The metro in Prague is widely used by citizens and tourists alike. It was inaugurated back in 1974. Between then and now, the lines have certainly become much faster, the rides are less thinned out over time, and the tracks have lengthened to cover 65+ kilometers of routes.
Locating a Metro entrance is not difficult: just find signs in the shape of an inverted triangle with an “M” inside, the initial for Metro. The sign has the same color as the line passing through that part of the city.
Prague Subway
There are three routes covered by the Prague Metro, and each is easily identified because it is associated with a color. Thus we have a green line, also called the A line, a yellow line, also called the B line, and a red line, also called the C line. But let’s go in order.
Line A (green)
The green line runs through Prague from west to east. This line consists of 17 stations and provides easy access to the districts of tourist interest (Malá Strana, Staré Mesto, and Nové Město). Some of the easiest points to touch using this route include Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and the Jewish Quarter. This route makes it possible to stop at the Nemocnice Motol station, which corresponds to bus stop 119, and thus to arrive easily at Prague Airport.
Line B (yellow)
Line B runs through the city joining the northeastern and southwestern areas. This route consists of 24 stations and provides access to various locations. Of particular interest to tourists is probably the news that thanks to the yellow metro line they will be able to travel with ease to the 100 bus stop, which arrives right at the airport.
Line C (red)
Line C connects the north and south of Prague. Once again thanks to this service it will be possible to reach the bus station and Wenceslas Square. In addition, 20 different stations and several change points with other metro routes are provided on this route. These are indicated by the heading “Prestup,” or “Connection.”
Prague metro schedule
The metro is always active in Prague and runs with a frequency ranging from 2 to 10 minutes. The normally observed schedule calls for service from 5 a.m. to midnight.The uncovered time slots are, however, served by other public transportation, buses and streetcars above all.
Tickets
The ticket to be used to board the subway is also valid on buses and can be easily purchased at newsstands, automated stations, staff booths, and by text message. A ticket can cover 30- or 90-minute routes and have a reduced cost for children between the ages of 6 and 15. Those who wish to do so, however, may also purchase tourist tickets or season tickets of different durations.
Be careful, don’t plan to be a smart ass by not obliterating tickets: controls around here are anything but sporadic.
Useful information
As unfortunately happens at any latitude, public transportation in Prague is often populated by pickpockets. The phenomenon would seem to be statistically more prominent on the cars connecting the airport with the city center. Many tourists, aware of this, choose to reach their hotel or their gate using other means of transportation. In any case, to avoid problems, it is always good to follow some elementary safety rules.
That said, be aware that all subway stations are well equipped with pocket maps of the city and that everyone, if necessary, can take a map and carry it with them. On the escalators, one always travels on the right, while people with disabilities will unfortunately only be able to access some stations. Not all access is accompanied by escalators.
