Although there is sometimes a bit of increased traffic, driving in Prague itself is usually not a problem, but parking is.
As many sights as there are in Prague, there are very few parking spaces. There are approximately 90,000 parking spaces in the center of Prague and the surrounding area, which are far from sufficient.
Parking Zones
The city center is divided into parking zones. These are marked on a board with the traffic sign P, in addition there are stripes on the street in the corresponding color.
- Blue: The parking zones are reserved for residents. Avoid parking your vehicle here at all costs, otherwise you risk a parking claw or the car will even be towed away.
- Orange: In the orange zones parking is allowed for a maximum of 2 hours. The fees are about 1.20 euros per hour.
- Green: In the green zones parking is allowed for a maximum of 6 hours. The fees are about 1.60 euros per hour.
Parking Ticket Sales
A parking ticket can be taken from the machines right next to the parking signs. Please pay attention to the information boards at the traffic sign.
The expression "parkovací lístek" or "parkovací karta" means to get a parking ticket at the parking machine,
the expression "Bez omezenÍ" means "unlimited.
Valuables in the Car
Never leave any valuables in the car when parked on the street. Also make sure not to leave any luggage visible in the vehicle.
Car burglary and theft are not uncommon in Prague.
Popular Tickets for Transportation in Prague:
- Prague Visitor Pass: Official City Pass with Public Transport (Recommended)
- Prague Airport: Shared shuttle to/from Václav Havel Airport (Bestseller)
- Prague: Private Transfer from Václav Havel Airport
- Best of Prague: City tour by boat, bus and on foot
- City Sightseeing: 24/48-hour hop-on hop-off city tour of Prague with optional boat tour
- Prague: Hop-on Hop-Off Ticket for the historic tram line 42
Mobile Apps
The Mr.Parkit mobile app shows the next free parking space in a parking garage.
Parking Garages
There are paid parking garages all over the city, many of which are located near train stations, tourist attractions, shopping centers and large hotels. Parking garages are guarded. Prices start at 2, -- Euro per hour, 24 hours cost from about 30 Euro.
We have compiled a few of the largest and most central ones for you:
- Palladium Underground Parking Garage: The largest public underground parking garage in the center is located under the Palladium shopping center, 1 Republic Square, Praha 1.
- Parking Centrum: Next to the main railway station, the State Opera House and close to Wenceslas Square is the largest parking garage in Prague, Parking Centrum at 6 Wilsonová Street, with 440 parking spaces.
- Millenium Underground Parking Garage: The Millenium underground parking garage under the Mariott Hotel offers 440 parking spaces and is centrally located near Prague's Masarykovo Nádraží city railway station.
- Rudofinium Underground Parking: Directly on the Vltava River and near the Charles Bridge is Rudofinium underground parking garage with 450 parking spaces. The garage is under 24-hour camera surveillance and is located at Alšovo Nábřeží 12, 11000 Prague 1.
Hotel Parking
Many hotels in Prague offer private parking for a fee. These parking lots are often video monitored or even completely locked and are considered very safe.
Park & Ride
There are a total of 16 Park & Ride lots in Prague, all located just outside the city limits. Many of them are video-monitored. Most of them are connected to the metro network, some to bus services. The parking lots are metered, but usually much cheaper than the parking garages in the city center, parking for less than 1 euro per day is possible.
Park & Ride parking is available at the following subway stations:
- Line A: Skalka
- Line B: Černý Most, Nové Butovice, Palmovka, Rajská zahrada, Zličín
- Line C: Chodov, Depo Hostivař, Ládví, Letňany, Nádraží Holešovice, Opatov
These Park & Ride parking lots close at 1 o'clock in the morning. After that, you can only pick up your vehicle again from 4 a.m. for an extra charge of 200 crowns (4 euros).
Along with the parking ticket, you can also buy discounted tickets for public transport at the ticket machines in the parking lots, these are valid only on the same day.
Free Parking
Outside the parking zones, parking is free of charge. Parking is also free of charge in the outdoor areas.
Many hotels offer free parking.
Towing
If your car received a parking claw or even been towed, please call the Prague City Police at +420 156.
They usually come relatively quickly and unblocks the car with payment. The fees for this start at a minimum of 50,-- Euro.
Towing is significantly more expensive.