track works can slow the core section. If you see a line of cars bunching, jump to the metro for a stop or two and rejoin the rails farther along. Swapping back is simple because this line intersects several key corridors.
Safe, Simple Fare Choices
Pick a 30-minute ticket for a quick hop, 90-minute for a relaxed city loop with photo pauses, or a day pass if you’re mixing in museums and the funicular. Store passes in the official app or buy at station machines with cards. Paper tickets must be stamped once, then you can transfer freely until the time expires.
Map-Free Orientation Cues
Watch the river to your right as you enter the center from the west; look for the green dome of St. Nicholas to gauge your distance from Malostranské náměstí. Eastbound, once you hit I. P. Pavlova, you’re minutes from Vršovice and quieter neighborhoods that show daily life away from the castle crowds.
Ride Scenarios And Smart Choices
Castle Direct
Ride to Pražský hrad or Pohořelec, then walk downhill through the courtyards. Starting high saves your legs and keeps the views coming.
Riverside Pause
Hop off at Újezd and stroll Kampa’s willow-framed paths before catching the next car toward the center or Anděl, depending on the day.
Rail Connection
Stay on through the east; Nádraží Hostivař connects to regional rail and a park with lakeside paths if you want a calm finish before dinner.
Responsible Riding
Keep noise low near residential stretches late at night. Dispose of coffee cups in bins on platforms. Give the driver a clear path by not leaning over the yellow line near the cab window. Treat the cars as shared civic rooms and you’ll fit right in.
Useful Official Resources
For mobile tickets and time-based passes, see the PID Lítačka mobile tickets. To learn about Prague’s heritage fleet and tram history, browse the Prague Public Transport Museum.