A Prague transport ticket machine
The same ticket is used on all parts of the public transport system except "park and ride". They are sold from the yellow machines in metro stations and major bus stops or from news stands or from the City Transport Authority Information Offices. These machines are being converted to accommodate an "English" option but, you still have to know how to use it.
The Ticket Machine
 
The photo on the left is a standard DPP ticket machine. The photo on the right is a close-up of the tariff buttons.
The top left button has two functions. It is defaulted to full price 32Kc i.e. if you press the button you will be asked for 32kc which is the normal adult single fare. If you want the 16Kc option (luggage) or any of the yellow options, there is a separate button on the right of the machine called "Discounted" press this button first and then press the tariff button. This time you get the discounted option. The close-up shows the 32Kc option and below it is the 24Kc option. These are the most common full price options for adults in Prague
Once you have decided on your travel requirement and know which tariff you need i.e. an adult swapping between tram and metro etc will need a 32kc ticket, press the 32kc button once and insert coins into the machine to get the ticket. For two adults travelling together press the 32kc button twice and insert 64kc etc to get the tickets. If at any point you want to end the transaction i.e. you press the wrong button, press the button with "Storno" (cancel) next to it.
Don't get too frustrated with all the colours, categories and zones etc. The most important thing is the number i.e. for the regular "Transfer" ticket there will only be one button with "32" on it and on the machine it will be under a category called "Transfer or Plnocenna". Likewise, adults wanting the cheaper "Non-Transfer" ticket will find the "24" under the "Discounted" column. The trick here is to pay attention to the right number. Press the button, put in the money and it's as simple as that.
Machines and Tariffs
First select the tariff which applies to your journey requirement i.e. adults will normally be using the 32kc option.
32kc Transfer ticket single journey (picture shown)
This is a 4 zone single journey ticket. Ticket is valid for the fare zones "P", "O" and "B" (central Prague with "P" counting as 2 zones and extending out 20km i.e. past the airport) and can be used 90 minutes from validation on working days from 0500 to 2000. After 2000 weekdays and on weekends around the clock, tickets can be used 90 minutes from validation. You may change between all types of transportation as long as you complete your journey within the validated time. This ticket is also valid on trains within the Prague Integrated Transport system (PIT).
YOU NEED THIS TICKET IF YOU ARE:
1) An adult travelling on any combination metro, bus or tram.
2) An adult travelling more than 5 metro stations not including station entry including line changes or having a total journey time of more than 30 minutes.
3) An adult travelling more than 30 minutes on a tram, bus.
4) An adult travelling on the night-tram system.
SMS Option - DPP offers a 32kc sms ticket service (plus the sms charge by the CZ mobile operators). Tourists should confirm with their own provider about the cost of an sms here. The procedure uses 2 sms messages and works as follows:
Send the message "DPT" to 9020632 (no country code required) i.e. DPT (don't send it in "" quotes).
After two minutes you receive an sms with your 32kc authorisation and it is validated at the time of receiving so in peak times you now have 90 minutes to complete your journey (it covers central Prague P/0/B areas i.e. as far out as the airport). Note: this is valid for one person. TIP: check the battery-life on your phone first. This also works for the 24 Kc ticket (9020624) and the one day ticket (90206110).
24kc Transfer ticket single journey
Allows travel on trams and buses and has a duration of 30 minutes (when used in central Prague (or 60 minutes outside of Prague).
On the Metro this ticket is valid for the distance of 5 stations (not including the station of validation) allowing to change between the lines A, B, C, but no longer than 30 minutes total travel time.
YOU NEED THIS TICKET IF YOU ARE:
1) An adult using only the metro system travelling maximum 5 stations (not including the validation station) including metro line changes who completes their journey in less than 30 mins.
2) An adult travelling less than 30 minutes on a tram, bus or metro.
3) An adult travelling one-way on the Ujezd-Petrin funicular.
16kc Transfer ticket single journey - also the LUGGAGE ticket
This has the same transfer options as the 32kc ticket but, can be used by children i.e. 6 or older but, not yet 15 and not using the Opencard.
YOU NEED THIS TICKET IF YOU ARE:
1) A child under 15 years old travelling on any combination metro, bus or tram.
2) A child under 15 years old travelling one-way on the Ujezd-Petrin funicular.
3) A child travelling on the night tram/bus system.
Note: An accompanying adult with a 3 day (72 hours or greater) travel pass can take one child for free.
12kc Non-Transfer ticket single journey
YOU NEED THIS TICKET IF YOU ARE:
1) A child under 15 years old travelling maximum 5 metro stations after entering the system (not including the station of validation).
2) A child under 15 years old travelling less than 20 minutes on a tram or bus.
Note: An accompanying adult with a 3 day (72 hours or greater) travel pass can take one child for free.
LUGGAGE OPTIONS
In general, each large piece of baggage i.e. suitcase requires a 16kc ticket. People with 1 or 3 day passes are entitled to one large item of luggage free (suitcase or rucksack). Full exemption list is below:
Free-of-Charge Transport of Passengers and Objects
infant not yet had their 6th birthday.
child between 6 and 14 if accompanying adult has 3 or 5 day travel pass.
citizens of the Czech Republic and foreigners with residential permit over 70.
disabled in a wheelchair, guide and dog.
prams with infant. (pram with no infant is treated like luggage i.e. 16kc ticket)
cats/dogs in bag. (dog not in bag is treated like an adult person i.e. 32kc ticket)
luggage sized up to 25 x 45 x 70 centimetres i.e. aiplane carry-on.
rodlike luggage up to the length of 150 centimetres and 20 centimeters in diameter.
platelike luggage sized up to 100x100x5 centimetres.
1 pair of skis.
a bicycle (in Metro only and off-peak hours).
Validating
Before entry to any DPP transport the ticket must be stamped. On the tram and bus the stamping machine is generally by the door. In the metro it's before you go down the stairs or escalator etc. You'll find a yellow box approximately the size of a small shoebox with a "credit card sized" slot. Put the ticket in with the blank end facing up and in the machine. You should hear a "ding" and the details of the station are imprinted on the ticket. Always check to make sure the stamp is ok and if not, try another stamping box. A full description of the use of Public transport in Prague is here.
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