The Czech Republic is located in the heart of Europe and has an extensive transport system with other countries. Urban transport in the Czech Republic also shows a high level of development. Public transport for Czechs and tourists anywhere in the country is a necessary means of transportation. Let's figure out how to buy a ticket for transport in the Czech Republic.
Public transport as a means of transportation in the Czech Republic
Public transport in the Czech Republic is represented by the following types: metro, trams, buses, river ferries (in Prague) and funiculars (in Prague - to Petřín Hill and in the zoo, in Karlovy Vary - funicular “Diana”).
The metro is the most demanded form of public transport in the Czech Republic, because it is the most convenient way to get to anywhere in the city.
The peculiarity of the Czech metro is that there are no turnstiles installed there. However, you should not travel without a ticket, as there are often controllers on public transport who patrol the metro together with the police.
The second most popular is the bus service. In addition to daytime buses, night buses run in some cities. The schedule of night flights differs from the daily schedule.
In third place is the tram service. Many routes in cities pass by attractions. Getting to the right place, the passenger can quickly inspect the remarkable places in the area.
The metro in the Czech Republic operates from 5.00 to 00.00, on Friday and Saturday - until 1.00. The interval between trains reaches 2-3 minutes. Trams run from 4.30 to 00.00. Buses run on the same schedule.
Trams and buses run every 7-15 minutes.
There are night routes by buses and trams. For example, in Prague night trams No. 90-99 run from 00.00 to 4.30 every half hour. All flights cross at one stop Lazarska, from where you can get anywhere in the city. Buses 901-960 run from 00.00 to 4.30 every hour.
Service address: Karolíny Světlé 5, Prague 1 - Staré Město, 110 00. Telephone: +420 224 235 085.
The address of the ticket loss office is Na Bojišti 5, Praha 2. Telephone: +420 296 192 173.
Types of tickets and purchase options
There is a unified ticket system for all types of transport in the Czech Republic. So, when buying a ticket for 90 minutes, you can travel 10 minutes by bus, 20 minutes by funicular, 30 minutes by metro and tram. A one-time ticket or a monthly pass is available at points of sale.
| Tickets | Adult | Child | Teenager | Student | Senor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard - 90 minutes | Tickets are 15 years old and older. Opencard ("Prague citizen's card") - from 19 years old and older. | 6 to 15 years old. When a child turns 10 years old, a document with first and last name, date of birth and photo must be provided. | Age - 15 to 19 years old. | From 19 to 26 years old. It is required to present a document, accredited in the Czech Republic or ISIC, confirming the student's status. | Age - 60 to 70 years old. |
| Short - 30 minutes | |||||
| For 24 hours | |||||
| 3 days (72 hours) | |||||
| 90 minutes (with the driver) |
The main advantage of the Czech system is the ability to quickly purchase a ticket in the Czech Republic. You can pay for travel at metro stations, as well as at some bus and tram stops with automatic machines. Please note that the metro is equipped with an old type of machine that does not accept all coins.
The stops have modern vending machines that accept credit and debit cards. In addition, a ticket sales terminal has been installed in the new trams and buses. Such vehicles are marked on the door in the form of a sticker.
It is also possible to purchase tickets at Tabak tobacco kiosks, newspaper kiosks, special points with the inscription “Trafika”, at the metro ticket office, in some souvenir shops. It is worth remembering that souvenir shops are open until 18.00.
Types of travel cards and registration
Issuing a pass will not take more than 5 minutes. In Prague, you need to go to the PID ticket office (Prazska integrovana doprava) and ask for a monthly pass. Cash and credit cards are accepted for payment. There is also a pass laminating service, which will cost 10 CZK.
The pass allows you to travel by all types of public transport without time limits.
| Travel cards | Adult | Child | Teenager | Student | Senor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | Tickets are 15 years old and older. Opencard - from 19 years old and older. | 6 to 15 years old. When a child turns 10 years old, a document with first and last name, date of birth and photo must be provided. | Age - 15 to 19 years old. | From 19 to 26 years old. It is required to present a document, accredited in the Czech Republic or ISIC, confirming the student's status. | Age - 60 to 70 years old. |
| 90 days | |||||
| Annual |
Cost of tickets and passes
Many travelers are interested in how much public transport fares for different categories of the population. The cost of tickets and travel passes depends on the validity period of the ticket or travel pass and the age of the passenger.
