Getting Around Prague: Transport Apps & Your First 48 Hours

Prague is a walking city wrapped around a clean, cheap tram and metro network. The one thing to get right is the ticket — they're timed, you must validate them, and the fine for skipping that is steep. Here's what actually works.

The best default: trams and metro

Prague's three metro lines move you fast across the city, while the trams handle the scenic streets the metro misses. Your ticket covers metro, tram and bus interchangeably, so just take whatever arrives first.

Tickets are timed, not per-ride

Buy a 30-minute (about CZK 39, or CZK 36 in the app) or 90-minute ticket (about CZK 50 / CZK 46 in the app) and ride freely — including transfers — until the clock runs out. A 24-hour ticket is about CZK 150 if you'll ride all day.

The validation trap

Validate or risk a CZK 1,500 fine

Stamp your paper ticket in the small yellow validator the first time you board — the timer starts then. Tickets bought in the Lítačka app activate automatically. Inspectors do check, and an unvalidated ticket means an on-the-spot fine of around CZK 1,500.

Getting in from the airport

There's no metro to Prague Airport (PRG). Take bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín and change to Metro Line A, or the Airport Express bus toward the main railway station. For the bus-plus- metro route, buy a 90-minute ticket so a single fare covers the whole journey.

Apps you can reuse

PID Lítačka — official app, sells tickets slightly cheaper than paper
Google Maps / Citymapper — reliable tram and metro routing

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Your first 48 hours

Install PID Lítačka and buy a 90-minute ticket before taking bus 119 + Metro A from the airport.
For city trips, buy a 30- or 90-minute ticket — and validate paper ones in the yellow box.
Keep Google Maps or Citymapper for routing.
Save Bolt (or Uber/Liftago) for late nights; the tram beats them by day.

Do those four things and Prague's transport is cheap, simple, and fine-free from the moment you land.

Frequently asked questions

Which transport app is best in Prague?

The official PID Lítačka app is the one to install — it sells tickets a little cheaper than paper and saves you finding a machine. Google Maps and Citymapper both handle tram and metro routing well for navigation.

How much is a Prague public transport ticket?

Tickets are timed, not per-journey. A 30-minute ticket is about CZK 39 (CZK 36 in the Lítačka app) and a 90-minute ticket about CZK 50 (CZK 46 in the app), both covering unlimited transfers across metro, tram and bus. A 24-hour ticket is about CZK 150.

How do I get from Prague Airport (PRG) to the city?

There's no metro to the airport. Take bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín and change to Metro Line A, or the Airport Express bus toward the main railway station. For bus 119 plus the metro, buy a 90-minute ticket so one fare covers the whole trip.

Do I have to validate my ticket in Prague?

Yes — and this catches tourists out. Stamp your paper ticket in the yellow validator the first time you board; the clock starts then. App tickets activate when you buy them. Riding without a validated ticket risks an on-the-spot fine of around CZK 1,500.

Is the Prague Metro or tram better?

Both, depending on the trip. The metro (3 lines) is fastest across the city; the trams are scenic and reach the streets the metro misses. Your timed ticket covers all of them plus buses, so just take whatever comes first.

Which ride-hailing app works in Prague?

Bolt is the dominant ride app in Prague, with Uber and the local Liftago also operating. They're handy late at night, but for daytime trips the tram or metro is usually faster and far cheaper.

Can I pay with a contactless card on Prague transport?

The simplest route for visitors is buying tickets in the Lítačka app or tapping a contactless card at the ticket machines and some validators. Keep it simple: an app ticket or validated paper ticket always works.