Basic information about bus network in Prague

The bus network in Prague is included in "PID" (Pražská integrovaná doprava = Prague integrated transport). PID is a united system of metro, trams, bus and some train routes in Prague and vicinity of "Střední Čechy".

Bus lines in Prague are numbered with numbers 100 - 799 by this order: Basic bus lines (not leaving Prague) 100 - 299, suburban lines (leaving Prague) 300 - 399, extramural (only in Střední Čechy region, not entering Prague) 400 - 499, night lines 500 - 599, suburban night lines 600 - 650, school lines (mostly used by pupils) 551 - 599 and special lines (extra transport to sport matches, exhibitions etc.) 751 - 799. Also, there are 4 main kinds of bus lines, sortered by their tracing: "feeding lines" (connecting some place with tram or metro), tangential (connecting some places, but not entering downtown), radial (going out from downtown) and diametral (across the whole city through downtown). There is not many radial or diametral lines, because most of the traffic in downtown is provided by tram and metro network.

It is necessary to buy a ticket, if you want to use any vehicle in PID. You can buy ticket in official selling places (e.g. in metro stations), in newsagents or in ticket machines. Also, you can buy a ticket from bus driver, but it is costlier than in ticket machines. The PID fare is transferable (also, you can buy a ticket with no transfer opinions) and the ticket validity is limited only by time and zones. Inner city Prague is marked as zone P, but when you are travelling by 300 - 499 buses, you have to check zones, which are you going through. On 300 - 499 lines is Prague marked as zones 0, B and zones outlying Prague are marked by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. You need to have a special ticket for travelling to this zones.

You can enter the bus with any doors, then you have to validate your ticket immedetaly in validator (usually placed next to the door). But, when you are travelling by 300 - 499 and 600 - 650 lines, you have to enter by rear doors and show your ticket to bus driver.

When you are traveling by PID vehicles, you have to keep the rules about travelling by PID. If you break them, you may be removed off the vehicle or you may be fined.It is necessary to keep your ticket all the time you are travelling, because you may be asked by ticket inspector for checking it. There are many private transport companies in PID network, but the transport rules are in every bus on every line the same.

Getting on and off the bus is possible only on a bus stop. All bus stops are marked by bus stop sign, which includes name of bus stop and numbers of bus lines, which are serving this stop. Also, there may be sign "Zastávka na znamení" (Request stop). Schedules are usually placed on bus stop or in shelter. When you are checking the schedule, watch for date of validity ("Platí od:"). Sometimes there can be a schedule, which is not valid today. If you want to get on bus on a request stop, lift your arm when the bus is coming. If you want to get off the bus on a request stop, holt the STOP button inside the vehicle, before you reach your stop..

Bus driver is not allowed to leave bus stop earlier than the schedule allows, but especially on extramular 400-499 may happen, that bus leaves earlier, so I advice you to arrive at your stop about 5 mins before bus should leave.Schedules also contains approximate lenght of ride, which is important for fare validity. If is written, that bus has to travel 18 minutes, and it travels 30 minutes (e.g. due to heavy traffic), your 20-minute ticket is still valid. On some lines, there may be some buses, which ends earlier than others. You can see it on the schedule and I advice you to do it.

Most of the intercity routes 100-299 are served by low-floor buses. You can see it on the schedule: trips served by low-floor buses are marked by picture with a wheelchair. Approximately 33% of all buses are low-floor. Low-floor bus may be serving any other trip, even if isn't marked by wheelchair picture.

Due to the large network of PID, bus lines make many frequently changes (approximately once a month). I advice you to watch an official website about current traffic changes.