Guide to public transport in Prague – how to move around the city

Public transport in Prague, which includes several vehicles at once, is considered one of the best in Europe – clean, convenient, comfortable and, most importantly, punctual. A well-designed transport system works very clearly and covers absolutely all corners of the Czech capital, and the presence of several types of travel allows a good save on travel. But first things first!

Bus in Prague

Features of public transport in Prague

The fare in Prague by public transport depends on which of the 2 zones it belongs to:

  • Zone P – funicular to Petřín Hill, buses 100-299 and 501-599, ferries, trams and some railway sections;
  • Zone 0 – suburban buses 300-399 and 601-620, as well as individual railway sections.

Consider the main ways of moving within the city.

Related entries:

Underground
Prague metro

Despite the heavy workload (about 1.5 million people per day), the Prague metro is the most convenient means of transportation around the city. The metro consists of 3 branches – green (A), yellow (B) and red (C). They have 57 stations, 3 of which are interchange (Florence, Museum and Mustek). Only the central stations have several exits; all the others are content with only one.

Getting lost in the subway is difficult. Firstly, there are literally at every step information boards, city maps, metro schemes and signs, the color design of which allows you to find the right line. In addition, there are signs under the ceiling that allow you to understand which stops or which street you will get to if you use a specific exit.

Metro map

All Prague metro stations are equipped with escalators, but elevators are not everywhere. The trains are divided into 2 types – new trains from Siemens and old trains from Mytishchi Engineering Plant. The conditions in them are almost the same – the metro scheme above the door and located along and across the seat. The names of the stops are not heard either in the first or in the second, so you should regularly look at the scoreboard.

Read more about the Prague metro and how to use this mode of transport here .

Trams
Prague Trams

Currently, 1013 trams run in Prague, so this mode of transport can be called without exaggeration one of the most popular.

Part of the park is made up of old designs made at Skoda factories, but most often you can see low-ash modified models. All trams are equipped with displays showing stop names. The seats in the cars are made of plywood or plastic.

Tram stops are equipped with a small canopy and bench. Each of them has a standard post with all the necessary information (type of tram, timetable, destination, arrival time, and even fare). At many stops, a large map with a scheme of various routes and retail outlets where you can purchase tickets for transport in Prague is installed.

Buses
Prague Bus

In the central regions of Prague, this type of transport is extremely rare. Most routes operate on the outskirts and around the city – where there is no subway or tram tracks. The salons are quite comfortable. According to the latest data, up to three hundred routes operate in the Czech capital. The fleet consists of vehicles of such famous brands as Iveco, Karosa, Mercedes, Man and SOR. Bus stops have the same content as tram stops.

Electric train
Train at the Prague station

There are 27 railway routes in Prague, among which there are both domestic and those that connect the capital with the suburbs and other populations of Central Bohemia. The most comfortable trains are considered 2-story City Elefant 471 – in addition to other amenities, they even have toilets.

On a note! Electric trains for travel and individual tickets are allowed only within the city limits.

Funicular
Funicular in Prague

The municipal transport of Prague should also include the lift to Petřín Hill, because it has the same pricing policy as in other means of transportation in the capital. The funicular, located near the Uyezd stop, reaches the station. Nebozizek takes a break there, and then follows to the final art. Petrin.

On a note! To enter and exit the transport, press the button with which the doors open. It is located either on the door leaf or to the right of it.

Hours of transport

Public transport in Prague operates according to the following scheme:

Type of transport Opening hours Speed ​​in minutes
Underground 5 a.m. to midnight 2-4. – during peak hours

4-10 – at other times

Trams From 5 a.m. to half-past twelve 4-10
C half past one

until 5 a.m.

Half an hour
Buses From half past four in the morning until half past one in the morning 6-8 – during peak hours

15-30 – at other times

From half past midnight until half past four in the morning 30 – for lines

504, 510, 512, 508, 505, 511

60 – for lines

515, 506, 501, 509, 514, 502, 507

Funicular 9 a.m. to half-past eleven 10 – in the summer months

15 – in the winter

Electric train 4 a.m. to midnight 10-30

On a note! Many buses and trams do not go at night. As for the latter, the station for night transfers is called Lazarská (Lazarska).

What’s the fare?

The cost of transport in Prague depends on which ticket you are going to buy.

Individual tickets for 1 person
Type of ticket Adult Children (6-15 years old; if there is a supporting document from 10 years old) Senior citizen (60-70 years old with a Senior 60-70 card) 0-6 and 70+ years
90 min (standard) 32 sixteen Is free Is free
60 min (short) 24 12 12 Is free
24 h 110 55 55 Is free
72 hours 310 310 310 Is free
Travel
Type of travel card Adult Child (15-18 years old) Student (with a Student 19-26 card) Senior citizen (60-65 years old, with a Senior 60-70 card)
30 days (monthly) 550 130 130 130
90 days (quarterly) 1480 360 360 360
150 days

(for 5 months)

2450 2450 2450
365 days

(annual)

3650 1280 1280 1280
Transferable prepaid tickets
Type of ticket (paper / electronic)
30 days 670
90 days 1880
365 days 6100

All prices are in local currency – Czech crowns.

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How and where to buy tickets?

Travel and individual tickets have the opportunity to buy in several ways. Let’s consider each of them.

Method 1. In ticket machines
Ticket machines

Yellow-orange machines are in the subway and at most bus and tram stops. The menus in them are only in English and Czech, however, thanks to the simple interface, understanding it is quite easy. In addition, our instruction will help you:

  1. Select a ticket type.
  2. Indicate the quantity by pressing the button the corresponding number of times.
  3. Enter the required amount (appears on the screen).
  4. Take a ticket and change.
  5. If you change your mind or make a mistake, press the STORNO button.

