You commute to campus almost every day on the tram or metro, right? And I bet there are some unexpected things happening there.. Here are some explanations and tips as to how to make your commute more pleasant!
Safety tips
- Trams have the right of way! Unless there is a traffic light, do not try to cross in front of a tram – it won’t stop!
- Do not stand close to the edge of the tram platform.
- Do not try to cross the street between two trams or close behind a tram – you never know if there’s a tram approaching from the other direction.
- Always stand behind the white or yellow line on the metro platform when waiting for the train to arrive.
- If carrying a backpack, take it off your back and place it on the ground between your feet or at least on your chest facing forward to save space and to keep it safe from pickpockets.
Etiquette
Getting on and off
- When getting on, do not stand directly in front of the door, unless you want to get trampled. Wait aside for everyone to get off and only then get on.
- It is recommended not to stand close to the doors on the tram, unless you are only taking it for one stop.
- If you are standing by the door and people need to get off, it is a common practice to get off and wait by the door for people to get off and then get back on.
Keep noise to a minimum
You may have noticed, that it is quite quiet on trams and in the metro, especially in the morning hours. Czechs usually keep to themselves and read a book or scroll through Instagram during their commute. If you don’t do the same and are loud, you may get some side-eyes.
Priority seating
There’s priority seating on the trams and buses. It is usually towards the front of the vehicle and the seats are marked by a sticker on the wall above them. There are also often seats for people with assistance dogs and special designated areas for wheelchairs and strollers. If you are seated or standing in such an area, make sure to make space for the above-mentioned.
Giving up seats
It is a common practice to give up your seat for elderly people, pregnant women and small children. It is considered extremely rude not to give up your seat and if you fail to do so, you will very likely get some glaring looks from the locals or even comments.
Cleanliness
- Smoking, eating and drinking are not allowed on the public transport.
- It is quite a big cultural faux pas to put your shoes on a seat on the tram, metro or even trains and you can get fined for doing so.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on all forms of transport, but they must be wearing a muzzle.
Tickets and Timetables
For info about tickets and timetables, go to the public transport page.