Prague Public Transportation

Prague has an excellent public transportation system (MHD in Czech). There are trams (streetcars), busses and the metro (subway). They all use the same tickets which can be purchased in the metro stations, in some shops, some hotels, etc. They cannot be purchased in the tram, bus or subway car. Follow English instructions on the ticket. There are some "night trams" which run only at night. Please make sure you validate your ticket as you enter the metro station or tram. These yellow machines are located on posts as you enter. An invalidated ticket is the same as no ticket and if checked by the metro personnel, there is a large penalty payable on the spot. One enters the metro area, tram or bus without having his/her ticket checked, however, the MHD personnell do routine checks often!
For more detailed information, please visit the official site of the Prague Integrated Public Transportation System

Ticket prices as of January 1, 2008

Transfer tickets - CZK 26 per person for adults and CZK 13 per person 6-15 years of age inclusive + pensioners under 70 years of age. Over 70, they are free.

Tickets for two fare zones (pretty much all of Prague) can be used 75 minutes from validation. On work days from 08:00 PM to 05:00 AM and on Saturdays and Sundays, such tickets can be used 90 minutes from validation.

Non-transfer tickets - CZK 18 per person for adults and CZK 9 per person 6-15 years inclusive + pensioners under 70 years of age. Over 70, they are free.

These apply to trams and busses for 20 minutes allowing no change. On the Metro such tickets are valid for the distance of 5 stations from the station of validation (not including the station of validation) allowing to change between the lines A,B,C, up to 30 minutes. These tickets do not apply to night routes and funicular railway.

From the airport into the city center by public transportation:

To get from the airport to town the cheapest way:

Coming out of customs at Prague Ruzyne airport .... look right in the hall. Almost in front of the stairs is a booth selling tickets for public transportation. Purchase your CZK 26 tickets for each way and person. They will also give you all the information you need. You will also need to pay for your luggage - CZK 13 per suitcase.

If you don't have Czech money, there are ATMs/bankmachines to the left of the the main door of the arrivals halls, facing out. There are stands in the arrivals hall of both terminals which will sell you these tickets along with giving you a free map of the metro system.

Coming out of the halls, cross the first street and look for bus #119 to the metro stop "Dejvicka". Validate your ticket as you enter the bus - it goes about every 10 minutes or so. Change at Dejvicka to green metro line going toward "Skalka". Get of at "Staromestska" - 3 stops. Coming out of the metro station, go right toward the white, baroque church, St. Nicholas. This will take you to Old Town Square. To the right of you is a large, old tower. This is the tower with the famous Astronomical Clock. Going around the front of the tower are glass doors with "Information". Go inside and the right counter has free maps of the city. You must ask for a free one to get it.