Public Transport Tickets
You need to buy a ticket before you board a bus, tram or metro. Tickets are sold from machines at metro stations, and tram stops, at newsstands, snack shops, newspaper kiosks, hotels, Prague tourist information offices and metro station ticket offices. Contactless card terminals (validators) for the tickets are now installed in all trams and in the metro lobbies. Those payment terminals are intended for the purchase of single journey tickets only. Tickets are valid on tram, metro, bus and the Petřín funicular.
Public transport tickets can be used on any public transportation and allow transfers between lines (subway to subway, tram to tram, etc.) and types of transport (subway to tram, tram to a bus, etc.) for up to 30 minutes (24 CZK) from validation for short ride tickets and 90 minutes (32 CZK) for long ride tickets. You can also buy tickets valid for 24 hours (110 CZK) and three days (310 CZK). Again, these must be validated on first use only; if a ticket is stamped twice, it becomes invalid. With these tickets, you don’t need to pay an extra fare for your luggage. Being caught without a valid ticket entails an 800 CZK on-the-spot fine (200 CZK for not having a luggage ticket). The plain-clothes inspectors travel incognito but will show a red-and-gold metal badge when they ask for your ticket. A few may demand a higher fine from foreigners and pocket the difference, so insist on a receipt before paying.
30 Minutes Ticket (Short Rides)
- Adults: 24 CZK
- Children 6-15 years and seniors 60-70 years old: 12 CZK
- Children under 6 and seniors over 70: FREE
90 Minutes Ticket (Long Rides)
- Adults: 32 CZK
- Children 6-15 years and seniors 60-70 years old: 16 CZK
- Children under 6 and seniors over 70: FREE
Short-Term Passes (Unlimited Travel Within Ticket Validity)
Most visitors find travel passes cost-effective and hassle-free. If you will use public transport more than a few times a day, definitely go for one. Day tickets or longer passes can often be supplied by your hotel concierge but can also be purchased at all major metro stations and newsagents.
- 24-hour pass: 110 CZK (children and seniors 60-65 years old pay only 55 CZK)
- 72-hour pass: 310 CZK
Long-Term Transport Pass
If you stay in Prague for one month or longer, it is a good idea to buy a long-term public transport pass. Most metro stations have ticket offices where you can buy travel passes. All you’ll need is to take two passport photographs with you and fill in a small application form. Don’t worry about filling out a form – for foreigners, and the process is usually done directly on a computer. A quarterly ticket will cost you 1480 CZK, although you can buy them monthly for 550 CZK, five-monthly for 2450 CZK and yearly for 4 750 CZK as well. There are also transferable passes for 30 (670 CZK), 90 (1880 CZK) and 365 (6100 CZK) days. Passes may be purchased without providing personal data, i.e. they are transferable and offer a passenger-selected validity starting date in the year.
If you are caught on the metro without your pass, show your ID card or passport and ask for a ticket. If you can prove your identity, you’ll get only a 30 CZK fine, but you need to take the ticket to the I.P. Pavlova metro station to pay, where they’ll verify that you have a valid pass.
Prague Airport ShuttleBus – Low cost shuttle service directly to the city centre for just €5.
Free Transport
Children from six to 15 years and seniors from 65 to 70 years, who are holders of the PIDcard, travel in the Prague area free of charge.
Fare Zones
Visitors to Prague don’t need to worry about fare zones as the standard Prague tariff includes all metro, bus and tram services and services right out into the suburbs, including the airport. You only need to pay extra if you are travelling beyond the immediate suburbs of Prague into the surrounding country area.
- The underground operates from 5.00 am until midnight.
- Trams and buses run from 4.30 am until 12.15 am with minimal night service.
Ways to Buy
Tickets and passes are available at the following Public Transport Information Centres:
- Metro/Tram/Bus kiosks at Ruzyne Airport, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrival halls.
- Most Metro stations have a staffed window where ticket and passes can be purchased.
- Ticket vending machines at public transport stops dispense single tickets but only accept coins in payment.
- An extensive agency network of newsagents, hotels, tour operators etc., also sell tickets valid for up to five days.
- From a mobile phone with a Czech SIM card, you can purchase a 32 CZK ticket by texting “DPT32” to 90206.
Automatic Ticket Machines
You can buy transport tickets at designated ticket sellers (including newsagents and hotel receptions) or the automatic ticket machines located in each metro station. The ticket machines and tickets themselves may vary in design and colour, but they are still applicable to all forms of transport. The machine offers all types of tickets.
Ticket machine operation instructions:
- Select required ticket.
- If you are happy that you have selected the right type of ticket, press the výdej button to confirm your choice. If you are unsure, press the button labelled storno and start the process again.
- When you have confirmed your choice of ticket, insert coins into this slot. Most machines give change.
- Collect your ticket and any change that may be due to you from the large slot at the base of the machine.
SMS Ticket
You don’t need to buy classic paper tickets when using public transport in Prague. All you have to do is a text from your mobile. Send an SMS to 90206 with subject DPT32. Wait a few seconds – sometimes it can take up to one minute – and your ticket will arrive (subject to your mobile credit balance). When you meet a controller, you show him your display with your ticket number. The price is the same as for ordinary paper tickets, 32 CZK, and is valid for 90 minutes. The ticket can be ordered only using a local sim card (from a Czech operator). Below you will find a listing of all tickets which can be bought from your mobile.
- DPT32 – ticket for 90 minutes for 32 CZK
- DPT24 – ticket for 30 minutes for 24 CZK
- DPT110 – ticket for 24 hours for 110 CZK
- DPT310 – ticket for 72 hours for 310 CZK
Ticket Validation & Inspection
Public transport operates on the honour system: you are assumed to have a ticket. All tickets must be validated, which means that you must insert them into the yellow stamping machine inside trams and buses or at the metro stations when you first use it. Tickets do not need to be re-validated when transferring services or starting a new journey within the validity period.
Ticket inspectors identified by an official badge regularly check passengers and are authorised to fine a passenger without a valid ticket up to 1500 CZK (reduced to 800 CZK if paid on the spot). There is also a 200 CZK fine for not having a luggage ticket.
Prague Airport Hotel Taxi – Only €20. English speaking drivers. Free city tour, map and guidebook.
When using public transport you are expected to give up your seat for the elderly and disabled.
