BUG - Backpackers Guide to Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is well connected with buses, trams, a metro and funicular. It is a good value way to get around Prague although the historic centre is compact enough to walk. The Prague transit system (website www.dpp.cz) has useful background information on the network including a list of various rules and regulations including the rule that items that stink or look disgusting are not allowed to be transported!

BUS

Buses in Prague fill in the spots not covered by trams and the metro and aren't really a useful transport option for most travellers. The only time most visitors to Prague take the bus is to get to the airport in which case you should catch bus 119 which runs between the airport and Dejvicka metro station.

FUNICULAR

A funicular runs up the Petrin hill and connects with the tram network at Ujezd. The funicular runs between 9.15am and 8.45pm and runs every 10-15 minutes.

METRO

Prague's metro system is an easy way to get around the city. Trains run frequently between 5am and midnight however there are only three lines so the metro won't take you everywhere in Prague.

TRAM

Prague has 25 tram lines, numbered 1 to 26 (there is no line 13) - these route are supplemented by the night routes 51-58 which operate between 12.30am and 4.30am.

Trams are a handy way to get around and cover more destinations than the metro. They also have the advantage of being above ground which means that you get to see a bit more of the city rather than being stuck in a tunnel - tram 22 is a particularly good route for sightseeing.

FARES

The fare structure for Prague's public transport network is fairly easy to understand and covers transport on buses, trams, funicular, the metro and some suburban trains.

Prices start at 8 Kc for a single ticket which is valid for 15 minutes on a tram or bus, or a distance of up to four stations on the metro. This ticket doesn't allow you to transfer between different routes or modes of transport although you are allowed to change between the three metro lines. This ticket is not valid after midnight.

The next step up is a single ticket costing 12 Kc which allows transfers between different routes and modes of transport within two tarif zones within a one hour period from the initial period of validation.

Most people, however, use season tickets which is why you rarely see them validating their tickets. These are also a good deal for visitors as there is a good selection of short term passes.

Travel passes include:

Validity	Price
24 hours	70 Kc
3 days (72 hours)	200 Kc
7 days (168 hours)	250 Kc
15 days (360 hours)	280 Kc
1 month	420 Kc

All tickets must be validated before they are first used.