Our Easy Guide to Transport in Prague
We know you’re tired from walking – and we’re here to help
Prague is an extremely convenient city. Not only is it very walkable and has many pedestrian-only zones, but a lot of the tourist attractions are also easy to walk to within one day. If you want to further explore this bustling city, there are various public transportation options that allow you to easily hop on and off to get to different city sights. There are different modes you can choose from, depending on your end destination and if you’d rather be underground, overground, or in the sky. Taking public transportation is a great way to get around efficiently and do as the locals do.
Do the locals really use public transit or are you just saying that?
No, we really mean it. The city has one of the best systems in Europe, with quick and efficient lines, and various destinations spanning from the center of the city. The system is used by ⅔ of the city’s population and can travel to the outskirts of the city. Locals are able to cover a large distance in a short amount of time, either getting to work or coming home as quickly as possible. The city also has the proper planning to combine the metro and buses, so if you can’t continue to your end goal on foot, you have another option to continue the journey. Not only is the system convenient, but it is also reliable, easy to figure out, and efficient. We have compiled a guide to Prague transportation to simplify matters even more for those apprehensive tourists.
First up, we have the metro – also known as the subway to appease you New Yorkers
Prague’s metro carries a few-hundred-million people each year, with almost half of the city’s population choosing this method as their main mode of transportation in Prague. The metro is quicker than other options, prompt, and easy to discern which stop to get on and off. With over 61 stations, the numerous destinations make it easy to get to even the farthest outskirts of the city. There are three lines currently comprising the metro system.
Line A, the green line, runs from east to west and contains 17 stations. It begins at Depo Hostivař and ends at Nemocnice Motol, one of the newer stations opening in 2015. As the system continues to evolve, Line A will run all the way to Prague Airport, making those early-morning airport journeys so much easier. Line B, the yellow line, runs from east to west and contains 24 stations. It begins at Černý most and runs to Zličín. Line C, the red line, runs from north to south with 20 stations, beginning at Letňany and ending in Háje. Line D, the blue line, is currently in the planning phase, and will further make the transportation that much more convenient.
There are a few main stations that tourists should know by name, as a stop where most people get off for sightseeing or get off to transfer to another line. Můstek is a station where lines A and B intersect and is situated right at the lower end of Wenceslas Square. Muzeum is at the upper end of the square and is where lines A and C intersect. Lastly, Florenc is the main bus station – everyone should remember this name since you might be combining metro and bus to get to your end destination, or taking a bus journey to a countryside location in the Czech Republic. Lines B and C of the metro also intersect at this bus depot. Once you emerge from the line you’re already on, signs will direct you to the next line, and will only take 3-5 minutes on foot. The transfer signs are clearly marked with big arrows, and you won’t have to worry about deciphering Czech writing to make your next train.
While you’re on the train, keep an ear out for the following announcements – that is, if you’re not listening to your new Spotify playlist as we do. Listen for the name of the upcoming stops, e.g. Mustek, to make sure you know long you have until you’re getting off. Listen for the ‘doors closing’ warning, which is stated right before the train departs as you’re getting on or off the subway. And lastly, listen for the name of the following station, with the phrase ‘Příští stanice’ that can be recognized by the similarity between ‘stanice’ and station.
While walking through the metro system, look for the following signs to figure out where you need to go. ‘Stanice metra’ means subway station, which you’ll see while walking on the streets searching for your station. ‘Trasa’ means route, which can help while you’re asking for directions. ‘Vstup’ is the entrance and ‘vystup’ is the exit – a little confusing, yes, but the extra letter means exit. Extra = exit. That’s a little tip we learned. Lastly, ‘linka’ means line, when describing A, B, or C.
The metro is an easy, convenient, and quick way to get around the city center, and travel out into the outskirts efficiently. The multiple lines, ample signage, and long hours make this the main mode of transportation for locals and tourists.
Trams
The tram system in the city has over 500km of tracks, and are used by over 300 million people every year. Running from 4:30 am until midnight on the weekdays, and 00:30 am to 4:30 am for some night trams, this mode is an overground way to see the city and get to your next destination. The tram runs in 8-10 minute intervals, which is a little slower than the metro, and the night trams run in 40-minute intervals. Even though they are slower than the metro, this is a convenient way to see the city when you want to easily hop on and off.
Tram 22 is one of the most scenic routes in the city, passing multiple tourist attractions. You will see the Prague Castle and the National Theater as you peer out the windows, making this a good line for when you’re not in a hurry and want to see some more sights without having to walk. If you want to enjoy some further cultural history, ride on the no. 41 historical trams, running only on weekends and holidays. Operating from April to November, the tram runs from 12pm – 5pm, and explores some of the best sights of the city.
