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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
{{Infobox Czech Location
|map = <map lat="'50.0751" ' lng="'14.4347" ' zoom="10" view='39' height='350' widthview='4200'/>
|country = Czech Republic
|pop = 1.218.644
|plate = ?A? ???? old: A?? ????
|motorways = [[D1 (CZ)|D1]], [[D5 (CZ)|D5]], [[D8 (CZ)|D8]], [[D11 (CZ)|D11]]
}}
'''Prague''' (''Praha'') is the capital of the [[Czech Republic]].
Writing a sign "PRAHA" clearly informs a driver that you are going to Prague
== Hitching out ==
==== Second option Option 1: Motorway service station on D11 ====Maybe better is to use K+R place near "Černý Most" metro station, lots of hitchhikers use this place. Use sign HK (Hradec Králové) or PL (if you want to Náchod and Poland). It's necessary to use the sign, because cars there are going to many directions.Disadvantage is that there are only cars traveling out of Prague - not those going from Prague ring road. But there is no non-freeway solution how to pick up those cars. My personal experience (dj-bobr) for east way (Hradec Králove, Poland) is that you can try to hitchhike at the beginning of D11 Highway (50.098664 N, 14.597708 E). It's a motorway, but police doesn't care, if you stand safe at the shoulder.
Take metro line B (yellow) to the end station ''Černý most''. From here, take bus 221, 303, 304, 344, 353, or 398 to the bus-stop ''Na Kovárně''. Walk east along Náchodská ≈600m to the junction with Bořetická. Turn right on Bořetická and walk 1.2km to just over the motorway bridge. Take the path to the right here into the service station. There usually isn't very much traffic, but waiting times are likely to be short. If you get lost ask anyone for "Hummer Garden" (the place only for Hummers) which is just behind the station. ==== Option 2: K+R (Parking Area) Černý Most ====Take metro line B (yellow) to the end station ''Černý most''. There is the K+R (Park & Ride) to the right (east) of the station which is popular with hitchhikers and possibly a better choice than option 1. It's necessary to use a sign because the road splits in many directions, e.g. "HK" (Hradec Králové) or "PL" (if going to Náchod and Poland).The disadvantage of this option is that there are only cars traveling out of Prague and not those coming from Prague ring road. However, there is no non-freeway solution to get a lift for those cars. === Northeast towards [[Mladá Boleslav]], [[Liberec]], [[Görlitz]] {{rczDcz|10}}{{E|65}} ===
[[File:Stop_hk.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Dj-bobr at the beginning of D11 Highway.]]
==== Second option Option 1: Motorway service station on E65 ====Another option Take metro line B (yellow) to the last station ''Černý Most''. From there catch bus number 220 to the stop ''Do Čertous''. When you get off the bus, the petrol station is to use behind the big orange building with "H1" on it. ==== Option 2: K+R place near "(Parking) Černý Most" ====Take metro line B (yellow) to the end station ''Černý most''. There is the K+R (Park & Ride) to the same for going to Hradec Královéright (east), lots of the station. Lots of hitchhikers use this place. Use a sign "MB " (Mladá Boleslav), or "LB " (Liberec). It's necessary to use the a sign, because cars are there going to the road splits in many directions. Because Due to the construction of building sections of the Prague Ring (R1) sub-parts, long-distance traffic is lower each day; however, but this spot is still usable. For Hradec Králové and Poland direction === Northwest towards [[Ústí nad Labem]], use spot [[Teplice]], [[Dresden]], [[Berlin]] {{Dcz|8}}{{E|55}} === If you are passing through Dresden, take a look at the beginning [[Dresden]] hitchwiki page. From either of D11 highwaythe spots you can take rides to OMV petrol station before Lovosice or to the Agip petrol station after Ústí nad Labem. The hitchhiking positions there are also good.
=== North, Northwest towards [[Ústí nad Labem]], [[Teplice]], [[Dresden]], [[Berlin]] {{Motorway Number Czech Republic|8}}{{E|55}}= Option 1: D8 ===='''Warning''': If you are passing through Dresden, take a look on [[Dresden]] hitchwiki page. From either of the spots you can take rides to OMV petrol station before Lovosice or to the Agip petrol station after Ústí nad Labem. The hitchhiking positions there are also good.
