Prague night trams and buses: how to get home after midnight

It is 00:20, the last song has finished, your phone is on 14 per cent and the metro entrance has a gate across it. This is not a crisis. Prague has a full second transport network that appears when the first one disappears, and it is cheaper and easier than a taxi once you know how it works.

What changes after midnight

The Prague metro generally closes around midnight and reopens in the early morning (check current times on the PID site). In the gap, the city runs night lines. Night trams carry numbers 91 to 99, and night buses use numbers in the 900s. Daytime lines mostly stop or reduce, so a tram you took at 22:00 may not exist at 01:00.

Night lines are part of the same integrated system as the daytime network (PID), so there is no separate ticket. The same fare rules and the same passes apply. Our ticket explainer covers what to buy, and the beginner's guide to metro, trams and buses covers how to use the network.

How the network is shaped

Night trams run on the main routes across the centre and out to the districts, and night buses cover the places trams do not reach, including many suburbs. Night services are less frequent than daytime ones; expect waits measured in tens of minutes rather than minutes (as of 2026; check the PID timetable for exact intervals).

In the centre, the night tram lines meet at a main interchange, which has long been the stop called Lazarská, in Nové Město. Tram lines are timed to connect there, so a late-night change often happens in the same place. That is useful: if your route involves a transfer, the system is designed so you do not wait long.

Many night buses connect at other main points around the city, and the journey planner will show you the connections. The details of routes and stops change from time to time, so treat the app as the source and this article as the idea.

Planning the trip

Do it before you leave the venue. Open the PID journey planner or the Lítačka app, set the time to when you expect to leave, and look at the route. A good habit is to check the last connection that works, not only the first.

Check the walking time to the stop too. Night stops can be a few minutes from the nearest daytime one. Our guide to Prague transport apps shows which ones to install before you arrive.

Tickets and fines

You need a valid ticket on night lines just as in the day, and inspectors work at night too. Validate paper tickets on boarding, and make sure your app ticket is active. A short-term ticket bought for a journey that now includes a night transfer should still cover it as long as it is valid at boarding and within its time limit. Read the rules before you go, since they depend on the ticket type.

Safety and comfort

Night trams and buses are generally used by a mix of workers, party-goers and tourists. As anywhere, keep your phone and wallet in front pockets or a closed bag, especially in crowded vehicles. Our guides to pickpockets in Prague, staying safe at night and whether Prague is safe give more detail, and drink spiking awareness is worth reading before a big night. If you feel uneasy, sit near the driver or in a well-lit part of the vehicle.

When transport is not the answer

Sometimes the plan fails: a missed connection, a route that needs two long waits, a group that wants to go straight to the door. Taxis and ride-hailing exist for that, and our guide to Prague taxis and ride-hailing explains how to avoid a bad fare. Agree to the method first, using an app, and avoid unmarked cars.

Walking is also an option in the centre, where distances are modest. In winter, it is less appealing; see Prague winter weather.

What locals know

Locals treat the night tram as part of the evening. The interchange can be lively at weekends, with groups waiting and conversations across the stop. Drivers run to a schedule and do not wait for stragglers, so run for the doors only when it is safe.

For the bigger picture of the night, see how Prague nightlife works.

When the plan breaks

Night services depend on weather, roadworks and events. A closed street can divert a tram, and a big match or concert can fill a vehicle. The PID app shows disruptions and diversions, and drivers announce changes. If a night line you planned to use is not running, look for the nearest alternative in the app, or walk to the central interchange, where several lines meet. Keep an eye on the clock rather than the map, because waits at night are longer than you are used to.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Prague metro run all night?

No. It closes around midnight and reopens in the early morning. Night trams and buses cover the gap.

Do I need a separate ticket for night lines?

No. Normal PID tickets and passes are valid on night trams and buses.

Which numbers are night trams and buses?

Night trams are numbered 91 to 99 and night buses are in the 900s.

How often do they run?

Less often than in the day. Check the PID journey planner for the exact timetable.

Today: add the PID app to your phone and plan one fake journey for 01:00, so the first real one is easy.