Legible Prague

Legible Prague (Czech: Čitelná Praha) is a wayfinding system undergoing implementation in Prague. It is meant to replace older navigation systems across Prague and create one unified system that will be used in the Prague Integrated Transport, the Prague Metro, and on the streets of Prague.^[1][2]

The Legible Prague project includes elements that are intended to make navigating in Prague easier for those with mobility, vision, hearing, or other impairments, parents with strollers, hikers with suitcases and backpacks, senior citizens, children, and others.^[3]

Some elements of the system were criticized, like small text, or confusing pictograms. These concerns were addressed and enhancements were made.^[4]

The system originates from an international design competition, announced on 6 September 2021 and concluded on 31 January 2022.^[5] It is currently in its implementation phase and is undergoing testing in the streets. The system will replace outdated, inconsistent signage that dates back to the 1970s and 1980s.^[6]

Inspired by Legible London, it seeks to make wayfinding in Prague easier to understand both for tourists and locals.^[7] The first place to adopt this new schema was the western part of the Palmovka metro station, with Háje, Karlovo náměstí and Palackého náměstí.

Some users initially disliked the black background of the signage, and the wheelchair access icons.^[8] During the end of the year 2024 and the beginning of 2025, the metro schema maps above doors in metro cars were replaced with the Legible Prague design.

While the diagram of all three lines was located above all doors of metro cars, the entire line plan is now located above one door, while the diagram of a specific line is located above the opposite door. At selected metro doors, passengers are provided with additional diagrams containing details of the city centre, including tram lines. Their number should be doubled compared to the previous version. They replaced the "excerpt from the contractual transport conditions", which seems to have minimal benefit for passengers.^[9]

Totems are large rectangular boxes placed on lampposts to indicate a metro or a train station nearby. They include the Prague Metro logo, and the "S" logo if they point out a commuter rail train station. At night, they are backlit by light in the color of the metro line, and white for trains.^[10]

Obelisks are vertical information stands usually placed on streets, and contain a map of the surroundings rotated relative to the obelisk, and information about near landmarks and walk time to them in minutes. The top of the obelisk is painted in bright orange and has the heading "Prague Walker".^[11]

These panels are mounted near bus or tram stops, and show the nearest vehicle departure times in minutes, if they are barrier-free, and in the summer months if the vehicle has air conditioning. The Prague's company THMP installs and services them. They can also be integrated into bus shelters in high-traffic areas.^[12]

The new signposts are designed to replace the older, bulkier navigation used commonly in Prague, and their function is nearly identical, but they contain less clutter and focus on the destinations, include pictograms, and are in black. They also include the walking time to them in minutes.

These are used as of now exclusively in the Prague Metro system, and replace the old boards used before in the system. The new graphical style aims to be easier to read at a glance.^[13]

The vitrines contain a map of the bus stop surroundings, fare info, and information about transport irregularities if any. They are made of durable glass.^[14]

The 2026 plans focus on a large‑scale rollout of the unified navigation system across Prague's public transport, streets, and digital platforms.^[15]

• 10–15 stations will receive updated navigation graphics, including the newly reconstructed station Českomoravská.
• New illuminated signage carriers will be tested at Palmovka.
• Metro vestibules will gain new digital screens showing upcoming departures.
• Updated maps, diagrams, and disruption information will be introduced across stations.^[16]

The city of Prague will install dozens of new Legible Prague components and signage across Prague, such as areas of the Prague Castle, Letná, Wenceslas Square, the newly built Dvorecký Bridge and the Petřín funicular.^[17]

Buses will receive new digital screen graphics, including transfer options at the next stop.

A full redesign of stop signage (except timetables) will be implemented across the city.

The "PID Lítačka" mobile app will be updated with new graphics.

The rollout of totems will continue, covering the remaining stations that do not yet have them.^[18]

• Transport in Prague
• Prague Integrated Transport
• Prague Metro