Take metro line C (red) to ''Holešovice''. From here, take bus 201 to ''Vychovatelna'' (3 stops). You will find a great spot with lots of traffic still going slow right at the bus station. The author had not noted that there are three lanes on this road, and the two inside lanes take the cars to Dresden. The bus lane of course is great and the cars are not going too fast, but anyone going to Dresden on this road would need to cut across a few car lanes to come pick you up. Quite possible but there are better options than this. ==== First option Option 2: OMV petrol station / Mcdonalds on D8====Easily reachable OMV petrol stationOption 1 walking Take metro line C (red) to ''Letňany''. Keep walking northwest along Tupolevova for 500 m, not so many cars but almost anybody can take crossing over Beranovych to the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights. Cross Tupolevova here and keep heading southwest on the pathway leading onto Opocenska. Walk ≈250 m along Opocenska and you 2 km will see a small footpath to the right (before the pedestrian/cycle bridge over the highway) heading straight to the second spotOMV petrol station (≈150 m walk). From Option 2 metro + bus Take metro terminal station "Letňany" line C (red line C) take any to ''Letňany''. Take bus 195, 140, 158, 110, or walk 500 m 269 to the bus stop "Výstaviště Letňany"''Obchodní centrum Čakovice''. Behind bus stop at Turn back in the crossroad turn left to direction the footway bus came from and after 300 m turn right to walk ≈1km along Kostelecká (past the roundabout) until you reach the small footpath going straight to sliproad coming off the petrol stationD8. The turn This is just before the bridge over the highwayD8. Turn left into the sliproad and after walking ≈100m, you will come to the petrol station (with a McDonalds behind it).
=== West towards [[Plzeň]], [[Klatovy]], [[Nürnberg]], [[München]] {{Dcz|5}}{{E|50}}===
==== Second option Option 2: Motorway service station Rudná ====From metro station "Opatov" (red line C) follow the main road up. Walk along the road about 5 minutes, keep going over the crossroad and the bridge over the motorway. Now you might see other hitchhikers on the slip-road. Alternatively, you can take bus number 177 from metro "Opatov" to next (request) stop "U Dálnice". Be careful and stay on the slip road, not on the motorway (sometimes police passes by).<br />Very common spot, not so good in fact. Average waiting time is less than one hour. If you stuck there, you can walk 2 km to the spot 4 (again, if police goes around, they'll tell you to walk on the field beside motorway).
Take metro line B (yellow) to ''Zličín''. Then take bus 307, 308, 311, 380, or 602 to stop ''Rudná, škola''. (The ticket costs 18 Kč, ≈€0.66; 1 zone out of Prague). Walk 60m back in the direction the bus came from and turn left into Na Přídělu street. You should see the petrol station in the distance. Walk 350m to the end of the street. There will be a footpath towards the petrol station 150m away. You need the opposite direction so get to the other side of motorway by the tunnel under the motorway on the right.It's a fairly big service station with McD and enough cars. ==== Third option Option 3: Motorway junction at Zličín ====Especially good option Take metro line B (yellow) to the terminal station ''Zličín''. Go under the road Řevnická and turn immediately left. Continue south along Řevnická for 150m to the crossroads with traffic lights. You can stand right at night when there is little traffic the triangle down on Rozvadovská spojka (police can kick you out) or ask people at spots the nearby petrol station, KFC, or parking lots. None of these places are good (Options 1 and 2are better). At the end of bus stop opposite === Southeast towards [[Brno]], [[Ostrava]], [[Bratislava]], [[Vienna]], [[Kraków]] {{Dcz|1}}{{E|50}}{{E|59}}{{E|65}} <br />& South towards [[České Budějovice]], [[Linz]] {{Dcz|3}}{{E|55}} === It's good to metro have a sign at this road and definitely for direction south. Every bigger petrol station "Kačerov" on [[D1 (red CZ)|D1]] is good for hitchhiking. ==== Option 1: Motorway service station on E65 ==== Take metro line C(red)to ''Chodov''. look for the big shopping centre and enter, keeping to the ground floor, find locate the exit consisting of stairs going downand elevators (not to mention a lift that leads below); this exit leads to the bus stops. You will go over train tracks, stairs down again, then around metro tracks Head on outside and turn right before , follow the path and cross to the motorwaySONY building. You will see OMV petrol station but just cross Now keeping on the grass strip same