Prague Transport

Prague has a very inexpensive and efficient transport system, which is run by the Prague Public Transit Company. The network of transport includes: the Metro, trams, buses, trains and a cable-operated railway on Petrín Hill. It is a 24-hour transport network, with night buses and trams running from 24:00 to 05:00. It is possible to buy a three-day tourist pass, which allows unlimited access on the Metro, trams and buses as well as covering the admission to over 40 attractions. You can buy these passes at tourist information centres and Prague transport offices.

By Metro

There are three Metro lines servicing Prague: the A line, which is green; the B line, which is yellow; and the C line, which is red. There are three crossover points on the services: at Muzeum for lines A and C; Mùstek for lines A and B; and Florenc for lines B and C. Trains run every two minutes between the hours of 05:00 and 20:00 on weekdays. At all other times, they run every 10 minutes.

Tickets must be bought in advance and stamped as you enter the Metro station. These are valid for buses and tram as well and can be bought at station ticket machines, most newsagents and at information centres. Two types of tickets are available: the Kč8 ticket allows one ride of up to four stops on the Metro, while the Kč12 ticket is valid for one hour during peak times or 90 minutes at any other time. There are on-the-spot fines for travelling without a valid ticket and there have been reports of staff waiting by broken machines to charge these fines to unwary passengers.

By train

The Czech Republic has one of the most superior railway networks in Europe. The international railway station in Prague is Hlavní Nádraí. It is the city’s main station, centrally located very close to Wenceslas Square. The station has its own Metro station on Line C. A funicular railway runs every 5 to 10 minutes taking people up to the top of Petrín Hill from Lesser Town.

By bus

The extensive bus and tram network covers the entire city including the surrounding suburbs and runs 24 hours. Schedules and maps can be found at the tourist information centres. Daytime buses run from 04:30 to 24:00 at 6 to 8 minute intervals during peak times and 10 to 20 minute intervals at off peak times. Night bus numbers 501 to 512 run from 24:30 until 04:30 at 40 minute intervals.

The same two types of tickets that are available for the Metro are also available for buses. The Kč8 ticket allows for a 15-minute journey without transferring and the Kč12 allows a one-hour journey in peak times and a 90-minute journey at all other times.

By taxi

Taking a taxi in Prague is not a simple affair. Many times a lot of bargaining has to take place, as many taxi drivers see tourists as a source of easy money and therefore charge extortionate prices. Some taxi firms have links to organised crime and it is best to always avoid taking a taxi from off the street. Bars, restaurants and hotels will often know the number for a reputable taxi firm, so if you do need to get a taxi in the street, don’t. Officially, licensed taxis are required to have a meter (and to switch it on). If the driver refuses to switch the meter on, you are advised to find another taxi, although many meters have been tampered with and drivers may ask for suspicious and expensive supplements

Tourist services

Shuttle buses are available at the airport to take tourists to their hotels in the city. This is an exclusive service for visitors to Prague.

Prague offers a river cruise, which is a very pleasant way of getting around. There are summer services only and you can get to a small variety of destinations such as Vysehrad Castle, Prague Zoo and the large dam in the city.

From the airport

The airport is only served by trams and buses, as there are no train or Metro stations serving it. Three local buses travel to and from the airport.
The number 119 goes to Metro Dejvicka, Metro green line A; the number 108 goes to Metro Hradcanska, Metro green line A; and the number 179 goes to Metro Nove Butovice, Metro yellow line B. They run between 05:00 and 24:00 approximately every 20 minutes.

The other alternative is to take an airport taxi, but these can be a lot of hassle and very expensive.