How to Instantly Identify a Prague Tram or Bus with Air Conditioning

The summer heat is picking up in Prague, making trips on public ground transportation quite challenging.

For those who struggle with hot and stuffy conditions, the city’s transportation authorities have provided a visual guide to identifying trams equipped with air conditioning.

All trams of the Škoda 15T4 model come with an onboard climate control system. They can be easily recognized by the presence of yellow plastic inserts in the front section. Currently, there are 127 of these air-conditioned trams operating on Prague’s streets. Air conditioning is a standard feature in these trams.

On the other hand, trams of the earlier Škoda 15T model have air conditioning only in the driver’s cabin, while the passenger compartment lacks this amenity. The front section of these trams is designed in gray and red colors and does not include the yellow inserts.

However, there is an exception – two gray Škoda 15T trams do have air conditioning in the passenger compartment (they were installed as an experiment). These trams can be identified by their registration numbers 9243 and 9285, which are displayed on the front section of the tram.

Another way to find out in advance when a tram or bus with air conditioning will arrive at a stop is by using the official online map of the Prague public transportation system, which shows the real-time location of all operating trams and buses.

Simply enter the desired route in the corresponding field, and the map will display all the buses or trams operating on that route. Then, click on the one that is closest to your desired stop and check if there is a “snowflake” icon in its description.

If there is, it means that the tram or bus is equipped with air conditioning.

It is worth emphasizing that the climate control in the Prague public transportation system operates automatically and activates itself when the temperature inside the cabin exceeds 22 degrees Celsius. Drivers do not have the technical capability to adjust it according to their personal preferences.

“The situation is quite challenging as passengers who feel hot complain about insufficient air conditioning, while others express concerns about feeling too cold and potentially catching a cold. Striking the perfect balance in this matter is extremely difficult,” stated the Prague Transport Company.