Prague Transport Pass 2026: Which PID Ticket to Buy (App vs Paper Prices)

Understanding the PID Network: Zones and Vehicles

PID stands for Pražská integrovaná doprava, the authority running Prague's metro, trams, buses, ferries, and local trains under one fare system. Central Prague sits inside tariff zones P, 0, and B, while numbered zones 1 through 13 cover the wider region for trips beyond the city. A standard transport pass covers every PID mode in these zones except the vintage tram routes K, 41, and 42. It also excludes the Airport Express (AE) bus, which runs on its own separate fare. PID's few ferry routes along the Vltava River fall under the same ticket, along with commuter trains inside the zones.

2026 Ticket Prices: App Tickets Beat Paper Every Time

Buying inside the PID Lítačka app is consistently cheaper than paper, by 3 to 10 CZK depending on ticket length. SMS tickets cost more than paper on short rides, and they only work with a Czech-registered mobile operator, which shuts out most visitors using a foreign SIM or eSIM. Day and multi-day passes include one large piece of luggage. A 30 or 90-minute ticket needs a separate 25 CZK luggage ticket for anything bulkier than a small bag. The Petřín funicular is not covered by 30 or 90-minute tickets, but it's included free with any 24-hour, 72-hour, or subscription ticket. Riding it alone costs 60 CZK one-way at the funicular station. Staying more than a month calls for a personalized Lítačka coupon, or an anonymous transferable version that several people can share, one at a time. For how these fares stack up against paid attraction bundles, check the 2026 City Pass price breakdown.

• 1-month Lítačka coupon: 550 CZK full price, 130 CZK half price, or 1,000 CZK for the anonymous shareable version
• 3-month Lítačka coupon: 1,480 CZK full price, 360 CZK half price, or 2,700 CZK anonymous
• 12-month Lítačka coupon: 3,650 CZK full price, 1,280 CZK half price, or 7,800 CZK anonymous

Buying a Ticket: App, Contactless, Vending Machines, and SMS

PID Lítačka is the official app and the cheapest way to buy almost any ticket. It doubles as ID when an inspector checks your ticket, since your purchase is tied to your account. The app also lets you buy several tickets in one session and forward them to other people in your group, which paper tickets can't do. Contactless bank cards and phones work directly on trams and buses; tap the reader near the door when you board. Yellow vending machines still stand at metro stations and major stops, though they're increasingly redundant next to the app. SMS tickets exist too, but only for travelers with a Czech-registered SIM card.

• PID Lítačka app: cheapest fares across every ticket length, plus in-app inspector verification
• Contactless card or phone: tap the reader on board trams and buses, no app needed
• Yellow vending machines: found at metro stations and major stops, cash or card
• SMS ticket: send the fare code to 902 06, Czech mobile operator SIM required

Who Rides Free or at a Discount

Prague's fare system gives free and half-price rides to several age groups, but each one needs proof. Carrying the wrong ID is a common reason travelers get charged full fare despite qualifying for a discount.

• Children under 6: free when accompanied by someone over age 10
• Children 6 to 15: free within Prague, but must carry proof of age
• Seniors 65 and over: free with a passport or ID showing their age
• Seniors 60 to 65: half-price on single tickets and season passes with proof of eligibility
• Students 18 to 26: half-price season tickets with a valid full-time study certificate; no discount applies to single 30-minute, 90-minute, or day tickets

Validating Tickets and Avoiding Inspection Fines

Paper tickets get stamped exactly once, in the yellow box, the moment you first board or enter a metro station. Restamping at every transfer is a common mistake, and it doesn't extend your validity window at all. Digital tickets bought in the PID Lítačka app need about two minutes before they officially activate. Buy one well before boarding, not the moment you spot an inspector, or it won't yet be valid. Plainclothes inspectors check tickets throughout the network and issue on-the-spot fines of roughly 1,500 CZK for anyone riding without a valid, activated ticket. Keep your phone charged, since showing a digital ticket to an inspector requires an unlocked, working screen.

Transport Pass vs Prague Visitor Pass: Which One Fits Your Trip

A standard transport pass only covers PID transit: metro, trams, buses, ferries, trains, and the funicular. The Prague Visitor Pass bundles that same transit access with entry to paid attractions, which suits travelers packing several paid sights into a short stay. Decide based on how many paid attractions are actually on your list, not just on trip length. Skip the bundle and buy tickets directly if most of your days involve walking and only occasional transit. For a detailed comparison against the other sightseeing bundle, read Visitor Pass vs CoolPass. Then check if the City Pass pays off for your specific itinerary.

Using a Prague Transport Pass from the Airport

Václav Havel Airport is inside the Prague PID area, so regular timed tickets and day passes cover standard public transport routes. The Airport Express remains excluded because it uses a separate fare.

Choose your airport connection according to your destination:

• Trolleybus 59 runs to Nádraží Veleslavín, where Metro Line A continues toward Malá Strana, Staroměstská, and Můstek.
• Bus 100 connects the airport with Zličín, the western terminus of Metro Line B.
• Night bus 910 serves the airport after the daytime metro network closes and continues through central Prague.

Both airport terminals have ticket machines near the public transport exits. You can also purchase a ticket through PID Lítačka before leaving the arrivals hall.

Activate an app ticket before boarding and allow its waiting period to finish. Stamp a paper ticket once when entering the first vehicle. Transfers between the airport bus and metro remain covered while the ticket is valid. Travelers carrying large luggage should remember that short-duration tickets may require the separate luggage fare.