How to use public transport in Prague?

How to use public transport in Prague?

How to use public transport in Prague?

It’s very simple! There are several options for tickets and a portable travel card. How to use them and where can I buy them, read on.

Tickets and travel cards apply to all types of transport (tram, metro, bus, funicular to Petřín, for crossing the river from one bank to the other, and on some railway tracks).

If you come to Prague from a week to a month, and plan to actively use transport, that is, say you will not live in the center of Prague, then I recommend buying a portable travel card (přenosná jízdenka). Its cost is 1 000 CZK for 1 month.

Portable means that you can purchase it without specifying your personal data, and you can get it immediately on the spot. And if you leave Prague before the end of the travel card, you can resell it to another person. In the same way, you can buy it from someone. Look at the forums, or in groups in the FB with Prague ads. The travel card is of course designed for one person. Valid from any date you want, for one month.

Tickets (jízdenky). They are valid for a limited time. You can buy tickets for: 30 min, 90 min, 24 h, 72 h.

 

Updated prices for November 2025:

  • 30 min – 39 CZK (paper), 36 CZK (in the app), 42 CZK (SMS)
  • 90 min – 50 CZK (paper), 46 CZK (in the app), 55 CZK (SMS)
  • 24 h -150 CZK (paper/SMS), 140 CZK (in the app)
  • 72 h – 350 CZK

 

Where to buy tickets now:

  • At many tram and bus stops.
  • At all metro stations — in yellow vending machines (accept cards).
  • In mini-markets and Relay kiosks.
  • Directly inside all trams and buses — by tapping your bank card on the onboard terminal (small validator).
  • The ticket becomes valid immediately, no need for paper.
  • In the PID Lítačka mobile app (electronic tickets).
  • By SMS (for Czech mobile operators).

 

⚠️ Buying tickets from the driver is no longer possible.

All onboard sales are now through contactless terminals only.

Tickets become valid from the moment of composting in the yellow validator or activating in the onboard terminal and only for the time specified on the ticket. For example, you need to go three stops by tram, then change to the metro and go another stop, let’s say it takes 15 minutes along with the transition to the metro and exit from it. You buy a ticket for 30 minutes, punch it in the validator in the tram, and save it until you exit the metro. And if the exit from the metro is your final point, then you can throw away the ticket, or save it for memory, since its validity period is only 30 minutes from the moment of penetration. Its validity period is not postponed or suspended.

For children from 0 to 6 years old and people over 70 years old, travel is free.

If there are no Czech coins, you can buy a ticket by sending a text message with a certain message to the number. The ticket price is the same as for a paper ticket, but plus sending a message at the tariff of your operator. Valid for Czech operators. You need to send a text message three minutes before boarding the transport, or entering the metro, or rather wait for a text message with ticket data. Information about the current number and the text of the message can be found on the doors of transport or at bus stops.

You can now buy tickets through the PID Lítačka app. Choose the right number of tickets and the right time of validity, and pay with a card.

The rules for traveling with a baby carriage are described in great detail on the official website of the public transport: tap here.

FINE! If you decide to go like a hare, then be ready to meet with the controllers. Calculate whether it is worth it to ride for free, but at the end of the holiday to pay 1 500 CZK per person, or 1 000 CZK if you pay immediately.

If you had a valid travel card but forgot it at home, the fine is 50 CZK.

If you have any questions, write: tap here.

*Update 2025-11-28