Getting Around: Prague’s Most Sophisticated Public Transport System

What travelers will really appreciate is the convenience of the public transport system. This is one of the best features of this great architectural laden endroit. At your service are the underground, the aboveground trams, and the buses. What more can you ask for! Although taxis are at every street corner (see Ruzyne International Airport page), there is no need for them unless your feet are absolutely screaming at you for some rest.

The Undergroud

The underground system consists of three lines: known as the green, yellow and red lines (A, B, and C). They go all over the center as well as beyond. Depending on your destination, there is always a metro stop nearby. Each stop has a detailed map of the vicinity or you can purchase a metro/city plan map at bookstores, kiosks, information booths or the main information center. The metro runs at about 5 minute intervals during major commute hours and during weekends they run about 5-10 minute intervals.

The Trams

Trams or the aboveground transport is another alternative to getting about. This is a great way to view the sites and really take in the sceneries that you miss underground. Trams are also found everywhere but do not run as fast and frequently as the underground. A good option if you are not in a rush.

The Buses

Buses are another option, however you really need to have a bus schedule and know where you are going, which bus to take and the stop. The bus timetable is located at the stop. On the left, the stop you are at is underlined and the stops are listed with the amount of time it will take to get to them. On the right is the timetable. The best way to determine where you are and headed is to look at the underlined stop you are at, then the stops thereafter. Once on the bus, there is an automated announcement for each stop but at times difficult to hear thus easy to miss a stop.

Buying Tickets

City ticket inspectors love to surprise visitors with ticket fines. To avoid this, make sure you buy a ticket and validate it. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks, tabaks, trafikas, metro stations or at the automated ticket machines. Instructions are included in English, but generally you select which ticket you want then insert your coins. The safest is to purchase a 20kc ticket. This will allow you to travel all over the city up to 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes during the weekends. There is the option of also buying a 24hr ticket, 3 day, 7day, a 72hr, 3 weeks or a monthly pass, if your sojourn is longer.

Validating Tickets

It is important to remember to validate the ticket before getting on public transport. In the metro, trams and buses there are yellow validation boxes. All you do is slide the ticket in and the box will punch it with the time and date. This is what the inspectors check for. Even if you have a new ticket that is not validated you will have to pay a fine of up to 300kc. So, know the system and avoid the extra hassles.

A Word of Caution…

Like any metropolitan or city center, there are pick-pocketers. So, it suffices to use some travel common sense and keep aware of your belongings and surroundings. Do not carry valuable items in open purses where temptation presents itself to reach in and easily grab something. Keep your purse, backpack or wallet in a position where you can see it. Do not carry valuable original documents with you. Make photocopies of your passport to carry around and keep the original in a safe place.