Is My Parking Paid?

Prague's historic center and adjacent neighborhoods use a system of Paid Parking Zones (Zóny placeného stání - ZPS) to regulate traffic. These zones are marked with vertical traffic signs and colored stripes on the road. The main purpose is to prioritize parking for residents. Visitors can use these zones for short-term parking, but they must pay for it.

There are three main types of zones:
• Blue Zone: Primarily for residents with a valid permit. Visitors can park here for a maximum of 1 or 3 hours (depending on the specific area) after paying online.
• Purple Zone: A mixed-use zone. Residents park with a permit, while visitors can park for up to 24 hours after payment.
• Orange Zone: For short-term visitor parking, typically for a maximum of 2 hours. Payment is required.
For more details, visit the official Prague parking website.

The easiest way to pay for visitor parking is through the official online payment system. You can use:
• The Virtual Parking Clock web app available at www.parkujvklidu.cz (for mobile and desktop).
• Some parking meters are still available, but the online system is preferred. Payment is tied to your license plate, so you don't need to display a ticket.

The parking zone code is essential for payment. You can find it on the vertical traffic sign that indicates the start of the zone. The code is usually formatted like 'P[district number]-[zone number]', for example, P3-1234. You must enter this code into the payment application.

Operating hours vary by city district and zone type, but most zones are active from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. However, some areas, especially in the city center (Prague 1), have extended hours or are active 24/7. Always check the traffic sign for the exact times for your location.

In most blue and purple zones, parking is free outside of the specified operating hours, which often means it's free overnight and during weekends and public holidays. However, this is not a universal rule. Always verify the times on the local signs, as some central areas may require payment even on weekends.

The price depends on the zone type and location. Blue zones are typically the most expensive. Prices can range from 20 CZK to 80 CZK per hour. The exact price for your specific zone will be displayed in the payment application when you enter the zone code.

If you are a resident of Prague with permanent residency in a paid zone, you can apply for a long-term parking permit. This allows you to park in the blue and purple zones within your district. You can apply online through the Prague Parking Personal User Account.

Parking without a valid payment or permit is a traffic offense. The Municipal Police use monitoring vehicles to scan license plates. If you are caught, you can be fined. In cases of serious obstruction, your vehicle may be towed at your expense. The fine for this offense is up to 2,000 CZK.

Yes, one of the benefits of the online payment system is that you can extend your parking session remotely from your phone or computer, as long as you do not exceed the maximum allowed parking time for that specific zone. You will typically receive a notification before your session expires.

P+R car parks are located on the outskirts of Prague, usually near public transport stations (metro, tram, or train). They offer very affordable all-day parking. The idea is to park your car there and use public transport to travel into the city center, which is often faster and cheaper than parking downtown. A list of P+R locations is available on the DPP website.

An interactive map of all paid parking zones is available on the official parking.praha.eu website. You can use it to see zone types, operating hours, and prices for any location in Prague.