The Czech Republic is the most touristed country in Eastern Europe, and Prague in particular is overrun. To beat the crowds, you may want to avoid the peak season (June-Aug.), though the weather is most pleasant then.
Embassies And Consulates. Foreign embassies are in Prague . Czech consulates abroad include: Australia, 8 Culoga Circuit, O’Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 (☎02 24 18 11 11; www.mzv.cz/canberra); Canada, 251 Cooper St., Ottawa, ON K2P 0G2 (☎613-562-3875; www.mzv.cz/Ottawa); Ireland, 57 Northumberland Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (☎016 681 135; www.msz.cz/Dublin); New Zealand, Level 3, BMW Mini Centre, 11-15 Great South Road and corner of Margot Street, Newmarket, Auckland (☎9 522 8736; auckland@honorary.mvz.cz); UK, 6-30 Kensington Palace Gardens, Kensington, London W8 4QY (☎020 73 07 51 80; www.czechcentres.cz/london); US, 3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (☎202-274-9100; www.mzv.cz/washington).
Visa And Entry Information. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days; UK citizens don’t need visas for stays of up to 180 days. Visas for extended stays are available at embassies or consulates. Czech visas not available at the border. Processing is 14 days when the visa is submitted by mail, seven when submitted in person.
Tourist Offices. Municipal tourist offices in major cities provide info on sights and events, distribute lists of hostels and hotels, and often book rooms. Tourist Information Centrum is state-run. In Prague, these offices are often crowded and may be staffed by disgruntled employees. CKM, a national student tourist agency, books hostels and issues ISIC and HI cards. Most bookstores sell a national hiking map collection, Soubor turistickch map, with an English key.
Money. The Czech unit of currency is the koruna ( Kč; crown), plural koruny. The government postponed its slated 2009 conversion to the euro and the earliest likely switch is in 2012. Inflation is around 2.6%. Relative to the rest of Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic’s inflation rate is quite stable. Banks offer good exchange rates; Komerční banka is a common bank chain. ATMs are everywhere and offer the best exchange rates. Bargaining is usually acceptable, especially in heavily touristed areas, though not as much in formal indoor shops.
Medical facilities, especially in Prague, are of high quality, and sometimes employ English-speaking doctors. They often require cash payment, but some may accept credit cards. Travelers are urged to check with their insurance companies to see if they will cover emergency medical expenses. Pharmacies include Lekarna, and the most common chain is Droxi; pharmacies and supermarkets carry international brands of náplast (bandages), tampóny (tampons), and kondomy (condoms). The Czech Republic has a very low level of violent crime, but petty crime has increased with tourism; it is especially common in big cities, on public transportation, and near touristy areas, such as main squares in Prague. Women traveling alone should not experience many problems, but should exercise caution while riding public transportation, especially after dark. Hate crimes are rare in the Czech Republic, but minorities might experience some discrimination. This is especially true for travelers with darker skin. Travelers with disabilities might encounter trouble with the Czech Republic’s accessibility, but there is a strong movement to make Prague’s transportation system more wheelchair-friendly. Gay nightlife is taking off in Prague, and the country recently legalized registered partnerships for same-sex couples. Though tolerance is increasing, GLBT travelers are advised to avoid public displays of affection, especially in more rural areas.
By Plane. The main international airport is Ruzyně International Airport ( PRG ; ☎220 113 314; www.prg.aero). Many carriers, including Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, CSA, Delta, KLM, Lufthansa, and SAS fly into Prague. Direct flights are quite expensive; travelers might consider flying to a Western European capital and taking a train or discount airline into Prague.
By Train. The easiest and cheapest way to travel in the Czech Republic is by train. Czech Railways is the national train line. Eurail is accepted. The fastest international trains are EuroCity and InterCity ( expresní; marked in blue on schedules). Rychlík trains are fast domestic trains ( zrychlený vlak; marked in red on schedules). Avoid slow osobni trains, marked in white. Odjezdy (departures) are printed on yellow posters, příjezdy (arrivals) on white. Seat reservations ( mistenka, 10Kč) are recommended on express and international trains.
