Public Transportation in Prague: How to Use it, Where to Get Tickets and More

#LifeInCzechia Just arrived in Prague? Forget about using cars! Prague’s public transportation system is ready to take you wherever you want to go. You have many options. There’s metro, buses, trolleybuses, trams… Even if you want a time travel journey you can take the nostalgic lines. So before you start your journey in Prague let me give you all the info you’ll need.

 Prague Tram
Prague Tram

Handy apps for public transportation in Prague 

If you’ve only just arrived, don’t despair, because apps will make your life easier.  Can’t select the easiest and fastest transportation system for your route? IDOS and PidLitacka are there for you to find your way. What you need to do is download these apps, enter your location, select where you want to go and put in your desired departure (or arrival) time. This app will show you all the connections and timetables and it is extremely user-friendly. You can also search on DDP’s website for timetables, connections and current changes

Now that we know our route. It’s time to buy our ticket. 

How to buy tickets?

Let’s start with cash payments. If you have coins, you can use the yellow ticket vending machines located at most stops in Prague. If you freshly arrived in Prague you can find the yellow vending machines at the airport, main train station, Florence bus station and all metro station entrances. Can’t find the machines? You can also buy tickets from DPP Info Centres at the airport and main railway station and newsagents. Do not forget that normally you can’t buy a ticket from the driver except on the trams no. 41, 42 and 43.

 

Cashless Payment Machines
Cashless Payment 

If you want to pay with a credit card, you can buy your ticket from the ticket vending machines located inside trams. Your card has to be contactless to use these ticket vending machines. I was in Prague for one day and the contactless card payment method was very easy for me to use. I searched my destination and bought a ticket that best fit my journey.

Another option is to buy tickets through the PidLitacka app. You can pay by credit/debit card, Masterpass or Apple Pay in the app. 

Lastly, if you have a Czech mobile phone number you can buy a ticket via text message  in Prague (and also in other Czech cities). SMS Jízdenka(Czech Ticket) Application helps you to buy your ticket via SMS easily. The app can be used in English. First, what you need to do is  download the app, select your city, and then select your fare, click prepare to send. The app creates a new message with the text for you to buy the ticket. If you don’t want to deal with machines, this can be a handy option for you. When the ticket inspector comes, you can show them the message that will come to your phone as your ticket. 

 

SMS Jízdenka - Czech Ticket Application
 SMS Jízdenka – Czech Ticket Application

 

Ticket prices 

Public Transportation tickets are time-based products in Prague, same as in Brno. For example, you can buy tickets for 30 min, 90 min or even 24 hours. If you bought your ticket from the yellow vending machines by cash before you boarded, you need to stamp your ticket immediately. If you purchase your ticket via credit/debit card inside the tram, it is validated when you pay for your ticket.

According to the DDP, the ticket prices are as follows: 

  • Single trip ticket 30 minutes:  30 CZK 
  • Single trip ticket 90 mins: 40 CZK
  • 24-hour ticket: 120 CZK
  • 72-hour ticket: 330 CZK 
  • Children(up to age 15): Free

If you travel without a ticket or if you didn’t stamp your ticket, you may have to pay a fine. The basic fine is 1500 CZK but if you pay on the spot to the inspector or within 15 days the fine is reduced to 1000 CZK. You can read more about ticket inspection in Prague here. 

Season tickets & passes

If you are planning to stay longer in Prague, you can buy season tickets. PidLitacka offers 1month, 3 month, 5 Month and 12 month season tickets. The prices differ between  children/students and adults. 

You can buy your season ticket on the PidLitacka website comfortably from your home. Detailed information about zones and fares can be found here and on the  PidLitacka website.

Museum of Public Transport

Interested in some time travel? The Museum of Public Transport is there for you. The Museum was opened in 1993 and located in the historic building of the tram depot in Střešovice. You can see all the unique collections of historic vehicles and learn about the history of public transport in Prague. 

The museum is open between 09:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Also, you can visit the museum between 1.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. on Wednesdays from 1st of June 2022 to 31st of August 2022. The ticket price for adults is 100 CZK, children up to 6 years can go in for free.  So enjoy the nostalgic vibe of the museum!

For more information on transport in Czechia, read our articles on Czech transport system, the Beep & Go system,  transport passes, ticket inspection  and our services regarding airport transport.  

Do you feel lost in the Czech Republic (and not just transport-wise)? Foreigners is here to make your stay in the country as pleasant as possible. We can help you with almost anything – from immigration matters to translations and apartment rentals. All you need to do is contact us.

Photo Sources: pexels.com

Article Sources: dpp.cz, pid.cz

Leman Oktay

Hello everyone! I'm Leman from Istanbul, Turkey. I enjoyed evolving and exploring a new culture while I was an exchange student in Brno. Now, I am rediscovering Brno after four years. So let's experience the journey.

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