Prague (Praha) Local Transportation

Prague's Metro system alone could sufficiently serve this fun-size city, but Prague also has a tram service (light rail), a bus service, a horde of angry taxis and something called a funicular.

An 18Kč public transportation ticket (there's just one type, regardless of the type of transportation) buys a 20min. non-transferable tram or bus ride or a five-station non-transferable Metro ride. A 26Kč ticket lasts 1¼hr. with unlimited transfers, and buys a ride on the funicular cable car that runs to the top of Petřín Hill. Tickets, which are available at stations and all convenience stores, must be validated at the start of each trip; unstamped tickets are invalid. Although ticket inspections are rare, a hefty fine awaits freeloaders, so pay up. One-, three-, and five-day passes cost 100Kč, 330Kč, and 500Kč, respectively; a monthly pass costs 550Kč. Metro trains run every 2-10min. on line A (green), B (yellow), and C (red) daily 5am-midnight. The dozens of tram lines keep different hours, and lines and routes change for late-night service.

Travelers should be mindful of pickpockets and remember that Praguers are big on respect. Persons under 30 should offer seats to seniors or prepare to be shunned like lepers.

Taxis: City Taxi, and AAA (☎140 14). 40Kč base, 25Kč per km, 5Kč per min. waiting. Hail a cab anywhere, but call ahead to avoid getting ripped off.
Car Rental: Europcar, Elišky Krásnohorské 9 (☎224 811 290; www.europcar.cz), Cars from 830Kč per day. Anyone planning on renting a car must have a European driver’s license. Open daily 8am-8pm
Bike Rental: City Bike, Králodvorská 5 rents bikes for 2, 3, or 4hr., or all day. All bikes come with a helmet, lock, map, and drink. First 2hr. 300Kč, each additional hr 50Kč up to maximum 500Kč. Open daily 9am-7pm