This Sunday, Prague hosts the 31st annual international marathon. One of the biggest sports events of the year will bring together over 11,000 participants from around the world. However, for residents and visitors of the capital, the sports celebration will bring serious transport difficulties: the 42-kilometer course will run through six city districts (Prague 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8) and will affect six bridges at once.
Main restrictions for drivers
Traffic in the city center will start closing from 5:30 AM. The main part of the restrictions will last until 3:00 PM, when the last runners leave the course and technical services finish cleaning.
Main closed areas:
The Čechův, Mánesův, Jiráskův, Palackého, and Libenský bridges will be fully or partially closed. Restrictions will also affect the areas around Charles Bridge.
Traffic will be prohibited on the embankments of Edvard Beneš, Ludvík Svoboda, Dvořák, Masaryk, Smetana, and the Podolské nábřeží.
Pařížská, Celetná, Na Příkopě, Národní, and the tunelový komplex Blanka will be completely closed to traffic.
Changes in public transport
The marathon will cause chaos in the operation of surface transport. Dozens of tram and bus routes will change their paths, be shortened, or temporarily canceled.
The city council strongly recommends using only the metro on Sunday, as it will remain the most reliable way to travel.
Useful contacts
If you need to plan your trip on the day of the event, use the free information lines:
Transport information line: 800 165 102
Marathon day line (Sunday): 800 100 991
Organizers also remind spectators about safety measures: 33 medical stations will be set up along the route, and increased police and security patrols will ensure order.
