Prague Metro Information
Technologically advanced and rich in history, Prague’s metro is mostly a fully automated network that began operating in 1974. It consists of 3 lines with a total of 61 stations. The extension of the metro with the construction of a new line has recently been approved. The Prague Transport Company is responsible for managing the operation of this extremely busy network. With over 500 million passengers a year, it is the 5th busiest metro network in Europe.
The map of the Prague Metro shows the city’s public transport system, which facilitates the travel of approximately 1,472,000 passengers on a daily basis. A single ticket costs 0.65. Although the service doesn’t offer 24-hour operation or air conditioning, passengers can walk between platforms. There are no driverless trains and there are no screen doors on the platforms.
The metro is operated by the Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy and operates from 4.45am to midnight every day of the week. The fare in local currency is set at 32 Czech crowns.
Prague Metro Map
Map of Prague Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Prague Metro map in PDF format.
Lines and Stations
The Prague Metro is a transport network consisting of 61 stations spread over 65.2 kilometres (40.51 miles). Most of the stations are underground. The three metro lines are designed to converge in the city centre. Each station has unique aluminium cladding in a distinctive colour, making it one of the most visually appealing metros in Europe. Stations typically have one platform with two aisles, although some have two platforms. The Prague Metro lines are
Line A
First opened in 1978, this line has undergone the most expansions, the latest of which was completed in 2015. At 17.1 kilometres (10.63 miles) and 17 stations, Line A is the smallest of the system’s lines. It terminates at Nemocnice Motol and Depo Hostivař. The line is marked by the colour green.
Line B
Introduced in 1985, Line B is the newest addition to the system. Despite its last extension, which was opened to the public in 1998, it holds the status of the longest line of the Prague Metro. It consists of 24 stations over a distance of 25.6 kilometres (15.9 miles), with the end stations being Zličín and Černý Most. The colour of line B is yellow.
Line C
Line C, the first to be opened since 1974, runs between Letňany and Háje and was last extended in 2008. The total length is 22.4 kilometres (13.9 miles) and includes 20 stations. The distinctive colour of Line C is red.
Connections to Other Systems
Prague’s extensive transport system is consolidated by the Prague Integrated Transport Company. In addition to the metro, this system includes trams, commuter trains, buses, boats, the Petřín funicular railway and park and ride facilities.
Together with the metro, trams are an important part of the city’s transport infrastructure. The tram network covers 142.4 kilometres (88.5 miles), with 25 daytime and 9 night-time lines. The trams have been electrically powered since 1981 and run mostly parallel to the metro lines, providing frequent connections. In addition, there are the Esko Prague commuter trains, with 33 lines and 235 stations connecting Prague with its surrounding suburbs.
Buses are another important means of transport in Prague. Most buses, which primarily serve city residents, are managed and regulated by Prague Public Transport, the same organisation that operates the metro. Other operators are also available. Daytime metropolitan lines are usually numbered 100 to 250, while suburban daytime lines are numbered 300 to 399. Metropolitan night lines range from 901 to 915 and suburban night lines from 951 to 960. A small trolleybus service has recently been reintroduced from Palmovka to Letonia.
Another means of transport is the Petřín funicular, which connects the lower part of the Malá Strana district with the top of Petřín Hill, with an intermediate stop. Boat services are also integrated into Prague’s transport system, with three ferry companies operating on the Vltava River and around five ferries serving various urban routes. To complement these options, Prague’s integrated transport system offers park and ride facilities. There are currently 25 such car parks, some of which are supervised and chargeable, while others are unattended and free. The latter, however, have a time limit.
Airport Connections
Václav Havel Airport Prague is the main terminal serving Prague and the surrounding regions. Founded in 1937, the airport has undergone several expansions and handled 17 million passengers in 2017, making it one of the busiest airports in the region. While there is no direct metro service to the airport, there are numerous bus lines that offer direct routes.
Several bus lines connect to the metro. Line 119 connects to the Veleslavin station on the A line, while line 100 connects to the Zlicin station on the B line. In addition, the Airport Express bus line connects the airport to the city’s main train station, Praha hlavní nádraží. This station has a metro station on Line C, known as Hlavní nádraží.
