How to Use Public Transport in Prague Like a Pro

Prague Integrated Transport, known as PID, uses time-based tickets. One ticket is valid across metro, trams, buses, and the Petřín funicular, so you can transfer during the ticket’s validity window.

A 30-minute ticket is useful for short trips of a few metro stops or a quick tram ride. A 90-minute ticket is better for longer journeys or transfers. The 24-hour pass is a convenient choice for active sightseeing days, while a 72-hour pass suits many weekend visits.

Before travelling, check the current fare at the official PID Lítačka app or ticket machine, as prices and ticket options can change.

Buying tickets is straightforward and increasingly digital. Contactless terminals in trams and at metro entries allow payment by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The official PID Lítačka app also sells electronic tickets and shows real-time disruptions.

Yellow ticket machines are found in metro stations. Older machines may require Czech coins, while newer versions accept contactless cards. You can also find paper tickets at selected newsstands and convenience shops.

For the least friction, use a contactless terminal or buy an electronic ticket in the official app before you travel.

The most common tourist mistake is forgetting to validate a paper ticket. A paper ticket bought from a machine or shop must be stamped once, immediately before the journey begins, in the yellow validator at a metro entrance or inside a tram or bus.

Tickets purchased through a contactless terminal inside a tram are automatically valid from the moment of purchase. Digital tickets follow the activation rules shown in the PID Lítačka app.

Plainclothes ticket inspectors carry official identification and check routes frequently. Travelling with an unvalidated ticket can lead to an on-the-spot fine.

You do not need an expensive airport taxi to reach central Prague. Trolleybus line 59 departs from terminals 1 and 2 and connects to Nádraží Veleslavín on Metro Line A. From there, the historic centre is easy to reach with a regular public transport ticket.

The Airport Express bus is another option, running directly to Prague Main Railway Station, Hlavní nádraží. It has its own fare and is useful if you are connecting to a train.

Check the official PID journey planner when you land, especially if you arrive late, because service patterns can vary by time and day.

Tram 22 is one of Prague’s most scenic everyday routes. It passes landmarks including the National Theatre, Malostranské náměstí, Prague Castle, and Strahov Monastery.

It is not a dedicated tour bus, so you travel alongside local passengers and use a standard public transport ticket. That makes it a far less expensive way to connect several major sights.

Avoid the busiest commuter moments if you are travelling with luggage, and give yourself time to enjoy the views rather than treating the route as a race.