Freebies and fun: The Prague Visitor Pass is a good value for locals and tourists

Launched in June 2022, when international tourists were starting to return to Czechia after two years of Covid absence, the Prague Visitor Pass is designed, first and foremost, to make Prague even more accessible and more affordable visitors.

The pass also represents part of a larger, ongoing strategy to align the city’s tourist offerings with its culture, monuments, and history; not drinking beer.

Thanks to its public transport offer and free entry to off-the-beaten-track sights, it’s also meant to introduce visitors to a more complete and richer side of Prague, beyond the city center and Old Town crowds, showcasing the city’s historical heritage side-by-side with its thriving local arts scene.

But the pass isn’t just an excellent value for visitors; locals and those hosting guests will find that it’s a gateway to a treasure trove of cultural experiences with free entry to over 60 attractions, from iconic landmarks like Prague Castle and the Astronomical Clock to hidden gems like the Prague Zoo and the Kampa Museum.

Prague Visitor Pass is the one and only official tourist pass that can be used to explore the city. It also works as a ticket to Prague’s public transportation in both formats (physical card and QR code in the mobile app).

It offers unlimited travel on Prague’s famously dense and accessible public transport system (metro, trams, buses, trolleybuses, ferries, and even the Petrin funicular), including the journey back and forth from the airport to the city center. The pass’s QR code works as a ticket if a controller asks you during your travels.

But the pass's main and premium appeal lies elsewhere. It gives free access to more than 60 sights—both the most touristy attractions and many lesser-known ones—and additional discounts to venues and events in and around Prague.

Also included in the pass are top Prague cultural and social venues that most tourists fail to visit – for lack of time, funds, or simply information – but that are regularly frequented by locals, such as:

Guided walking tours (usual price of CZK 550), one-hour cruises on the Vltava River (CZK 550), and Vintage Tram No. 42 (CZK 350) are all included at no extra cost for those looking to explore Prague from a different perspective.

In addition to the numerous accessible venues and sights, the visitor pass also offers discounts on performances by the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, as well as live concerts at Jazz Dock and the Reduta Jazz Club—two of the city’s most iconic jazz spots.

With so many options, you don’t need to exhaust yourself trying to see it all. Choose the venues or districts that pique your interest, and you’ll likely find a free attraction just around the corner.

For those staying longer and wishing to experience Prague fully, a third option is valid for 120 consecutive hours (CZK 3,600/EUR 140). Children pay half-price, and students with valid ID receive a 25 percent discount on all three passes.

Prague Visitor Passes can be purchased at different physical sales points in Prague, on the website or on the dedicated app, and are available on Android and iOS.

You can get a physical card or an e-Pass stored on the app. You can activate it immediately upon purchase or choose a later time or day to start the clock, giving pass holders more flexibility in planning their stay and visits.

If you ever encounter problems, you can visit one of the Prague Visitor Centres, including the main one at Old Town Hall and others at the airport’s two terminals, Petřín Tower, Prague Castle, or Na Můstku in the city center.

The purchased pass additionally comes with a map of Prague showcasing all the attractions and venues you can visit for free (e-Pass holders can access an interactive map within the mobile app).

It's not a shabby gift idea for that friend who’s been living in Prague for years and keeps postponing visiting the must-see Prague sights.