Page 240 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

238  SUR VIV AL GUIDE
GETTING AROUND PRAGUE

The centre of Prague is conve niently small, method of transport is given for each sight.
and most of the sights can be reached The metro and trams serve the city centre,
comfortably on foot. However, to cross the while buses are used to reach the suburbs.
city quickly, or to visit a more remote sight, The entire system is simple to use – only
the public transport is efficient, clean and one ticket is needed for all three forms of
cheap. It is based on trams, buses and the transport. Bus, tram and metro routes are
underground (metro) system, all of which found on city maps, available at most city
are run by the Prague Public Transport centre tabáks, bookshops and newsagents;
Company (Dopravní podnik hlavního města or refer to the map on the inside back cover
Prahy). Throughout this guide, the best of this guide.

Green Travel The Transport System
Prague has a fantastic public The best way of getting around
transport system. Buses serve central Prague by public
the outer suburbs, thereby transport is by tram or metro.
decreasing congestion on Prague’s rush hours are between
central streets, where trams, 6am and 8am and 3pm and
cars, bikes, pedestrians and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
even horses jostle for space. However, more trains, trams
Comprehensive and 24-hour and buses run at these times, 24-hour ticket 30-minute ticket
public transport means that so crowding is not usually a
driving a car is unnecessary. problem. Some bus routes to around the city. They offer
Prague is also wonderfully the suburbs only run during unlimited rides for a number
compact, so walking between peak hours. of days – a one-day ticket costs
sights is not just possible but Kč110 and a three-day ticket
preferable. Cycling is another is Kč310.
good way of getting around. Tickets Children aged between
Renting a bike is easy (see p241). Prague’s transport network 6 and 15 pay reduced prices –
The last Thursday of each relies on the honour system. they pay half the fare on Kč24,
month sees the Auto*Mat Be aware that periodic checks Kč32 and Kč110 tickets.
Critical Mass bike ride, which are carried out by plain-clothes Tickets may be purchased
sets off from Jirího z Podebrad ticket inspectors who levy a from the automatic machines
square at 6pm. large on-the-spot fine if you at the entrance of all metro
don’t have a valid ticket. stations, at some tram or
Transfer tickets cover the bus stops, and at tabáks
entire system and allow (tobacconists), newsagents
30 or 90 minutes of travel and some shops. For more
after validation. Buy the information on transport
ticket before you travel and routes, maps and tickets,
validate it in the machines visit the Prague Transport
provided, or you will be Information website or one
travelling illegally. of the information offices
Tickets are available for listed below.
Kč24 (for 30 minutes of travel
including transfers) or Kč32 (for DIRECTORY
90 minutes), and can be used
on all forms of public transport, Prague Public Transport
including the funicular railway Information Centres
that runs from Újezd up Petřín Muzeum metro station, main
Hill; the boat service (lines station. Open 7am–9pm daily.
P1–6); and the railway network Václav Havel Airport, Terminals 1
(lines R and S). For shorter & 2. Open 7am–9pm daily.
journeys around the city centre, Holešovice train station, Anděl.
the 30-minute transfer ticket Open 7am–9pm Mon–Fri,
will usually suffice. 9:30am–5pm Sat.
Longer-term tickets are often Prague Transport
more convenient and a good Information
A visitor to Prague cycling around the city idea if you are planning on Tel 296 191 817. ∑ dpp.cz
on a hired bike seeing many tourist sights

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