In this section you should be able to find answers to your questions regarding to the Czech Republic travel. Haven't you found answer to your question here? Do you think that the answer to your question would be helpful to other travellers as well? Do you think it would be too late to ask when you are already in Prague? Ask us and we will answer.
What languages can people in the Czech Republic speak ?
Apart from Czech language, which is the language of 98% of the population, Czechs are divided into three groups. The first one, the older generation � above 70 years old, speaks German, the middle group, people between 30 and 70 should be able to speak Russian as most of them studied it at school. Young people speak English. English is more and more popular among the older generations too � it's the language of business and trade and a lot of people attend language courses in order to catch up with the rest of the world. If you are an English speaker and
you need to ask someone how to get somewhere, ask students.
Coming to Prague, will I need my car or shall I rely on the Prague public transport system ?
Most of the tourists coming to Prague will tell you that you don't need your car.
Public transport is very cheap and convenient. You get to see more of the city that way too as well as being able to soak up the atmosphere . With a choice of buses, trams and the metro system anywhere is easy to reach and so most people leave their cars stationary whilst they are here.
Normal ticket (12 Czech crowns = 20p or 30 cents) is valid for all types of transport, including changing from one to another, and for 60 minutes during week days and 90 minutes during weekends and evenings. Tickets for 6 crowns are valid for 15 minutes on a tram or 4 stops on the underground. You can get one or three-day tickets or weekly tickets. The underground (Metro) runs from 5 am and the last train goes around midnight. Trams and buses are divided into day and night ones. Day trams and buses run the same hours as the Metro, the night trams and buses between midnight and 5 or 6 am. It's easy to tell whether a tram or a bus number is day or night. 1-31 trams are the ones going during the day, 51-58 are the night trams. Buses that are numbered 100-300 are day ones, 500 and more are the night ones. All of the night trams meet in the centre and wait for each other, so if you have to get from one side of town to the other you won't end up waiting twice. (The intervals are usually 40 minutes). This is why trams and metros get quite busy during peak hours, Czechs know what's convenient. For more details about public transport in Prague click here.
I have heard that parking in the centre of Prague
causes a lot of problems for foreigners. What are the general rules
?
Parking in the centre of Prague can be a problem if you don't know what some of the road signs mean. There are a few things that you should know. First, the centre of Prague gets really busy during peak hours and often it's better to walk. If you want to see the main monuments, walking is the best way because everything is very close to each other, you won't fray your nerves waiting in traffic jams and will get fitter. Walking is healthy! Second, if you do come to the centre with your car you should know that a lot of it is closed to trafic and if it's not, then it's definitely a residents-only parking zone. If you want to park your car in the centre, you will have to do so in one of the private garages or parking places. They might be quite expensive, especially during the week. Blue lines along the streets mean that it's a residents-only parking zone. Other zones are marked by trafic signs, which tell you for how long you can park there and there's always a parking meter nearby.
Is every Czech taxi driver a shark? People say that if one calls for a taxi in Prague, they end up paying an incredible amount of money. Is it true ?
It is and it isn't. At this moment there is upper limit on what a taxi driver can charge 17 CZK per kilometre. But you can end up paying a lot more than you would expect. If you really need a taxi and you are about to get in one in the street, never forget to ask how much a kilometre is and then, when you think the price is fine, don't forget to check that the driver has switched the meter on.
Calling a taxi company (AAA for example, tel. 1080) is the best thing to do, though. You will never have to wait any longer than 10 minutes and it will be a lot cheaper. Check more details about taxi here.
Can I buy international newpapers and magazines in Prague ?
Yes, there are several news stands and shops where you can buy most of the international press. You can also watch films in cinemas in English as the foreign films have Czech subtitles, but the sound is original and some of the Czech films in some of the cinemas have English subtitles. There are also many bookshops selling English books, and every bookshop will have a couple of guides in English.
Could you tell me please, what is the best way from the airport to the centre of Prague ?
The best way and more comfortable
is to arrange for you the transfer, if you book accommodation through agency pick up is mostly free, otherwise it costs something between 200 and 600 CZK for a car of course. If you want to take a public transportation, first of all you have to use bus to metro station Dejvicka and than by metro four stops to requested station.
I am planning to visit Prague next year. Do you know if I need a visa ?
Yes, you do need a visa to come to The Czech Republic. To see details for visa requirements go to
documents !
I have a question. Is it better to stay in a hotel in The Old Town or The Little Quarter?
Both these parts of Prague are really nice. I would suggest you Old Town, because it is the real heart of the city, close to restaurants, theaters, clubs and sights.
I have a question. What is the currency conversion to USD?
The exact current rate you can check at our
homepage.
Czech currency is called Czech crown [CZK].
Exchange rate is
roughly 1USD = 23CZK.