Confused by Prague transport zones (PID)? You’re not alone. This simple guide explains how zones work, when you need them, and how to avoid overpaying for tickets.
Why Zones Exist in PID
The PID system covers Prague and the area around it. To keep ticket prices fair for everyone, PID uses a zone system. The PID system starts at the center (Zone P) and moves outward. And even if the airport is 17 km away from the center, it sits right at the edge of the Prague territory.
How these zones work: the farther you travel from Prague, the more zones you cross. The number of zones you pass through determines the cost of your ticket.
If you prefer a more comfortable option, you can also read our guide about taxis in Prague and how to avoid scams.
The PID Zones: P, 0, B, and 1–13
Prague Transport Zones
- Prague Transport Zones – P, 0, B
- Zones P, 0, and B make up the Prague area. By buying any ticket valid for Prague, you automatically pay for all these zones. Important! Even if you go inside one of tariff zones in Prague you must buy usual ticket covering all Prague Transport Zones (P, 0, B)
- PID Zones Outside Prague (Region)
- Zones 1 through 13 cover suburban, semi-rural, and rural transport in the Central Bohemian Region. These zones form concentric rings around Prague.
- Each stop or station belongs to a zone depending on the specific timetable and line — so a station may fall into different zones depending on whether it’s served by a city line or a commuter route.
In short: the Prague region is divided into tariff zones (Prague itself too, but you cannot buy a ticket for just one of Prague’s zones). The price of a ticket is calculated by the number of PID zones you cross.
How Zoning Affects Your Ticket: Only Outside Prague
If your journey doesn’t cross beyond Prague’s boundaries, you are within the “Prague tariff area.” You don’t need to think about zone numbers for a short ticket or monthly pass — just pick the ticket valid for Prague. During the paid validity period, you can freely change between all public transport modes.
Travel between Prague and the Region (or within the Region) – Here’s where zones matter:
- Your ticket must cover every zone you travel through, one after the other. You cannot skip zones.
- If you have a Prague long-term pass: You only need to buy a ticket for the additional zones outside Prague. You do not pay for Prague zones again.
- Starting your regional trip: If you use your long-term Prague pass plus a new ticket for the regional zones, the time validity of that new regional ticket begins right when you cross the Prague border.
If you travel with bags, it is also important to know the luggage rules in Prague public transport.
✈️ Are you arriving at the Airport?
While the Airport is officially in the Prague territory (Zones P, 0, B), it is right at the edge of the city. If you are just traveling from the airport to your hotel in the center, you only need a standard Prague ticket.
You can find the specific routes and which ticket to buy in our Prague Airport to City Center guide.
How PID zones Works Out of Prague: Important Rules Most Tourists Miss
If you are first time travelling in Prague region, you should know few moments about PID zones.
- Mind the Clock! If you buy a ticket for a specific regional journey (like Prague to Zone N) and validate it here in Prague, remember that you need to finish your trip before the ticket’s time runs out.
- Use One Ticket Both Ways: PID tickets are time-based, not one-way. If your ticket is still valid, you can use it for your return trip. Just make sure to leave the bus or train before the time runs out.
- Already Have a Prague Pass? Great! If you’ve got a valid Prague ticket (like a 24-hour, monthly, or even a 90-minute ticket that’s still counting down), you only need to pay for the zones outside Prague. If you’re buying a ticket from a bus driver, just let them know you’ve already paid for Prague! The helpful Czech phrase is: “Prahu mám placenou” (Prah-hoo maahm pla-tseh-noh). This saves you about 20 Kč since you’re not paying for Prague again!
- Hopping Within Your Zone: If you’re staying in the same zone you’ve already paid for, and your ticket is still valid, you don’t need a new one. Just show your valid ticket to the bus driver and find a comfortable seat!
✅ Example for Better Understanding
Prague → Zone 4 → Prague
You travel from Prague to Zone 4 and back. You need a ticket covering Prague (P, 0, B) + Zones 1–4.
- This ticket costs 52 CZK if bought from the driver or 48 CZK in the Lítačka app, and it is valid for 60 minutes.
- If your ticket is still valid at the end of your return journey, you can use the same ticket for both directions.
PID Zones for Short-Term and Individual Tickets
Looking for a quick ride or a pass for your whole visit? Here is a simple breakdown of the tickets you can choose.
Starting January 1, 2026, new prices apply, with a discount offered for tickets purchased via the PID Lítačka mobile app.
