Using Prague's metro, trams and buses like a local

You will spend more time on Prague's public transport than you expect, and like it more than you expect. It is frequent, clean, cheap and almost eerily punctual. Five minutes with the basics and you will move like a local, which mostly means standing on the right and not looking at anyone.

The metro

Three lines: A is green, B is yellow and C is red. They cross at three interchange stations: Můstek (A and B), Muzeum (A and C) and Florenc (B and C). A fourth line, D, is under construction, so check the PID site for the state of that project.

Lines are named by colour and direction, and the direction is the last station on the line: follow the sign for the terminus you are heading towards. Platforms show the next trains, and announcements give the next station.

Some stations are deep. Náměstí Míru has very long escalators and the ride takes a while. Stand on the right, walk on the left. Locals will not forgive you for blocking the left.

Trains run frequently through the day and less often in the evening. The first leave in the early morning and the last around midnight (as of 2026; check the official source).

Trams

Trams are the best way to see the city above ground. Routes run through the centre, along the river and out to the districts, and many pass the sights. Stops show line numbers, direction and the timetable. Check the direction before you board, because the stop on the opposite side goes the other way.

Board through any door. If you want to get off, press the stop button before your stop, because vehicles may not stop otherwise. Hold on. Trams brake sharply.

Buses

Buses cover the areas the metro and trams do not. They work like trams: validate, find a seat or hold on, and press the button for your stop. Major lines run frequently, while some suburban buses are less frequent, so check the timetable.

Tickets in practice

An electronic ticket in the PID Lítačka app needs no stamping. The ticket guide has more detail.

Etiquette

• Let people off before you get on.
• Give your seat to older people, pregnant women, people with small children and people with disabilities. Seats near the doors are often marked for them.
• Keep bags off seats and music in your headphones.
• Take your pushchair or suitcase to a wide area, and stay with it.
• Do not lean on the doors.

Phone calls are not banned, but Czechs usually keep them quiet.

What locals know

Czechs board with a plan. They know where the doors will stop, stand near the right exit and have the app open before the platform. They also give strangers space, which is why a packed tram is often eerily quiet. Chatting to the person next to you is not a custom, and it is not rude to stay silent.

A small thing worth copying: when the stop is yours, move toward the door before the vehicle stops, not after. Trams here do not wait for people to shuffle forward.

Finding your way

Plan with the PID journey planner or an app such as Google Maps or Mapy.com, both of which show real-time departures. Every stop has a pole or panel with the stop name and the lines that call there.

At night

When the metro closes, night trams and buses run on a separate network, with numbers starting with nine. They are less frequent, so check the schedule before you leave.

A first journey, narrated

You step into the metro at Muzeum with a ticket in your hand. You stamp it at the yellow machine and take the escalator, standing on the right. On the platform the board shows the next train and the terminus you are heading for. You board, hold a pole and watch the stations count down. At Můstek you step off and follow the signs to line B if you need to change.

On the street you find a tram stop, check the direction on the pole, board through any door and press the button for your stop. By the second day the whole routine is automatic. The first time is the only time it feels like a puzzle, and most of the puzzle is deciding which direction the train is going.

When things go wrong

Delays happen. If a line is closed, announcements on the platform and in the vehicle explain the replacement service, often a bus. The PID app shows disruptions, and staff in stations can point you the right way. Keep your ticket: replacement transport is usually covered by the same ticket. Stay calm, follow the crowd and check the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many metro lines does Prague have?

Three in service: A, B and C. Line D is under construction.

Where do I validate my ticket?

In the yellow machines at metro entrances, or inside trams and buses, before you travel.

How late does the metro run?

Until about midnight. Night trams and buses take over.

Do I need to press a button to get off?

On trams and buses, yes. Press the stop button before your stop.

Today: find your nearest tram or metro stop on the PID planner and plan a route from there to the Old Town.