Getting around in Prague and Czech Republic

Walking

The very center of Prague, the old town, as well as the castle require walking to see the main tourist sights.
Tourist Prague is generally a place which can be experienced solely by walking.

Example: Walk from Letna park, looking down on old town, through the castle, over Charles bridge to old town square and to Wenceslas square in 4-5h including 1.5h for meals.

We hand you a map and give you hints for walking tours upon arrival.

In case your health only permits minimal walking: Please inquire in advance, we can plan you an individual route and have a taxi arranged on special fare to avoid walks. We can also recommend bike and electric scooter rentals.

Public transport

Schedule

ticket types

All tickets are transfer tickets and can be used on different lines. Ask us for discounted long term transport passes.

  • 31 CZK for 30min
  • 42 CZK for 90 min
  • 120 CZK 24h (from the exact time you stamp it) – my recommendation
  • 330 CZK 3 days (from the exact time you stamp it)

The tickets include all Prague public transport which is the metro, trams, buses and the furnicular that drives up Petřín hill, as well as the ferry boat lines Smíchovská Náplavka-Vytoň-Císařská Louka-Kotevní and the Pražská Tržnice-Rohansky Ostrov.

For getting stuck in traffic with a bus: The travel time that matters is the estimated transport time which you find on the schedule. Your ticket will not expire because of traffic jam.

Where to buy tickets

In most trams you can get tickets at contact-less payment terminals in the tram. (Unfortunately not in all)

Otherwise can get tickets at the yellow ticket vending machines (that take coins only) and in most tobacco / newspaper shops in or at the metro stations or around tram stops.

Travelling outside of Prague

The city transport covers a rather large area also around Prague.

For trips to other cities check following links, public transport is very affordable in CZ

  • RegioJet / StudentAgency – they claim to have the most modern bus fleet in Europe, offer free drinks, WIFI and movies in their coaches and are cheap. Also some trains.
  • Flixbus – predominant in many European countries, but much less reliable than RegioJet
  • Czech Republic public transport planner
  • ask me for recommendations

Taxi including a STRONG WARNING

Do not take a taxi in Prague if you don’t have to. The bigger share of taxi drivers in Prague are EVIL / criminals (no joke)

  • 28.12.2012 negative impression: guests paid 1.400 CZK (55 Euro) for a trip of 4km which should be 100 CZK (4 Euro), the change was given in old outdated Czech bills which adds another 25 Euro of useless money
  • search Google for prague, taxi, police and you will find plenty of reports ranging unto people having to get hospitalised

Recommended Taxi apps

  1. Liftago app – this is the most common local app for regular taxis. I recommend that one above Uber. Has the same features, drivers apply to your journey and you can pick as by car and rating. Links: App Store|Google Play
  2. Uber app – Gets you to the apartment for about 350-650 CZK depending on surcharge. It works but takes a little longer than ticktack.cz and cars vary

Normal taxi providers

  • a taxi costs maximum 28 CZK / km by city ordinance
    • do not(!) take a taxi on the street. Do not enter the car before you have the final price settled with the driver and do so only if you think you are fit to fight for it after the ride
    • organise a taxi by phone, SMS or internet (hotline speaks English) on www.aaataxi.cz (regular but don’t trust them on the street!) or nejlevnejsi-taxi.cz (cheapest) or Tick Tack Taxi (nicest, most trustful)
    • use the “fair price” taxi stands where you can check the standard fares on tables (this is no warranty for those being charged, hence ask before you get in a taxi)
  • on arrival we will always come outside to deal with the driver if you feel something is wrong (just SMS or call, don’t tell him)

Driving your own car in Prague

Just do not do it!

Things to have in mind

Parking is a real issue, not only cost but also availability. It can take 30min at night to find a spot. Read where to park in the arrivals article for which I sent you a link.

Czech Republic has a 0.00 alcohol limit for drivers.

Getting around by car is not recommended, driving works on weekends and in the evening but at that times you may spend ages to find a parking lot.
The city center is jammed, does not have straight roads and almost everything is a one-way.
General recommendation: avoid the very center of Prague, especially in rush hours

Paul’s examples

  • public transport (metro) from home to work in the center: 20min door to door
  • car from home to work in the center: 70min door to door plus finding a parking lot

Rush hours

A significant share of Prague people spend the weekend out, most are leaving the city Friday between 2pm till about 6.30pm and coming back into Prague Sunday between 4.30pm and 7pm or Monday morning 8am to 10am. Tourists are arriving Friday afternoon.
I take great care to avoid going in this times by car in the same direction as the Prague people. Traffic jams in the city and on the highways add up a lot.

During working days:
Avoid the big street that leads through the very center passing Wenceslas square in the morning 8.00 to 10.30am as well as 1pm to 2.30pm and from 4pm to 6.30pm. Avoid the streets between river and old town at the same times.

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