Exclusive Destination Management Services
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS
better to know before you go
Essential information on Prague and the Czech Republic
Here is information on Prague that will help you while you are here. May we suggest printing these pages and taking them with you?
Each country has its own way of doing things and it is always best to, at least somewhat, conform to the ways of the host country. This way you avoid most problems and can concentrate on getting to know a new place, exploring and enjoying your time there. We have grouped them in alphabetical order and subjects are as follows:
Drink
Most beer connoisseurs will tell you that the Czechs know how to brew beer. The most famous is Pilsner Urquell, exported to all over the world. However, there are many other brands that are just as good. The first “Budweiser” was brewed here in České Budějovice (in German “Budweis” – German was spoken in the CR at one time along with Czech and most towns had a German name as well as Czech). Therefore, your first choice of drink may be beer.
However, should you prefer wine, the state of Moravia (one of our 3 states – Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia) makes wonderful wines. We have our own mineral waters, which come from the healing springs of Karlovy Vary and other spa towns. All other beverages are available as well such as Coke, Pepsi, 7UP, etc.
Diet drinks are labeled as “light” and should be ordered in this way; i.e. a “Diet Coke” is “Coke Light” here. Only, don’t expect ice in your glass. The softdrinks are served cold and only some places offer ice with them. These would be mostly your American hotel chains.
Coffee is somewhat stronger than American coffee and with the exception of during breakfast, there are no refills. At a bar or restaurant, you get an individually brewed cup of coffee such as an expresso, cappuccino, etc.
Tea is widely available. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to get a “glass of water”, as you can in the USA. You must order a mineral water, with or without carbonation and pay for it. The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18.
Driving
Your valid drivers license from another country is valid in the Czech Republic. Should the police stop you, you must show your license as well as your passport. However, we do not recommend driving in Prague. The city is very densely built and poorly marked. There are many one way streets, very confusing signs and there is basically no direct way to get to anywhere. Most guests (and many locals) leave the car at home or parked at the hotel, if they came in one, and continue their visit via public transportation or other means. It is that difficult.
Should you decide to drive anyway, here are some guidelines. The police in the Czech Republic are known for taking bribes. Should a police person stop you, you will be expected to pay the fine in cash, on the spot. Often, for no receipt given, you are “encouraged” to give a smaller amount than if you went with a written ticket. They do not speak any other language but Czech.
For our guests coming in from the USA and driving in Europe, there are many differences! The most important ones are:
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There are “main” streets here, marked with a yellow diamond. If you are on a main street, you have the right of way. If not, you must always give right of way to someone travelling on a main street and to the person on the right if not on a main street.
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If you are not on a main street, the car on the right has the right of way.
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Never pass on the right on the highway.
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On the freeway, the left lane is for passing only.
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The speed limit in the city is 50 km/h (31 m/h), on a highway outside of town, it is 90 km/h (56 m/h) and 130 km/h (80 m/h) on the freeway. Where this is not so, it is posted.
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Czech drivers are usually very competitive and eager to get to where they are going. Don’t expect very much courtesy on the road.
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If renting a car, “an automatic” is “not automatic” J.. about 50% of cars in Europe still have manual transmission. State your preference when getting your car. Also, air-conditioning is not a given either. Check before you rent.
Electricity
Europe is on 230 v and the wall outlets are different from other places in the world, however, the same all over Europe. Make sure your appliance (shavers, hairdryers, curling irons, camera charges, laptops, etc.) have a switch to change the voltage to 230! If not, you will need a converter (not recommended for electronics). Also, make sure that you have the proper plug to use in Europe. These are often available in airports, luggage stores, and electronic stores ... outside of the Czech Republic. Please come prepared! The plugs are not readily available here!
If you bring your laptop, the telephone connector is the same in the modern hotels in Prague as in the USA, no need to get another. However, some of the cheaper, smaller hotels still have the old plugs, which will not work with yours. You will need to make sure your laptop can handle 230v ... if not, it’s toast! ... and that you have the proper plug. However, make sure you know your providers local telephone number and are prepared to pay the extra charge (AOL charges about $7 per hour). Still, using the hotel telephone to connect to the internet and onto your email is very expensive. The hotels charge large per minute fees (as much as $5 per minute ... some of them) to stay connected ... this in addition to the above providers extra fee. The business center of your American chain hotel has a computer with everything you need right there ... also for a large price. This differs greatly from hotel to hotel. The easiest and cheapest way is to visit an internet cafe, have a latte, pick up your mail, answer it and enjoy your walk on the way there and back. All for a fraction of the price of the hotel. Your guide will be glad to give you the location of the nearest internet cafe.
