Prague's public transport is genuinely excellent, but only if you know the rules. Tourists get stung on three things: buying tickets at street kiosks instead of using the app, trying to understand a timetable written in Czech, and assuming night buses run like the daytime network (they don't). Here's everything you need.

The PID Lítačka App (Do This First)

Download it before you arrive. Seriously. It costs nothing, works offline once the data loads, and is the single most useful thing you can do.

The app lets you:

• Buy tickets directly (no queuing at kiosks)
• See real-time metro/tram positions
• Plan journeys with live arrival times
• Pay contactless (no cash needed)

Prices via the app:

• 30-minute single journey (within zones 0–1): 40 CZK (~£1.60)
• 90-minute journey (zones 0–1): 50 CZK (~£2)
• 1-day pass: 110 CZK (~£4.40)
• 3-day pass: 330 CZK (~£13.20)

These are the actual prices. Street kiosks sometimes charge tourists 10–20% more, and paper tickets are slightly pricier than the app. Download the app, tap your card at the gate, move on.

The Metro: Three Lines, Simple Grid

Prague's metro has three lines (Red, Green, Blue). They intersect at Národní Třída (red/green) and Mustek (red/blue), making transfers clean.

• Red Line (A): Airport → Veleslavín → Old Town → Nádraží Holešovice. This is your mainline. Every major tourist site connects here.
• Green Line (B): Smichov via Andel (shopping district) → Old Town → Cerny Most (nowhere special). Less critical for tourists.
• Blue Line (C): Outer loop. Use it only if your accommodation is on it.

Frequency: Trains arrive every 2–4 minutes during peak hours, 5–10 minutes off-peak. You will never wait long.

Etiquette: Stand on the right on escalators. Keep backpacks off second seats (they take up space, locals hate this). Pickpocketing is real on crowded trains at peak hours—keep bags zipped and hands visible.

Trams: Cheap, Frequent, and Actually Fast

Trams are faster than the metro for short distances (under 4 stops) because they're direct—no transfers. Major lines:

• Tram #22: Tourist line, goes past Prague Castle, Strahov Monastery, Nerudova Street (we cover this separately).
• Tram #2, #6, #9: Run across central Prague; grab any of these if you want to explore neighborhoods.
• Tram #1: Old Town to Strahov; solid alternative to #22.

Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes during the day, less often after 22:00. Trams are open at the front (driver's section) and back (passenger section). Don't sit in the driver area, obviously.

Pro tip: Trams are the best way to see Prague's actual neighborhoods (not just monuments). Hop on Tram #6 and ride it end-to-end; you'll see where real Czechs live.

Night Buses (Noční Autobusy): They Exist But Are Slow

After 23:30 (when main transport stops), night buses take over. They're marked with numbers 500–599 and run less frequently (every 20–40 minutes).

Reality check: Night buses are slow. A journey that takes 8 minutes on the metro during the day takes 25–35 minutes via night bus. If you're out late and drunk, take an Uber instead—it's faster and won't feel like a 40-minute purgatory.

Night buses are useful if you're:

• Returning to a neighborhood outside the main ring
• Traveling between 23:30 and 5:00am
• On a budget (same ticket price as daytime transport)

Frequency, Timing & Edge Cases

Early morning: Metro/trams start at 04:30am or 05:00am depending on the line. Night buses run until then.

Daytime (6am–23:00pm): Frequent and reliable.

Late night (23:00pm–05:00am): Night buses only; assume 30+ minute journeys.

Sundays: Identical to weekdays; no reduction in service.

Tickets: App vs. Paper vs. Physical Passes

Buy the 3-day pass if you're staying 3–5 days. It pays for itself after three journeys.

Validation & Cheating (Don't)

You must validate your ticket (tap it at the yellow reader) when you board. Inspectors (often in plain clothes) spot-check passengers. Fine for traveling without a valid ticket: 1,500 CZK (~£60) on the spot. Seriously, tap the reader.

Real Rules You Didn't Know

• Metro bikes are allowed on the first and last car of each train, but not during peak hours (7–9am, 4–7pm). If you're renting a bike, ask the rental place.
• Drinking open alcohol on public transport is technically illegal but rarely enforced.
• Prams (strollers) have designated space; don't block them with luggage.
• You can bring luggage on any transport; just don't take up extra seats.

When to Skip Transport & Walk Instead

Old Town to Charles Bridge? Walk (10 minutes). Charles Bridge to Prague Castle? Walk or tram (tram is 5 minutes, walk is 20 but scenic). Wenceslas Square to Old Town? Walk (5 minutes).

Prague is small. Your legs are free and frequently better than transit.