How to use public transport in Prague

Updated on: September 9th, 2022

Here are the answers to the most frequent questions about the public transport in Prague.

People say that Prague is one of the most walkable cities in the world, and we think it is true. But even so, sometimes you just want to use public transport instead. Here are a couple of questions about the public transport in Prague that we are frequently asked by our guests.

Which method of public transport should I choose in the city center?

In general, the fastest and most comfortable way to move around Prague is metro. It has 3 lines (green/A, yellow/B and red/C), covering all the major tourist attractions. Another good idea are trams, which are a bit slower but on the other hand can provide spectacular window views!

How to get from the airport to the center of Prague using public transport?

There is a bus stop in front of the exit of the airport. Catch bus number 119, which will take you to the newly constructed metro station Nádraží Veleslavín. Then take the green line to Malostranská, Staroměstská, Můstek or Muzeum stations located in the historical center.

Where can I buy public transport tickets in Prague?

The most natural place to buy the tickets are the machines in the metro passages and at some tram stops. From 2019 it is also possible to buy tickets by card (Visa/Mastercard) in all trams directly. Other places to buy tickets are news agent's shops.

Do I have to validate the ticket after buying?

Yes! It is very important to validate the ticket before entering the metro platform, tram or bus. We have around 160 ticket controllers in Prague with just one thing in their mind - find passengers without a valid ticket and give them a fine! The exception from this rule are the tickets bought directly in the tram, these should already have a time stamp.

How much does a public transport ticket cost in Prague?

The ticket price in Prague depends on the length of the journey. Choose CZK 30 ticket for 30 minutes and CZK 40 for 90 minutes. After validation, you can use the ticket within the given time for all the methods of transport (metro, trams, buses, local trains) until your time expires. Normally CZK 30 is enough if you are just visiting the historical city center. There is also a possibility to buy a 1-day and a 3-day pass (CZK 120 and CZK 330).

Do I have to buy an additional ticket for my dog or for a luggage?

It is not necessary to buy a ticket for a dog in the public transport of Prague, the only exception is the bus from the airport where the additional charge is CZK 30. For the luggage, it is free up to the size of 25x45x70 cm, then the price is CZK 16.

Where to check the public transport schedule?

You can find the schedule at all metro platforms, tram and bus stops. But there is also a nice alternative - the mobile application ‘Jízdní řády’ which can not only tell you how to get from one place to another, but will even automatically detect your location using the GPS.

Does the public transport work also at night? Is it safe to use it?

The last metro connections are shortly after midnight but we have a lot of night trams in the historical city center (lines 91-99) and night buses covering also other areas (lines 901-915). In general, using the public transport in Prague is safe both during the day and at night. On the other hand, it is a big city and standard safety precautions should be always kept in mind!

Is there anything else that you would like to know about the public transport system in Prague? Then please feel free to send us a message, we will be happy to fill you in! Or just join some of our regular free tours and ask our guides directly about anything you want! You can find our free tour schedule here.