Transportation in Prague: A Practical Guide to Tickets, Metro and Night Services

Traveling around Prague can be a bit confusing at first, but once you get used to the system, you’ll find that Prague has one of the best-functioning public transport networks in Europe. Metro, trams, buses, ferries and the funicular cover most needs for tourists and residents alike.

In this guide you’ll find an overview of tickets, fares, airport transfers, transport with a stroller, night services and practical travel tips. Always verify the current status in the PID Lítačka app or on the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) website.

Trams in Prague

Trams are a very practical way to connect all parts of Prague, and you can even take one to reach Hotel Golf. During the day, individual tram lines run every few minutes, so long waits are unlikely.

Between midnight and 4:30 AM, trams partly replace the metro’s daytime operation. Nine night tram lines (91–99) run at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes.

Trams are most useful in the city centre and its wider surroundings. For journeys to Prague’s outskirts, the metro is faster and can take you from one end of the city to the other in about 40 minutes.

Recommended tram lines for tourists:

• Tram 22 — runs from Malostranské náměstí through Malovanka, Pohořelec, Prague Castle and Karlovo náměstí (the most popular sightseeing line)
• Tram 17 — runs along the Vltava River with views of Charles Bridge, National Theatre and Vyšehrad
• Tram 9 — Anděl, Národní třída, Wenceslas Square, Žižkov

A basic adult 90-minute ticket costs 50 CZK. For shorter journeys, a 30-minute ticket costs 39 CZK. If you plan intensive sightseeing, a 24-hour ticket for 150 CZK or a 72-hour ticket for 350 CZK is worthwhile.

Children under 15 travel free of charge.

Tickets can be purchased at vending machines, DPP information centres, newsstands, via SMS ticket, or directly on public transport vehicles (except in the metro — there’s no on-board purchase option in the metro).

Christmas Tram

During Christmas, Prague lights up on its rails as well. Specially decorated Christmas trams are among the popular seasonal traditions. Each is adorned with more than 80,000 Christmas lights and festive interior decorations, creating a unique atmosphere for passengers of all ages.

In previous years, Christmas trams have run from early December until Epiphany (early January), so you can enjoy them well into the New Year. A ride on the Christmas tram is a lovely addition to a winter visit to Prague.

Prague Metro

The Prague metro forms the backbone of urban public transport and is one of the fastest ways to move around the city. Thanks to its clear system, it’s easy for first-time visitors to navigate.

The metro has three lines, each colour- and letter-coded:

• Line A (green): Nemocnice Motol – Depo Hostivař (Vinohrady, Old Town, Malá Strana, Hradčany)
• Line B (yellow): Zličín – Černý Most (Karlín, Anděl, Českomoravská — O2 arena)
• Line C (red): Letňany – Háje (Vyšehrad, Nádraží Holešovice, Letňany — concerts)

Lines intersect in the centre at Můstek (A/B), Muzeum (A/C) and Florenc (B/C). Intervals vary depending on line, time of day and day of week, usually between 1 and 10 minutes. All metro lines run from approximately 5:00 AM to midnight. From midnight to about 4:30 AM, the metro is replaced by night trams and buses.

A basic transferable ticket valid for all public transport lines costs 50 CZK and is valid for 90 minutes. For shorter journeys, a 30-minute ticket for 39 CZK is available. Tourists can also use time tickets — a 24-hour ticket for 150 CZK and a 72-hour ticket for 350 CZK.

Metro tickets can be purchased at vending machines in every metro vestibule, at DPP information centres, in selected newsstands, or via the PID Lítačka mobile app.

TIP: Note that metro tickets cannot be purchased on board or from staff — buy your ticket before entering the metro. There are no turnstiles at metro entrances, but inspections take place regularly (fines are 800–1500 CZK for travelling without a valid ticket).

Buses

In addition to trams and metro, you can also use bus lines, which mostly cover Prague’s outlying districts. Daytime bus lines run approximately from 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM, with intervals of a few minutes at peak times.

Selected bus lines also connect Prague with municipalities in the Central Bohemia Region — these suburban lines are numbered 300–799, with night suburban services numbered 951–960. Urban night bus lines are numbered 901–915 and typically run at 30-minute intervals.

Tourists often use buses for trips such as Prague Zoo (bus 112 from metro C Nádraží Holešovice).

Transport from Václav Havel Airport to the City Centre

Václav Havel Airport lies outside the metro network, but reaching the city centre is easy and fast. You have several options:

• Bus 119 — the simplest option for tourists. Goes to metro A station Nádraží Veleslavín, from where you continue by metro to the centre. The journey to Malostranská takes about 30 minutes. Standard PID ticket applies (50 CZK / 90 minutes).
• Bus 100 — goes to metro B station Zličín. Convenient if your accommodation is on line B.
• Airport Express — direct bus service to the Main Railway Station. Faster but more expensive (100 CZK ticket purchased on board).
• Taxi (Bolt, Liftago) — 20–30 minutes to the centre, price 500–900 CZK depending on time and traffic.

A direct metro line A extension to the airport is currently being planned — check the current status before travelling.

Ferry

Crossing the Vltava River in Prague can be made more enjoyable with the ferry service, a practical and attractive part of public transport. There are seven ferry lines in total, on which all Prague Integrated Transport (PID) tickets are valid.

