PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Passports and Visas

For entry requirements, including visas, consult your nearest Czech embassy or check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic website. For a stay of up to three months for the purpose of tourism, EU nationals and citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US do not need a visa. For longer stays, a visa should be obtained from the Czech Embassy in advance. Most other non-EU nationals need a visa.

Government Advice

Now more than ever, it is important to consult both your and the Czech government’s advice before travelling. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the US State Department, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic offer the latest information on security, health and local regulations.

Customs Information

You can find information on the laws relating to goods and currency taken in or out of the Czech Republic on the Customs Administration of the Czech Republic website.

For EU citizens there are no duties on reasonable quantities of most goods meant for personal use carried in or out of the Czech Republic. Exceptions include firearms and weapons and certain types of food and plants and endangered species. If travelling outside the EU, limits vary so check restrictions before departing. If you take regular medicine, bring adequate supplies and carry your prescription with you.

Insurance

We recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy covering theft, loss of belongings, medical care, cancellations and delays, and read the small print carefully. The Czech Republic has reciprocal health agreements with other EU countries; EU residents will receive state-provided emergency treatment if they have a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) with them, but note that dental care is not covered. Non-EU visitors should check if their country has reciprocal arrangements with the Czech Republic.

Health

There is a good standard of health care in the Czech Republic and Czech dental care is considered to be among the best in Europe.

If you have an EHIC card, be sure to present this as soon as possible. You may have to pay after treatment and reclaim the money later.

For other visitors, payment of medical expenses is the patient’s responsibility. It is therefore important to arrange comprehensive medical insurance before travelling.

For minor ailments and prescriptions go to a pharmacy (lékárna). These are easily identified by a large green cross. Most operate during normal working hours, from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Details of the nearest 24-hour service are usually displayed in pharmacy windows.

There are no vaccinations required for visiting the Czech Republic. Unless stated otherwise, tap water is safe to drink.

Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs

Prague has a strict smoking ban in all public spaces including public buildings, bars, cafés, shops, restaurants and hotels.

The possession of narcotics is prohibited. Possession of illegal substances could result in prosecution and a prison sentence.

There is no blanket ban on the consumption of alcohol on the streets; however, drinking alcohol on the bus or train and in metro stations, parks, playgrounds and near schools is banned and may incur a fine. Many Old Town streets have banned walking around with an open bottle or can.

The Czech Republic enforces a strict zero tolerance policy on drink-driving. This also applies to cyclists.

ID

It is compulsory for visitors to carry a form of ID at all times, or failing that, a photocopy of your passport.

Personal Security

Prague is relatively safe and street violence is rare. Pickpocketing is common, particularly on crowded trams, on the metro and at popular tourist sites. Use your common sense and be alert to your surroundings. Avoid hailing taxis on the street; instead, call or ask someone to call for a reliable radio taxi (see Travelling by Taxi).

If you have anything stolen, report the crime as soon as possible to the nearest police station, and bring ID with you. Get a copy of the crime report in order to claim on your insurance.

If you have your passport stolen, or if you are involved in a serious crime or accident, contact your embassy as soon as possible.

The ambulance, police and fire brigade can be reached on the Europe-wide emergency number 112. The operators speak English and calls are free. There are also dedicated lines for the ambulance, fire brigade and police.

Generally, Czechs are accepting of all people, regardless of their race, gender or sexuality. Homosexuality was legalized in 1962. If you do feel unsafe, the Safe Space Alliance pinpoints your nearest place of refuge.

Travellers with Specific Requirements

Narrow streets and uneven paving make Prague difficult for wheelchair users. However, services are improving. Most public buildings are now fitted with entry ramps.

Most of the trams and buses have low access, and the majority of metro stations are fitted with lifts. Timetables at tram stops indicate which services are wheelchair-accessible. Visit the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) website to plan your journey using wheelchair-accessible metro stations, trams and buses.

Airport assistance is available for free but must be booked in advance through your airline or travel agency. Accessible Prague can arrange transport from the airport to the city centre for wheelchair users. They can also help with finding suitable accommodation and they organize tours and day trips tailored to visitors’ needs.

Another useful source of information is the Prague Organization of Wheelchair Users, which has a range of resources available, including maps and guides in Braille.

Time Zone

The Czech Republic is on Central European Time (CET). It is 11 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), six hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST) and an hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The clock moves forward one hour during daylight saving time (last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October).

Money

The Czech Republic’s currency is the koruna or crown (Kč). Most establishments accept major credit, debit and prepaid currency cards. Contactless payments are becoming increasingly common, but it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller items and local markets.

Tipping in restaurants is considered polite and a 10 per cent tip of the total bill is appreciated. In hotels, porters generally expect Kč40 per bag, housekeeping Kč20 per day and the concierge Kč20–40 per day. Taxi drivers don’t expect a tip.

Electrical Appliances

The electricity supply is 220–240V AC. Plugs come with two round pins, the standard plug type used across much of Continental Europe. Depending on the appliance, you’ll need an adaptor and possibly also a converter. Many modern electronics, like laptops and mobiles, have a built-in transformer and only require an adaptor.

Mobile Phones and Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi hotspots are widely available in Prague’s city centre. Cafés and restaurants usually permit the use of their Wi-Fi on the condition that you make a purchase.

Visitors travelling to Prague with EU tariffs can use their devices abroad without being affected by data roaming charges. Users will be charged the same rates for data, SMS and voice calls as they would pay at home.

