User talk:(WT-en) Tjones4/prague

Amended external link formats to remove those which are "front-linked" as per wikivoyage policy. Removing details of carriers - there are too many to list.

Make a better distinction between GET IN and GET AROUND

Get in - should focus on getting into the city centre Get around is more generic

Public Transport Prague's inexpensive and efficient transport system is run by Dopravní podnik Prahy (DP) (tel: 2226 23777; website: www.dp-praha.cz). The network includes the metro, trams, buses and the funicular on Petrín Hill. Public transport is an integrated 24-hour system - daytime services run from 0500 until 2400, when night trams and buses take over.

There are three metro lines (A green, B yellow and C red) on the funky metro system, which is a tourist attraction in its own right with its mixture of futuristic and retro stations. There are three interchanges - Muzeum (A and C), Mùstek (A and B) and Florenc (B and C). Trains run at two-minute intervals 0500-2000 on weekdays and at five- to 10-minute intervals at all other times. A new station at Depo Hostivar opened in 2006 at the end of Line A.

Tickets (jízdenky) must be purchased in advance and stamped on entering trams and buses and the transport area of the metro. These are valid for all forms of public transport and can be purchased at station ticket machines, most tobacconists, information centres and any shops displaying the red and yellow DP sticker. Two tickets are available. There is a ticket that allows one ride of up to four stops on the metro or a 15-minute ride above ground without transfers (not valid on night buses, the funicular or historical tram). Another ticket is valid on all forms of transport (though not at night), including transfers, for one hour at peak times or 90 minutes at all other times. There is an on-the-spot fine for travelling without a valid ticket and there have been reports of some staff waiting around broken machines to slap fines on unsuspecting travellers.

A funicular railway (lanovka) runs every 10-15 minutes 0915-2045, carrying passengers from Újezd in the Lesser Town to the top of Petrín Hill.

The historic tram no.91 runs at weekends and on public holiday between April and November, taking tourists on a ramble around the main sights.

Travel passes valid for 24 hours, three days, a week and 15 days are available.

Taxis Some taxi firms are reputed to have links to organised crime, unregistered drivers are widespread and many of the horror stories about exorbitant fares are true and all too frequent. Taking a taxi off the street is best avoided unless it is with a trusted company such as AAA (tel: 22233 3222; website: www.aaa.radiotaxi.cz). The government has finally decided to do something about renegade drivers and by 2009 all taxis must be under eight years old, be metered, have air conditioning and (somewhat bizarrely) must be painted a yellow sheen. Bars and restaurants are also often happy to book a taxi with a reputable firm for customers - a much better option than catching one off the street.

Travellers can expect to pay slightly more for a street pick-up than a call-up. Fares are charged per kilometre and there is also a smaller fee per minute of waiting time. Officially licensed taxis are required by law to have a meter - if the driver refuses to switch it on, travellers are strongly advised to find another cab. Even then many of the meters have been tampered with or drivers may ask for dubious supplements. Passengers normally round up to the nearest Kč10 at the least. An additional amount of 8-10% of the fare could be tipped for exceptional service. Driving in the City Cobbled streets, tram lines and erratic drivers all contribute to make driving in Prague an unpleasant experience. In addition to this, the historic centre of the city is pedestrianised. Parking is a major problem and it is usually best for tourists to leave cars in secure hotel car parks, and use public transport. Illegally parked cars will either be clamped or towed away, with a cost for retrieval (tel: 158). There are three parking zones - orange for stays of up to two hours, green for stays up to six hours and blue for residents and local businesses only. Cars should be locked and alarmed, valuables or radios should not be on display inside.

To discourage driving in the centre of the city, the city transport authority has set up a series of parking lots with direct links to the metro. Indicated by a P+R (park and ride) sign, these parking lots are guarded and charge a flat rate. These include Praha 4, Hrncirska (line C, Opatov station), Praha 5, Radlická (line B, Radlická station), Praha 5, Zlicín (line B, Zlicín station), Praha 7, Nádraží Holešovice railway station (line C, Nádraží Holešovice station), Praha 9, Chlumecka (line B, Rajská Zahrada and Cerný most stations) and Praha 10, V Rybnickach (line A, Skalka station). Car Hire Car hire is expensive in Prague and (given the pedestrianisation of the city centre) not really necessary other than for trips out-of-town. Those looking to hire a car should arrange this before arriving, which will guarantee availability and avoid language difficulties. Clients must be over 21 years and must have held a full driving licence for at least a year. A valid national driving licence and an International Driving Permit, a passport and a credit card for the deposit are required. Car hire prices generally include collision damage waiver, theft protection and third party coverage.

Car hire is available at Ruzyne airport, Cedok, American Express offices and many large hotels. Major companies include Avis, Klimentská 46, Prague 1 (tel: 8107 77810; website: www.avis.cz) and Hertz, Karlovo námìstí 15, Prague 2 (tel: 22534 5000; website: www.hertz.cz). Local companies include Dvořák, Revolucni 25 (tel: 22482 6260; website: www.dvorak-rentacar.cz), Royal Rent, Opetalova 4, Prague 1 (tel: 24244 4500; website: www.royalrent.cz) and Toscar, Novovysocanská 2a, Prague 9 (tel: 26631 5586; website: www.toscar.cz).

International companies' rates tend to be higher than local companies'.

Bicycle Hire With high pollution levels, unsympathetic drivers and a lack of cycle lanes, cycling in Prague cannot be recommended. Nevertheless, bicycle hire and group tours of Prague are available in the summer from City Bike, Králodvorská 5 (tel: 0776 180284; website: www.pragueonline.cz/citybike), located not far from the Old Town Square. Passport or ID is used as a deposit. A solid lock, helmet and a copy of Prague In Your Pocket come as part of the price. Booking is possible through the website. Two hour guided group tours leave at 1000, 1400 and sunset.