The Prague Transport Company (DPP) has finalized a contractor for the extensive reconstruction of the Petřín Hill funicular.

The winning bid, submitted by Metrostav DIZ, amounts to 134.01 million CZK (excluding VAT).

When Will the Funicular Reopen?

The renovation work is set to begin in the second half of March 2025 and will take 350 days to complete. An additional five to six months will be required for the installation of new carriages, equipment adjustments, and testing. The upgraded funicular is expected to start operating in the third quarter of 2026.

What Will Change?

Despite the large-scale overhaul, the funicular’s urbanistic and architectural design will remain largely unchanged. The route, layout, and elevation will stay the same, with the existing machine room continuing to serve the new carriages.

“Both stations will undergo a complete modernization of their control panels to integrate the latest technology. We plan to place the order for the new carriages by the end of March this year so that both investment projects progress simultaneously. If all goes according to plan, the first passengers will board the revamped funicular no earlier than summer 2026,” said Jan Šurovský, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Technical Director of DPP.

The renovation will involve a complete replacement of the tracks, including a new foundation and engineering networks, upgraded traction equipment, and brand-new carriages.

A Funicular with a Unique Twist

One of the standout features of the new funicular will be its transparent roof, offering passengers panoramic views of Prague. But there’s more—a playful “flirting” light interaction between the ascending and descending cars.

As the two funiculars pass each other, the ascending car will “wink” with its left headlight. In response, the descending car’s interior lighting will automatically shift to red, as if blushing. This quirky design, developed by Czech studio Anna Marešová Designers, pays tribute to Petřín Hill’s reputation as a romantic hotspot.

Every year on May 1, couples in Prague follow the tradition of kissing under the blooming trees on Petřín Hill, reinforcing its status as a beloved destination for lovers.

The current funicular carriages, which served Prague residents and visitors from 1985 to 2024, will not be scrapped. Instead, they will become exhibits at the Prague Public Transport Museum.

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