Embassies
American Embassy
Tržiště 15
118 01 Prague 1
tel: 257 530 663 or 257 532 716
fax: 257 530 583
British Embassy
Thunovská 14
118 00 Prague 1
tel: 257 402 111
fax: 257 402 296
Australian Consulate
Klimentská 10
110 00 Prague 1
tel: 296 578 350 or 296 578 351
fax: 296 578 352
Emergency Numbers
112
Dial this number from any telephone to get the fire department, police, doctor, etc.
Food
Czech cuisine is mostly pork, then beef, chicken, some fish, lots of cold cuts, hams, sausages, cheeses, etc. Potatoes and dumplings are served with most meats and a soup always precedes a large meal. Salad is eaten after the main meal. The preparation is similar to German or French cooking with lots of delicious sauces, vegetables and more. Sweets are also widely available and delicious. There are some kosher restaurants in the Jewish quarter and most restaurants have a vegetarian dish along with others. However, should you have a serious allergy such as to wheat, nuts or other common foods, it may be difficult to accommodate you. Labels on purchased food are not mandatory and therefore it is not possible to find out the exact content. The food in the American chain hotels is similar to American food; therefore, should you have a dietary requirement that forbids some foods, you should be able to find what you want in their restaurants.
Language
Czech is the official language. It is a Slavic language with similar roots with Polish, Russian, Slovak, Serbian, Ukrainian and others. It is nothing like English, German, French, Italian or any of the non-Slavic languages of Europe. Most older Czechs speak some German and Russian, but not English. The younger generation is learning English. However, do not expect English everywhere. All tourist places such as the hotels, tourist restaurants, stores, etc., do speak English. It is more difficult to find someone who speaks English outside of Prague. It should not be expected.
Medical
We certainly hope that you will not need medical attention when you are here, however, should it be necessary, your guide will be happy to help. There are many doctors that do housecalls and speak English. Your hotel or your guide will call a doctor for you. The payment is then in cash on the spot. The price depends on the emergency, however a housecall costs about $150. Your insurance should reimburse you once you get home.
Money
The local currency is called the Czech Crown (česká koruna) or KČ. The exchange rate at the present time (February 2003) is approximately 1 USD = KČ 28. 1 KČ is divided into 100 haléř. The paper bills come in 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 denominations. The haléř coins are 10, 20 and 50 haléř (soon to be taken out of circulation) and crown coins are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50.
It is not advisable to change money on the street with anyone. Sometimes strangers offer unusually high exchange rates to unsuspecting tourists who then end up with counterfeit currency or currency of a different country. The US Dollar is not accepted in stores and restaurants as it used to be during the former regime. Therefore, it is necessary to change your US Dollars (or any other currency) into Czech Crowns. Many institutions will change your dollars, however the exchange rate and fees differ greatly. The best is a bank (not always open when you need it), then your hotel and last the many modern, conveniently situated exchange places throughout town. These exchange places charge as much as 10% ... some of them! Therefore, the best advise is to take some cash with you and then use your ATM card to get more as you need it. Don’t forget your pin! ATM machines are located everywhere, will give you money in Czech Crowns already and your bank calculates the exchange. An ATM fee is charged as well but is similar to ATM charges in the USA.
Traveler’s checks are accepted in some places only. Banks charge a fee ... if they exchange them at all! There are 2 American Express offices in Prague but even they are not always open. Travelers checks issued by other banks are even harder to change, therefore, don’t bring them at all. Credit cards are accepted in most places, although not all. It is best to check with your guide in advance.
Public Transportation
You can find also more about Prague Public Transportation here.
Prague has an excellent public transportation system. There are trams (streetcars), busses and the metro (subway). They all use the same tickets which can be purchased in the metro stations, in most tobacco and press shops, some hotels, etc. They cannot be purchased in most trams, busses or in the subway car. Just follow English instructions on the ticket. The CZK 32 tickets are good for 90 minutes of unlimited travel with transfers. The CZK 24 ticket is good for 30 minutes of unlimited travel. Please make sure you validate your ticket as you enter the metro station, tram or bus. These yellow machines are located on posts as you enter. An invalidated ticket is the same as no ticket and if checked by the metro personnel, there is a large penalty payable on the spot.
The Subway or Tube ... or Metro - as it is called in Prague, has 3 lines - A. B. C - green, yellow and red. They run frequently. Mostly 4 minutes apart during rush hour and 6 minutes apart outside of that. They usually run until midnight. Please check on the day of your travel for any restrictions.
Please see the current metro map below and for more information, please go to the official website of the Prague Intergraded Public Transport - DPP.
Postage
Postage stamps can usually be purchased in the store that sells postcards. If not, most hotels sell them as well. The post offices (Česká pošta) are located throughout town. The main post office, open 24 hours per day, is in Jindřišská street, just off the Wenceslav Square. (February/2003)
Postcard within Europe – outside of the CR costs KČ 9 - outside of Europe - airmail costs KČ 12.
