Location Transport

What is the public transport like in Prague?

We are going to Prague for a few days at the end of this month and there is a lot we would like to see. What is the public transport system like for getting around? We plan on doing the city sightseeing bus tour, but what about regular buses, trains or trams around the city? Are they expensive? Can you buy a block ticket? What is the best way to get to the Zoo? We dont speak the language - will we have a problem or is English spoken a lot?

Public Comments

1. it better than British transport... not that much cheaper
2. trams are the quickest and easier way to get about when I was there tickets could be bought from local shops and not on the trams,they only drive them. most speak English so you will be fine When we were there we saw most of the sights by simply walking but for the castle we took a bus as it is uphill and it was a very warm day :)
3. Trams are excellent for seeing around the town. Do note that the taxis have rates set by law, and the taxis from the airport are allowed to charge the highest rate, but ONLY the airport taxis. We did not find that out until we read a notice on the reception desk of the hotel as we were checking out after having spent a week there. We then realised that only one taxi ride had charged us correctly, and every other one had charged a higher rate than was permitted. I guess that the assumption is that most tourists do not speak the language and would not have read (or been able) to read the notices, thus making them fair game for fleecing! Having checked out and recalling that it had taken us about a half hour taxi ride to get from the Praha central bus station to the hotel, we asked the receptionist to call us a taxi to take us back to the bus station. She looked surprised and pointed out of the window at the bus station just a 5 minute walk away!! Moral: be wary of taxi drivers overcharging and taking longer routes than necessary, ask your hotel reception for guidance and advice, ask about a local tram/bus ticket, as collective transport is cheap; enjoy the scenery. Cigarettes and beer are remarkably cheap and high quality glassware is worth buying if your airline baggage handlers are not competing in distance throwing. Pretty well any tourist town is going to have English speaking guides and hotel staff.
4. The public transport system in Prague is excellent, and very cheap - you can get a pass for the buses, trams and underground for the few days you are there for very little money. You can buy these in Tabacconist places. Don't worry about not speaking Czech, most people in Prague at least understand some English, just speak slowly and clearly, and don't forget to smile and say please and thank you. I suggest you also invest in a good guide book for Prague - I like the DK Eyewitness Guides series, but there are other good ones out there. Read the chapter on getting around before you go. One place your family might enjoy is the Hall of Mirrors up in Petrin Park. And have a lovely time, Prague is a lovely city.
5. Perhaps this link with all the details will be best answer about tickets and passes, Prague subway, trams, city buses, parking rules http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/transportation.html