GETTING AROUND

Arriving by Air

Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), 16 km (10 miles) northwest of the city centre, is Prague’s only international airport. Terminal 2 serves the Schengen zone: mainly continental EU countries and Switzerland. Terminal 1 serves other destinations, including the UK and Ireland. The airport is well served by international airlines, with direct connections to major European cities, plus many Middle Eastern cities. There are normally no direct flights to North America, although Czech Airlines (ČSA) and Delta sometimes offer flights to New York (JFK) or Atlanta over Christmas and summer holidays.

Both the terminals are modern, well-maintained structures, with shops, restaurants, ATMs, car rental offices and tourist information booths.

Getting to and from Prague airport is easy, economical and relatively fast. The two terminals are connected to the town centre through buses, minibuses and taxis. Prague Public Transit bus No 119 runs regularly from 4:30am to midnight and departs from just outside the arrivals area of both terminals. Take it to the line’s last station, Nádraží Veleslavín, then switch to metro line A into the city centre. Tickets (Kč32, good for both the bus and metro) can be bought at public transport booths inside the terminals, or from orange ticket vending machines (have local currency handy). Another option is the AE bus to the main railway station (60Kč – tickets from the driver). There is a shared shuttle bus run by Prague Airport Shuttles that goes to the city centre every 15 minutes for Kč290 per person. You can also request to be dropped off at your hotel or accommodation. Taxis line up outside the arrival halls of both terminals and cost about Kč650 to the centre.

International Train Travel

Regular high-speed international trains connect Prague’s Hlavní nádraží and Nádraží Holešovice stations to other major cities across Europe. Reservations for these services are essential as seats book up quickly, particularly in the busy summer months.

You can buy tickets and passes for multiple international journeys from Eurail or Interrail, however you may still need to pay an additional reservation fee depending on what rail service you travel with. Always check that your pass is valid on the service on which you wish to travel before boarding. Students and those under the age of 26 can benefit from discounted rail travel. For more information on discounted rail travel both in and to the Czech Republic, visit the Interrail or Eurail website.

Domestic Train Travel

The railways in the Czech Republic are run by České Dráhy (ČD).

The biggest and busiest railway station in Prague is Hlavní nádraží, which is only a 5-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. After a thorough renovation, the Art Nouveau station now features a gleaming interior with shops, restaurants, a pub and even a jeweller. The lower ground floor has an inexpensive left-luggage facility and the central ticket office (open 3:20am–00:30am). There is also a ČD Travel office, where all international rail tickets are available from multilingual station staff and ticket machines.

There are several types of train services operating in Prague and throughout the Czech Republic, including the rychlík (express) trains; the osobní (passenger) trains which form a local service and stop at all stations; and the express, for longer distances.

Tickets can be bought in advance. If you want to buy a ticket just before your train leaves, be aware that queues at ticket booths can be long.

On the timetable, an “R” in a box by a train number means you must have a seat reserved on that train. An “R” without a box means a reservation is recommended. If you are caught in the wrong carriage, you will have to pay an on-the-spot fine.

Public Transport

Prague’s bus, tram and metro services are provided by the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP). Its website and app provide timetables, ticket information, transport maps and more.

The best way of getting around central Prague by public transport is by tram or metro. Prague’s rush hours are between 6am and 9am and 3pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, more trains, trams and buses run at these times, so crowding is not usually a problem. Some bus routes to the suburbs only run during peak hours. It is worth noting that the city centre is compact, and so most of the major sights are within walking distance of one another.

Tickets

Prague has a fully integrated public transport system. As such, tickets are conveniently valid on all forms of public transport in the city, including bus, tram, metro, rail and boat services, and even the funicular railway that runs from Újezd to the top of Petřín Hill.

Tickets are available from machines at metro stations, main tram stops and at most news stands (tabák) which can be found at various locations throughout the city.

Buy tickets before you travel and validate them in the machines provided. Periodic checks are carried out by plain-clothes ticket inspectors who will levy a large on-the-spot fine if you are caught without a valid ticket. Children under 6 travel free and tickets for children aged 6–15 are half price.

