Getting around Prague gets complicated in May: Here's what to expect

May is shaping up to be a challenging month for anyone moving around the city, with three overlapping transport disruptions hitting simultaneously.

But first the good news: The new high-capacity exit at Muzeum metro station opens May 1, improving access to the upper part of Wenceslas Square with escalators and expanded space. Located near the former Dom potravin building, it will replace older stair-only exits.

The downside is that the existing entrance near the St. Wenceslas statue will close on May 3 to make way for a planned tram line linking the square with Vinohradská Street as part of ongoing redevelopment.

On that note, here are some additional disruptions that could inconvenience your daily commute if you don't plan ahead.

The Prague Marathon on May 4 will bring extensive road closures across Prague 1, 2, 5, and 7. The metro is your best bet; Prague Integrated Transport (PID) is increasing service frequency on all underground lines throughout the day.

Several tram and bus lines will be suspended, with X-line replacements bridging key gaps, including the X1 (Holešovice – Strossmayerovo náměstí) and X25 (Palmovka – Vltavská).

Unlike previous years, streets will reopen section by section as the last runner passes through, so conditions should improve gradually through the day.

Residents parking in blue zones along the route should check temporary signage; cars in affected areas risk being towed. Full closure and diversion details are on the PID website.

Drivers in the southwest will feel a separate, longer-lasting impact starting May 3. Plzeňská street, a primary link between the city center, Prague 13, and the D5 motorway toward Pilsen, is closing completely between Na Čečeličce and Holečkova until at least Aug. 30.

Outbound city traffic diverts to Vrchlického Street, with Tomáškova and U Trojice as secondary connectors. Residential streets in Smíchov and Košíře are expected to take the brunt of peak-hour overflow. Bus lines 167 and 191 are also rerouted from Monday. Check PID for updated stops and schedules.

Alongside both of the above, DPP has scheduled 19 separate tram line closures throughout May for spring maintenance.

Several are overnight or weekend-only, but some involve significant daytime disruptions, including a city-center closure between the National Theatre and Staroměstská (May 16–18 morning) and multiple closures at Vítězné náměstí affecting lines toward Veleslavín and Podbaba. The month wraps with a closure between Anděl and Újezd on the final weekend.

Crucially, DPP has acknowledged it won't always be able to update physical stop signage in time. Don't rely on information boards. Use the DPP connection search or a transit app before you travel.