Prague: By Public Transit

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By Public Transit

Prague has an excellent public transit system, which includes a clean and reliable underground subway system -- called the metro -- as well as an extensive tram and bus network. Metro stations are marked with an inconspicuous M sign. A refurbished old tram, No. 91, travels through the Old Town and Lesser Quarter on summer weekends. Beware of pickpockets, who often operate in large groups on crowded trams and metro cars.

The basic, transferrable metro and tram ticket costs 20 Kc. It permits one hour's travel throughout the metro, tram, and bus network between 5 AM and 8 PM on weekdays, or 90 minutes' travel at other times. Single-ride tickets cost 14 Kc and allow one 15-minute ride on a tram or bus, without transfer, or a metro journey of up to four stations lasting less than 30 minutes (transfer between lines is allowed). If you're carrying a big bag, you need to buy an additional 10 Kc ticket.

Tickets (jízdenky) can be bought at dispensing machines in the metro stations and at some newsstands.

You can also buy a one-day pass allowing unlimited use of the system for 80 Kc, a 3-day pass for 220 Kc, a 7-day pass for 280 Kc, or a 15-day pass for 320 Kc. The passes can be purchased at the main metro stations, from ticket machines, and at some newsstands in the center. A pass is not valid until stamped in the orange machines in metro stations or aboard trams and the required information is entered on the back (there are instructions in English).

The trams and metros shut down around midnight, but special night trams, numbered 50 to 59, and some buses run all night. Night trams run at 30-minute intervals, and all routes intersect at the corner of Lazarská and Spálená streets in the New Town, near the Národní trída metro station. Schedules and regulations in English are on the transportation department's official Web site. Travel Information Centers provide all substantial information about public transport operation, routes, timetables, etc. They are at major metro stations and at both terminals at the airport.

Validate your metro ticket at an orange stamping machine before descending the escalator. Trains are patrolled often; the fine for riding without a valid ticket is 800 Kc, but the fine is reduced if you pay on the spot. Tickets for buses are the same as those used for the metro, although you validate them at machines inside the bus or tram.

Transit Information Web Sites

Dopravní Podnik (www.dpp.cz).

Transit Information Centers

Andel (296-191-817). Mustek (296-191-817). Muzeum (296-191-817). Nádrazí Holesovice (296-191-817). Ruzyne Airport (296-191-817).

Lost & Found

Lost & Found (Karoliny Svetlé 5, Staré Mesto. 224-235-085).