How to Buy Public Transport Tickets in Prague: A Complete Guide

15.04.2025

How to buy public transport tickets in Prague—choose between paper tickets or the smart Lítačka app for a hassle-free ride!

If you're planning to explore Prague like a local, using the city's efficient public transportation system is a must. But how do you actually buy tickets for trams, buses, or the metro in Prague? In this guide, we'll break it down into two simple parts — buying offline paper tickets and using the modern Lítačka mobile app. 

1. Buying Public Transport Tickets Offline (Paper Tickets) 🧾

If you prefer the old-school method, you can still buy paper tickets for Prague's public transport network. These tickets are valid for all types of transport — metro, trams, and buses — and are based on time duration (30 min, 90 min, 24 hours, etc.).

Where to Buy Paper Tickets:

  • Newsstands and Tobacco stores: You'll find these small shops all around the city, especially near metro stations and busy areas.

  • Ticket Machines: These are Located at most metro stations and some tram stops. Most machines accept coins, and many also accept cards.

⚠️ Important!

Each paper ticket must be validated once at the beginning of your journey using the yellow stamping machines inside trams, buses, or metro entrances.
You cannot reuse or validate the same ticket multiple times. Once it's stamped, it's active for the selected time duration and cannot be used again after it expires.

2. Buying Tickets via the Lítačka App (Recommended) 📱✅

For a smoother, more modern experience, we highly recommend using the Lítačka mobile app - available both for iOS iPhone and Android. It's the official app of Prague's public transport and is super easy to use.

How to Buy a Ticket with the Lítačka App:

  1. Download the App
    Search for "PID Lítačka" on Google Play or the App Store and install it or use the links above

  2. Set Up Your Profile
    You can use the app without creating a full profile, but registering gives you more flexibility (like saving payment methods).

  3. Select Your Ticket Type
    Choose from short-term tickets (30 min, 90 min), daily passes, or even longer-term tickets.

  4. Pay via the App 💳
    The app accepts debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

  5. Activate the Ticket Before You Travel
    Your ticket is stored in the app and must be activated before boarding. The app will show a QR code and countdown timer indicating how much time you have left.

Why Lítačka is the Better Option:

  • No need to find a ticket machine or carry coins.

  • No risk of forgetting to validate your ticket.

  • Tickets are always available, even late at night 🌙

  • You can see your active tickets and expiration times clearly.

Lítačka is simply the easiest and most reliable way to travel in Prague. 🎯

Can You Pay Directly on the tram or at the bus? 🤔

In some trams and buses, you'll find yellow onboard terminals where you can tap your contactless debit or credit card to buy a basic ticket.

However, we do not recommend relying only on this method because:

  • It's not available in all vehicles.

  • Some card readers may not work or may be offline.

  • You may accidentally forget to tap at all, risking a fine.

Final Tips 🎒

  • Always validate your paper ticket at the start of your journey.

  • Lítačka app is the most convenient and flexible option, especially for tourists.

  • Avoid the onboard card readers unless you're in a pinch — they're not always reliable.

By choosing the right ticketing method, you'll avoid stress, stay legal, and enjoy discovering all the hidden corners of Prague. Happy travels! 🚋 🚎 🚌

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