Using public transport in Prague
Choose a ticket long enough for the complete journey, activate it correctly and check whether an app or paper ticket suits you better.
Prague's short-term tickets are based on time, so choose one that covers the whole journey, including changes. A cheap ticket that expires before you arrive is not a saving.
For a short visit, compare the official app with paper tickets. The fares now differ, and the simplest choice depends on whether your phone is ready to use the app reliably.
Current short-term fares
Prague Integrated Transport lists these ordinary adult fares, checked on 8 September 2026:
| Validity | PID Lítačka app | Paper ticket |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | CZK36 | CZK39 |
| 90 minutes | CZK46 | CZK50 |
| 24 hours | CZK140 | CZK150 |
| 72 hours | CZK340 | CZK350 |
These are Prague tickets, not an unlimited regional pass. Special services including Airport Express and heritage routes have exclusions. Age concessions require the appropriate proof, so check the current eligibility section before buying for children or older travellers.
Activate before the journey
With a paper ticket that needs stamping, validate it as instructed at the start of travel. Keep it for the whole journey. Do not stamp the same already-valid ticket again just because you change from tram to metro.
With the app, distinguish buying a ticket from activating it. Read the countdown and validity shown on screen, and make sure the ticket is valid before entering the paid area or boarding. An inspector arriving is too late to start the activation process.
Keep your phone charged and able to display the ticket. If that is uncertain, the modestly higher paper fare may be a sensible choice.
When a day ticket makes sense
Three separately charged 90-minute app tickets cost CZK138, almost the same as the CZK140 day ticket. If your sightseeing will require more riding, compare the 24-hour option. Several short rides within one already-valid ticket do not each require a new ticket.
For a walk-heavy day in the centre, a small number of singles may be enough. Use public transport to reach the start of a walk or return when tired, rather than planning extra rides to justify a pass.
Before an airport trip, check the actual route and its coverage. The name “airport” does not make all services use the same fare. If you are comparing another city break, Vienna's current tickets also changed in 2026, including the removal of ordinary 48- and 72-hour products.