Before you drive your own or rented car to Prague, you should study the rules of the road in advance. An important nuance is the parking in Prague. If traffic rules are not respected, fines may be imposed or even a car evacuated.
Parking features in Prague
As in other densely populated European cities, in Prague there is a problem with organizing a sufficient number of parking spaces. Due to the constant influx of tourists into the Czech capital and non-compliance with parking rules, a congestion may form in the city center. To avoid this, it is recommended to leave the car in strictly designated places.
If the vehicle was parked with violations and the municipal police noticed this, you should pay a fine. No need to "negotiate" or offer a bribe to a policeman. For such actions, the offender ends up in the area where subsequent penalties are applied in accordance with applicable law.
The main types of parking
In the center of Prague, parking is divided into four zones, which can be recognized by the color of the line and the sign located in the parking lot:
- The green part (line) means that parking spaces are paid. Tariff and downtime are indicated on information boards. Downtime should not exceed 6 hours.
- Parking in the orange zone should not exceed 2 hours. Weekends and holidays may not be charged, but parking is required on weekdays. The cost of parking in the orange zone depends on the area where the parking is located.
- Parking in Prague in the white zone (Prague-1, Prague-2 and Prague-3) is possible only with pre-purchased coupons. If there are no such signs, it means that in the white zone you can leave your car for free at any time of the day.
- The blue parking zone in Prague means that only residents of the country are allowed to park cars, and tourists are strictly forbidden to check in. Citizens of the country can park for a short time (5-10 minutes).
- The mixed zone (blue-orange) is intended for tourists. Here it is allowed to park only for 2 hours, and no more.
How to pay for parking in Prague
You can pay for parking downtime thanks to special parking meters, which are located near the parking lots. Payment is allowed in two currencies:
- Euro (EUR)
- Czech crowns (CZK).
The street parking meter does not give change, therefore, it is recommended to worry about small cash in advance. The sequence of payment for parking in Prague:
- coins or paper money are thrown;
- the green button is pressed;
- a parking ticket is issued, which must be attached to the windshield of the car.
Such a ticket confirms the right to park the vehicle in a parking lot in a certain area. It can be checked by municipal police officers who patrol the streets.
The cost of parking spaces
The price for a parking space depends only on which zone the car is parked in and in which area of Prague parking is located. On average, the cost of parking in Prague in one hour is from 40 CZK to 80 CZK (100-205 wheels). Free parking spaces are available only for mopeds, motorbikes, mechanical and motorized bicycles. The actual price of parking spaces is indicated on the information blocks near the parking meter.
Parking near hotels or apartments is considered the most expensive and the cost per day can reach up to 500 CZK per day (1280 rubles). However, if the mini-hotel inside the courtyard has parking spaces in the name of the owners of the hotel, then most likely leaving the car there is allowed for free. This nuance should be known in advance before checking in.
Parking ticket
The observance of parking rules by different types of vehicles is monitored by the municipal police. If you violate the parking rules in Prague, a fine will be issued. If the car makes it difficult to move freely along the street, then it can be towed to a special headquarters.
On average, the penalty for improperly parked vehicles is 1500-3000 rubles (1000-2000 CZK). Before the fine is paid, a special “shoe” is hung on the car, which prevents further movement.
If the vehicle was parked on site for a disabled person, and the owner / driver of the car is not, then a fine of 2550-12750 rubles (5000-1000 CZK) will be issued as a punishment.
Municipal paid parking in Prague is not new! If the car is in the parking lot after evacuation, the following amounts will be charged:
- on the first day the car is in the parking lot - 385 rubles (150 CZK);
- for the second and subsequent days - 510 rubles (200 CZK).
The cost of a tow truck service on the day of transportation of the car to the fine parking is 3320 rubles (1300 CZK). Please note that fines cannot be paid in rubles.
Parks Park + Ride
If you do not need to leave a car in the center of Prague, then you should pay attention to the Park + Ride parking lots located near the metro: Skalka, Zlíčin, Opatov, Nové Butovice, Palmovka, Rajská zahrada, Černý most, Nádraží Holešovice.
To date, special web applications have been created that online show the availability of parking spaces in a particular parking lot. Parking is closed at 00:30 at night, so you should pick up a car before this time. If you can’t get to the parking on time, you can leave the car for the night and pay an additional 100 CZK (255 rubles).
Park + Ride Parking Cost
The Park + Ride system is a low-cost and inexpensive parking option, because, in addition to leaving the car in a secure parking lot, you can also buy tickets for public transport, which saves time.
Park + Ride parking sequence:
- you should initially click on the green button;
- after the barrier rises, it is allowed to call in and choose a convenient place;
- only at the exit pay the parking lot by throwing money into the parking meter;
- get a ticket that contains information about a parked car.
Prices for parking spaces are divided into three main groups:
- usual place - 10 CZK (26 rubles);
- a parking space and a round-trip public transport ticket - 50 CZK (128 rubles);
- place and ticket for public transport for the whole day - 90 CZK (230 rubles).
Received coupons in the parking meter without fail are placed on the windshield so that all payment data is visible. The cost at the Park + Ride system parking lots in different places may vary.
Parking box
In the case of parking not in accordance with the rules, the municipal police patrol puts a parking box or shoe on the car. The device is an iron latch, which can have a different structure, but the purpose of this design is one - to prevent further movement. Only the municipal police can wear the parking box on the wheels of cars.
Each box has a phone number for calling the police, which after the call arrives in 30 minutes. The penalty is paid immediately in cash, after which the parking box is removed. To argue with the municipal police in this situation is not recommended.
It is forbidden to park in Prague on weekends and working days at disabled places, if there is no such permission. It is not recommended to leave the car on the track for cyclists, as the vehicle is quickly evacuated or a parking box is attached to the wheel. The track for cyclists is indicated in white and on the side of the road with a special mark.
Subject to all the above rules and recommendations, you can avoid hassles and misunderstandings with the municipal police, as well as make your stay in Prague enjoyable and memorable due to good and positive events.