road walk for 20mins and 2 lanes leading to you'll reach the SHELL petrol station and . Alternatively, you can stay past the station exit at the shoulder at end of the left lane, on the left side of the beggining road.Easily reachable petrol station, not a lot of motorway (there traffic though and is sign)sometimes enforced by a employee in Shell uniform. Has cover for in bad-weather or snow conditions. In all honesty this station seems iffy. Police doesnThere isn't make troubles much traffic on both gas stations. Both are not advisable.You can try standing at the ramp to the motorway just outside Chodov Mall. First go inside, to floor 0. Walk to the easternmost part of the mall, there use the elevator to floor -2. In the parking house, walk east to the exit. There's the ramp. ==== Option 2: Motorway Junction Opatov==== Take metro line C (red) to "Opatov". Walk south ≈800m along Chilská past the crossroads and for cars it means end over the motorway bridge to the beginning of the entrance slip road. Instead of 50 kmph limitwalking, so they're still quite slowyou can take bus number 177 from metro "Opatov" to next (request) stop "U Dálnice" and then walk 100m east to the beginning of the slip road. Now you might see other hitchhikers on the slip-road. The shoulder is wideBe careful and stay on the slip road, safe and alightnot on the motorway (sometimes police passes by).<br />There are not many cars ==== Option 3: 5.května at that the beginning of expressway ==== The beginning of the motorway has been shifted a few hundred meters back into the city center, thus it is now illegal to use this spot. You can still use the petrol station behind or they have different directions , but indeed the amount of cars going in the direction of Brno is very small here. The sign showing the start of the expressway (and also 50km/h speed limit) is located 1.3km from the original location, on 5.května just before it passes over Vyskočilova, so legally it should be possible to hitch before it. At this spot there is a wide shoulder, lights, 50km/h speed limit. Take metro line C (red) to Budějovická. From exit on Budějovická street, turn left some metres and then turn right (often [[Pilsen]]northeast)on Vyskočilova.Walk northeast ≈350m until the exit slip road on the left just before the 5.května overpass. Cut across the grass embankment and walk up to 5.května itself and you will see the expressway sign. This spot looks good, but '''it needs to be tested.''' ==== Option 4: Motorway service station Újezd u Průhonic) ====
[[File:ujezdupruhonicprague.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hitchhikers at Újezd u Průhonic petrol station. Regular local hitchhikers were around, as well as hitchhikers doing the race.]]
Take metro line C (red) to ''Opatov''. Exit straight out of the station and take a lift following the winding red ramp up to street level/the road above. From the bus-stop next to the Replay shop, take the bus X122 to the final stop ''K Sukovu'' (buses leave every 15-30 minutes). As it is in the "P" zone, usual fares and SMS-tickets apply. Continue along the main street which will turn kind of right into Formanská and 20 m ahead it splits into left and right. Stay on the right hand/main road, cross the bridge over the highway and on the right there is a pathway going down to the McDonald's + gas station on the higway. The best jackpot a hitch hiker can hit. <br />This is the first motorway petrol station past Prague, the best hitchhiking spot but takes some time to get there. Also, you have to have a valid ticket for the bus trip! ==== Fifth option Option 5: Beginning of main road 5.kvetna ====Quite Take metro line C (red) to ''Vyšehrad''. Head south using the sidewalk for about 300m. After the small bridge, continue left to the main road 5. kvetna. There are 3 lanes and one parking lane and usually some place to stop.<br/ >This spot quite near the city centre, and cars are going slow, high traffic density , and nobody expect expects hitchhikers there but you can be lucky. At ==== Option 6 ==== Take metro station "Vyšehrad" line C (red line C) get to ''Roztyly'' and cross all the parking places to the motorway. Hard shoulder there is good and lit at night; however, it's not allowed to stay there and cars are already moving quite fast. ==== Option 7: Uhříněveská Highway Entrance and Gas Station in Průhonice ==== The below is more written in warning than recommendation, as a spot that is possible but hardly ideal. Where Uhříněveská crosses beneath the highway in Průhonice there is a gas station, Čerpací Stanice AGP in Googlemaps. [[User:movethathoof|Movethathoof]] went there looking for a ride while Option 