Tickets (cost in CZK):
| Adult | Child | Teenager | Student | Senor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 32 | 16 | 32 | 32 | 16 |
| Short | 24 | 12 | 24 | 24 | 12 |
| For a day | 110 | 55 | 110 | 110 | 55 |
| For 3 days | 310 | - | 310 | 310 | - |
| 90 minutes (with the driver) | 40 | 20 | 40 | 40 | 20 |
Public transport passes (cost in CZK)
| 30 days | 670 |
|---|---|
| 90 days | 1880 |
| Annual | 6100 |
Students and retirees are entitled to reduced travel fares. All passengers are divided into four categories:
- Children under 10 and adults over 70, as well as people in a wheelchair or with a guide dog, can use public transport for free.
- Children 10-15 years old and people over 65 years old with a "litachki" (plastic document, universal ticket for travel around the capital of the Czech Republic) can pay half as much for using public transport.
- Adults 19-65 years old pay full fare.
- Students are eligible for reduced travel if they have a car and an ISIC. This benefit applies exclusively to students of Czech secondary and higher schools, universities and colleges.
Benefits are valid only with a special certificate. This condition applies to all passengers - children, disabled people, pensioners.
Documents issued in another country do not constitute confirmation in the Czech Republic. To get a certificate, you need to go to any PID cashier, provide a confirmation of the right to use the benefits and a photo (like a passport) with a request to issue a “Doklad”. The price of this service is 20 CZK.
SMS ticket
An SMS ticket is a convenient solution for those who are often in a hurry. Such a ticket can be purchased anytime and anywhere with a smartphone. The cost of an SMS ticket does not differ from the usual one purchased at the box office or vending machine, but you will have to pay for sending an SMS message in accordance with the tariffs of a mobile operator in the Czech Republic.
Number for sending SMS: 902 06. The text of the message depends on the period for which the ticket is needed.
| Message text | Ticket |
|---|---|
| DPT24 | For 30 minutes |
| DPT32 | For 90 minutes |
| DPT110 | Ticket for 24 hours |
| DPT310 | 72 hour ticket |
Before boarding, an SMS message is sent with the text to the number 90206. The number is also indicated at stops or transport doors. After 1-2 minutes, an electronic ticket arrives.
Electronic tickets for half an hour and 90 minutes do not require confirmation. For tickets for 24 hours and for three days, you will first need to send and then confirm the application. To do this, you need a free limit on your phone.
Discount tickets cannot be purchased via SMS.
If you try to buy a ticket already at the meeting with the conductor, this situation will result in a fine.
Carriage of baggage
There are special fares and baggage restrictions in the Czech Republic.
- For luggage or a stroller without a child, you need to pay additionally a ticket of 16 CZK. The validity time of the purchased ticket determines the time of baggage carriage, but does not exceed 300 minutes.
- A dog without a crate can be transported free of charge for 24 hours.
- A child with a stroller is allowed free of charge.
- Bicycles are allowed free of charge only on the metro, ferries or funicular.
There are certain baggage restrictions. Free transportation applies to the following items:
- suitcase with dimensions of 25x45x70 cm;
- flat baggage with dimensions of 100x100x5 cm;
- baby stroller;
- a dog in a muzzle;
- a cage for transferring animals measuring 25x45x70 cm;
- no more than two pairs of skis, ski poles, and a snowboard or bag on wheels.
Controllers and fines for stowaway travel
Controllers work in public transport in the Czech Republic. Although they are rarely seen on trams and buses, there are times when they can check three times a week.
The controllers are inconspicuous and do not differ from the passengers. Only when the inspector comes up and shows the token, you will understand that it is time to get the ticket.
The check usually takes place at the most inconvenient moment, for example, when you board a tram that runs between two stops located far from each other.
You cannot go down the metro without a travel card. Here the controller is often encountered, especially at transfer stations.
The fine for travel without a ticket is CZK 850 if paid locally. If they write out a receipt for the payment of the fine, the penalty will increase to 1600 kroons.
FAQ
Can I sell my travel card?
There are many offers on the Internet where they sell, buy or give away passes for free, so it is likely that you will find a pass for the dates of your stay in Prague. If the travel card was needed for a week, and the validity period of the purchased one is longer, then it can be sold again.
What to do if the ticket has been validated twice?
Paper tickets in Prague from 30 minutes to three days must be punched in yellow punches. You need to punch your ticket in the place indicated on the ticket. You only need to do this once during the initial planting. If the passenger has validated the ticket twice, the ticket is no longer valid.
Can I buy a pass at the airport?
At the airport, visitors can purchase a public transport ticket. Tickets are sold at a kiosk in the arrivals hall. Please check with the airport ticket office for purchasing passes.
Conclusion
The transport system in the Czech Republic, including urban public transport, is highly developed. Not only residents of the country, but also tourists in 2021 can comfortably travel by metro, bus, tram, funicular or river ferry. The main convenience lies in the fact that a single ticket applies to all types of public transport. The cost depends on the time of validity and the category of tickets.
