O2 Arena Prague: how to get there, and home again

The O2 Arena is not in the centre and is not trying to be. It sits in the east of the city among new offices and old industry, and when a big act is on, thousands of people all want to go home at the same moment. A little planning is the difference between a great evening and a long wait on a cold platform. The walk in is the easy part. It is the exit that needs a plan.

What it is

The O2 Arena opened in 2004 and is Prague's largest indoor arena. It hosts big touring concerts, ice hockey, other sport and large events. It was built in time for the ice hockey world championships that year, and it is home to a leading Czech hockey club. For concerts the layout changes with the show: standing floor, seated tiers or a mix.

With so many people inside, entry and exit take time. Check your ticket for gates and door times (as of 2026; check the official source).

By metro

Metro line B (yellow) is the standard route. Get off at Českomoravská and follow the signs and the crowd. The walk is short. If the station is packed on the way back, the next station along may be quieter to board, but check the direction and your onward connection first.

Line B meets line A at Můstek and line C at Florenc, so from most of the centre it is one change at most.

By tram and bus

Local tram and bus routes serve the area, and some change on event days. Use the PID journey planner or the PID Lítačka app for current routes. A standard Prague ticket covers the metro, trams and buses within the city zones, so you do not need anything special for the arena. Validate paper tickets before you travel.

By car

You can drive, but parking is limited and traffic is heavy before and after a major event. Parking rules and charges vary by event and may change (as of 2026; check the official source). If you must drive, leave a long margin and remember where you parked. Many Praguers choose the metro for exactly this reason.

By taxi or ride-hailing

Bolt, Uber and Liftago all work in Prague, as do local taxi apps. After a big show prices can jump and cars are hard to find near the entrance. Order a few minutes after the show ends, and agree a pickup point away from the main crowd. Fix the price in the app, and ignore unmarked cars that approach you.

Getting home late

The metro runs until about midnight, and night trams and buses (numbers starting with a nine) run after that. Check the PID planner for the exact route from the arena, because routes can change. If the show is likely to end close to the last metro, leave a little early or have a plan B.

What to bring

• Your ticket, saved offline on your phone in case the signal fails
• A card and a little cash
• A small bag, if the event restricts size
• A warm layer for the walk

What locals know

Locals treat the O2 Arena as a trip, not a stroll. They plan the journey home before the show starts and are rarely first out of the building. For ice hockey, fans arrive well before the puck drops to eat and meet friends, and the metro carriages fill with club scarves. For concerts, the sensible habit is to let the first wave of people go and enjoy the last song.

Before and after

There is not much around the arena in the way of old Prague. For dinner, eat in the centre or in Karlín, a few stops back on line B, and arrive early. Do not count on finding a table near the arena at the last minute.

Hockey nights and concert nights

The arena is used for both sport and music, and the mood differs. On a hockey night the metro fills with fans in club colours and the crowd arrives in waves around the start of the match. On a concert night the arrival is spread out, but the exit is a single wave. Check which kind of event you are attending and adjust your plan.

For either, allow more time than you think you need. Entry takes longer when security checks are in place, and a bag larger than the permitted size can send you back to the street. Read the conditions on your ticket the day before, not at the door.

Accessibility

If you need step-free access, check the arena's information and the metro station's facilities before you travel. The PID journey planner can filter for accessible routes. Contact the venue ahead of the event to arrange seating, because accessible places are limited and may need to be booked in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Which metro station do I use for the O2 Arena?

Českomoravská on line B.

Do I need a special ticket for public transport?

No. A standard Prague ticket covers the metro, trams and buses within the city zones.

How late does the metro run?

Until about midnight. Night trams and buses run after that.

Can I park at the arena?

Parking is limited and rules vary by event. Check the official source before you drive.

Today: open the PID planner, enter Českomoravská as your destination and check the journey time from where you will start.