Using Public Transport in Prague

Prague has an excellent integrated transport system which, as well as providing an extensive network of bus and tram routes, also has a fast, modern metro.

Trams - the network of tram routes throughout the city provide a fast, frequent and above all fun way to get around. A full service on all tram routes operates between 4.30am and midnight, with eight night routes (nos. 51-58) covering the city’s most populated areas from 12am-4.30am (all with a central transfer point at Lazarská).

Buses - operating hours for bus routes mirror those of trams. After midnight, twelve night buses (nos. 501-512) run on routes not covered by Prague’s trams (although interchange points between the two are bus stops near Muzeum and I.P. Pavlova).

Metro - Prague has three metro lines which provide a fast, regular service using  modern, comfortable trains (running from 5am to midnight). Imaginatively referred to as A, B and C, line information is as follows:

Line A (Green) runs between Dejvická and Skalka.

Line B (Yellow) runs between Černý Most and Zličín.

Line C (Red) runs between Nádraží Holešovice and Háje.

The metro has three interchange stations; Můstek (Wenceslas Square) for a connection between lines A and B; Muzeum, for transfer between lines A and C; and Florenc for transfer between lines B and C.

Trains run at two minute intervals during rush hours, with intervals of between five and ten minutes during off peak periods.

For further details on routes and timetables, visit the city’s transport department (Dopravní podnik or DP for short) website at: www.dp-praha.cz.

Metro Tickets and Fares - if you intend to use Prague’s public transport system, ensure that you have a properly validated ticket for the duration of your journey. The costly alternative, as some tourists find out, is that inspectors - who frequently carry out ticket checks - will issue an on the spot fine (without exception). As checks are carried out enmasse i.e. large numbers of inspectors wait at the bottom of exit escalators, it’s unwise to try your hand at fare evasion. Single/return tickets for trams and bus journeys can be bought at metro stations, Prague Information Service (PIS) offices, hotels and shops. 

As the DP fare structure is fairly complex, it’s often easier (providing your stay lasts for 3-4 days+) to buy special tourist tickets, particularly as they’re cheap by western standards. The various ticket options at the time of writing are:

	Adult	Child	Student	Pensioner
Limited20/30 min.	18 CZK	9 CZK	18 CZK	9 CZK
Basic 75 min.	26 CZK	13 CZK	26 CZK	13 CZK
1 day 24 hrs	100 CZK	50 CZK	100 CZK	50 CZK
3 days** 72 hrs	330 CZK	-	330 CZK	-
5 days ** 120 hrs	500 CZK	-	500 CZK	-

*Ticket with limited transfer options – on trams and buses the ticket is valid for 20 min. from the point of validation, with no transfer options. On the metro, validity is for 5 stations (excl. boarding station; transfer station is counted as a single station). Travel time must not exceed 30 min. after validation. Not valid on funicular, ferry and night line services;

** Allows for free accompaniment of 1 child between 6 and 14 (inclusive);

N.B. child tickets apply to children between the ages of 6 and 14

N.B. If you plan to carry bulky items such as luggage, you’ll need to purchase an additional ‘freight’ ticket for 13 CZK. Prams and bicycles are exempt from the charge however (though for bicycles this is only on the metro).

Taxis - as long as you order a cab in advance from a reliable firm such as AAA Taxi (Tel: +420 222 333 222) and Halotaxi (Tel: +420 244 114 411) overcharging in Prague shouldn’t be a problem. That said, if you need to hail a cab on the street, use only registered taxis that display a company licence number, taxi roof lamp (and usually a black-and-white checkered livery on the vehicle’s side). When boarding, ensure that the taxi’s meter is switched on (and set to the minimum pick up fee). As the city authority has tried to stamp out dishonest practices by regulating fares, the following rates should apply:-

Pick up fee - 30 CZK

Price per kilometre in Prague city limits - 25 CZK

Waiting fee - 5 CZK per minute (includes waiting in traffic)

As journeys beyond Prague’s city limits are not regulated you should agree the fare before setting off.

Funicular - also part of the Prague transport network is the funicular railway. Ascending Petrin Hill from Újezd up to Růžový, the ride operates daily from 9:15am-8:45pm (at fifteen minute intervals).