Schedule and Frequency
The Prague Metro operates from around 4.30am until after midnight, although start and end times vary from line to line. The timetables and frequencies for each line are detailed below:
Line A
The first train on line A leaves Dejvická station at 4:40 a.m. and the last train to Nemocnice Motol terminus at 12:33 a.m. On weekdays, the frequency is every ten minutes until 7:00 a.m., when it increases to every five minutes. This schedule continues until 10:00, when the frequency reverts to every ten minutes. From 14:00, trains arrive every seven minutes, gradually decreasing until 18:00. From 18:00 to 19:30, trains arrive every five minutes. The frequency then changes to every seven minutes from 19:30 until 23:30, after which it returns to every ten minutes.
On Saturdays, trains run every ten minutes, reducing to every seven minutes from 6.30 a.m. and returning to every ten minutes at 11.30 p.m. On Sundays, trains also run every ten minutes until 9.30 a.m., when the frequency changes to every seven minutes. At 23:30, the frequency returns to every ten minutes.
Line B
The first train on the B line departs from Českomoravská station at 4:44 a.m. and the last train to Zličín terminus at 12:46 a.m. On weekdays, trains on the B line initially run every ten minutes, but this frequency quickly increases to every five minutes from 5:30 a.m. The frequency gradually decreases until 7:00 a.m., when it drops to every two minutes. From 9:00 am, the frequency is approximately every four minutes. This gradually increases to every five minutes from 12:30 pm. At 14:00 it drops to every two to three minutes. At 6pm the frequency is every four minutes, increasing to every five minutes at 7pm. From 8pm to 11.10pm the frequency increases slightly to every six to seven minutes, after which trains arrive every ten minutes.
On Saturdays, trains run every ten minutes until 7:00 am, when the frequency changes to every eight minutes. This decreases slightly at 9:00 a.m., but returns to approximately every eight minutes by 7:30 p.m. The frequency is every ten minutes from 11:00 p.m. On Sundays, trains run every ten minutes until 10:00 a.m., then arrive every seven to eight minutes. At 7:30 p.m. the frequency changes to approximately every six minutes, and from 9:30 p.m. trains arrive every ten minutes.
Line C
There are different types of tickets available, depending on the length of the journey and the specific needs of the passenger. These include the basic ticket, short-term ticket, day ticket, three-day ticket, monthly ticket, quarterly ticket and annual ticket. The Basic Ticket, valid for 90 minutes, is the most common ticket and can be used on all means of transport within the period of validity. Tickets for the Prague Metro can be bought from ticket machines, kiosks, online or via SMS if you have a Czech SIM card.
The price of the ticket also varies depending on the period of validity. As of the last update, the basic ticket costs CZK 32, while the short-term ticket (valid for 30 minutes) costs CZK 24. One-day tickets (valid for 24 hours) and three-day tickets (valid for 72 hours) cost CZK 110 and CZK 310 respectively. Passengers planning a longer stay should consider a monthly ticket for CZK 670, a quarterly ticket for CZK 2,070 or a yearly ticket for CZK 6,750.
For those who use the metro and other public transport frequently, the Litacka card is recommended. This is an electronic card that can be used on all public transport in Prague, including the metro, buses, trams and ferries. It can be topped up online, making it a convenient option for regular commuters.
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Future projects
Prague Metro is constantly looking to expand and improve its services. Plans are underway to extend Line A to the Ruzyně district, which will provide a direct link to Václav Havel Airport. This extension will have four additional stations and is expected to be completed by 2028. There are also plans to build a new Line D, which will connect the city centre with the southern districts. This new line is currently in the planning stage, with construction expected to start in 2021 and be completed by 2027.
The Prague Metro has several future expansions in the pipeline to improve the system’s coverage and services. The most important of these is the development of a new line, Line D. This line is planned to run from the city centre to the southern part of the city, improving connections between different neighbourhoods and relieving pressure on the current lines. This project is currently in the planning stage and construction is expected to start in 2023.
In addition to Line D, there are also plans to extend existing lines. One notable project is the extension of Line A to Václav Havel Airport, which will provide a direct metro link to the airport for the first time. This is expected to make travel much easier for both locals and tourists. The extension will include four additional stations and is expected to be completed by 2028.
Other plans include the addition of new stations on existing lines to serve areas not currently served by the metro, as well as upgrades to existing stations to improve accessibility and facilities. These ongoing expansions and upgrades demonstrate the city’s commitment to maintaining a high quality, efficient public transport system.
