Prague - Get Around

Divided by the formidable River Vltava, central Prague is a pedestrian-friendly city. Excellent public transport makes discovering the city’s ten districts simple. Each has its own unique flavour.

Historic Staré Mesto (the Old Town) is on the east bank of the river and centres on the Old Town Square. North of here is the refined old Jewish district of Josefov. Travel south and east for the shops, restaurants and bars of bustling Nové Mesto, and south again for hip Vinohrady. Cross the river to the west bank via the medieval Charles Bridge to reach picturesque Malá Strana and stately Hradčany, home to Prague Castle and Gardens.

Much of central Prague is pedestrianised, including the Old Town Square and several of the streets leading off it, as well as the cobbled lanes of Malá Strana. This is where many of the top sights cluster, so get your walking shoes on.

Prague’s extensive underground network, or Metro, is a quick way to get around. There are three lines, A (green), B (yellow) and C (red), which criss-cross the city centre and terminate in the suburbs.

Trams are handy for travelling all over the city. Popular routes can get crowded, but they are perfect for sightseeing and cover a wider area than the Metro. The ‘Nostalgic Tram No 91’ does a heritage circuit between the Public Transport Museum and the Old Town.

Buses tend to be less crowded than trams, but are mostly of use for travel outside of the city centre.

Prague has no shortage of taxis, but if you want to catch a cab, you should order one by phone from a trustworthy, official company or look for taxi ranks with the ‘Fair Place’ signs as these are controlled by Prague's City Hall and provide reliable services. Don’t hail one on the street either – it is illegal for them to stop anywhere but at an official taxi rank.

Travel passes – available for one, three or five days – give you unlimited travel on trams, buses and the Metro system in Prague. Buy them at any Metro station and validate your ticket in the little machines as soon as you board a bus or tram or enter a Metro station.

Experience medieval Prague around Prague Castle; the18th-century city at the exuberant St Nicholas Church; 19th-century Prague at the National Museum; and the 20th century at the cubist House of the Black Madonna. The 21st century reveals itself in the bizarre Dancing House and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism.

Prague Transport Department website