Prague is no different from most European cities. You should expect traffic and drivers in Prague can be quite undisciplined so if you plan to travel around Prague, consider using their excellent transport system which will get your almost anywhere faster and cheaper than renting a car or taxi.
Wherever you go in Prague, make sure to bring these essentials: first aid kit, water and a light snack. Unless you are traveling via the Metro, you never know when you will get struck in traffic, so having these around will make your wait a little more bearable.
If you can, the best way to see Prague is on foot, at least most of the time. Make sure to get a detailed street map so you can easily find your way around. However, the people of Prague are absolutely delightful and almost always willing to help out a tourist find his way.
The Prague metro stations, or the underground, are linked by what they term lines. Thus, there are color coded lines A, B and C. From the moment you arrive in Prague, whether it be bus land or air, there are metro stations nearby to take you to your hotel. Muzeum station covers lines A and C, Andel metro station is line B, Mustek station is line A andB, Cerny Most metro station covers only line B, and Nadrazi Holesovice covers only line C. At every station, you will find English guides and maps for the entire metro system. You can also get discount tickets to all destinations in the metro system, as well as timetables and schedules.
There are two kinds of metro tickets – the single and the transfer. The transfer ticket will give you access to the metro, bus and tram for about 90 minutes, shifting between these three modes as many times as you like. You can even purchase 1, 3, 5 day tickets which will allow you to run around anywhere using the metro. If you are caught without a valid ticket while using the metro, there are severe penalties, so make sure you are on the up and up.
Other than the underground, the tram is also a wonderful way to go around Prague. They cover around 500 km around the city. More than 300 million locals and tourists use the tram annually. The central tram interchange is at Lazarska. You can use this as your guiding start and end point. Make sure to buy a ticket before going on the tram, and then have it validated automatically by using the machine inside the door of the tram.
From the 22 and 23 trams, you can get to the National Theatre and travel all the way to Pohorelec, Belvedere, and Prague Castle. Throughout the scenic route, you will be amazed by the stunning beauty of the surroundings. There is also the historical tram 91 which only runs on holidays and weekends.
If you have never ridden on a Funicular, this is the time to do it. Prague’s Funicular Railway climbs up Petrin Hill, and is an experience on its own, and one you will most likely never forget.
The city buses of Prague usually run through the outskirts of the city. This is the mode of transportation you will need to use when going to places not covered by the tram system.
Since Prague is tourist friendly, it offers free transportation to children below 6 years old, to senior citizens, to those with disabilities, properly caged pets, and even your bike and skis.
So you see, traveling around Prague is as easy as 1-2-3!
