Getting Around

Getting Around

While Prague is a wonderfully walkable city, perfect for exploring its charming streets and hidden corners, its efficient public transportation system is ideal for covering longer distances. You'll find a comprehensive network of buses, trams (streetcars), and a three-line metro (subway) densely covering every city´s corner.
PID Lítačka app is an invaluable tool for navigating Prague's public transport. Its live map feature allows you to see the real-time locations of buses, trams, and metro trains, ensuring you always know what transportation options and stops are near your destination. Additionally, the app makes it incredibly easy to plan your journeys by simply entering your starting point and destination, providing you with the best routes and connections. The app is available for free download in the Apple Store or Google Play. If you need help setting things up, check in with your Community Manager during Orientation the first day.
You can purchase a monthly pass that is valid on all public transport systems in Prague.
Short time tickets (30mins, 90mins) can be purchased at any newspaper shop, at ticket machines at the entry to every metro station, inside of the buses/the trams directly from a ticket machine (not from the driver).

Validation of the tickets: it's essential to validate your ticket immediately upon boarding a bus, tram, or entering a metro station. You'll find yellow validation machines inside buses and trams, and at the entrances of metro stations. Simply insert your ticket into the machine until it stamps a date and time on it. This validation activates your ticket for the duration of its validity. Failure to validate your ticket can result in fines during ticket inspections.
TIP: However, if you purchase your ticket directly from a machine inside a bus or tram, it is usually already validated, so no further action is needed. Just check the ticket states date and time of validation.

TIP: Travelers aged 65 and over enjoy complimentary access to all public transport within Prague (except for the AE Express buses!). Please ensure you carry with you your original passport (not copy!) clearly stating your age, as you may be asked to present it to a ticket inspector. You won't need any tickets beyond your passport – just bring that along and enjoy the ride.

Consider if you really need a car: Prague is very walkable, and its superb public transport makes a car unnecessary. While a car is useful for exploring the Czech countryside or nearby towns (which are also well-connected by buses and trains), parking in Prague, especially the historical center with its colored zones, is notoriously difficult.
Insurance: Rental car insurance can be expensive, so check your existing car insurance and credit card coverage to see if they provide rental car protection in the Czech republic.
Tolls: Driving on highways in the Czech Republic typically requires paying tolls. For vehicles up to 3.5 tons (most passenger cars), this is done through a vignette (or electronic e-vignette tied to the registration plate). There are no physical toll booths. You generally need to purchase the vignette before entering these roads. Double check with the rental company that the car has the vignette.

Driving in Prague: Driving in Prague presents several challenges, including frequent traffic jams, lack of parking, and ongoing construction. It's crucial to understand local traffic laws before driving. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks, and cyclists do not always respect the traffic flow or one-way streets. Be particularly mindful of trams (trams have priority over pedestrians even at crossings!) and the occasional horse-drawn carriage sharing the roads. Stay alert for jaywalkers and disrespectful people riding on shared scooters.
Parking: Parking in Prague utilizes a colored zone system to regulate parking, especially in central areas. These zones include blue, orange, and purple, each with specific rules and restrictions. If there is no color, please always check if you see a sign or parking machine for payment.

Blue zones are primarily for residents and businesses with permits and are generally not for tourist parking.
Orange zones where every visitor to Prague can park for the limited time indicated on the sign (usually 2hrs). You can easily pay at streetside parking machines.
Purple zones also offer paid parking for everybody but usually with longer allowable parking durations compared to orange zones.
TIP: Paid parking is available on the streets around your accommodation building, or at public parking lots at the Main Train Station in Prague (350 m) and Parking Center (500 m).

Prague is becoming increasingly bike-friendly, offering a pleasant way to explore the city. While some of the cobblestone streets in the Old Town can be a bit bumpy, many areas have dedicated bike lanes or calmer roads suitable for cycling. Consider using shared bikes like Rekola. These distinctive pink bikes are readily available throughout many parts of Prague. To use Rekola, you'll typically need to download their mobile app, available in the Apple Store or Google Play. Through the app, you can locate available bikes on a map.

For more information please check https://www.rekola.cz/en/
TIP: Riding a bike on the pavement (sidewalk) in Prague is generally prohibited for adults. According to Czech traffic laws, cyclists are considered vehicles and must use designated bike lanes or the regular roadways. Some areas within Old Town might have specific pedestrian zones or restrictions that prohibit cycling.