Lines P1 and P2 operate year-round, while lines P3 to P6 run seasonally, typically from April to October.

Petřín Funicular

A popular way to enjoy a Prague trip is the Petřín funicular, which comfortably takes you up one of Prague’s most beautiful hills. At the top you’ll find a beautiful view of the city, the Petřín Lookout Tower, vast parks perfect for relaxation, the historic Hunger Wall, and the Štefánik Observatory.

The funicular is part of the Prague Integrated Transport system, but not all PID tickets are valid. A special non-transferable ticket costs 60 CZK. The lower station Újezd is reached by trams 9, 12, 15, 20, 22 and 23. In regular operation, the funicular runs year-round — every 10 minutes in season, every 15 minutes off-season.

Always verify the current operational status on the DPP website before visiting.

Transport with a Stroller

Prague public transport is family-friendly. The metro is barrier-free at most stations (with lifts or escalators). Trams vary — older high-floor vehicles can be difficult to board with a stroller.

Practical tips:

• In the PID Lítačka app you can filter barrier-free connections — useful mainly for trams
• In the metro, always board the carriage with the marked space for strollers (usually in the middle of the carriage)
• On trams, there is a marked space for strollers with a signal button — press it before disembarking so the driver knows
• Bus drivers usually help with boarding — they’ll wait if you signal

Strollers travel free of charge in Prague public transport. You also don’t need to pay a ticket for a child under 6.

Timetables and Trip Planning

All public transport timetables can be found in the IDOS app. Besides tram, metro and bus lines, you can also check suburban services or trains. Timetables are also posted at every bus and tram stop. Metro stations don’t display timetables, but some are equipped with countdown timers.

Google Maps includes timetables for Prague Integrated Transport (PID). Enter your starting location or station and Google Maps will show available public transport options — including tram, bus and metro — with departure times and transfers.

The most convenient is the PID Lítačka app — buy tickets directly on your phone, see real-time routes, plan trips with barrier-free connections. The app is free and available in English and other languages.

Ticket Purchase

You can buy public transport tickets in Prague in several ways:

• Mobile apps PID Lítačka or Citymove (best prices)
• SMS
• Vending machines at stops
• Metro station sales points
• Newsstands and sales locations
• Contactless payment on board (except in the metro — this option is not available in the metro!)

Classic tickets are valid for 30 or 90 minutes and are transferable. For tourists there are also day and three-day tickets at discounted prices.

Always check your purchased ticket before travelling. Tickets from vending machines must be correctly printed with visible validity information (30 minutes, 90 minutes or daily). If this information is missing, the machine likely malfunctioned and the ticket may result in a fine during inspection.

Note: don’t forget to validate your ticket before travelling. Ticket inspectors are frequent at stops and on board — travelling without a valid ticket can result in fines of 800–1500 CZK.

Ticket Prices

Prices may differ depending on purchase method — buying via mobile app is usually the cheapest.

Adults (aged 15 to 60):

Children under 15 travel free of charge under standard ticket rules (age proof required from age 10).

Seniors over 60 are entitled to discounted fares: 30-minute ticket 19 CZK, 90-minute 25 CZK, 24-hour 75 CZK. Seniors over 65 travel free of charge.

Additional fees: 25 CZK for luggage or dog transport (23 CZK via app). The Petřín funicular has a special non-transferable ticket at 60 CZK.

Historical Tram

One of Prague’s specialities are the historical tram lines 41 and 42, which will take you through the city centre in original vehicles from the early 20th century. A great experience for families and fans of history and photography.

The historical line 41 operates on weekends and public holidays, typically from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The route runs between Vozovna Střešovice and Výstaviště, with the boarding stop at Planetarium Prague.

The historical line 42 operates year-round and daily, connecting the most significant tourist attractions in Prague. A 24-hour ticket costs 400 CZK, with a discounted price of 300 CZK for children aged 4 to 15, students up to 26, ZTP cardholders and seniors over 65. Children under 3 travel free.

Avoid Tourist Traps

Common tourist traps include Hop-on Hop-off buses, historical car tours or horse-drawn carriages. These are more attractions than practical transport and come with a much higher price tag.

A day ticket for Hop-on Hop-off buses usually costs 30–40 EUR per person. Historical car or carriage rentals are even more expensive — a short ride can cost several hundred EUR, and longer private tours can reach several thousand CZK. For everyday travel, public transport or walking is much better.

Prague public transport is very well organised with easy transfers, or you can simply walk — Prague is a relatively small city and the centre is easy to explore on foot. For up-to-date transport information, follow the DPP updates page.

Accommodation with Good Public Transport Access

Hotel Golf Prague is located in the quieter part of Prague 5, approximately 15 minutes from the centre by tram. The hotel also has its own parking — you can leave your car at the hotel and use public transport around Prague.

Practical for families with children (free parking), for tourists arriving by car, and for travellers who want to use public transport to the fullest. If you’re planning a concert weekend or a wellness weekend in Prague, good public transport access from the hotel is one of the advantages you’ll appreciate.

Conclusion

Prague public transport is efficient, well-covered and family-friendly. The key is to download the PID Lítačka app, choose the right ticket based on the length of your stay, and remember to validate before entering the metro.

Always verify current prices, maps and operations on the DPP website or in the PID Lítačka app. Also check out rooms at Hotel Golf Prague with good public transport access and its own parking.