Travelling by Public Transport with Wheelchair or Pram

Travelling by public transport with a wheelchair or pram in Prague is quite a challenge but certainly possible. Prague metro has 61 stations, 45 of which are suitable for wheelchair confined and prams. At most stations, the platforms can only be reached via escalators unsuitable for wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs. A number of metro stations have elevators from platform to platform or concourse and a small number of stations has elevators from platform to street level. The rear and front metro carriage are intended for wheelchair users and prams. These have a wider entrance and a large balcony. Only newer type trams are low-floor which is about half the rolling stock.

Public Transport for Wheelchairs and Prams: Metro

Two types of metro trains operate on the metro. Metro line C is wheelchair-friendly because the trains are level with the station platform and the gap is less than 8 centimetres. Trains on lines A and B and sit 5 to 8 centimetres higher than the platform and there is similar a gap. Many stations in Prague centre have more than one entrance/exit, often far apart and not all entrances/exits have elevators.

1. Metro stations WITHOUT elevators.
Green Line A: Hradcanska, Staromestska, Namesti Miru, Jiriho z Podebrad, Flora, Zelivskeho
Yellow line B: Jinonice and Radlicka

2. Metro stations with elevators from platform to street level
Green Line A: Petriny, Nadrazi Veleslavin, Borislavka, Dejvicka, Mustek
Yellow Line B: Andel, Narodni Trida, Mustek, Florenc, Plamovka, Vysocanska
Red Line C: Letnany, Vltavska, Florenc, Muzeum, I.P. Pavlova, Chodov, Opatov

3. Metro stations with ramps
Green line A: Strašnická
Yellow line B Nové Butovice, Smíchovské nádraží
Red Line C: Nádraží Holešovice

4. All other metro stations have elevators from platform to platform or concourse.

Wheelchair, Prams and Tram

Public transport with wheelchair is not a very big deal because about half of the trams are low-floor. At each tram stop is a timetable on which is indicated by means of a wheelchair logo are low-floor. Enter the tram by the door with the wheelchair and pram logo. Older types of trams have a high entry of several steps and impossible to board with a wheelchair. Boarding with a stroller is not easy, but it is possible. There are plenty of people who are willing to help you. All boarding platforms are wheelchair accessible.
There are many low-entry buses in Prague. Unfortunately, they are of little use to you as a tourist, because there are hardly any buses in Prague centre.

Warn the tram driver

If you want to board the tram with a wheelchair or pram, give a sign to the driver as soon as the tram arrives at the stop. If you want to get off, press the ‘pram button’ znameni pro ridice. The driver will leave the doors open longer so that you can easily get out with the children or wheelchair.

Which public transport ticket?

Your public transport ticket is valid on the metro, tram, bus, ferries and funicular to Petrin Hill. The latter two are not wheelchair friendly. Tickets are valid for 90 min, 30 min, 24 hours or 72 hours depending on the price.

* Full price: 15 – 70 years old
* Reduced price: 6 – 15 years old
* Seniors: 60 – 70 years but only with PID pass
* Seniors: 70 years and older free, on presentation of passport

NB It is quite a hassle for tourists to purchase a PID pass. It is not free and if you want to have it the same day, you pay extra.

Where to buy public transport tickets

Prague metro stations have no ticket offices and you cannot buy tickets from the driver on the tram.
Public transport tickets are bought:

1. At the counter at Public Transport Information Centres at the airport and at a number of metro stations
2. From the yellow ticket machines in the metro stations and at a few tram stops
3. From Trafika shops (which also sell magazines, newspapers, etc.)
4. Contactless payment with credit or debit card in all trams, at the bus stops and at the metro stations

Address of Public Transport Information Centres

1. Prague Central Station, in the departure hall next to the ticket booths
open 08.00-12.00 and 12.30-18.30

2. Central Station at the entrance to the metro on the north side
Open 6 am-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 7 am-9pm

3. Vaclav Havel Airport, terminals 1 and 2
Open 7am – 9pm

4. Andel metro station
Open 7 am-9pm

5. Mustek metro station, exit 28, Rijna Street
Open 7 am-9pm

6. Nadrazi Veleslavin metro station
Open 6am-8pm Saturday 9.30am-5pm, closed on Sundays

Photos: Marianne Crone and PID