Individual ticket prices add up; longer-term tickets are good value if you are planning on exploring the city thoroughly. Network tickets offer unlimited travel for a set number of days. Tickets are available for one day (Kč110) and three days (Kč310).

You can buy paperless public transport tickets direct from your mobile or smart device using the SMS Ticket app.

Buses

Visitors are likely to use a bus only to travel to and from the airport, or to sights further out of town, such as the zoo. There are three bus lines that operate in Malá Strana, Old Town and New Town.

Bus timetables are located at every stop. Daytime buses run from5am to midnight every 6–30 minutes. Night buses (routes 901–915) operate from midnight to 4:30am every 20–60 minutes.

Usual fares apply. Tickets bought on board are more expensive and can be paid for in cash only. Validate your pre-bought tickets in the machine located at each door.

Long-Distance Bus Travel

Long-distance bus or coach travel can be a cheap option for those visiting Prague and some Czech towns, such as Karlovy Vary, Hradec Králové, Český Krumlov and Terezín, are much easier to reach by coach than train.

The city’s main bus terminal is Florenc, on the northeastern edge of the New Town.

Flixbus and RegioJet offer a variety of routes to Prague from other European cities as well as several domestic routes. Fares are very reasonable and there are discounts for students, children and seniors.

Trams

Trams are Prague’s oldest and most efficient method of public transport. The city’s comprehensive tram network covers quite a large area, including the city centre.

Maps and timetables at tram stops help you locate your destination and route. On the timetable, the stop you are at will be underlined and stops below the line will indicate where the tram is heading. The direction of travel is given by the terminus station.

Routes 9, 14, 17 and 22 are the most useful for getting around the centre of Prague. They pass many of the major sights on both sides of the Vltava, and are a cheap and pleasant way of sightseeing.

Trams run 4:30am–12:30am daily every 4–20 minutes. Night trams (routes 91–99) run every 30 minutes and are marked by white numbers on a dark background at stops.

Tram tickets are also valid for travel on the metro and buses, but they must be bought before travel. Validate your ticket using the yellow machines on board.

Metro

The metro is the fastest way to get around the city. Prague’s underground system comprises three lines (A, B and C) operating from 5am until midnight every 1–4 minutes at peak times during weekdays (6–9am and 3–5pm daily), and every 4–10 minutes during off-peak times.

Line A (green) is the most useful metro line for tourists, covering all the main areas of the city centre – Prague Castle, the Old Town, Malá Strana and the New Town – including the main shopping area around Wenceslas Square.

Stations are signposted in both English and Czech, and feature information panels in a number of languages.

Taxis

All taxis in Prague are privately owned, and there are many unscrupulous drivers who are out to charge as much as they can get away with. If you think you have been scammed by a taxi driver, take their name and number so you can report them to the police.

Look for Fair Place taxi ranks marked with a yellow “taxi” sign and an orange “thumbs up” icon. Taxis that stop here will guarantee the maximum charges of Kč40 boarding fee, Kč28 per km travel and Kč6 per minute waiting. After the journey, the driver is obliged to print an official receipt.

Taxi companies that are safe to hail on the street include AAA Taxi and Profi Taxi. However, the cheapest way to get a taxi is to phone or use the company’s mobile app.

Unless your Czech pronunciation is very good, it is useful to have your destination written down in Czech.

Driving to Prague

The Czech Republic is easily reached by car from most countries in Europe via E-roads, the International European Road Network.

Prague is connected to every major border crossing by motorways (D roads) and expressways (R roads). To drive on the motorway you will need to display a special highway toll sticker available at the border, petrol stations and post offices.

Car Rental

To rent a car in the Czech Republic, you must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid licence for at least one year. Drivers under the age of 26 may incur a young driver surcharge.

EU driving licences issued by any of the EU member states are valid throughout the European Union. If visiting from outside the EU, you may need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check with your local automobile association before you travel.

Driving in Prague

Driving in Prague is not recommended. The city’s complex web of one-way streets, lack of parking and pedestrianized areas make driving very difficult.

Beware of cyclists and trams in the city. Trams take precedence; take care when turning; and allow cyclists priority.

