If you're arriving in Prague by car, parking is worth planning ahead. Street parking can be limited, confusing, and heavily reserved for residents. Here's what to know before your visit.

Before You Arrive: Book Accommodation With Parking

If possible, choose a hotel or apartment that includes parking. It is usually the least stressful option, especially if you are staying for more than a night or two. Parking in a hotel garage typically costs EUR 25 - 35 per night. On-street parking in central Prague is often reserved for residents with permits, and finding an available public parking space can take longer than you might expect.

Petrská Street in central Prague with historic buildings and the Church of St Peter in the background.

For accommodation near Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, consider the Grandior, Marriott, or Hilton Prague Old Town. Options in Prague 2, within easy reach of Wenceslas Square, include Superior, Ametyst, and Beránek.

Smíchov is another convenient area, with modern hotels such as Angelo Prague, NH Prague City, and Occidental Praha Five.

For an overview of Prague’s districts and advice on choosing the best area for your visit, see our Where to Stay in Prague article.

Street scene in Prague’s Smíchov district with a modern tram, shops and office buildings.

Understanding Prague's Parking Zones

Paid on-street parking in Prague is divided into three colour-coded zones. The zone is identified by the colour shown on the parking sign and, in some cases, by coloured road markings:

Blue zone (blue line / blue sign) is for permit holders and short-term visitors. Visitors can usually park for 1 hour in the city centre or 3 hours outside the centre, and payment is online only.

Orange zone (white line / orange sign) is for short-term visitors. The time limit varies, so check the sign, and you can pay online or at a parking machine.

Purple zone (white line / purple sign) is for permit holders and paying visitors, with a maximum stay of up to 24 hours. You can pay online or at a parking machine.

Prague parking sign showing a paid parking zone and its operating hours.

A few important notes:

  • Blue zones are primarily intended for residents. Visitors can park there for a limited time, but payment must be made online because there are no parking machines in blue zones.
  • Always check the parking sign for the applicable hours and maximum stay. Outside the stated operating hours, parking is generally free and unrestricted.
  • The Mapy.com app shows which zone color applies to a given street. This is particularly useful because zones can change block to block.

Garages and Other Parking Options

Some convenient options around central Prague:
  • Hilton Prague Old Town (underground garage) — close to the Powder Tower and available to non-guests.
  • Prague Marriott Hotel/Celnice Parking (underground garage) — opposite the Hilton Prague Old Town. See celnice-parking.cz for current prices and other details.
  • Senovážné náměstí and the surrounding streets — purple-zone parking can be found on Senovážné náměstí and nearby Senovážná and Hybernská streets. This area is within walking distance of the Powder Tower, Wenceslas Square, and Old Town Square.

V Celnici Street in central Prague between the Hilton Prague Old Town and Prague Marriott hotels.

Cars parked along a Prague riverfront street with a paid parking zone sign and Petřín hill in the background.
  • Dvořákovo nábřeží — purple-zone parking is available along the section between the Faculty of Law at Charles University and the Rudolfinum. It is a convenient location for the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge and the northern part of the Old Town.
  • Old Town Parking (underground garage) — located beneath Jan Palach Square, with the entrance from Alšovo nábřeží. It is convenient for the Rudolfinum, the Jewish Quarter, Old Town and Charles Bridge. See oldtownparking.cz for current prices.
  • Parléřova Street — inexpensive purple-zone parking near Strahov Monastery, Loreta and Prague Castle. It currently costs CZK 20 per hour on weekdays and is not subject to parking fees on weekends.
  • Pohořelec — slightly closer to Loreta and Prague Castle, but more expensive. Parking currently costs approximately CZK 60 per hour and is paid throughout the week, including weekends.
  • Prašný most (underground garage) — approximately a 10–15-minute walk from Prague Castle. The garage has 340 spaces and currently charges CZK 50 per hour, with a maximum daily rate of CZK 200. Although the garage is quite modern and was built only a few years ago, its parking machines are rather old-fashioned and accept only cash in Czech crowns. At least, I have yet to find the card-payment machine mentioned on the website. It is therefore best to bring cash to make sure you can pay. See garazeprasnymost.cz for current information.

View of Prague Castle from the riverfront, with historic lampposts, a bridge and autumn trees in the foreground.

Park & Ride: Leave the Car Outside the Center

If you would rather avoid driving into central Prague, the city’s Park & Ride facilities allow you to leave your car on the outskirts and continue to the center by metro. At the locations below, parking currently costs CZK 50 for the first 24 hours, followed by CZK 10 for each additional hour.

Red and white Prague tram passing Masaryk Railway Station in the city centre.
  • P+R Chodov — an underground garage beneath Westfield Chodov, with direct access to the shopping center and Chodov station on metro line C. It is particularly convenient for drivers arriving from the south via the D1, including those travelling from Brno or Vienna.
  • P+R Opatov — a multi-storey P+R garage beside Opatov station on metro line C, convenient for drivers arriving via the D1.
  • P+R Černý Most — Prague's largest P+R garage, located directly beside Černý Most station on metro line B. It is particularly convenient for drivers arriving from the east or northeast via the D10 or D11.
  • P+R Zličín 1 — located beside Zličín station on metro line B and the adjoining bus terminal. It is a convenient option for drivers arriving from Plzeň, Nuremberg, or Munich via the D5 motorway.

Colourful historic buildings on a quiet street in Prague’s Old Town near Residence Agnes.

How to Pay for Parking

Parking meters are available in orange and purple zones, but not in blue zones.

Online payment. This is the only way for visitors to pay in blue zones and can also be used in orange and purple zones. You can pay through the official browser-based Online Parking Meter or use a mobile app.

Pařížská Street in central Prague lined with historic buildings, trees and parked cars.
  • PID Lítačka — Prague's official transport app. In addition to paying for parking, you can use it to plan journeys and buy public transport tickets.
  • EasyPark — allows you to start, stop and extend your parking session remotely. EasyPark may charge an additional service fee.

Both apps are available in English. Downloading your preferred app and adding your vehicle and payment details before you arrive will save time when you need to park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is parking free in Prague on weekends?

It depends on the operating hours shown on the sign. Parking is free at weekends in some locations, including parts of Parléřova Street, while other locations, such as Pohořelec, charge throughout the week. Conditions can vary even within the same street, so always check the local sign.

Can I pay for on-street parking in Prague with cash?

Yes, but only where parking meters are available. Meters in orange and purple zones accept coins and bank cards. Blue zones have no parking meters, so visitors must pay online.

Is it better to park on the outskirts of Prague and continue by public transport?

For day visitors, it often is. Using a Park & Ride facility and taking the metro is usually cheaper and less stressful than finding parking in the city center, especially near Old Town or Prague Castle. If you are staying overnight, compare the multi-day P+R rate with the cost and convenience of parking at your accommodation.

Traditional red and white Prague tram at Náměstí Republiky surrounded by historic city-centre architecture.

Planning to Drive Beyond the City?

Once you have explored Prague on foot, there is plenty more to discover by car. Before heading beyond the city, read our guide to driving in the Czech Republic for information on traffic rules, motorway vignettes, and other practical advice.