What the Prague CoolPass covers in 2026
The Prague CoolPass is a commercially operated city pass — not an official city product. It is sold by a private operator and competes directly with the Prague Visitor Pass. The key difference: the CoolPass leans toward experiences (tours, cruises, hop-on hop-off buses) rather than pure attraction entry tickets.
The 2026 CoolPass includes free admission or participation at:
- Hop-on Hop-off bus (Big Bus Prague, 24-hour ticket): 699 CZK walk-up value (≈ €28).
- Panoramic Vltava river cruise (1-hour sightseeing cruise): 490 CZK (≈ €20).
- Petřín lookout tower + mirror maze: 220 CZK (≈ €9).
- Museum of Communism: 290 CZK (≈ €12).
- Mucha Museum: 260 CZK (≈ €10).
- Franz Kafka Museum: 260 CZK (≈ €10).
- Prague Castle (circuit B entry, on selected CoolPass tiers): 250 CZK (≈ €10).
- National Museum: 250 CZK (≈ €10).
- Free walking tours (select operators): typically free-with-tip, so the “inclusion” has low monetary value.
- 20–40% discount at 50+ additional restaurants, bars, and experiences.
Critical difference from the Visitor Pass: public transport (DPP metro, tram, bus) is not included in the base CoolPass price. You can add a 72h DPP transport add-on for approximately 330 CZK (€13) at purchase. Budget for this if you plan to use trams.
Also note: Prague Castle entry via the CoolPass sometimes comes as a guided tour slot rather than a free-entry ticket — check the current terms at point of purchase, as this changes seasonally.
Prices for 2026
The CoolPass operator adjusts pricing more frequently than Prague City Tourism. Approximate 2026 prices:
| Duration | Adult price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 48 hours | €56 (≈ 1,400 CZK) | Best value for 2-day visits |
| 72 hours | €89 (≈ 2,225 CZK) | Most popular option |
| 96 hours | €149 (≈ 3,725 CZK) | 4-day stays |
Add DPP transport pass: +€13 (330 CZK) for 72 hours, if needed.
Buy via GYG with mobile voucher: Prague CoolPass on GetYourGuide (2, 3 or 4 days).
Break-even calculation
Profile A — Experience-focused visitor (2 days):
| Experience | Pay-as-you-go value |
|---|---|
| Hop-on Hop-off bus (24h) | 699 CZK (€28) |
| Vltava river cruise (1h) | 490 CZK (€20) |
| Petřín tower + mirror maze | 220 CZK (€9) |
| Museum of Communism | 290 CZK (€12) |
| Total | 1,699 CZK (≈ €68) |
48h CoolPass: €56. Saves you €12 immediately on just these four experiences. This is the CoolPass’s core value proposition — the boat cruise + bus alone justify the 48h pass for most first-timers.
Profile B — Mix of tours and museums (3 days):
Add Mucha Museum (€10) + Franz Kafka Museum (€10) + National Museum (€10) = 69 + €30 = €98 pay-as-you-go. 72h CoolPass at €89 saves €9. Modest but real.
Profile C — Museum focus (3 days), no boat/bus:
If you skip the hop-on hop-off and river cruise (you prefer walking), the CoolPass offers far less value. Museums only: Mucha (€10) + Communism (€12) + Kafka (€10) + Petřín (€9) = €41. The 72h pass at €89 is a clear loss. In this case the Visitor Pass (€90) with its Castle B + Jewish Museum combination is the better option — or simply pay as you go.
Honest verdict: the CoolPass is best when you actually use the boat cruise and the hop-on hop-off. If you skip both, you should either buy the Visitor Pass (more museum-centric) or pay individually.
Who should buy it
Buy if:
- You enjoy the flexibility of a hop-on hop-off bus for orientation on day 1.
- You want a Vltava river cruise included without paying separately (€20 value).
- You’re on a first trip and unsure which museums to visit — the CoolPass lets you “try” multiple places without extra cost.
- You’re a couple: the combined savings on boat + bus + 3 museums cover two passes comfortably.
Skip if:
- You prefer to walk everywhere and have no interest in hop-on hop-off buses.
- Your priority is Prague Castle + Jewish Museum + public transport: in that case the official Visitor Pass covers more relevant sights.
- You’re visiting for only 1 day: neither pass makes financial sense in a single day.
- The DPP transport add-on requirement irritates you: unlike the Visitor Pass, you pay extra for metro/tram access.
Where to buy
Online only (no physical booth sales for the CoolPass):
- Via GetYourGuide: Prague CoolPass (2, 3 or 4 days) — mobile QR code, instant delivery.
- Via the CoolPass official website (praguecoolpass.com) — same prices.
