Prague's fleet of Christmas trams hits the tracks today

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Prague. As the Czech capital's beloved Christmas markets open across the city tonight with tree lighting ceremonies, another iconic Prague symbol is getting into the holiday spirit.

Prague's festive fleet of Christmas trams will take to the streets tonight from 5:00 p.m., according to the city's public transport authority DPP. While the Christmas trams only began riding on Prague's tracks in 2017, they've quickly become a seasonal tradition.

Prague's fleet of Christmas trams comes decked out with holiday lights and a special seasonal motif. They'll ride the tracks throughout the the holiday season and operate as normal public transport vehicles carrying passengers across the Czech capital.

The inaugural ride for this year's Christmas fleet will begin today from 5:00 p.m. at the Střešovice tram depot in Prague 6, with a route taking the trams through the city center from Hradčanská to Chotkovy sady and Nábřeží Edvarda Beneš, across the Štefánikův Most bridge, and Náměstí Republiky.

Before the Christmas fleet takes to the streets, a ceremony will take place at the depot from 4:00 p.m., and including a blessing by the statue of St. Christopher, the patron saint of drivers and passengers.

Prague's Christmas fleet is bigger than ever before this year, with the addition of a specially-decorated Škoda 14T tram on the number 17 line. This year's fleet includes three other trams (cars 7205 and 6921 on line 23 and the historic 2210 tram on line 42) as well as two buses.

Passengers who wish to take a ride aboard the first Prague Christmas trams of the 2022 holiday season are welcome to do so for free, but capacity is limited. Those interested in attending the inauguration ceremony can also check out the Public Transport Museum at the Střešovice depot, which is open through 6:00 p.m. this evening.

If you can't make it out for the first ride today, don't worry: Prague's seasonal fleet of trams will run daily through the first week in January, and you can catch the vehicles in operation according to the standard timetables.

Prague isn't the only Czech city to have a fleet of Christmas trams. Seasonally-decorated vehicles will also ride the tracks in Plzeň, and passengers will even be greeted with Christmas carols and small gifts for children.