World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Prague’s inexpensive and efficient transport system is run by Dopravn podnik Prahy – DP (Prague Public Transit Company) (tel: 29619 1817; website: www.dp-praha.cz). The network includes the metro, trams, buses and the funicular on Petrn Hill. Public transport is an integrated 24-hour system – daytime services run 0500-2400, when night trams and buses take over.

There are three metro lines (A green, B yellow and C red). There are three interchanges – Muzeum (A and C), Mstek (A and B) and Florenc (B and C). Trains run at two-minute intervals 0500-2000 on weekdays and at five- to 10-minute intervals at all other times.

Tickets (jzdenky) must be purchased in advance and stamped on entering trams and buses and the transport area of the metro. These are valid for all forms of public transport and can be purchased at station ticket machines, most tobacconists, information centres and any shops displaying the red and yellow DP sticker. Two tickets are available. The Kč8 ticket allows one ride of up to four stops on the metro or a 15-minute ride above ground without transfers (not valid on night buses, the funicular or historical tram). The Kč12 ticket is valid on all forms of transport, including transfers, for one hour at peak times or 90 minutes at all other times. The on-the-spot fine for travelling without a valid ticket is Kč400 and there have been persistent reports of some staff waiting around broken machines to slap fines on unsuspecting travellers.

A funicular railway (lanovka) runs every 10-15 minutes 0915-2045, carrying passengers from jezd in the Lesser Town to the top of Petrn Hill. Tickets cost Kč12.

The historic tram No.91 runs at weekends and on public holiday between April and November, taking tourists on a ramble around the main sights for Kč25.

Travel passes cost Kč70 for 24 hours, Kč200 for three days, Kč250 for a week and Kč280 for 15 days, Kč 420 for one month. A tourist version of the three-day pass, the Tourist Pass, costing Kč690, also allows entrance to over 40 tourist attractions (see Tourist Information).

Taxis
Some taxi firms have links to organised crime, unregistered drivers are widespread and many of the horror stories about exorbitant fares are true and all too frequent. Taking a taxi off the street is best avoided at all times. However, for those who do wish to take the risk, ProfiTaxi (tel: 26131 4151), with English-speaking drivers, are usually safe. Bars and restaurants are also often happy to book a taxi with a reputable firm for customers, a much better option than catching one off the street.

Travellers can expect to pay Kč30 for a street pick-up and Kč25 for a call-up. Fares are charged at Kč22 per kilometre and Kč4 per minute of waiting time. Officially licensed taxis are required by law to have a meter – if the driver refuses to switch it on, travellers are strongly advised to find another cab. Even then many of the meters have been tampered with or drivers may ask for dubious supplements. Passengers normally round up to the nearest Kč10 at the least. An additional amount of 8-10% of the fare could be tipped for exceptional service.

Limousines
Car Service, Palc Vltava, Revolucn, Prague 1 (tel: 22482 6262; fax: 22482 6261; e-mail: info@limousineservis.cz; website: www.limousineservis.cz) and Limousine Car Spiritka, Suaick 21, Prague 6 (tel: 22431 4857; fax: 22431 7372; e-mail: travel@beourguest-limousines.com; website: www.beourguest-limousine.com) can arrange a variety of luxury cars and other extras like bodyguards. Prices start from about Kč800 per hour for an Opel Astra or Kč1,600 for a Mercedes S (50km distance per hour included).

Driving in the City
Cobbled streets, tram lines and erratic drivers all contribute to make driving in Prague an unpleasant experience. In addition to this, the historic centre of the city is pedestrianised. Parking is a major problem and it is usually best for tourists to leave the car in the secure hotel car park and use public transport. Illegally parked cars will either be clamped or towed away, with retrieval costing at least Kč1,000 (tel: 158). There are three parking zones – orange for stays of up to two hours (Kč40 per hour), green for stays up to six hours (Kč30 per hour) and blue for residents and local businesses only. Cars should be locked and alarmed, valuables or radios should not be on display inside.

To discourage driving in the centre of the city, the city transport authority has set up a series of parking lots with direct links to the metro. Indicated by a P+R (park and ride) sign, these parking lots are guarded and charge a flat rate of Kč10. These include Praha 4, Hrncirska (line C, Opatov station), Praha 5, Radlick (line B, Radlick station), Praha 5, Zlicn (line B, Zlicn station), Praha 7, Ndra~ Holeaovice railway station (line C, Ndra~ Holeaovice station), Praha 9, Chlumecka (line B, Rajsk Zahrada and Cern most stations) and Praha 10, V Rybnickach (line A, Skalka station).

Car Hire
Car hire is expensive in Prague and (given the pedestrianisation of the city centre) not really necessary other than for trips out-of-town. Those looking to hire a car should arrange this before arriving, which will guarantee availability and avoid language difficulties. Clients must be over 21 years and must have held a full driving licence for at least a year. A valid national driving licence and an International Driving Permit, a passport and a credit card for the deposit are required. Car hire prices generally include collision damage waiver, theft protection and third party coverage.

Car hire is available at Ruzyne airport, Cedok, American Express offices and many large hotels. Major companies include Avis, Klimentsk 46, Prague 1 (tel: 22185 1225; website: www.avis.cz), Budget, Cistovick 100, Prague 6 (tel: 23532 5713; fax: 23532 5711; website: www.budget.cz) and Hertz, Karlovo nmst 28, Prague 2 (tel: 22223 1010 or 2010 2424 (reservation centre); website: www.hertz.cz). Local companies include Dvořk, Prague Hotel Hilton, Probezni 8, Prague 8 (tel: 22484 2313; fax: 22484 2407; website: www.dvorak-rentacar.cz), Royal Rent, Opetalova, Prague 1 (tel: 22424 44500; website: www.royalrent.cz) and Toscar, Novovysocansk 2a, Prague 9 (tel: 26631 5586; fax: 26631 1254; e-mail: info@toscar.cz; website: www.toscar.cz).

Local companies charge from about Kč1,000 per day, while international companies’ rates tend to be higher, from about Kč2,200.

Bicycle Hire
With high pollution levels, unsympathetic drivers and a lack of cycle lanes, cycling in Prague cannot be recommended. Nevertheless, bicycle hire and group tours of Prague are available in the summer from City Bike, Krlodvorsk 5 (tel: 07761 80284; e-mail: citybike@pragueonline.cz; website: www.pragueonline.cz/citybike), located not far from the Old Town Square. Rates are Kč700 per day with passport or ID as a deposit. A solid lock, helmet and a copy of Prague In Your Pocket come as part of the deal. Booking is possible through the website. Two hour guided group tours leave at 1000, 1400 and sunset.