Public Transport Tickets

You need to buy a ticket before boarding a bus, tram, or metro. Tickets are valid on trams, the metro, and buses, but not on the Petřín funicular. For the Petřín funicular, you must purchase a special 60 CZK ticket or hold a valid 24- or 72-hour pass.

Public transport tickets can be used on any public transportation and allow transfers between lines (metro to metro, tram to tram, etc.) and types of transport (metro to tram, tram to a bus, etc.) for up to 30 minutes (30 CZK) from validation for short ride tickets and 90 minutes (40 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 1000 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: 30 CZK
• Children 6-15 years and seniors 60-70 years old: 15 CZK
• Children under 6 and seniors over 70: FREE

90 Minutes Ticket (Long Rides)

• Adults: 40 CZK
• Children 6-15 years and seniors 60-70 years old: 20 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: 120 CZK (children and seniors 60-65 years old pay only 60 CZK)
• 72-hour pass: 330 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, and yearly for 3 650 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.

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 Purchase Tickets and Passes

• Airport:
  Public Transport kiosks at Ruzyne Airport, located in the arrival halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, sell tickets. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets from machines at public bus stops that accept both card and cash.

• Direct Purchases on Tram/Bus/Metro:
  Tickets can be bought directly from contactless card terminals on metros, buses, or trams (cash is not accepted).

• Public Transport Information Centres:
  Most metro stations have a staffed window where you can purchase tickets and passes.

• Vending Machines at Stops:
  Selected public transport stops have ticket machines that dispense single tickets and accept both cards and coins.

• Agency Network:
  An extensive network of newsagents sells tickets valid for up to five days.

• Mobile Purchases via SMS:
  If you have a Czech SIM card, text “DPT42” to 90206 for a 40 CZK ticket or “DPT31” for a 30 CZK ticket.

• PID Lítačka Mobile App:
  Purchase tickets using the PID Lítačka mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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 DPT42. 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, 40 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.

• DPT42 – ticket for 90 minutes for 40 CZK
• DPT31 – ticket for 30 minutes for 30 CZK
• DPT120 – ticket for 24 hours for 120 CZK
• DPT330 – ticket for 72 hours for 330 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 1000 CZK if paid on the spot). There is also a 400 CZK fine for not having a luggage ticket (reduced to 200 CZK if paid on the spot).

Prague Airport Hotel Taxi – Only €29. 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.