Modernization of Prague's Masaryk Railway Station is in full swing

Construction is progressing steadily at Prague’s Masaryk Railway Station, where a major modernization project is transforming one of the city’s oldest rail terminals into a 21st-century transport hub. Locals were able to get a sneak peek at the construction site during an open day on Saturday, April 5.

Among the most striking new features will be a large pedestrian platform the size of Old Town Square above the tracks, connecting key streets while offering green space and views of the trains below.

The redevelopment, underway since early 2024, is part of a broader upgrade of Prague’s rail infrastructure and aims to improve passenger comfort and city connectivity. While archaeological discoveries on-site have caused some delays and pushed the total cost to nearly CZK 4 billion, the project remains on track for completion in 2027.

Construction at Masaryk Railway Station began in January 2024 and is scheduled for completion by August 2027. The station is set to receive one additional platform and two new tracks by the end of this year, bringing the total number of tracks to nine.

A major feature of the upgrade is a new elevated platform stretching across the entire station area. Roughly the size of Prague’s Old Town Square, the platform will connect Na Florenci Street with Opletalova Street and include public access points to surrounding developments.

The elevated walkway will not only serve as a pedestrian thoroughfare but will also incorporate photovoltaic panels to power parts of the station and an adjacent park. Visitors will be able to observe train activity from the platform, which is expected to integrate with the new Masaryčka building developed by Penta Real Estate.

There is also potential for further collaboration with nearby real estate projects, including possible restaurant terraces at platform level. While the site remains active with construction, rail service continues with only partial disruptions.

The increase in the project’s total cost is largely attributed to the discovery of archaeological remains at the site. These findings were more extensive than initially expected and caused schedule disruptions.

“Partial cost overruns resulted from delays caused by significant archaeological discoveries, which were larger in scope than anticipated,” said Petr Hofhanzl of Správa železnic, Czechia's national railway infrastructure company. “Per our contractual terms, any time delay generates more work, which the contractor is entitled to claim.”

The station’s upgrade is part of a broader 11-phase project to improve rail connectivity between Prague, Václav Havel Airport, and the city of Kladno. Completed portions include the restoration of the historic Negrelli Viaduct. Current work continues on stretches between Bubny and Výstaviště and from Kladno to Kladno-Ostrovec.

A full overhaul of the line from the airport to Kladno is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025, while a contractor for the final segment—from Výstaviště to a planned underground station in Dejvice—will be sought in 2026. According to officials, direct rail access between Prague’s center and the airport should be operational by 2030.

First opened in 1845, Masaryk Railway Station is one of Prague’s oldest rail terminals. Once the modernization is complete, the station is expected to serve as both a transport hub and a public space integrated into a growing urban area.