Organize your stay Prague
Money Prague
The currency is the koruna česká (Kč or CZK), otherwise known as the Czech koruna. It is divided into 100 haléřů (h). Banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 Kč, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Kč are used. The Czech Republic joined the European Union on May1 , 2004, but adoption of the euro has been delayed year by year, to the point where leaders are now talking about keeping the Czech koruna.
The exchange rates observed in February 2024 were: 1 Kč = €0.04; €1 = 24.92 Kč.
Budget & Tips Prague
With the effects of the global crisis, hotel rates have slowed down in recent years, particularly in the off-season, correcting years of sometimes unreasonable increases. Unfortunately, the health crisis has also led to the closure of many establishments, reducing supply and keeping prices high. High-season demand is still high enough to keep prices staggering, up to five times or more the normal rates for Prague Spring and Christmas. On the other hand, in the low season (October-November and February-March), there are more and more promotional offers on Internet sites, and hotels slash their prices to attract customers. Be on the lookout.
In any case, accommodation remains the main expense of a stay in Prague. But if you're not too fussy and a bed in a youth hostel suits you, dormitories can be found for less than €20 in the city center, out of season. Again, in high season, a single bed in a dormitory can cost up to €90 in even the most spartan establishments. Hotels, on the other hand, are quite expensive. In Prague, expect to pay between Kč1,900 and Kč2,300 for a double room in a (very) standard hotel in mid-season. After that, the price rises very quickly. Hotels in the slightly more outlying districts of Vinohrady and Žižkov are relatively cheaper. From there, it's a 10-15 minute streetcar ride to the city center. A valid solution if you're staying for more than a weekend.
Meals, on the other hand, are fairly inexpensive, although inflation is beginning to push prices up here too. Czech cuisine has the added advantage of being served in generous portions. A good dish and a beer will make you forget your hunger and will set you back between 200 and 400 Kč. But if you like your food a little more elaborate, you'll have to pay a lot more, especially in gourmet restaurants, of which there are many in an increasingly gentrified city center. For those who prefer to compose their own meals, no problem: supermarkets and grocery stores are plentiful. Seasonal fruit is much cheaper at the market. It's always a good idea to check your restaurant bill, as unordered dishes tend to appear on it. Be aware that bread, which is given to you at the start, is not free, nor are any extras. Tipping is never included in the bill, and waiters will remind you of this (even if you've only ordered a small coffee...). In the most touristy places, waiters sometimes assess their own tips and add 10-15% to the bill. It's up to you to decide whether you approve of this method..
Transport is efficient and inexpensive. A ticket (metro, streetcar, bus) costs 30 Kč, or around €1.24, for the shortest journeys (30 minutes). But most of the time, you'll have to buy tickets for 40 Kč (or €1.65), valid for 90 minutes, just so you don't get caught breaking the law at the 31stminute ! Weekly passes are also very attractive. Long-distance travel by bus or train is, compared with France, really cheap.
As for visits and extras (outings, concerts), it all depends on your requirements and your means. Museum entrance fees range from €1.50 to €16, but the full Prague Castle tour with photo option costs 450 Kč (€18) on its own.
Passport and visas Prague
A valid identity card or passport is all you need to visit the Czech Republic. If you come across a fussy policeman or customs officer, make sure that your papers are valid for at least another six months after the date of entry into the country.
Driver's license Prague
If your driving license was issued in a European Union country and is still valid, you can use it to drive or rent a car in the Czech Republic. Very useful if you're planning to visit the Prague area.
Health Prague
There are no particular risks in the Czech Republic. However, it is advisable to take out an international insurance policy. The standard of Czech medicine is comparable to that in Western countries, with the difference that Czech doctors are paid three times less than their Western European counterparts. Most of them are state employees, and share the sad salary situation of civil servants. As the lack of resources is sometimes flagrant, it's best to avoid seeking treatment in certain Czech hospitals. But the situation is improving every year, and it's much easier and safer to go to hospital than it was ten years ago.
Mandatory vaccination Prague
There is no mandatory vaccination to travel to the Czech Republic, and Prague is a very safe city. However, it is recommended to check if your vaccinations are up to date and, depending on the length of your trip, to get vaccinated againsthepatitis A and ticks, especially if you leave Prague during your stay.
Security Prague
Prague is a fairly safe city, but it's also an extremely touristy one; put yourself in the shoes of pickpockets... Just take the obvious precautions. If you have a vehicle, don't leave anything in sight inside the car. On foot, be on your guard in crowded tourist areas (Charles Bridge, Castle, tramway 22). Beware of anyone trying to divert your attention when withdrawing money from an ATM. Be careful when boarding streetcars, when everyone is jostling for position. In the event of theft, always report the lost item to the police so that you can be reimbursed, and replace your papers at your embassy (if it's your passport). And, you never know, always go to the lost and found office: Karolíny Světlé 5.
Time difference Prague
Prague is in the GMT + 1 time zone, so the time in the Czech capital is the same as in France. The changeover from summer to winter time and vice versa takes place on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.
Spoken languages Prague
In Prague, as in the whole Czech Republic, we speak Czech. While German and Russian were for a very long time the most widely spoken foreign languages in the country, they have now been overtaken by English. This is now more a question of generation. While older people and rural populations speak more and more German and Russian, young people prefer English for the most part. The Frenchman comes far behind. Old French-Czech friendly relations, once not only cultural but also political, seem to have disappeared.
Communication Prague
It's easy to spend your mobile and 4 or 5G package in the Czech Republic. Calls to France and Europe are no longer subject to surcharges, but be sure to check the amount of data usage abroad included in your package, which can vary from one operator to another. You can also choose to equip yourself with a local chip, on sale in all downtown stores. The city's coverage is very good, and you'll have no problem communicating with your loved ones. Wifi has become commonplace (and free) in hotels, cafés and restaurants, so that cybercafés have all but disappeared from Prague's streets.
Electricity and measurements Prague
The Czech Republic uses the same system. The voltage is 220 V, so you can use your usual devices and charge them as safely as at home.
Luggage Prague
Summers can be stifling in Prague, where the climate is continental. Take light clothing, sunglasses and a hat or cap to provide shade. In winter, on the other hand, temperatures can be harsh, so warm clothing is a must. In any case, don't forget to bring good shoes: Prague can be discovered on foot, and the cobblestones don't do poor soles any favors. Heels should also be avoided. If you're going to a concert or the opera, don't forget to bring a smart outfit. There isn't much of a dress code at the door, but Czechs are used to dressing up for the occasion, so you might as well go local.