City Buses
The Prague bus system, or ‘autobusy’ as you’ll see on many signs and hear the locals say, runs all the way to the outskirts of Prague, in further areas than the metro and the trams will run, making this the most convenient option for those who live in the suburbs and need to commute into the city. The daytime buses run from 4:30 am-midnight in 6-8 minute intervals, letting you get to and home from work. In peak hours, the buses will run at 10-20 minute intervals due to the road traffic. On the weekends, that time is extended from 15-30 minutes, when you might not need to get somewhere as promptly as you do during the workweek. The night buses run from midnight – 4:30 am at 30-60 minute intervals for those who stayed for one-too-many drinks after work.
Bus 119 and 100 are one of the most popular lines in the city, connecting the airport with the metro station for line A, and the airport with the line B metro station. The ride from the airport to the city costs only 32 Kč, which is the equivalent of $1.50. Bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín is the best choice from the airport if you’re headed right to the tourist destination of the Old Town or Vinohrady, and takes approximately 15 minutes. Bus 100 to Zličín is the best option if you’re headed to New Town or Smichov. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes, and the bus runs every 15 minutes. For the night buses from the airport, take Bus 510 to Divoká Šárka, transfer to the night tram 51, and you’ll arrive at your destination in the city.
Buses are an easy and convenient way to get around the city, especially if you’re headed to a more suburban location that is difficult to reach via the metro or tram. We would recommend combining modes of transit if you’re headed to the outskirts of the city, taking the quick metro during busy hours, and then transferring to a bus to reach your destination.
Funicular and Chairlift
For those who want to enjoy some breathtaking views without any of the work, the funicular can take you to the top of the famous Petřín Hill, running from the Újezd tram stop in Mala Strana. Running daily from 9 am – 11:30 pm, this means you can take this chair for a mid-morning run, lunchtime picnic spot, or sunset viewing with your date. The funicular runs from November to March and operates in 10-15 minute intervals.
The chairlift for the Prague ZOO runs from March – December, every day except for Tuesdays in April and October. You can purchase a ticket at either end of the line before boarding the chairlift.
The funicular and chairlift provide a unique way to travel, letting you fly high in the sky and enjoy some views while travelling to a high-up location. Although not the fastest or the most inexpensive, these modes of transit take you to places that the metro, buses, and trams otherwise do not.
Tickets and Passes
Lastly, we have to discuss the prices and the types of tickets you can purchase during your trip to the city. There are various options that will give you the best deal depending on how long you’re planning on staying in Prague, giving you various choices to make the best decision possible.
Short-Term Tickets (30 minutes – 3 days)
Short-term tickets can be used on any type of transportation – as many times as you’d like. Talk about an amazing deal. You can also transfer as much as you want, letting you basically just ride the tram system all around the city, taking in all of the sights, and exploring all of the various lines. You must punch your ticket in one of the validation machines to start your validation period – please do this BEFORE boarding, as you could incur a fine if you are caught onboard without a validated ticket.
A 30-minute ticket is only $1, a 90-minute ticket is $1.40, a 24-hour ticket is $4.80, and a 72-hour ticket is $13.55. If you’re visiting Prague for a weekend, we recommend getting the 72-hour ticket – this way you can hop on and off any mode of public transit without worrying about a ticket, and ensuring you get a good deal. If you’re only going to be exploring for a day, we’d say purchase two 90-minute tickets, to get into the city and get back to your accommodation, or a 24-hour ticket, depending on how far you have to travel, and how much of the system you’re going to take advantage of.
Long-Term Tickets
If you’re going to be staying in Prague for a couple of weeks for an extended vacation, you’re studying abroad, or you’re moving to the city. The ticket can be issued based on your ID, or you can purchase a transferable ticket.
Non-transferable tickets are sold in 30-day, 90-day, 150-day, or 365-day increments. The 30-day is $24, the 90-day is $65, the 150-day is $107, and the 365-day is $159. The prices here are incredible. If you purchase the yearly pass, it breaks down to approximately $13 a month – that’s the price of a burger in London. That further breaks down to $3.25 a week to enjoy unlimited transportation. If you live in Prague and you’re certain you’ll be here for over 6 months, this is definitely the ticket to get.
Purchasing Tickets
Short-term tickets are sold through yellow ticket vending machines at ticket offices in metro stations, newsstands, and tourist information shops. If you’re pretty tech-savvy, you can buy a short-term ticket with your phone by text messaging, which sends the ticket to your phone within minutes, so by the time you descend into the metro station, your ticket will be proudly displayed on your iPhone screen.
Purchasing long-term tickets are easy and quick at many metro stations, and at the Public Transit Office in Prague 2. Offices are open Monday – Friday from 6 am – 8 pm, ensuring you have plenty of time to purchase your yearly-ticket.
The efficient and convenient public transportation in the city makes it effortless to get to all of your desired destinations
As you can see, the Prague transportation system is extensive. You’ll have no problem travelling to numerous locations both in the city center, and on the outskirts of the city. Thanks to the metro, trams, buses, and funiculars, you can get to almost any location in the Prague city or suburbs quickly, efficiently, and easily.
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