Prague’s public transport system is one of Europe’s best—efficient, affordable, and easy to navigate once you know the basics. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, this guide will walk you through every step, from buying tickets to avoiding fines, and share insider tips for a smooth journey.

1. Getting Started: What You Need Before You Ride

Internet Access:
If you have mobile data, your journey will be much easier. Download one of these apps for planning routes and buying tickets:

PID Lítačka: User-friendly, shows routes, transfer times, and even which metro exits to use. You can buy tickets directly in the app and choose when to activate them.
IDOS: Also offers route planning and the ability to purchase SMS tickets quickly.

No Internet?
🎟️ You’ll need to buy a paper ticket before boarding.

2. How to Buy Tickets

You have several options:

PID Lítačka App: Buy and activate tickets for immediate or scheduled use. Important: tickets become valid one minute after activation, so plan ahead to avoid fines.
SMS Ticket: Send a code to a specific number and receive your ticket by text. Great for last-minute purchases but requires a Czech SIM card.
Paper Tickets:
- Info Centers & Newsstands: Widely available at metro stations and major stops.
- Ticket Machines:
  - Button-operated: Rare, coins only.
  - Touchscreen: Accepts coins and cards.
  - Touchscreen Terminals: Card only; tickets are valid immediately and don’t need validation.

Prague ticket machines located in the metro — Prague ticket machines

3. Types of Tickets and Prices

Free/Discounted Travel:

Children under 15 and seniors over 65 ride free (ID required).
Seniors 60–65 get half-price tickets (ID required).

⚠️ Important: From January 2026, the prices for 30-minute and 90-minute tickets will increase to 39 CZK and 50 CZK, respectively. A small discount will apply if purchased via the app, lowering the prices to 36 CZK and 46 CZK. 📱 SMS tickets will increase to 42 CZK for the 30-minute ticket and 55 CZK for the 90-minute ticket. 📩

4. Validating Your Ticket

Paper Tickets: Must be validated (stamped) in the yellow machines at metro entrances or on trams/buses upon first use. Only validate once—controllers check the timestamp.
Paper tickets bought via on-transport card terminals do not need to be stamped!
App/SMS Tickets: Activate before boarding. Remember, app tickets have a short delay (1-3 min) before becoming valid.

5. Navigating the System

Metro: Three lines (A/green, B/yellow, C/red) run from 5 a.m. to midnight, with frequent trains.
Trams: Cover the city and suburbs; check the schedule at stops to find your tram and direction.
Buses: Useful for airport connections and some suburbs.
Transfers: Follow colored signs for metro line changes. Tram stops list all stops on the route, with your current stop highlighted.

6. Special Transport: Funicular & Ferries

Petrin Funicular: Only 24-hour, 72-hour, or monthly tickets are valid. Otherwise, buy a separate funicular ticket (60 CZK one way). Inspectors are common at both ends.
Important: The funicular will be closed till spring 2026.
Ferries: Some are part of the public transport system (April–October), others are private and require a separate ticket. The most popular one departs from Naplavka (near the Vyton tram stop) and takes passengers across the river. It costs 40 CZK one way.

7. Ticket Inspectors & Fines

Inspections: Controllers can check tickets anytime. Metro inspectors wear uniforms; tram/bus inspectors often work undercover.
Fines:
- No valid ticket: 1,500 CZK if paid within 15 days since the fine was issued. The fine could also be reduced to 1,200 CZK if paid on the spot.
- Fines that were not paid within 15 days period - 2,000 CZK.
- No pet or luggage ticket; 400 CZK (reduced to 200 CZK if paid on the spot).
- If you forgot an active ticket, 50 CZK. This fine must be paid before 3 p.m. on the day following its issuance at the Main PPT office.
- Always ask for official ID from inspectors before paying.
💡 Tip: Don’t rely on touchscreen terminals on trams—they may be busy or out of order, and you can still be fined if caught without a ticket.

Fines for Prague public transport increased — Prague Surge in Fines 2026

Where do I pay a ticket fine in Prague? Is there a deadline?

The easiest way to pay a Prague public transport fine is online via the official website of the Transport Company - https://www.dpp.cz/en/fares/penalties-transport-inspectors/online-payment-of-fines

⚠️ However, it is only possible to pay for your fine online if you were caught with an expired electronic ticket. If you had a paper ticket or no ticket at all, you have to go to the physical office. ⚠️

2. The fine payment office is located on the ground floor of the Central Dispatch Building of the Transport Company (Na Bojišti 5, Prague 2; I. P. Pavlova metro station) – counters No. 10 and 11. It is open to the public on Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, on Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The penalty can be paid no earlier than the next business day after the inspection, starting from 12:30 PM. In the case of a confiscated time-based ticket, it can be retrieved during the same period upon presenting the Record of Conducted Transport Inspection and paying the reduced surcharge. The deadline for paying this fine is 15 days after it is issued.

What will happen if I won’t pay Prague public transport ticket fine?

If you refuse to pay the ticket fine on the spot, the inspector will have to collect your data, which may be used to recover the outstanding debt and may also be disclosed to law firms, courts, and enforcement officers.

If you do not pay the imposed penalty at the Central Dispatch Building of the Transport Company within 15 calendar days of the penalty being issued, the documents from the transport inspection will be forwarded to a debt collection agency for further enforcement. This includes pursuing transport-related claims through civil court proceedings at the relevant local court.

Even though communication with ticket inspectors can be unpleasant, we urge you not to postpone paying your fine. The Transport Company is closed on weekends, so paying your penalty on the spot is the best solution.

8. Etiquette & Pro Tips

Don’t block doors 🚪 or stand in the way of other passengers.
Remove backpacks in crowded vehicles 🎒❌
Keep noise to a minimum 🤫—locals value quiet on public transport.
If you plan to use public transport several times a day, a 24-hour or 72-hour ticket is the best value, especially for including the funicular.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to validate paper tickets can lead to fines and inconvenience. 🎫❌ Make sure to stamp your ticket before boarding to avoid problems. 🕰️✅
Boarding without an active app/SMS ticket 🚫📱
Relying on malfunctioning ticket machines or terminals 🎟️🚫
Ignoring the activation delay for app tickets ⏰. Most app-based tickets have a built-in activation period to prevent premature use or resale. It is important to wait until the ticket is activated before attempting to use it.
Not carrying ID for age-based discounts 🆔.

Prague’s public transport is reliable and easy to use once you know the system. With these tips, you’ll travel like a local—and avoid those dreaded fines!

WRITTEN BY VALERY

Licensed Prague guide and co-creator of Real Prague Guides (50K+ YouTube subscribers). My company, 100 Spires City Tours, leads some of the highest-rated tours in Prague.

📷 Instagram: @realpragueguides

📺 YouTube: Real Prague Guides

🎫 Book a tour: tours-prague.eu

How to Navigate Prague’s Public Transport Like a Local: 2026 Updated Prices🚋💰