Driving to Prague: do you need a vignette, and where can you park?
Last checked: 24 October 2026
You do not need a vignette to drive on Prague's city streets, but you do need one on the tolled motorways that lead into the city, for example the D5 or D8 from Germany, the D1 from Vienna and Brno, or the D11 and D1 from Poland. Parts of the D0 ring road around Prague are toll-free, other parts are not. Most visitors arriving by motorway will therefore need at least a short e-vignette.
Do you need a vignette in Prague?
The Czech vignette applies only to tolled motorway sections. City streets in Prague are free of charge, so if you are already in the city, for instance in a rental car picked up in the centre, and you stay within it, no vignette is needed. As soon as you join a tolled motorway, whether for a day trip out of the city or the drive home, you need a valid vignette for that day.
Signs show where tolled sections begin. Our guide to Czech toll roads explains how they are marked.
Routes into Prague
| Coming from | Main motorway | Vignette |
|---|---|---|
| Nuremberg or Regensburg, via Plzeň | D5 | Needed on tolled sections; the D5 in the Plzeň area is toll-free |
| Dresden, Berlin | D8 | Needed on tolled sections |
| Vienna or Bratislava, via Brno | D1 | Needed on tolled sections; the D1 around Brno is toll-free |
| Poland (Wrocław, Katowice) | D11 or D1 | Needed on tolled sections |
The tolled part may start soon after the border, so it is best to buy the e-vignette before you set off. If you will drive in on one day and out on another, a 10-day vignette (300 CZK) is cheaper than two 1-day vignettes (2 × 230 CZK). See which vignette to choose for more examples.
You can order the e-vignette online on DalnickaPortal in a few minutes: choose the duration and start date, enter your number plate and pay. The plate is registered in the Czech system and you receive a confirmation by email.
The D0 ring road
The D0, the Prague ring road, links the motorways that approach the city. Its western part is toll-free, while other parts are tolled. The boundaries are marked by signs. If your route only uses a toll-free part of the ring road and city streets, you do not need a vignette for that stretch, but the motorway that brought you to Prague is usually tolled.
Parking in Prague
Driving into the historic centre is rarely the easiest way to see Prague. A few things to know:
- Paid parking zones: the inner parts of Prague are covered by paid parking zones. Since January 2026 they apply to all vehicles; only electric and hydrogen cars receive a discount.
- Park and ride (P+R): car parks on the edge of the city connect to public transport, which is a practical option if you are staying in the centre.
- Hotels: if your hotel offers parking, it is worth booking it in advance.
Parking charges vary by zone and are not listed here; check the signs and the parking machine or app at the spot.
Low emission zone
As of 2026, Prague does not have an operating low emission zone for passenger cars. One is being planned, so it is worth checking again before future trips.
Before you set off
- Choose the vignette by the number of days you will drive on tolled motorways.
- Enter the number plate and country of registration exactly as on the car.
- Keep dipped headlights on, even in daylight, and remember the 0.0 alcohol limit. More in our guide to driving rules in the Czech Republic.
Rental cars in Prague
Many visitors pick up a hire car at the airport or in the city. If you plan to leave Prague by motorway, ask the rental company whether the car already has a valid vignette. If it does not, enter the plate of the car you actually receive and choose the start date of your first motorway day.