Prague public transport among Europe’s cheapest, even after upcoming fare hike

Prague’s public transport system is not just efficient: it’s one of the cheapest in Europe. According to new indices, the Czech capital’s ticket prices are far below the continental average, with a standard ride costing about half the average price across 50 of Europe’s largest cities.

However, with planned price hikes on the horizon, passengers have just months left to enjoy Prague's wallet-friendly prices.

Research from global luggage storage platform Radical Storage analyzed fares for buses, trams, metros and trains in tens of major European cities using official transport websites. Prices were based on the smallest central travel zone and averaged across different transport types so they could be fairly compared.

Out of 31 studied cities in Europe with metro systems, Prague’s roughly EUR 1.23 (CZK 30) single-ticket fare ranked among the three cheapest in Europe, just behind Istanbul EUR 0.60 and Budapest (EUR 1.10). 

By contrast, nearby Berlin’s single metro fare averages EUR 3.80. Prague’s unified fare structure in Prague allows riders to use the same ticket on metro, tram and bus lines, contributing to its consistently low travel costs.

Across all transport types, Prague’s single ticket stands well below the EUR 2.40 study average. That price ties it with Gdańsk, Poland, and puts it far ahead of other major Western European capitals: Oslo (EUR 3.80), Copenhagen (EUR 3.20), and Paris (EUR 2.25).

For the price of a single tram ride in Zurich, Switzerland (EUR 4.90), a traveler in Prague could make four trips across the city.

Prague’s 24-hour pass, at about EUR 4.80, also ranks among Europe’s least expensive. Only Lisbon (EUR 2.00) and Krakow (EUR 2.80) offer cheaper day passes. 

By comparison, a daily ticket in Stockholm, Sweden, costs EUR 16.50, and in London you’d need to pay EUR 10.60.

For Prague residents and visitors alike, 2026 has some bad news in store: starting January next year, single-use tickets for Prague’s public transport will rise by over 30 percent.

A 30-minute ticket will climb to CZK 39, and a 24-hour ticket is set to jump to CZK 150. Even with the hike, that’s still far below what travelers pay in most Western European capitals; for example, Barcelona makes people pay EUR 11.60 for a 24-hour ticket.

Passengers in Prague can save a few crowns by purchasing tickets via the Lítačka mobile app.