Are seniors 65+ from the U.S.A. really free on public transport in Prague?

Yes. We're riding free in Prague this week. Carry ID that proves your age, though.

Would that include the bus/metro from the airport?

yes, bus metro and trams. Will not include the Airport Express bus from the Airport to the main Train station.
Passport will be your only valid method of identification .

If you don’t want to carry your passport you need a PID card. I got one yesterday at the information desk at Andel metro. It took five minutes and cost 60 krona. You need to take your passport and a passport sized photo. It was all remarkably simple and straightforward and there’s a Photo Booth in the station foyer..

UncleGus, I've had no one challenge me on my age on Polish or Czech public transport. But YMMV. I do have a photo of my passport photo page on my phone, and that has proven satisfactory whenever I've been asked for ID except air travel.

https://pid.cz/en/discounts/ I am in Prague several times a years, never been asked to prove my age or indeed asked for proof since turning 65 (68 now).On my last trip there were inspectors on the metro and when I went to get my passport the guy just shook his head and moved on, another time in the metro there was a line of inspectors checking tickets near the exit, they just parted and let me walk through. But unless you have the PID pass ( which I also have ) then your passport, not a copy is the only valid ID that you can use.I think we both must be looking our age these days.

Once again the rules for free personal public transport for seniors are:
1) Must have had 65th birthday
2) Must be able to prove age with a National ID document (the actual document, not a photo or a copy)
3) Can claim free personal travel but not large luggage (like a suitcase etc requires a CZK20 ticket per item)

TIPS:
People often assume that a driving licence is enough but this is NOT a national ID document i.e. in the USA it's issued by the State. The Czech rules are VERY clear. Prove ID with a National ID document which in the EU is an ID card but non-EU nationals without any EU residence permit must show their passport.

jphbucks,
You are travelling "black" and risking a CZK1000 fine.

OK, everyone. If I end up in the Plzen pokey, I'll let you all know.

will be the Pankrac pokey in Prague.

I know the odds of being caught are slim to none, but is ethical behavior dependent upon the odds of getting caught? From the website you as an American will need your passport.

Thank you for all the input. I am glad to know my suitcase will require a ticket when I arrive and depart. Agreed I want to be ethical. I like the idea of a PID as I don't generally carry my passport with me (I know opinions on that are mixed). I'm almost 73 so will probably pass the "casual glance test". I also enjoy the sense of humor of my fellow Rick Steves' Forum users. I appreciate all the responses.

will be the Pankrac pokey in Prague

I was in Plzen when I posted that. But back in Prague now; appreciate your clueing me in to what they call their jail. How was the food?

Interesting to find out that some people regard walking about in Europe sans passport as unethical behavior. I usually reserve that term for stuff that actually hurts other folks, but YMMV.

But seriously, kids, don't do what I do. I'm a lousy role model.

Lauri , check the size of your luggage if it is 25×45×70 cm or smaller you don't have to pay for a luggage ticket.

If the system is anything like that in Hungary, the odds of any old fart like me getting checked on the Prague metro are one in 10.000. But the law does require that you have a National ID card or the PID (which takes a national ID card to get). I am guessing that other than a passport a National ID could be a Global Entry Card or Passport Card (at least that would show good faith intent). The PID which at about $3 and an hour out of your life to get, could be a great souvenir.

As for the out of context comment above about ethics and carrying a passport; you are correct, I should have used the word “integrity” which basically means “Doing the Right Thing Even When No One Is Watching”. In this case following the law of your host country even though the odds of them catching you violating the law are slight. In the Czech Republic that would mean the National ID or a PID on the metro if you are over 65; and carrying a National ID when when anywhere in the country.

As a tourist you are also required to carry proof of medical insurance valid in the Czech Republic. The insurance should be easy enough as if you have it, you had better have a quick link to it on your phone if you need it. None of this is much different than most countries in Europe. We just tend to not do the right thing when no one is watching.

Thank you for the information about medical insurance. I have purchased a plan both for the medical insurance and the expatriation if needed but hadn't added it to the photo album I set up for this upcoming trip. I had a friend who had a bicycle accident and needed to be flown back to the U.S. I didn't know medical insurance was a requirement though.

Most countries do. Most never check.

entry regulations for U.S. citizens
U.S. citizens are not required to have a Schengen visa for a stay which does not exceed 90 days (within a period of 180 days) under the condition that the stay is not profitable. Under these conditions, U.S. citizens are allowed to travel to the Schengen territory (including the Czech Republic) without a visa.
Czech Immigration Authorities may require travelers to show proof of sufficient finances to cover the cost of a traveler’s stay. You must also carry proof of a valid travel medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment while in the Czech Republic.

https://mzv.gov.cz/losangeles/en/consular_information/travelling_to_the_czech_republic/index.html

Always carry your passport. Czech Police, customs, or immigration officials can request to see your passport at any time. You may be fined if you fail to produce your passport.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CzechRepublic.html

Always carry your passport.

I've always wanted to be asked to show my papers. It has never happens. Yet...

Yes public transport is free for seniors in Prague, buses, trams, and even the funicular to the Petrin Tower. We were there in May and were never asked to prove our age or show identification. We only keep copies of our passports with us.

Prague – travel for free
Seniors from 65 years of age travel in the area of Prague for free, if they are able to prove their age:

National identity card issued by a European Union country [ This proof cannot be used on trains.]
Passport [ This proof cannot be used on trains.]
A chip card registered in the PID Lítačka system with an application proving the age
A PID pass for Seniors from 65 years
If a senior cannot prove eligibility (age) by one of the above methods, they must purchase a full-price ticket.

Region – 50% discount
Seniors from 65 years of age travel with a 50% discount in the entire PID area outside of Prague. Passenger must present a valid ID or passport that proves their age.

https://pid.cz/en/discounts/#senior