The pass cannot be purchased at Prague transport offices or museum ticket desks.
How to use it
Activation: the CoolPass activates on first scan at a partner venue. Unlike the Visitor Pass (which starts on first DPP tap), the CoolPass clock starts when you first present it at an attraction or tour operator, not on the bus or metro.
Presentation: show the mobile QR code at each attraction’s entrance. Most partner venues have a dedicated scanner — you do not queue for the cash desk.
Hop-on Hop-off: present the QR at the Big Bus Prague kiosk at Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square) or Old Town Square to receive your 24-hour paper ticket. The bus network covers 25+ stops including Prague Castle, Malá Strana, Wenceslas Square, Vinohrady, and the riverfront.
River cruise: the included cruise is the standard 1-hour panoramic cruise departing from Čechův most (Čech Bridge). Operating hours vary seasonally — confirm the departure schedule at the pier. Typical departures every hour from 10:00 to 19:00 in summer.
DPP transport: if you purchased the add-on, you receive a separate DPP paper ticket or QR code. Validate it on first tram/metro use — the 72-hour clock starts then.
Missing the time window: if you purchase the pass but activate it late, you can lose effective days. For a 48h pass starting at 18:00 on day 1, you have until 18:00 on day 3 — which may mean only one full day of sightseeing. Plan accordingly.
Frequently asked questions about the Prague CoolPass
Is the CoolPass the same as the Prague Card?
“Prague Card” was the old name for what is now marketed as the Prague CoolPass. The card is operated by a private company. Confusingly, the official city-issued pass (Prague City Tourism) is also sometimes called a “Prague Card”. They are two different products. The CoolPass is the private one; the Visitor Pass is the official one. See our full comparison.
Does the CoolPass include public transport?
Not by default. Public transport (metro, trams, buses) requires a separate DPP add-on of approximately 330 CZK for 72 hours. When purchasing, select the bundle that includes transport if you need it.
Does the CoolPass cover Prague Castle?
In most 2026 tiers, yes — Prague Castle Circuit B is included. However, the terms have varied in past years (sometimes only a guided tour was included, not free self-entry). Check the current inclusions at point of purchase. Circuit A and Lobkowicz Palace are not included.
Can I buy the CoolPass on arrival?
Only digitally. There is no physical kiosk selling the CoolPass. Buy online before or during your trip and receive a QR code immediately.
How long is the CoolPass valid after purchase?
The QR code is valid for 365 days from purchase. The active pass duration (48h/72h/96h) starts only when you first use it at a partner venue.
Is the CoolPass worth it for a solo traveller?
For solo travellers, the per-person maths are tighter than for couples or groups. A solo visitor on the 48h pass at €56 needs to use the boat cruise (€20) and hop-on hop-off (€28) plus one more sight to break even. Doable, but requires discipline — commit to the boat and bus, and the pass pays off.
What is the cancellation policy for the CoolPass purchased on GYG?
GYG passes are typically non-refundable once the voucher is activated. Unused vouchers (QR codes never scanned) may qualify for a refund within GYG’s standard cancellation window. Check the specific product terms at purchase.
What if I underestimate the duration and need more days?
The CoolPass cannot be extended. If you bought a 48h pass and want more time, purchase a new pass at a higher duration. The new pass activates independently. There is no discount for upgrading — you are effectively buying a separate product. To avoid this: if in doubt between 48h and 72h, buy 72h. The per-day cost difference is modest (€89 vs €56 = €33 for an extra day of coverage).
Does the CoolPass include the Jewish Quarter / Jewish Museum?
No — this is the CoolPass’s most significant gap compared to the Visitor Pass. The Jewish Museum combined ticket (550 CZK / €22) is not included. If visiting Josefov synagogues is on your Prague itinerary, either switch to the Visitor Pass or budget an extra €22 per person for the Jewish Museum ticket purchased separately.
How does the hop-on hop-off bus work with the CoolPass?
Present your CoolPass QR code at the Big Bus Prague kiosk (main location: Náměstí Republiky, near the Municipal House) to collect your 24-hour hop-on hop-off paper ticket. The 25-stop network covers Prague Castle, Malá Strana, Wenceslas Square, Old Town, and the riverfront. The 24-hour clock on the HOHO ticket starts when the paper ticket is issued, not when you first board a bus.
Can I book the river cruise time slot in advance?
The CoolPass river cruise (1-hour panoramic cruise) operates on first-come-first-served departures from Čechův most. You cannot pre-book a specific departure time — arrive at the pier and take the next available boat. In July and August, early afternoon departures fill quickly; morning or evening (5–7 PM) slots are easier to board.