With these extensions, the Prague Metro continues to develop as an integral part of the city’s public transport network, serving millions of residents and tourists every year.
What to see from the Prague Metro
Many of Prague’s major tourist attractions are easily accessible by metro. Here are some of the main attractions that are conveniently located near metro stations:
- Staroměstská station, line A – Old Town Square: Exit this station and you’re in the heart of Prague’s historic Old Town. The square is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Astronomical Clock and Týn Church.
- Hradčanská Station, Line A – Prague Castle: This station is a short walk from Prague Castle, one of the city’s most visited attractions. The castle complex includes St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane.
- Muzeum station, lines A and C – National Museum: At this station you’ll find the National Museum, the largest museum in the Czech Republic. The museum’s collections range from natural history to art.
- Railway Station Náměstí Republiky, Line B – Town Hall: This station is conveniently located near the Municipal House, a beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture. The building includes a concert hall and several restaurants.
- Malostranská station, line A – Charles Bridge: A short walk from this station will take you to Charles Bridge, a historic stone bridge that offers stunning views of Prague Castle and the Vltava River.
- Vyšehrad station, line C – Vyšehrad castle: This station is located near Vyšehrad Castle, a historic fortress on a hill overlooking the Vltava River. The castle grounds also include the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul and the Vyšehrad Cemetery.
These are just a few examples of the many attractions that the Prague Metro can take you to. With its extensive network and regular service, the metro is a convenient and efficient way to explore the city.
While the Prague Metro is primarily a means of transportation, it can also be used as a means of sightseeing. As you travel through the city, the metro will take you past a variety of architectural styles and points of interest, offering a unique perspective on Prague. Here are some of the notable sights you can see from the metro:
1. Line A: Dejvická to Depo Hostivař
The journey on Line A from Dejvická to Depo Hostivař takes you through some of the most historic parts of the city, including the Old Town and the New Town. You’ll also pass the Vltava River, which offers a beautiful view, especially at night when the city is lit up.
2. Line B: Křižíkova to Zličín
Line B offers a comprehensive tour of Prague’s modern and historic architecture. Starting at Křižíkova, you’ll pass through the city centre and see the juxtaposition of old and new buildings. As you approach Zličín, you’ll see some of the more modern parts of the city.
3. Line C: Háje to Letňany
Line C takes you from the residential district of Háje through the city centre to Letňany in the north. Along the way, you’ll pass some of Prague’s most important landmarks, including Wenceslas Square and the National Museum.
While the metro is a quick and efficient way to get around, don’t forget to take some time to get off and explore the city on foot. Prague’s beautiful architecture, historic sites and vibrant culture are best experienced up close.
Prague Castle: This is the largest castle in the world, covering over 7.28 hectares (18 acres). The castle has been the seat of Czech monarchs and currently houses the President of the Czech Republic. The castle grounds include St Vitus Cathedral, several palaces, a monastery, museums, gardens and defence towers. Most of the castle is open to tourists. To get to Prague Castle, take the A line metro to Malostranská station and then continue by tram or on foot up the hill.
Charles Bridge: Charles Bridge is a historic bridge crossing the Vltava River in Prague. Construction began in 1357 under the patronage of King Charles IV and was completed at the beginning of the 15th century. It is adorned by a continuous avenue of 30 statues, most of them baroque, originally erected around 1700 but now all replaced by replicas. It’s a major tourist attraction. To get to Charles Bridge, you can take the metro to Staroměstská station on the A line and walk about 500 metres to the bridge.
Petrin Hill and Observation Tower: Located in the centre of the city, Petrin Hill is a favourite spot for locals and tourists. It’s full of gardens, has an observation tower that resembles the Eiffel Tower and offers some of the best views of Prague. To get to Petrin Hill, take the metro to Malostranská station on the A line, then tram 22, 23 or 97, or the Petrin funicular.
National Theatre: The National Theatre is known as the alma mater of Czech opera and a national monument of Czech history and art. The theatre consists of three artistic ensembles – opera, ballet and drama – which alternate performances in the historic building of the National Theatre, the State Opera and the Estates Theatre. To get to the National Theatre, take the B line metro to Narodni Trida.