By Bus. Czech buses are often quicker and cheaper than trains in the countryside. CSAD runs national and international bus lines (www.ticketsbti.csad.cz), and many European companies operate international service. Consult the timetables or buy a bus schedule (25Kč) from kiosks.
By Car And By Taxi. Roads are generally well-kept, but side roads can be dangerous, and the number of fatal car accidents is increasing in the Czech Republic. Roadside assistance is usually available. To drive in the Czech Republic, an International Driver’s Permit is required. Taxis are a safe way to travel, though many overcharge. Negotiate the fare beforehand and make sure the meter is running during the ride. Phoning a taxi service is generally more affordable than flagging down a cab on the street. Let’s Go does not recommend hitchhiking.
Email And The Internet. Internet is readily available throughout the Czech Republic. Internet cafes offer fast connections for about 1-2Kč per minute. Wi-Fi access is becoming more prevalent.
Telephone. Card-operated phones (175Kč per 50 units; 320Kč per 100 units) are simpler to use and easier to find than coin-operated phones. You can purchase phone cards ( telefonní karta ) at most tábaks and trafika (convenience stores). To make domestic calls, dial the entire number. City codes no longer exist in the Czech Republic, and dialing zero is not necessary. To make an international call to the Czech Republic, dial the country code followed by the entire phone number. Calls run 13Kč per minute to Australia, Canada, the UK, or the US and 12Kč per minute to New Zealand. Dial ☎1181 for English info, 0800 12 34 56 for the international operator. International access codes include: AT&T (☎00 800 222 55288); British Telecom (☎00 420); Canada Direct (☎800 001 115); MCI (☎800 001 112); and Sprint (☎800 001 187).
Mail. The postal system is efficient, though finding English-speaking postal employees can be a challenge. A postcard to the US costs 18Kč, to Europe 17Kč. To send airmail, stress that you want it mailed by plane ( letecky ). Go to the customs office to send packages heavier than 2kg abroad. Poste Restante is generally available. Address envelopes with: First Name LAST NAME, POSTE RESTANTE, post office address, Postal Code, city, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Language. Czech is a West Slavic language, closely related to Slovak and Polish. English is widely understood, mainly among young people, and German can be useful, especially in South Bohemia. In eastern regions, you’re more likely to encounter Polish. Though Russian was taught to all school children under communism, the language is not always welcome. For basic Czech words and phrases, see Phrasebook: Czech, .
Hostels and university dorms are the cheapest options in July and August; two- to four-bed dorms cost 250-400Kč. Hostels are generally clean and safe throughout the country, but they are often rare in areas with few students. Pensions are the next most affordable option at 600-800Kč. Hotels (from 1000Kč) tend to be more luxurious and expensive. From June to September, reserve at least a week ahead in Prague, Český Krumlov, and Brno. Though staying in private homes is common in Eastern Europe, it is not very common in the Czech Republic. Scan train stations for Zimmer frei signs. Be cautious about paying in advance for this type of accomodation. There are many campgrounds scattered throughout the country; most are open only from mid-May to September.
Loving Czech cuisine starts with learning to pronounce knedlíky (KNED-lee-kee). These thick, wheat- or potato-based loaves of dough, feebly known in English as dumplings, are a staple. Meat, however, lies at the heart of almost all main dishes; the national meal (known as vepřo-knedlo-zelo ) is vepřové (roast pork), knedlíky, and zelí (sauerkraut), frequently served with cabbage. If you’re in a hurry, grab párky (frankfurters) or sýr (cheese) at a food stand. Vegetarian restaurants serving bez masa (meatless) specialties are uncommon outside Prague; traditional restaurants serve few options beyond smaženy sýr (fried cheese) and saláty (salads), and even these may contain meat products. Eating kosher is feasible, but beware—pork may sneak unnoticed into many dishes. Jablkový závin (apple strudel) and ovocné knedlíky (fruit dumplings) are favorite sweets, but the most beloved is koláč —a tart filled with poppy seeds or sweet cheese. Vinárnas (wine bars) serve Moravian wines and a variety of spirits, including slivovice (plum brandy) and becherovka (herbal bitter), the national drink. World-class local brews like Plzeňský Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell), Budvar , and Kruovice dominate the drinking scene.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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