Getting around Prague: public transport, tickets and transfers

• As of October 11, 2026, Prague offers adult tickets valid for 30 or 90 minutes, as well as 24- and 72-hour tickets.
• PID tickets for Prague are valid on the metro and trams in zones P, 0 or B.
• Trolleybus 59 runs from the airport to Nádraží Veleslavín, where you can continue on Metro Line A. Bus 100 connects the airport with Zličín and Metro Line B.
• The Airport Express runs directly to Prague Main Railway Station; regular Prague public transport tickets are not valid on it.
• A ticket in the app becomes valid one minute after activation. A paper ticket from a vending machine must be validated once, when you first board.
• The metro runs daily from around 5 a.m. to midnight; trams and buses take over at night.
• The 24- and 72-hour tickets are also valid on the Petřín funicular; the 30- and 90-minute tickets are not.

Prague’s PID network short-term tickets are valid for a set period, not just for a single vehicle. While your ticket is valid, you can transfer between the metro, trams and city buses, as long as you stay in Prague and your ticket covers the relevant area. A 30-minute ticket may be enough for a short journey; for a longer cross-city trip or a transfer from an airport bus to the metro, the 90-minute ticket gives you more breathing room.

Prices are as of October 11, 2026; the Prague Public Transit Company fare overview lists additional ticket types and conditions in CZK. If you’re making several journeys throughout the day, compare the cost of a 24-hour ticket with several single tickets. A 72-hour ticket can be convenient for three consecutive days of sightseeing. The validity period starts when the ticket is validated or activated, not automatically at midnight. The two longer-duration tickets also let you ride the Petřín funicular.

From the airport, trolleybus 59 takes you to Nádraží Veleslavín, where you can transfer to Metro Line A. The ride to the metro station takes about 15 minutes; total journey time depends on waiting time, your destination and transfers. If you’re heading somewhere on Metro Line B, bus 100 to Zličín is an alternative; the bus ride takes about 18 minutes. Buy a valid public transport ticket before boarding. You can choose the airport transfer into the city more precisely by considering your luggage and destination district.

The Airport Express (AE) runs directly between the terminals and Praha hlavní nádraží, the main railway station. The journey takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. It’s convenient if you’re transferring to a long-distance train there; getting to a hotel often requires a transfer to city public transport. A regular PID city ticket is not valid on the AE; you need a separate AE ticket, which is available from the driver, among other places. If you’re arriving by train or bus, the overview of getting to and planning a trip around Czechia may also help.

The three metro lines, A, B and C, run from about 5 a.m. to midnight. Můstek connects Lines A and B, Muzeum connects A and C, and Florenc connects B and C. The metro is useful for longer cross-city journeys; for travel between neighbouring districts or right up to your destination, trams are often a better complement. Regular tram services run from about 5 a.m. to midnight. Timetables and routes can change, so it’s a good idea to check your journey for the specific day you’re travelling.

Planning by district rather than travelling to each attraction separately makes Prague easier to explore. For a day-by-day itinerary with walking, breaks and different neighbourhoods, compare the two-to-four-day Prague guide. If Prague Castle is on your itinerary, plan your access and route around the castle grounds and visitor routes. For an itinerary with more museums and evening activities, see the Prague cultural trip.

PID Lítačka sells electronic tickets and can also find connections. Activate an app ticket at least one minute before boarding or entering the paid area of the metro: it is not valid immediately after activation. The ticket remains invalid during that minute; you may be fined if your ticket is checked.

Validate a paper ticket from a vending machine, ticket office or information centre exactly once, when you first board: in the metro, before entering the platform area; on a bus or tram, just after boarding. Do not validate it again when transferring. Tickets bought from contactless terminals on vehicles already show when their validity begins and are valid immediately. At the airport, there are ticket machines at both terminals and at the stops; bus tickets must be bought before boarding.

After metro service ends, night trams and buses take over. Tram lines 91 to 99 run from around midnight to 5 a.m., usually every 30 minutes; the lines meet at Lazarská stop, where transfers are coordinated. Airport buses 907 and 910 also run at night. A night journey may involve a different transfer and a longer walk than the daytime route. So search using your exact destination and arrival time rather than assuming a metro connection that works during the day will also work at night.

For a first visit, accommodation with good metro or tram connections is often more useful than simply being close to a central square: you can travel between several districts during the day and get back in the evening. Check the accommodation’s address rather than just the district name, especially if you’re arriving late or need to get to the station early. Decide what matters most for your stay: daytime journeys, the airport connection or a late-night return. Find places to stay in the city under Accommodation in Prague; compare their locations with the actual stop you’ll use and the routes you’re planning.

Which ticket do I need to get from the airport to the city centre?

A regular Prague PID ticket is valid on trolleybus 59 with Metro Line A or bus 100 with Metro Line B. A 90-minute ticket gives you more time to transfer than the shortest-duration ticket. The Airport Express does not accept this city ticket; you need a separate ticket.

Can I use a 24-hour ticket on the Petřín funicular?

Yes. Prague’s 24- and 72-hour tickets are also valid on the Petřín funicular. The 30- and 90-minute tickets are not.

When do I need to activate a ticket in the PID Lítačka app?

Activate it at least one minute before your journey or before entering the metro area. It does not become valid as soon as you tap to activate it.

Does the metro run after midnight?

No. Regular metro service ends at midnight. Night trams and buses take over; check the connection to your exact address for the time you need to travel.