Prague Public Transport and Czech Railways

Prague Public Transport

The fare structure in Prague is rather complicated and definitely not suitable with a poor sense of time and direction.

Note that the cheapest ticket imposes strict restrictions on time and number of stations travelled

• Trams and buses: valid for 20 min. from validation and you cannot transfer from one form of transport to another e.g. from trams to buses or metro.
• Metro: valid for 30 min. from validation and valid for 5 stations (excluding boarding station; transfer station is counted as a single station)

You can’t afford to get lost – if you miss a tram stop, you are not allowed to transfer to a bus or metro to complete the journey unless you buy a new ticket.  You can wait for the next tram but your trip should be completed within 20 minutes.  Stressed…

Most Prague attractions are within walking distance and it would take you at most 2-3 tram trips to cover most of them (if you plan your trip well).  Thus a 100 CZK day ticket might not be worth it.

Interestingly, a 3-day ticket costs 30 CZK more than if you buy 3 1-day tickets.  So if you are staying in Prague for more than 3 days, it is more worthwhile to buy your day tickets separately.

You can buy your tickets from automated ticket machines, manned counters at metro station or tobacco shops (note: Limited 18 CZK tickets are not sold here).

Tickets sold by automated ticketing machines have very faint indication of their validity so don’t buy too early (more than 1 month ago) or else you will left with a worthless piece of faded paper.

Your safest bet will be these tickets sold by manned booths.

The ticketing machines where you can buy the tickets from – prepare lots of coins to buy your tickets.  Remember to validate your tickets as you board Metro, buses and trams.  The penalty fine for being caught without a validated ticket is quite heavy – 950 CZK!

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If you find all these public transport arrangements a hassle, take a taxi around Prague but take note of these tips to avoid being scammed by Prague taxi drivers.

Czech Trains

If you are visiting places outside Prague e.g. Kutna Hora and Karlstejn, you have to make use of the Czech Railways.  Purchasing train tickets at the Prague Main Station is easy – if you don’t speak Czech, just write down your destination and gesture a 2-way trip then you should be able to get your tickets.  Do some research on the Czech Railways site to plan your journey.

Do note that there are discounts for train tickets under the following conditions:

• If you take a return trip
• If you travel in a group of minimum 2 and maximum 30
  • 1st and 2nd passenger – 25 % discount
  • Every other passenger – 50% discount

The train stations outside Prague are usually quiet and picturesque so you can take lots of cool pictures while waiting for your train

Prague Airport Transfer

The Cedaz shuttle is one of the most economical way to transfer from Prague to the Airport or vice versa.  You can either opt for the public shuttle bus from city centre (V Celnici street) to Prague Ruzyně Airport for 120 CZK or a private shuttle bus from your address to the airport at just 399 CZK for 4 persons.  Interestingly the latter is cheaper and more convenient.

However if you stay further away, the cost could go up to 799 CZK for 4 persons – still reasonable.

You can order your airport transfer online at the Cedaz shuttle site.  Their staff is very punctual and friendly.  Thumbs up!

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