Prague Public Transport Rules and Etiquette: What Visitors Should Know

Czech public transport is easy to navigate. However, there are some rules that are good to know if you are a foreign visitor.Most of them are simple and based on common courtesy, but they may be different from what you are used to in your home country.

Knowing these small details will help you feel more comfortable, avoid unnecessary problems, and travel around Prague like a local. Here are the main rules and etiquette you should know before using Prague’s public transport.

Tickets

Prague public transport requires you to buy a ticket before boarding. Depending on the type of ticket, you may also need to validate it immediately after entering the vehicle or at the entrance to the metro.

You should always keep your ticket with you during the journey. Ticket inspectors can check it at any time.

For more information about buying and validating tickets, please check this GUIDE. You will also find information there about situations when you can travel on public transport for free.

Operating Hours

Metro runs from 5:00 AM to midnight.

After midnight, you can use night trams and buses. They cover most parts of the city and allow you to get around Prague 24/7.

Behavior and Riding Etiquette

There are a few basic rules of behaviour that are good to know when using public transport in Prague.

Let people get off first. You can enter and leave through all doors, but always let passengers get off before you board.
Do not block the doors. Move further inside the vehicle if there is space. This makes it easier for other people to get on and off.
Give up your seat when someone needs it more. This includes old people, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and women travelling with a stroller or small children.
Keep your voice down. People here generally do not shout or speak loudly. Loud phone calls are also considered impolite.
Do not eat, drink or consume alcohol. Eating, drinking and drinking alcohol are not allowed on the metro, trams or city buses. You can eat and drink on intercity buses and trains. The driver is responsible for keeping the vehicle clean and has the right to ask a passenger to leave if they break the rules.
Escalators – On Prague metro escalators, the traditional habit is to stand on the right and leave the left side free.This is not an official rule, but most people respect it. It allows people who are in a hurry to walk past you.
Priority seating – On buses and trams, you will find priority seats for passengers who need them.On buses, these seats are usually located close to the exit and are marked with a sticker on the nearby window.On trams, priority seats are usually located at the front of the carriage.

Children, Luggage, Bicycles and Animals

Children under 14 can travel for free. It is a good idea to carry a document proving the child’s age, especially if you are travelling as a tourist.
Small luggage and strollers with a child can be transported for free.Larger pieces of luggage require an extra ticket. However, if you have a 24-hour or longer time ticket, luggage transport is free under the applicable conditions.
Dogs are allowed on public transport. A dog must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. Smaller dogs can also travel in a suitable carrier bag. Dogs without a carrier can travel free of charge if their owner has a valid 24-hour or longer time ticket. This does not apply to trains. Otherwise, you need to buy an extra ticket for the dog.
Bicycles can only be transported in designated areas. In the metro, there are specific places where bicycles are allowed. They can also be taken on selected tram sections.The rules for travelling with a bicycle are a little more complicated, especially when it comes to where you can place the bike. It is therefore a good idea to check the THE RULES before your journey.
Skis can be transported free of charge.

Right of Way

There are also a few things worth knowing when you are walking around Prague.

At a zebra crossing, pedestrians have the right of way. However, it is still a good idea to make sure that the approaching car has seen you and is actually stopping. Unfortunately, some drivers do not always respect the rules.

Trams are different. They have the right of way and do not have to stop for pedestrians in the same way as cars. So, if a tram is coming and you are about to cross the tracks, let it pass first. It is always better to wait a few seconds than to take a risk.

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