Prices
The Czech Republic tends to have several different economies. One, which is subsidized by the state and therefore very inexpensive to the foreign traveler (i.e. metro ticket costs only $.40). Another, which are items where all or parts need to be purchased on the world market and these prices tend to be somewhat lower than in the rest of the western world, but not by much. Some are actually a little higher. This would include computers, cars, electronics, etc. Then there is the tourist market such as your souvenirs or restaurants. However, even these tend to be a lot cheaper than in the USA and certainly in the rest of Western Europe. For example, a very good meal in a nice restaurant will average about $10 and will include your soup or salad, main meal, several beverages (even beer or wine), coffee, dessert and tip! See “Tax or VAT” below for information on your sales tax refund.
Safety
Prague, as any larger, cosmopolitan city, has its problems with pickpockets. Please, leave your expensive jewelry at home, bring only what you need and leave some of that in your hotel safe. Always have a copy of your passport in another place, away from the original. In case of loss, replacement is much easier. Walking around town, watch yourself and loved ones and do not “offer” your belongings to the criminals by carrying your wallet in an easily accessible place such your back pocket or an open purse. Best are your purses or bags that allow you to carry your valuables under your clothing. Be especially careful in places where many people converge in a small space such as in front of the Astronomical Clock, other crowded tourist areas or tight shopping places. The subway (metro), the streetcar or the bus is especially susceptible to this as people stand very close together!
Shopping
The Czech Republic is known mostly for its glass, porcelain, hand cut lead crystal, puppets, hand carved wooden toys, garnets, and probably some other items that we have not thought of. There are many stores and all take credit cards, except when you purchase items on open markets. The merchandise tends to be cheaper than at home and is of very good quality. Don’t forget about the sales tax, which you get back when you export an item.
Tax or VAT
As a foreigner to the Czech Republic, you are entitled to receiving some of the VAT or sales tax back on purchases you made. Sales tax or DPH is 22% on most products and approximately 15% can be refunded.
The rules are:
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You need to spend at least KČ 1000 ($34) in the store that participated in the program, during the same day. The logo TAX-FREE is written on the door or ask.
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You need to have the store fill out a form for you.
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You need to have this form stamped by the customs officials at the border or airport when you leave the country (show the merchandise to the customs official).
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The refund must be claimed on the border or in your participating home location within 30 days of date of purchase. The “Tax Free” store will give you all the details.
Taxis
It is not advisable to simply hail a cab as in some other cities. It is known that there are many dishonest taxi drivers that grossly overcharge. Although the police are working on eradicating this problem, it is still rampant. Call or have the restaurant you dined in call a reputable taxi company that monitors their taxi drivers.
Taxi “AAA” is the largest such company and their phone number is: 14 0 14
Telephones
The telephone in your hotel room is the most convenient, however also the most expensive way to make a telephone call. Each hotel has different rates. One can purchase telephone cards in many denominations at the post office, newsstands, tobacco shops, etc. Public phones are located throughout town. Follow the English instructions on your phone card. Only prepaid phonecards purchased in the Czech Republic will work. Also, your own telephone company may have a service such as “USA direct” from AT&T. You will need their card and instructions on how to dial it, as each company differs. Your cell phone may work in the Czech Republic and the rest of Europe, however not all do. Check with you cell provider. However, charges will be very high.
Tipping
Restaurant:Service is generally NOT INCLUDED and it is customary to leave approximately 10-15% of the bill, depending on the service.
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Taxi: approximately 10%
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Local guides: $2 - $4 per person and day, depending on the service you received
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Local drivers: $1 - $2 per person and day, depending on the service you received
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Bellmen: $1 per bag (US$/EURO 1)
Walking
What makes this city so picturesque and quaint also makes it strenuous to get around in. The city center is accessible mostly on foot only and therefore, walking will be your best way of becoming familiar with its beauty. However, cobble stone streets, uneven pavement, unsuspecting steps, even potholes are common. Please watch your footing! Also, eventhough the pedestrian has the right of way on a crosswalk, most drivers do not respect it! Always make eye contact with the driver before crossing and never assume anything. Pedestrians are killed weekly on crosswalks ... even by policemen!
Weather
Prague is in Central Europe and therefore has the same climate with places such as Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Munich or others. This would be comparable to Washington DC, New York, Baltimore, etc. Therefore, check before you go. Most internet providers will give you the weather anywhere in the world. Winters tend to be cold with temperatures well below freezing. Spring is usually very nice with temperatures into the 20oC (70oF) during the day but colder at night. Summers tend to be warm with temperatures into the 30oC (90oF), but even during the summer, we suggest bringing some warm clothes as it may get cold very fast. Also, do realize the elevations you will be going into. The higher you will be, the colder. Prague is at 180 – 390 meters (600 – 1300 feet) above sea level and situated in a basin, therefore, pretty warm. Do bring an umbrella as it does rain at times. You can find the actuall information about the weather in Prague here.
Should you find something that you feel should be a part of this list, please let us know and we will be happy to include it..