Introduction to Prešov's fare conditions
When buying a ticket for the public transport in Prešov, there are several different options to consider. The two common properties of all tickets are that they can be used for an unlimited number of journeys within their time validity and are valid for all routes in their respective fare zones, including night routes.
Short-term tickets & SMS tickets
| Ticket type | Time validity | Zone validity | Full fare | Reduced fare |
| Paper tickets sold in ticket machines on stops and in select newsstands | 10' | Any single zone | 0.40 € | 0.25 € |
| 30' (45' on Sat–Sun) |
1st zone | 0.50 € | 0.30 € | |
| Both zones | 0.70 € | 0.40 € | ||
| 60' (90' on Sat–Sun) |
1st zone | 0.70 € | 0.40 € | |
| Both zones | 0.90 € | 0.55 € | ||
| 24 h (1 day) |
1st zone | 2.50 € | – | |
| Both zones | 3.40 € | – | ||
| 168 h* (7 days) |
1st zone | 8.00 € | – | |
| Both zones | 11.50 € | – | ||
| Paper tickets sold in cash at the driver | 30' (45' on Sat–Sun) |
1st zone | 0.70 € | 0.40 € |
| Both zones | 0.90 € | 0.50 € | ||
| SMS tickets purchased via a text message | 30' (45' on Sat–Sun) |
1st zone | 0.70 € | – |
| Both zones | 0.90 € | – |
* The 7-day ticket cannot be purchased in a ticket machine, because it requires the ticket holder's name printed on it. It can only be purchased in Dopravný podnik mesta Prešov's ticket offices.
Paper tickets
Paper tickets can be purchased in two ways – before boarding (on bus and trolleybus stops in ticket machines and in select newsstands across the city) and after boarding (in cash at the bus or trolleybus driver).
The first option is more versatile and efficient moneywise. Any ticket purchased outside a vehicle has to be validated on it (in a ticket validator next to a door) and is valid for the time printed on it since the validation. Tickets do not have to be validated when changing routes.
The second alternative are tickets purchased at the bus or trolleybus driver. They are only available as a 30-minute version (which is valid for 45 minutes on Saturdays, Sundays and other free days. We recommend having the exact amount of cash ready to reduce the time the bus or trolleybus spends at the stop.
SMS tickets
SMS tickets can be purchased by sending a text message to 1144. It is valid for 30 minutes on workdays and 45 minutes on non-workdays since the returning message with the ticket itself has been received. The ticket is not valid until this message has been received – that may take up to 2 minutes.
| Zone validity | Full fare (only) | How to buy |
| 1st zone | 0.70 € | Send any character to 1144 |
| Both zones | 0.90 € | Send character "2" to 1144 |
Note: this service is only available to users of Slovak cellular connection providers with SMS payments enabled.
Prepaid tickets
| Time validity | Fare zones | Full fare | Reduced fare |
| 1 month (~30 days) | 1st only | 16.60 € | 9.95 € |
| Both | 23.00 € | 13.80 € | |
| 3 months (~90 days) | 1st only | 42.40 € | 25.40 € |
| Both | 59.00 € | 35.40 € | |
| 12 months (1 year) | 1st only | 160.95 € | – |
| Both | 229.00 € | – |
Prepaid tickets are the most effective option for passengers who travel regularly. They can be loaded onto a travel card at one of Dopravný podnik mesta Žilina's ticket offices, as seen in one of the charts below. During the time validity of the prepaid ticket, their defined owner may travel unlimitedly within the defined fare zones. They do not have to be validated in buses and trolleybuses.
Prepaid tickets can also be purchased in a special fare variant for any single person, as opposed to regular prepaid tickets, which are person-specific. Their validity and price is listed in the following chart.
| Time validity | Fare zones | Special fare |
| 1 month | 1st only | 53.10 € |
| Both | 65.05 € |
Prepaid tickets and travel cards with them can be purchased in Dopravný podnik mesta Prešov's ticket offices, addresses of which are in the table below.
| Location | Address | Opening hours |
| City centre | Weberova St. 2 | Mon–Fri 07:00–17:00 |
| Railway station | Masarykova St. 26 | Mon–Fri 06:30–11:30 & 12:00–16:30 |
| Sídlisko Sekčov | Zemplínska St. 9 | Mon–Fri 08:00–11:30 & 12:00–16:00 |
| Sídlisko III | Námestie kráľovnej pokoja Sq. 3 | Mon–Fri 07:30–11:30 & 12:00–15:30 |
Other types of tickets
Luggage fare
When travelling with luggage exceeding 30 by 40 by 60 centimetres in size, it is required to purchase an additional ticket for 0.40 € (1st zone only) or 0.50 € (both zones), which, when validated, is valid for as long as the passenger's, or 60 minutes on workdays or 90 minutes on non-workdays, if the passenger has a prepaid ticket.
This also applies for a dog in a cage, as specified here.
Fare zones
The validity of single-trip tickets depends on time and location (fare zones), because Prešov's municipal transport routes serve, apart from the entire city of Prešov, many other suburban areas outside Prešov as well. These are Veľký Šariš, Bzenov, Fintice, Haniska, Malý Šariš, Ruská Nová Ves, Teriakovce, Vyšná Šebastová and Záborské. And for this reason, the area served by municipal transport routes has to be divided into two fare zones.
All villages mentioned above belong to the 2nd zone. The 1st zone is occupied by Ľubotice and, of course, the city of Prešov itself. A ticket holder may only travel in zones, which the ticket is valid in.
Fare types and discounts
The default fare available for everyone regardless of their age or health conditions is the full fare. For specific age categories and people with health disabilities, a reduced fare is available, which offers a discount on some tickets. It is neccessary to show a verification card during a ticket inspection. The chart below describes the types of passengers, for whom the reduced fare is available.
| Passenger type | Required verification |
| Children 7 to 15 years of age (incl.) | None |
| Students up to 25 years of age (incl.) | Student card (ISIC) |
| Adults from 65 years of age (incl.) | Identity card |
Additionally, children up to 6 years of age (incl.) are allowed to travel on the public transport for free.
Fines
If the passenger is for any reason unable to show a valid ticket or a discount ID, they have to pay a fine and the price of a full-fare ticket plus:
- 26.00 € if paid on the spot or within 5 workdays
- 33.00 € if paid any later
If the passenger cannot show a valid luggage or animal ticket, they have to pay a smaller fine of 2.00 € and the luggage fare. If the passenger owns a valid prepaid ticket at the time the fine had been issued, they can prove it later at Dopravný podnik mesta Prešov's main ticket office at Weberova St. 2 for a small fee of 3.30 €.