4 above was closed, and found it //very// quiet: little traffic, and the entrance to the gas station is from lanes that are separate from the right side highway, for cars that are otherwise exiting there onto Uhříněveská. That said, there is a regular trickle of trucks that pass through, many heading to Nuremburg and Wrocław (though not Vienna, where they were). Still, by asking everyone who stopped they before long did find a ride with two Germans who were headed to Vienna. They also tried at the highway entrance there from Uhříněveská, which was useless. While the main road - one spot has good space to stop, and the traffic is not moving fast, 90 minutes there only taught them that the traffic is leading mostly local and the area must be //very// well off, to judge by the number of expensive sports cars there entering the huge bridge highway and city centredriving past. As well, if planning to be there once autumn really begins to bite, opposite there is yours - a large retaining wall right where you'll stand, casting a very deep shadow, making it feel much, much colder after some time waiting! To get there, the instructions are similar to option 4 above: take metro line C (red) to Opatov, exit to the street level bus stop directly above, and use then instead take either the 363 or 385 buses (the sidewalk bus driver may ask you to pay the 12 crown add-fare for about 300 mwhere you're going). After At least the bus Movethathoof took was nice and new, announcing (by voice and on a nice screen showing the coming stops, no less) the stop: you get off at the Průhonice roundabout (stop name Průhonice), and then walk five minutes up Uhříněveská (which is the street that makes the T-intersection at the small bridgeround about, continue a left to turn from the main road and hitchhikein the direction the bus travelled on from Opatov). There are 3 lanes The onramp will be right there on your right, and one parking lane and ussualy some place there is either a little path to the gas station, or stairs at the underpass (there were also truckers stopping simply to stopmake purchases at the Lidl that is right there, the stairs being the more direct route between the two). === South towards [[Příbram]], [[Písek]], [[České Budějovice]] {{Dcz|4}} ===
=== West towards [[Karlovy Vary]], [[Cheb]] {{rcz|6}}{{E|48}} = Option 1: Karlovarská street ====This is good option for Karlovy Vary direction. Take tram 22 to Bílá Hora. Go straight in the street Karlovarská and there is quite good place to hitch-hike behind the red-white banister.
Take tram 22 to ''Bílá Hora''. Walk 50 m west along Karlovarská street to past the red/white railings and there is a quite good place to hitch-hike. ==== Second option Option 2: Motorway junction D6 Jeneč ====If you prefer gas stations, try this optionTake a train from ''Prague Masarykovo'' to ''Jeneč'' (15 km out of Prague and very close to Prague Airport). Walk down the embankment onto Průmyslová ulice from the station. The first one Walk north along Průmyslová ulice ≈350 m under the railway tracks to the motorway junction from which it is quite far though pretty easy to get to [[Karlovy Vary]]. ==== Option 3: Motorway service station D6 ==== Take metro line A (30 km from Prague centergreen) to ''Hradčanská''. Then take bus [http://www.tram-bus.cz/stredni-cechy/autobusy/linka-310610 310610] or [http://www.tram- take a bus .cz/stredni-cechy/autobusy/linka-310082 310082 (B82)] from bus-stop ''Praha,,-Hradčanská to '' and get off at ''Velká Dobrá,,u školyskoly''. Once there follow Follow the direction of the bus and turn first left (Unhošťská street), than second right (Lesní street) and after 200 m you should see the highway and the gas petrol station on your right.<br/ >This option is good if you prefer petrol stations although it is quite far (30 km from Prague centre). === Northwest towards [[Kladno]], [[Chomutov]], [[Chemnitz]] {{Dcz|7}} ===Take metro line A (green) to ''Dejvická''. Then take bus 119 from bus-stop ''Dejvická'' to ''Dědina''. You can hitchhike at the bus-stop. You can also try another bus stop on Evropská road, e.g. ''Divoká Šárka'', but probably further out is better.
== Public transport ==
Public transport network in Prague is really good, you can get in reasonable time almost anywhere at any time. Ticket costs: 30 minutes - 24 Kč (eur 1), 90 minutes - 32 Kč (~eur 1.30). If you plan to stay longer, you can buy a ticket for one day - 110 Kč (~eur 4.50) or three days - 310 Kč (~eur 12.60). You have to validate ticket when entering metro station, tram or bus. The fine for fare dodging is 800 Kč (~eur 32) if you pay it at that place or till15 days.
{{Cities Czech Republic}}