💡 A jízdenka is a ticket, jednotlivá single, časová time-limited (for example thirty minutes or a day), snížená reduced, plná full. You buy it at a machine, in an app or by SMS.
💡 A monthly pass (měsíční jízdenka) or časová jízdenka is usually loaded onto a karta (city card) or an app; the card needs a photo and ID.
💡 A paper jízdenka in Czech transport must be označit (validated) in the označovač (validator) right after boarding; otherwise it is invalid. Tickets in an app and SMS are not validated.
💡 The inspector (revizor) shows an ID and says Revize jízdenek, prosím; keep the ticket at hand, in the app or on paper.
💡 Travelling without a ticket carries a přirážka (fine); if you had a ticket but didn't validate it you can usually appeal. The fine is paid by transfer or on the spot within the stated time.
💡 In many cities children up to a certain age ride free and older ones with a zlevněná jízdenka (reduced ticket); rules depend on the city, so ask the operator.
💡 A ticket from the app is activated before boarding; the inspector looks at the screen or scans the code; do not turn off the phone or close the ticket.
💡 Tam a zpět is return, jedním směrem one way, místenka a seat reservation; for express trains a seat is often mandatory; tickets are sold at the desk, on the website or in an app.
💡 Nástupiště is the platform, kolej the track; on the board look for the train number, direction and nástupiště/kolej. Often it is said like this: nástupiště druhé, kolej třetí.
💡 Before boarding ask people nearby or the conductor: Jede tenhle vlak do ...? That is normal and helps avoid mistakes.
💡 On long-distance trains the ticket has a vůz (carriage) and a místo (seat); a místenka is a seat reservation; bez místenky means no seat is assigned.
💡 Big stations have an úschovna zavazadel (left-luggage office) or lockers: you pay by the hour or by the day; a staffed office asks for an ID.
💡 In the machine look for buttons jízdenka, vybrat (choose), zaplatit (pay), kartou (by card). If it doesn't work, ask people: Jak funguje ten automat?
💡 Some machines in transport accept only coins or a card; check what exactly it accepts before the trip. Change (drobné) is sometimes not given.
💡 If a delay is long a passenger is entitled to a partial refund of the ticket; keep the ticket and ask the conductor or at the ticket desk.
💡 Vlak byl zrušen means the train is cancelled, náhradní doprava a replacement bus service, výluka a track closure; look at the board and the carrier's app.
💡 If a train is badly delayed a passenger can claim a náhrada jízdného (refund of part of the fare); the claim is made at the station or online; do not throw the ticket away.
💡 You board the bus by the front or middle doors; you tell the driver where you're going; at your stop you press the Stop button.
💡 To get off press the Stop button in advance; the driver will stop at the next stop. People say Promiňte, vystupuji - excuse me, I'm getting off.
💡 At some stops the bus stops only na znamení (on request): press the button in advance or it will drive on; you get off through the middle or back doors.
💡 A tram has a space for pushchairs by the doors; passengers usually help; keep the pushchair braked so that it does not roll.
💡 Taxis in the Czech Republic are often ordered in apps (Bolt, Uber, Liftago), but you can also phone: the dispatcher asks the address, destination and time.
💡 In a taxi you state the address or destination at once; ask about card payment (kartou) and the approximate price; a tip is rounding up or a few tens of crowns.
💡 Useful words: jízda (a ride), taxametr (the meter), pevná cena (fixed price), letiště (airport); agree the price before the ride or ask for the meter to be switched on.
💡 If you leave something in a taxi phone the taxi service or write through the app: give the time, route and place; big companies have a lost-property office (ztráty a nálezy).