Vehicles must be parked on the right hand side of the road, with the exception of one-way streets.

Parking spaces in the centre are scarce, and the penalties for illegal parking are harsh. Parkuj v klidu provide detailed information regarding parking. Meter parking from 8am to 8pm costs a maximum Kč80 per hour. Orange zones allow parking for two hours and violet zones for a maximum of 24; blue zones are reserved for residents. To use the meter, insert coins for the amount of time you need. The inspection is done automatically by the monitoring system based on the registration mark (licence plate) of the vehicle. Unfortunately, car theft is rife. Try to park in an official – preferably underground – car park or at one of the guarded car parks (look for the “P+R” symbol) at the edge of the city and use public transport to travel in.

If a car accident occurs, the vehicle cannot be moved until there has been a police inspection. In case of emergency, you can call the road traffic assistance, Autoklub Bohemia Assistance (ÚAMK), on the phone number 1240.

Rules of the Road

Always drive on the right. Unless signposted otherwise, vehicles coming from the right have right of way.

At all times, drivers must carry a valid driver’s licence, registration and insurance documents.

The law states that both driver and all passengers should wear seat belts. Small children must travel in the back seat.

The use of a mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system.

Speed limits and a zero tolerance drink-driving policy are strictly enforced in Prague.

Cycling

Prague is generally a bike-friendly city, with many designated cycle lanes.

Ride on the right. Beware of tram tracks; cross them at an angle to avoid getting stuck. For your own safety, do not walk with your bike in a bike lane or cycle on pavements, in pedestrian zones, or in the dark without lights. Wearing a helmet is recommended.

Bicycles can be rented hourly or by the day. Deposits are usually paid upfront and refunded on return. Praha Bike offers private rentals and tours. Public bicycle schemes such as Rekola, which is operated through an app, are also available.

As part of the Prague–Vienna Greenways Project, well-maintained bike paths line both sides of the Vltava, and there are a number of biking trails linking Prague and Vienna. Details of other bike tours and excursions are available from Prague City Tourism.

Prague by Boat

Regular transport tickets are also valid on the public boat service (lines P1–6).

Boat tours along the Vltava river allow for fabulous views of Prague’s major sights. Most run during the summer months, and include one- or two-hour tours, romantic dinner cruises and private rentals.

Tickets can be booked in advance from tour providers. Check out Evropská Vodní Doprava or Prague Boats. Alternatively you can enquire on the day at one of the many boarding points along the river.

Walking

Walking is the best – and often the only – way to see much of the city. The centre is about 4 km (2.5 miles) from end to end and many of the historic sights are in pedestrian zones. Wear flat-soled comfortable shoes, watch your step on the cobblestones, and keep a look out for trams that have priority of crossing.

. Guided walking tours abound, with themes that include historic Prague and haunted Prague. Most tours meet up just below the Astronomical Clock on Old Town Square.

DIRECTORY

ARRIVING BY AIR

Czech Airlines

prac_info csa.cz

Delta

prac_info delta.com

Prague Airport Shuttles

prac_info prague-airport-shuttle.cz

Václav Havel Airport Prague

prac_info prg.aero

INTERNATIONAL TRAIN TRAVEL

Eurail

prac_info eurail.com

Interrail

prac_info interrail.eu

DOMESTIC TRAIN TRAVEL

České Dráhy (ČD)

prac_info cd.cz

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

DPP

prac_info dpp.cz

Long-Distance Bus Travel

Flixbus

prac_info flixbus.com

RegioJet

prac_info egiojet.com

TAXIS

AAA Taxi

prac_info aaataxi.cz

Profi Taxi

prac_info profifitaxi.cz

DRIVING IN PRAGUE

Parkuj v klidu

prac_info parkujvklidu.cz

ÚAMK

prac_info uamk.cz

CYCLING

Prague–Vienna Greenways Project

prac_info pragueviennagreenways.org

Praha Bike

prac_info prahabike.cz

Rekola

prac_info rekola.cz

PRAGUE BY BOAT

Prague Boats

prac_info prague-boats.cz

Evropská Vodní Doprava

prac_info evd.cz

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