Prague boasts an extensive and efficient public transportation system, and buses are a crucial part of the network, especially when navigating to areas outside the city center. Whether you're headed to Prague Zoo, exploring distant neighborhoods, or visiting charming outskirts, here's a practical guide to help you effectively use bus transport during your visit.
Understanding Prague’s Bus System
In Prague, several transport companies operate a dense network of the city bus transport. Most of the urban (and also suburban) bus lines are integrated into the PIT (Prague Integrated Transport) system. Since they do not need any tracks, buses are the most flexible part of the public transportation system, and also the most important means of connecting the capital with the surrounding villages and small towns.
The urban bus lines are numbered from 100 to 250 and the regional ones from 300 to 799. There are also night lines, with numbers starting with 9 (901 – 915). All buses in Prague are very safe, including night buses, so you don’t need to worry about your security while using them. The most significant bus operator of the inner-city bus lines is the Prague Public Transit Co. Inc.
On each bus stop, you can find the schedule of the line. If the line connects to a metro station, it is marked with a specific symbol (the letter “M” in a triangle). Of course, the intervals vary a lot depending on the location, peak hours, and whether it is a weekend or national holiday. The name of the next stop is always announced by a digitally operated call in the vehicle.
Prague Bus Map
To help you navigate the extensive bus network, refer to the Prague bus map below. This map highlights all major bus routes, connections to metro and tram lines, and key stops throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Prices of Bus Tickets
There are several types of bus tickets available in Prague:
- Short-term tickets: These are ideal for tourists. You can purchase tickets that are valid for 30 minutes, 90 minutes, 24 hours, or 72 hours.
- Long-term passes: For longer stays or frequent commutes, monthly and yearly passes are available.
- Single-journey tickets: These are perfect for one-off travels across the city.
The ticket prices are shown in the table below:
All tickets must be validated at the start of your first journey to avoid fines.
Children under the age of 15 (including) can travel for free and don't need any tickets. However, they may be asked to provide an ID confirming their age.
Also, one adult accompanying a child under the age of 3 does not need a ticket.
Honest Tip: Ride for Free with the Prague City Pass
If you get a Prague City Pass, you can use all public transport for free and enjoy free access to over 70 local attractions.
Where to Buy Bus Tickets
Tram tickets in Prague can be purchased from a variety of locations:
- Ticket machines: Available at most bus stops. These machines accept coins, and some accept contactless credit/debit cards. For specific location, please see the map of ticket vending machines.
- Tabák (Tobacco) shops: Commonly found around the city, these shops sell various types of tram tickets.
- Online: Tickets can also be purchased online through the DPP website or via the PID Lítačka app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.
- SMS Ticket: For a hassle-free purchase, send an SMS with a specific text to the number provided by DPP. This option is great for mobile users. The number for purchasing the ticket is 90206, and the text is DPT31 (30-minute ticket), DPT42 (90 minutes), DPT120 (24 hours), and DPT330 (72 hours). Please see the overview of the SMS texts and costs in the table below.
- In bus: You can only buy tickets from the driver on the regional bus lines, not inside the city.
How to Pay for Your Bus Ticket
Payment options for tram tickets in Prague are versatile:
- Cash: Traditional but increasingly less common, cash is still accepted in many ticket vending machines and shops.
- Credit/Debit Cards: Many ticket machines and online platforms accept credit and debit cards.
- Mobile Payment: Through the PID Lítačka app or SMS, mobile payments are convenient and fast.
- Contactless Payments: Some vending machines at tram stops support contactless payments, including credit cards and mobile pay services.
Tips for Using Bus
The bus network in Prague can be quite complex, even for locals. The easiest way to find your connection is by using Google Maps. Simply enter your destination and select the public transit option. Google Maps will automatically find the most convenient routes, including schedules and transfer information.
- Find Your Route: Use Google Maps, the PID Lítačka app, or the official Prague public transport website to plan your journey.
- At the Stop: Bus stops are marked with a yellow sign showing the line numbers and schedules. Some stops are “on request” (na znamení)—press the stop button on the bus to signal you want to get off.
- Boarding: Enter through any door (except for some suburban routes where front-door boarding is required). Validate your ticket immediately.
- During the Ride: Stops are announced and displayed on screens. Press the stop button before your destination if needed.
- Exiting: Exit through any door. Be mindful of traffic and cyclists when stepping off.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to validate: The most common mistake is not validating the ticket. Avoid fines by always remembering to validate as soon as you board.
- Misunderstanding ticket validity: Understand whether your ticket is timed or based on the number of stops. The 30- and 90-minute tickets are not valid for the Petrin cable car.
Popular Tourist Destinations Accessible by Bus
- Prague Zoo (Bus 112): Departing from metro station Nádraží Holešovice (Line C), Bus 112 provides a quick and direct route to one of Prague’s most popular attractions.
- Divoká Šárka Nature Reserve (Bus 119): Bus 119 from Nádraží Veleslavín metro station (Line A) is your gateway to scenic hiking trails and breathtaking landscapes at Divoká Šárka.
- Václav Havel Airport (Bus 100, 119, and AE): Buses 119 (from Nádraží Veleslavín) and 100 (from Zličín metro station, Line B) offer convenient connections to the airport. Airport Express (AE) bus to the Main Train Station (Hlavní nádraží). Special fare applies (100 CZK, not valid with regular tickets).
Conclusion
In conclusion, using Prague’s bus system is a convenient and reliable way to explore the city and its outskirts. With a unified ticketing system, frequent connections, and modern vehicles, buses make it easy for tourists to reach destinations beyond the city center. By planning your route in advance and following a few simple tips, you can travel around Prague comfortably and confidently.
Six Honest Tips for Using Buses in Prague
- Plan Your Route in Advance: Use apps like PID Lítačka or Google Maps to find the best bus connections and schedules.
- Buy and Validate Your Ticket: Always purchase and validate your ticket before or immediately upon boarding to avoid fines.
- Check for Night Service: If traveling late, confirm night bus routes and times, as they differ from daytime lines.
- Look for “Na Znamení” Stops: For request stops, press the stop button in advance to ensure the bus will stop.
- Keep Small Change Handy: While most tickets can be bought by card, having coins is useful for older machines or in case you need to buy from the driver.
- Get Prague City Pass: If you get a Prague City Pass, you can use all public transport for free and enjoy free access to over 70 local attractions.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Prague's bus transportation system.
No, Prague uses a unified ticketing system. The same ticket is valid for buses, trams, and the metro within city limits.
Consider getting the Prague City Pass for unlimited free public transport.
You can purchase tickets at ticket machines, newsstands, convenience stores, via mobile apps, or sometimes directly from the bus driver.
Insert your paper ticket into the yellow validation machine upon boarding, or activate your mobile ticket before entering.
Yes, Prague's buses, including night buses, are considered very safe for travelers.
Use Google Maps, the PID Lítačka app, or the official Prague public transport website to plan your route and find the right bus.
Most city buses are low-floor and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Small luggage is free, but larger items may require an additional ticket (20 CZK).
Press the stop button on the bus before your stop to signal the driver.
Yes, buses run frequently during the day, with reduced service in the evenings and on weekends.
Yes, Bus 119 connects the airport with the metro, and the Airport Express (AE) bus goes directly to the Main Train Station.
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