'Stay home': Officials warn against non-essential travel as ice paralyzes Czechia

Heavy ice is causing significant disruption to public transport and air travel in Prague on Tuesday morning, with trolleybus and suburban train services delayed or canceled and Prague Airport operating at reduced capacity due to black ice.

Prague Integrated Transport (PID) reported that several suburban bus lines and city connections were either canceled or running late due to icy conditions. According to the PID website, bus lines 115, 153, 164, 212, 214, 226, and 227 were also affected. “If you don't have to go anywhere, stay home,” PID recommended in a post on X.

Commuters traveling from the city to nearby towns, including Kolín, Kralupy nad Vltavou, and Lysá nad Labem, were particularly affected. At Lysá nad Labem station, trains were delayed by dozens of minutes.

Black ice has paralyzed operations at Prague Airport this morning, which is operating in a very limited mode due to heavy freezing rain. The restrictions on arrivals will cause flight delays throughout the day, the airport’s spokesperson, Denisa Hejtmankova, announced before 8 a.m.

"Due to heavy freezing rain, arrivals are being restricted so that the main runway, taxiways, and aircraft parking areas can be de-iced,” Hejtmankova said.

Czech Railways said icing on the traction lines has complicated departures from the Prague-South depot. Some trains are canceled entirely, while others are running only part of their routes.

Passengers are advised to closely monitor their schedules, bring snacks and medication in case of extended delays, and avoid non-essential travel.

Meteorologists from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) said freezing rain overnight created a transparent layer of ice across roads, sidewalks, trees, and power lines, a phenomenon known as icing.

“The ice may persist even after the rain stops. Its thawing will depend on warming of the air and surfaces, which remain cold after previous frosts,” CHMI said.

Temperatures in Prague are expected to rise to around 0–4 °C during the day, which should gradually reduce the ice hazard. Pedestrians and drivers were advised to exercise extra caution, especially on side streets, tram stops, and bridge surfaces.

Authorities have reinforced dispatch centers and emergency services to respond to accidents or blocked lines. In addition to commuter delays, freezing conditions are affecting roads across northern Bohemia, including Ústí nad Labem and Děčín, and pedestrians are advised to remain cautious when venturing outside.

With the ice expected to linger through the morning, Prague commuters are being urged to allow extra travel time or avoid non-essential trips until conditions improve.