On a note! Old-fashioned machines, and most of them in Prague, accept only a trifle. But new devices – both cards and coins.

Method 2. At the reception in large hotels.
Method 3. At tobacco stalls and kiosks selling Trafiky presses.
Method 4. Via SMS.
SMS ticket for travel

This option only works if you have a Czech SIM card, on the account of which there should be enough money to pay for the fare. The ticket is valid only in zone P, but, as a rule, tourists do not leave for it. The price will be exactly the same as at the cash desk and machines + the cost of SMS.

To purchase an electronic ticket, you should send a message to the short number 90206, indicating in the body the corresponding text:

  • DPT24 – upon purchase of a ticket for 30 minutes;
  • DPT32 – 90 min.;
  • DPT110 – 24 hours;
  • DPT310 – 72 hours
Ticket for travel
Method 5. At the driver – applies only to buses.
Method 6. At the ticket offices of the subway (PID).

You can buy a ticket in Prague in just 3-5 minutes. Payment is made both in cash and by card. Here the ticket can be laminated (about 10 CZK).

PID cash desks, working daily from 7 am to 10 pm, are located only at the following metro stations:

  • Line A: Peace Square, Veleslavin, Motol Hospital, Strasnitska, Borzhislavka, Depot Gostivarzh, Mustek, Dejvitska, Zhelivsky, Skalka, Gradchansk;
  • Line B: Zlichin, Luka, Florence, Mustek, Charles Square, Gurka, Andel, Palmovka, Smikhovsky Station, Raiska Zagrada, Visochansk, Black Bridge;
  • Line C: Gae, Vysehrad, Letnany, Opatov, Main Station, Roztyly, Kacherov, I.P. Pavlova, Station Holesovice, Kobylisa, Ladvi.
Sayf mobile application
Method 7. At the airport.

Another place that sells tickets in Prague is the airport terminals.

Method 8. Sayf mobile application

By downloading Sejf on iTunes or Google play, you can purchase an electronic ticket even in the absence of a Czech SIM card. To do this, it is enough to replenish the wallet with one of the methods (transfer from a card, deposit to a bank, wire transfer) and wait for a response from the operator.

Method 9. In the shops of the Vietnamese.

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How to use tickets and travel?

These tips will help you understand how to use public transport in Prague.

  1. The city has developed a unified ticket system that applies to all vehicles with any number of transfers.
  2. The coupon is composted only at the first landing. To do this, yellow validators are installed at the entrance to the cars, as well as on the handrails of trams and buses. The ticket is inserted with the forward arrow, and the seal itself is accompanied by a characteristic sound. You do not need to compost for 30 days.
  3. The ticket begins to act immediately after you pierce it in the validator.
  4. Transport Controllers
  5. Checking passengers with controllers (selective or universal) can be carried out both at subway stations and at the exit to the city. The fine for the slightest violation of existing rules (travel without a ticket, expired ticket, lack of SMS with an electronic travel ticket, a non-validated ticket, etc.) is up to CZK 1,500. If paid on the spot or within 15 days from the day of delivery – 800 CZK.
  6. When checking, the controller must show the token – otherwise it can be considered invalid. All employees have special readers to identify electronic travel cards, so no one will be fooled here. Running away, refusing to pay a fine or presenting documents for his discharge is also meaningless – the police immediately come to the aid of the controllers.
  7. The ticket must be stored until the end of the trip.

On a note! Baggage transportation in public transport is paid separately. So, for hand luggage that exceeds 25x45x70 cm, flat luggage over 100x100x5 cm, a pram without a baby and an animal without a container will have to pay 16 CZK.

The information on the page is current May 2019.

Useful Tips

To understand how best to travel in Prague by transport, listen to the recommendations of those who have already visited the Czech capital:

    Travel Pass in Prague
    Travel Pass in Prague
  1. The pass in Prague is not registered, therefore it can be sold or presented to another person;
  2. When crossing the street, pay attention to the signs “Pozor Tram” (“Attention, tram”) – in traffic the advantage is given to this type of transport (including pedestrians);
  3. If you settled on the outskirts of the city, buy a daily ticket – the fact is that Prague is located on a hilly area, so walking on it will be quite difficult;
  4. Having arrived in the city for at least a week, buy a monthly pass in Prague – this is more profitable than one-time individual tickets;
  5. Prague buses stop on demand. To exit in the right place, you need to press the “STOP” button a few minutes before the stop;
  6. Calculate your route in such a way that the time indicated on the ticket is used to the maximum benefit. If you buy a ticket for 90 minutes, drive 55 for it, and then decide to sit in a cafe or walk on foot, the remaining time will simply burn out;
  7. Promotional Ticket
  8. You need to compost the ticket before meeting with the conductor – otherwise you will be fined. However, many tourists go to the trick, which allows to increase the validity of a 30-minute ticket by 2 times. Entering city transport, take a close look – if there are no controllers on the horizon, do not rush to break through a ticket to the next stop. Why only until the next? Because if you activate it after the conductor enters the salon, you will be punished;
  9. The cost of travel in Prague by public transport is not affected by the distance or number of transfers, but by the travel time, so the route must be calculated as accurately as possible. The following devices will help to do this – a special planner located on the official website (enter the start and end points – you get travel time, route numbers and the price of the boarding pass), Google Maps and Praha mobile applications – DPP and PID info.

As you can see, public transport in Prague is very convenient, and even the one who came to this city for the first time will be able to understand its system.

Video: Prague transport and how to buy a ticket.



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