Back on track: Prague's Petřín funicular to reopen after two years on Sept. 22

One of Prague's best-known modes of transport is finally coming back. The Petřín funicular will reopen to passengers on Sept. 22, almost exactly two years after its previous cars made their final journey up the hill.

The first new-generation cars will leave the Újezd and Petřín stations at 7 a.m., according to the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP). They will initially operate in trial service at roughly 10-minute intervals every day until 10:15 p.m.

Passengers will notice more than just a new look. The fourth-generation cars offer much larger glass surfaces and panoramic views over Prague, while capacity has increased from 100 to 120 people.

The new cars were manufactured by Austrian-Swiss group Doppelmayr/Garaventa for CZK 137.7 million, based on a design from Czech studio Anna Marešová Designers.

Designer Anna Marešová said the team wanted to avoid an overly sporty or extravagant appearance, instead creating an open and airy car that maximizes views during the roughly four-minute journey.

The increased glass area includes windows extending into the roof, giving passengers a wider view as they climb Petřín Hill.

One feature the new cars won't have is air conditioning, a decision that previously drew criticism. DPP says the short journey does not justify conventional AC, with roof windows and additional ventilation instead providing airflow.

Passengers will also encounter a significant fare increase. A single funicular ticket will cost CZK 100, up from CZK 60 before the closure. Buying electronically through the PID Lítačka app will reduce the price to CZK 90.

The change does not affect passengers with long-term Prague public transport passes, which remain valid on the funicular. Twenty-four-hour and 72-hour tickets will also continue to include the ride, while children under 15 and seniors over 65 travel free.

The previous generation of Petřín funicular made its last passenger journey on Sept. 13, 2024. A comprehensive renovation was needed because of the deteriorating condition of the hillside and track, while the old cars had reached the end of their working life.

The renewed line also includes a new mechanical safety system designed to detect obstacles that fall onto the track, such as large branches. The funicular operates automatically without drivers.

The stations themselves aren't finished yet. Further renovations are planned in the coming years, meaning passengers returning this month won't immediately see their final appearance.

The Petřín funicular first opened in 1891 for Prague's Jubilee Exhibition. Its history has included several lengthy interruptions, including a closure during World War I and a 20-year shutdown after landslides destroyed the track in 1965.

Its latest absence has been much shorter. From Sept. 22, visitors will once again be able to ride from Újezd toward the Petřín Lookout Tower, gardens, mirror maze and Štefánik Observatory, this time with considerably more glass between them and the Prague skyline.