|
|
| Home > City Guide - Prague - Getting Around | ||
|
||
|
Getting Around Public Transport Prague’s inexpensive and efficient transport system is run by Dopravno podníku Prahy – DP (tel: (02) 2264 0103, website: www.dp-praha.cz). The network includes the metro, trams, buses and the funicular on Petrín Hill. Public transport is an integrated 24-hour system – daytime services run from 0500 to 2400, when night trams and buses take over. There are three metro lines (A green, B yellow and C red). There are three interchanges – Muzeum (A and C), Mustek (A and B) and Florenc (B and C). Trains run at two-minute intervals 0500-2000 on weekdays and at five- to ten-minute intervals at all other times. However, much of the section of the metro serving tourist areas was badly damaged by the floods and will probably not be back to normal before late spring 2003. Meanwhile two tram lines (X-A and X-B) and a new bus service (X-C) have replaced the metro. Tram X-A – the most important for tourists – travels from beyond Dejvice, through Hradcany (the castle area), Mala Strana (the lower town), over the Vlitava and past the National Theatre, through I P Pavlova, Namesti Miru out to Kubanske namesti. Tram X-B runs from Hloubetin to Smichovske Nadrazi – the most important section links Karlova Namesti, Narodi trida, Namesti Republiky and Vltavska. Meanwhile the X-C bus runs from the Nadrazi Holesovice train station, past the main train station Hlavni Nadrazi, through Muzum, I P Pavlova (where it meets the X-A tram) and on to Vysehrad and Prazskeho Povstani. Tickets (jízdenky) must be purchased in advance and stamped on entering trams and buses and the transport area of the metro. These are valid for all forms of public transport and can be purchased at station ticket machines, most tobacconists, information centres and any shops displaying the red and yellow DP sticker. Two tickets are available. The Kc8 ticket allows one ride of up to four stops on the metro or a 15-minute ride above ground without transfers (not valid on night buses, the funicular or historical tram). The Kc12 ticket is valid on all forms of transport, including transfers, for one hour at peak times or 90 minutes at all other times. The on-the-spot fine for travelling without a valid ticket is Kc400. A funicular railway (lanovka) runs every 10-15 minutes 0915-2045, carrying passengers from Újezd in the Lesser Town to the top of Petrín Hill. Tickets cost Kc12. Travel passes cost Kc70 for 24-hours, Kc180 for three days, Kc250 for a week and Kc280 for 15 days. A tourist version of the three-day pass, the Tourist Pass, costing Kc690, also allows entrance to 42 tourist attractions (see Tourist Information). Taxis Many taxi firms are controlled by organised crime, unregistered drivers are widespread and most of the horror stories about exorbitant fares are both true and all too frequent. Taxis are best avoided at all times, especially at taxi ranks. However, for those who do wish to take the risk, ProfiTaxi (tel: (02) 2213 5551), with English-speaking drivers, are usually safe. Travellers can expect to pay Kc30 for a street pick up and Kc25 for a call up. Fares are charged at Kc22 per kilometre. Officially licensed taxis are required by law to have a meter – if the driver refuses to switch it on, travellers are strongly advised to find another cab. Passengers normally round up to the nearest Kc10, at the least. An additional amount of 8-10% of the fare could be tipped for exceptional service. Limousines Limousine hire is offered by Limousine Car Spiritka, Susická 21, Praha 6 (tel/fax: (02) 2431 3733; e-mail: cinek@applet.cz; website: www.beourguest-limousine.com), and Limusina Car Servis, Krkonosská 11, Praha 2 (tel: (02) 627 3734; fax (02) 627 3734; website: http://members.a-zprague.cz/lcs) where rates, including chauffeur, start at Kc200 per hour. There is a minimum hire of three hours. Driving in the City Cobbled streets, tram lines and erratic drivers all contribute to make driving in Prague an unpleasant experience. In addition to this, the historic centre of the city is pedestrianised. Parking is a major problem and it is usually best for tourists to leave the car in the secure hotel car park and use public transport. Illegally parked cars will either be clamped or towed away, with retrieval costing at least Kc1000 (tel: 158). There are three parking zones – orange, for stays of up to two hours (Kc40 per hour), green, for stays up to six hours (Kc30 per hour) and blue, which is for residents and businesses only. Cars should be locked and alarmed, valuables or radios should not be on display inside. To discourage driving in the centre of the city, the city transport authority has set up a series of parking lots with direct links to the underground. Indicated by a P+R (park and ride) sign, these parking lots are guarded and charge a flat rate of Kc10. These include Praha 4, Hrncirska (C-line, Opatov station), Praha 5, Radlicka (B-line, Radlicka station), Praha 5, Zlicin (B-line, Zlicin station), Praha 7, Holesovice railway station (C-line, Nadrazi Holesovice station), Praha 9, Chlumecka (B-line, Rajska zahrada and Cerny most stations) and Praha 10, V Rybnickach (A-line, Skalka station). Car Hire Car hire is expensive in Prague and, given the pedestrianisation of the city centre, not really necessary other than for trips out-of-town. Those looking to hire a car should arrange this before arriving, which will guarantee availability and avoid language difficulties. Clients must be over 21 and must have held a full driving license for at least a year. Driving licence (including IDP), passport and a credit card for the deposit are required. Car hire prices generally include collision damage waiver, theft protection and third party coverage. Car hire is available at Ruzyne airport, Cedok, American Express offices and many large hotels. Major companies include Avis, Klimentská 46, Prague 1 (tel: (02) 2185 1225; website: www.avis.cz), Budget, Cistovicka 100, Prague 6 (tel: (02) 302 5713; website: www.budget.cz) and Hertz, Karlovo námestí 28, Prague 2 (tel: (02) 291 851; website: www.hertz.cz). Local companies include Auitopelant, Patockova 43, Prague 6 (tel/fax: (02) 3335 3157; website: www.autopelant.cz), Czechocar, Na prikope 23, Prague 1 (tel: (02) 2011 3454; e-mail: rent@czechocar.cz), Cenik Royal Rent, Opetalova, Prague 1 (tel: (02) 2224 7515; website: www.royalrent.cz), Dvorak, Prague Hotel Hilton (tel: (02) 2482 6260; website: www.dvorak-rentacar.cz), First, Vaclavske Namesti 37, Prague 1 (tel: (0604) 262 666; website: www.1r.cz), and Toscar, Novovysocanska st. 2a, Prague 9 (tel: (02) 6631 5586; website: www.toscar.cz). Local companies charge from Kc700 to Kc2000, while international companies charge higher rates from Kc2300 to Kc7000. Bicycle Hire With a combination of high pollution, unsympathetic drivers and no cycle lanes, cycling in Prague is not recommended. Nevertheless, bicycle hire and group tours of Prague are available from City Bike, Kralodvorska 5 (tel: (02) 7761 80284; e-mail: citybike@pragueonline.cz; website: www.pragueonline.cz/citybike), located not far from the Old Town Square. Rates are Kc400 per day with a Kc4000 deposit. |
||
