Which tram is best for a first scenic ride in Prague?

Line 22 is a useful first choice for the central stretch towards the castle. Choose line 23 if riding in a vintage tram is part of the appeal, or line 42 if you want a historic sightseeing circuit with its own 24-hour ticket.

Can I use a normal public transport ticket on line 23?

Yes. A valid Prague Integrated Transport ticket is accepted on line 23. The historic sightseeing lines 41 and 42 have separate fares.

Does the line 42 ticket cover ordinary Prague trams?

No. Its 24-hour ticket covers the sightseeing service under its own conditions. You’ll need the appropriate PID ticket for ordinary public transport journeys.

Is line 23 guaranteed to use a particular old tram?

No. It is a vintage service, but the individual tram can vary. Look forward to the older tram experience and check with the operator if a specific vehicle matters to you.

How long should we allow for a tram outing?

A half-day is a useful starting point for a ride and one or two compact walks. Allow more time for a castle interior visit, a long meal or slower walking, and check the departures before planning the return.

Is this an easy outing with limited mobility?

That depends on the departure, boarding stop and walking route. Look for a low-floor service and check the whole journey. Castle-side slopes and uneven paths can still be tiring after a comfortable tram ride.

Prague

October 10, 2026

Prague by Tram: Scenic Rides on Lines 22, 23 and 42

Give your feet a little break and let Prague come to you. A tram ride brings old streets, river views and grand buildings past the window, with plenty of reasons to hop off and explore.

Updated 22 October 2026

Charlotte

Owner of Travaya

Table of Contents

Which Prague Tram Ride Is Right for You?

There’s something lovely about seeing a city from a tram. You’re close enough to notice the shop fronts and little streets, while the next part of Prague comes into view with every turn. The journey can be a treat in itself, especially after a morning of walking.

These three lines offer different ways to enjoy it:

- Line 22 is a regular public tram and a useful choice for a ride from the centre towards the castle. Choose it when you want to keep your sightseeing day flexible.
- Line 23 uses vintage trams but accepts normal Prague public transport tickets. Choose it when the old tram is part of what you’re excited about.
- Line 42 is a historic sightseeing circuit with a separate ticket. Choose it if you like the idea of getting off for a walk, then joining another vintage tram later.

A favourite Prague outing might be as simple as one ride, one small area to explore and a café you spot along the way. You don’t have to travel a whole line to make it worthwhile.

Line 22: From the River Towards the Castle

Line 22 is a lovely introduction to Prague because the scenery changes as you go. Around the National Theatre, the city opens towards the river. Across the water, the streets of Malá Strana bring you closer to old buildings and church towers. Then the route climbs towards the castle district, giving the journey a different feel again.

A useful section to look up is Národní divadlo to Pražský hrad or Pohořelec, travelling towards the castle. On the normal route, you pass Újezd, Malostranské náměstí and Malostranská along the way. These names are worth saving: they make it easier to recognise where you are and choose a place for a wander afterwards.

The ride is part of everyday Prague. Other passengers may be heading home or across town while you’re enjoying your first glimpse of the next street. That mix is part of the charm, but it also means a window seat and a clear view aren’t guaranteed. Line 22 is a regular service, so the kind of tram can vary.

It usually runs more often than vintage line 23, which makes it a useful choice when you’d rather keep your day flexible. Check the current line 22 timetable and stops before setting out, especially around the castle, where temporary changes can affect the route.

Line 23: Make the Old Tram Part of the Outing

If the sight of a traditional Prague tram makes you smile, line 23 is a good one to have on your list. Here, the carriage is part of the pleasure. The older windows and seats, the sound of the tram and the city passing outside make a simple journey feel like a small holiday event.

This is a vintage service using historic Tatra trams, with ordinary Prague Integrated Transport tickets accepted. PID is the name you’ll see for that transport system. You can enjoy an older tram without needing the separate sightseeing ticket used on line 42. The particular vehicle can change, so choose the experience rather than expecting one exact model.

Line 23 shares a useful central and castle section with line 22. Its current route also reaches Václavské náměstí, Wenceslas Square, and Bílá labuť on the centre side. Older guides may show a different end point, so use the operator’s current line 23 information when planning your ride.

Allow for a wait. The usual interval is about 30 minutes, and the first and last departures depend on the timetable. Choosing a departure before you leave your hotel makes the outing much easier, especially with children or when you’ve booked something afterwards. Once you’re on board, there’s time to enjoy the tram as well as the city.

Line 42: A Vintage Ride With Time to Wander

Line 42 suits the sort of day when you’d like a little structure and plenty of freedom within it. You ride through central Prague in a historic tram, get off for a walk that catches your interest, then return to the circuit later. It can be a lovely way to share a day of discovering the city without walking every stretch between the sights.