Single-Trip Transferable Tickets (Full Fare)
Valid for paper tickets and mobile app (MA/PMA) purchases.
| Zone Validity (Total Zones) | Time Validity | Paper Ticket Price | App Ticket Price | Max. Zone Combination Examples |
| 2 zones * | 15 min | 26 Kč | 24 Kč | Two adjacent outer zones only. ⚠️ Critical Warning: The 26 CZK Ticket You might see a “2-zone” ticket for 26 CZK (24 CZK in the app) in the machines. Do not buy this. This ticket is only for travel between villages outside of Prague (Zones 1–13). It is not valid for any part of your journey from the airport or anywhere within the Prague city limits (Zones P, 0, B). Using this ticket in Prague is the same as having no ticket at all! |
| 3 zones / Prague | 30 min | 39 Kč | 36 Kč | P-0-B (Prague) or B-1-2 or 3 outer zones |
| Prague (Only) | 90 min | 50 Kč | 46 Kč | P-0-B (Prague territory only) |
| 4 zones | 60 min | 52 Kč | 48 Kč | P-0-B-1 or B-1-2-3 or 4 outer zones |
| 5 zones | 90 min | 65 Kč | 60 Kč | P-0-B-1-2 or B-1-2-3-4 or 5 outer zones |
| 6 zones | 120 min | 78 Kč | 72 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3 or B-1-2-3-4-5 or 6 outer zones |
| 7 zones | 150 min | 91 Kč | 84 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4 or 7 outer zones |
| 8 zones | 180 min | 104 Kč | 96 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4-5 or 8 outer zones |
| 9 zones | 180 min | 117 Kč | 108 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4-5-6 or 9 outer zones |
| 10 zones | 180 min | 130 Kč | 120 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4-5-6-7 or 10 outer zones |
| 11 zones | 180 min | 143 Kč | 132 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 or 11 outer zones |
| 12 zones | 180 min | 156 Kč | 144 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 or 12 outer zones |
| 13 zones | 180 min | 169 Kč | 156 Kč | P-0-B-to-10 or 13 outer zones |
| 14 zones | 180 min | 182 Kč | 168 Kč | P-0-B-to-11 or 0-B-to-12 or B-to-13 |
| 15 zones | 180 min | 195 Kč | 180 Kč | P-0-B-to-12 or 0-B-to-13 |
| 16 zones | 180 min | 208 Kč | 192 Kč | P-0-B-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13 |
Important Tariff Rules (Effective 2026)
- Prague Zone Counting: For travel between Prague and the outer regions, Prague (Zones P, 0, and B) is now counted as 3 zones instead of the previous 4.
- Outer Zones: These are numbered 1 through 13.
- Validity: Tickets are valid for the specified number of consecutive zones and must also respect the time limit.
- 2-Zone Ticket Exception: The 15-minute ticket is only valid in the outer zones (1–13) and cannot be used for travel within Prague.
Special Services to Note
- Petřín Funicular: This is a special case! You can use your 24-hour or 72-hour ticket here. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy a separate single ticket. For now Petřín Funicular still repairing. The renovation is expected to last until August 2026, but you can use your Prague ticket on the replacement buses in the meantime.
- Airport Express (AE) Bus: Heads up—this bus has its own dedicated fare system, so regular PID tickets (including the 24/72-hour passes) are not valid on the AE line. ⚠️The AE price just jumped to 200 CZK in 2026 (was 100 CZK).
How Prague Short-Term Tickets Work (Read This First)
If you’re staying in Prague, you can pick any of the short or long term tickets. They work for all transport types within the city limits: buses, trams, trolleybuses, and PID trains.
You can switch between any of these transports as much as you like, as long as your ticket is still valid!
The most important step: you must validate your ticket at the start of your very first journey. The machine prints the time, and the countdown begins from that exact moment. Make sure you complete your final trip before the validity time expires. If your ticket is not valid, you may get a fine, so it is important to understand Prague public transport fines.
The same simple principle applies outside Prague, too—you just pay based on how many zones you need to cross for your trip.
👍With the same regular ticket, you can take a budget-friendly sightseeing trip across Prague on the vintage No. 23 tram. Discover more options in my article: “Cheap Prague Sightseeing by Tram: Best Routes & Tips”
PID Zones — Quick Guide
This is your essential cheat sheet for navigating public transport in Prague and the surrounding region.
🔹 Prague Zones (P, 0, B)
- P, 0, and B zones cover the entire city of Prague (metro, trams, city buses, ferries, and the Petřín funicular).
- If you travel only inside Prague: Just buy a standard Prague ticket. You don’t need to worry about P, 0, or B.
If you travel late, it is useful to know how public transport in Prague works at night.
🔹 Regional Zones (1–13)
- These zones are the outer rings covering the Central Bohemian Region.
- Your ticket must cover all consecutive zones you travel through outside of Prague.
- Heads Up: Some stations might belong to different zones depending on whether the bus line is a city route or a suburban route.
🔹 Combining Prague Pass + Region
- Already have a Prague Pass? Great! You only need to buy a short ticket for the extra outer zones (1-13).
- When does the regional ticket start? The time validity of your extra ticket starts the moment you cross the Prague border.
