Transportation in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic's backbone is its rail and bus network: fast inter-city trains link Prague, Brno, Ostrava and smaller towns,-wide, while regional buses fill the gaps the tracks don't reach. In Prague itself, the metro, trams and buses share one rechargeable "Lítačka" card, buy it at any metro station, tap in and out, and you'll pay a fraction of what taxis charge. Outside the capital, most cities rely on trams and buses. Tickets are usually bought from yellow machines at stops or via the PID Lítačka app, and inspectors are unforgiving if you forget to validate. First-timer heads-up: the scenic but slow "tourist trains" sold in the old-town kiosks are almost always pricier and slower than the regular České dráhy services on the same route. Skip the airport taxi touts who swarm arrivals; instead, look for the clearly marked Airport Express bus that runs direct to the main train station in about 35 minutes, cheap, luggage-friendly, and it leaves right outside the terminal doors.