The regular circuit takes in the castle side, Lesser Town and the centre. Useful places to look at include Pohořelec, Malostranská, Náměstí Republiky, Václavské náměstí, Národní divadlo and Újezd. They offer quite different breaks, from old streets below the castle to grand buildings and time beside the river.

This line has its own ticket, valid for 24 hours with unlimited rides on line 42. As checked in October 2026, the published price is CZK 450 at full fare or CZK 300 at the reduced rate. Check the official ticket page for who qualifies for a reduction and the current terms. A normal PID ticket doesn’t cover line 42, and the line 42 ticket doesn’t replace a normal public transport ticket.

The published service runs daily at roughly 30-minute intervals, with departures from Dlabačov listed from 09:30 to 17:30. Use the dedicated route and timetable page for your day, including the last tram from the stop where you plan to return. A ticket lasting 24 hours doesn’t mean the tram runs through the night.

If you only want one short vintage ride, line 23 with the normal fare may be all you need. Line 42 is worth considering when the sightseeing circuit itself is a part of the day you’re looking forward to.

Three Lovely Places to Leave the Tram for a While

The castle district is a rewarding choice when you want grand buildings and old streets high above the river. Pražský hrad is useful for the castle area on the regular routes. Pohořelec brings you to another part of the hill, near Strahov. There’s plenty to enjoy once the tram has gone, so give yourself time to look around. Our Prague Castle, Strahov and Petřín walk helps you choose a longer outing if this side of the city is the part you most want to explore.

Malá Strana, or Lesser Town, is lovely for a slower walk among colourful buildings and church views. Malostranské náměstí brings you to the square with St Nicholas Church, while Malostranská is a different stop farther north. The similar names can be confusing, so save the one you want. There’s a pleasure in seeing these streets from the tram, then returning to enjoy their little details on foot.

Národní divadlo, the National Theatre, works well when you’d like the river to be part of the outing. You can enjoy the theatre’s grand roofline and the space beside the water, then decide how far you feel like walking. It’s a different pace from the smaller streets in Lesser Town, with room to take in a wider Prague scene.

A break here can become more than a quick stop between rides. There might be a street you want to explore a little farther, or a river view that’s too lovely to leave just yet.

A Relaxed Half-Day Idea

For a simple outing, start with line 22 or 23 towards the castle side. On the normal route, Pražský hrad is one possible stop, or you can continue towards Pohořelec for the Strahov side. On line 23, Pohořelec is served in the direction of Královka only, so check the direction as well as the number.

Spend the first part of the outing enjoying one area up on the hill. Then choose whether to walk towards Lesser Town or take a tram down. The walk can be lovely, with old houses and changing views, but slopes, steps and uneven stone surfaces need to suit everyone in your group. Downhill isn’t automatically an easy walk.

Leave time for a small wander in Lesser Town and a break before travelling onwards. A half-day can give you a pleasant taste of the area; a full castle visit or a long lunch will naturally make it a bigger outing. Choose the part you’re most looking forward to and give it the time it deserves.

With line 42, you can build a similar day around the circuit instead. Pick the area you’d most like to explore, check a later departure before leaving the tram, and let that one walk be the centre of the day. With a return in mind, you can settle into the walk and enjoy the little things along the way.

Enjoying the View From the Window

The window gives you little passing scenes: a row of old houses, a tower appearing between roofs or a street you might otherwise have walked straight past. Some views last only a moment. Others make you want to return after the ride and see what’s around the corner.

Photos through the glass can be affected by reflections, other vehicles and the direction of travel. There isn’t one side of the tram that gives the best view for every route. Enjoy what you can see, then make a stop part of the plan if you want longer with a particular place.

Keep doors and aisles clear, and leave room for people getting on and off. From the street, the trams themselves can add a lovely splash of colour to Prague’s old buildings. Enjoy that view from a safe public pavement, with the tracks and crossings free for everyone using them.

Tickets, Access and Changes to Check

For lines 22 and 23, you need a valid PID ticket for your journey. Choose a ticket that covers the time you’ll use it, including any later rides, and follow the validation or activation instructions for the type you buy. The official fare information is the place to check current prices and conditions. Historic tourist lines 41 and 42 use separate fares.

If you need step-free travel, look for a marked low-floor departure in the official timetable or journey planner. Check the boarding stop and the walk after getting off, too. The vintage trams are different from modern low-floor vehicles, so confirm their suitability with the operator before making one essential to your day.

Check the current service changes for your travel date. For example, the operator has announced a castle-side diversion on 24 and 25 October 2026, from 07:00 to 16:00, affecting lines 22, 23 and 42. During those hours, the usual Pražský hrad and Královský letohrádek section is bypassed. The official route and timetable pages show the alternatives.

If your day includes a visit inside Prague Castle, check the castle’s opening information as well. Its grounds and individual buildings follow different schedules. With the journey and one main visit sorted, you can leave the rest of the day open for the Prague that catches your eye.

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