Postal Services

Stamps can be bought from post offices, newsagents and tobacconists (tabák).

Parcels and registered letters must be sent from a post office. There is no first- or second-class mail, but the majority of letters usually arrive at their destination within a few days.

The Main Post Office (Hlavní pošta), located at Jindřišská 14, is lovely inside and worth a visit, whether or not you need to mail a postcard, letter or parcel.

Weather

The weather in Prague is unpredictable, and given the northern European climate, an umbrella or raincoat will be handy all year around. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, without the summer crowds and with relatively reliable weather. Winter is comparatively quiet, although the benefits of having the city to yourself are offset by daytime highs just above freezing and sunsets at 5pm. Depending on the year, summer can be hot and muggy or cool and rainy. Even in midsummer it’s wise to pack a sweater for the evenings.

Opening Hours

Shops in the city centre generally open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. Malls and shopping centres stay open until 8pm or 9pm. Some shops close early on Saturdays and close for the day on Sundays.

Various museums and attractions are closed on Mondays. Last admission to many attractions is 30 minutes before closing.

On public holidays, schools, banks and most public services are closed and some museums, attractions and shops close early or for the day.

Visitor Information

Prague City Tourism is the city’s official tourist-information service. It has offices at the airport, plus three in town: on the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and at Na Můstku. English-speaking staff offer brochures, maps and information on what’s on, where to eat, where to stay and transport. Their official website is useful and well laid out.

The popular Expats.cz and Prague.tv carry event and film listings, articles about life in Prague and restaurant reviews. The Taste of Prague blog is by a Czech couple, both avowed foodies, on what to eat and where to eat it; they also run food tours.Pivní Deníček, a website and app, shows the nearest bar to your location, which beer they serve on tap and how much it costs.

There are a number of passes or discount cards available for visitors to the city. These can be purchased online or from participating tourist offices. Most offer free or discounted access to Prague’s top sights, including exhibitions, museums and tours. Some even cover transport costs. The cards are not free, so consider carefully how many of the offers you are likely to take advantage of before purchasing to ensure you get a good deal.

The Prague City Card offers entry to 50 attractions and discounted entry to 50 more, free travel on public transport and airport transfers, plus discounted tours, cruises and concerts for two (Kč1550), three (Kč1810) or four (Kč2080) days.

Valid for 30 days from first use, the Prague City Pass includes discounted entry to Prague’s most popular attractions and tours. The card costs Kč1390.

The Prague Welcome Card provides entry to over 50 attractions, discounts on tours, events and more, plus free travel on public transport. The card costs Kč1050 and is valid for three days from first use.

Local Customs

The Czechs are fiercely proud of their language and its difficult pronunciation, often finding foreigners’ attempts at speaking it amusing.

It is an offense to drop litter on the streets. If caught, you will be given a hefty on-the-spot fine.

Language

The Slavic language of Czech is the official language of the Czech Republic. English replaced Russian as the second language of choice after the Velvet Revolution (1989). Those working in the tourist industry usually have a good level of English, French, Russian and often German too, but it’s appreciated if you know a few phrases in Czech.

Taxes and Refunds

VAT in the Czech Republic is usually around 20 per cent for most items. Non-EU residents are entitled to a tax refund on single purchases exceeding Kč2000, subject to certain conditions. This does not include tobacco or alcohol.

When you make a purchase, ask the sales assistant for a tax-free cheque. When leaving the country, present this form, along with the goods receipt and your ID at customs.

Accommodation

Prague offers a huge variety of accommodation, comprising luxury five-star hotels, family-run B&Bs, budget hostels and self-catering apartments.

Prices are often inflated during peak season (spring, early and late summer, Easter and Christmas holidays), so it’s worth booking well in advance. Prague City Tourism provides a list of accommodation to suit all needs.

You can save a considerable amount on your hotel bill by exploring accommodation options outside the central areas. The neighbourhoods of Holešovice, Žižkov, Karlín, and Smíchov, for example, all have good connections to the centre and a variety of places to stay.

DIRECTORY

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

prac_info mzv.cz

GOVERNMENT ADVICE

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

prac_info smartraveller.gov.au

Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic

prac_info mvcr.cz

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

prac_info gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

US Department of State

prac_info travel.state.gov

CUSTOMS INFORMATION

Customs Administration of the Czech Republic

prac_info celnisprava.cz

PERSONAL SECURITY

Ambulance

prac_info 155

Emergency

prac_info 112

Fire Brigade

prac_info 150

Police

prac_info 158

Safe Space Alliance

prac_info safespacealliance.com

TRAVELLERS WITH Specific Requirements

Accessible Prague

prac_info accessibleprague.com

Prague Organization of Wheelchair Users

prac_info presbariery.cz

DPP

prac_info dpp.cz/en/barrier-free-travel

POSTAL SERVICES

Main Post Office

prac_info ceskaposta.cz

Visitor INFORMATION

Expats.cz

prac_info expats.cz

Pivní Deníček

prac_info pivnidenicek.cz

Prague City Card

prac_info praguecard.com

Prague City Pass

prac_info praguecitypass.com

Prague City Tourism

prac_info prague.eu

Prague.tv

prac_info prague.tv

Prague Welcome Card

prac_info praguewelcomecard.com

Taste of Prague

prac_info tasteofprague.com

COVID-19 The pandemic continues to affect Prague. Some museums, tourist attractions and hospitality venues are operating on reduced or temporary opening hours, and require visitors to make advance bookings for a specific date and time. Always check ahead before visiting.

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