Prague: Practical A–Z

EU Citizens

As an EU citizen, you need no visa. The Czech Republic is a Schengen member — a valid ID card or passport is sufficient. No border controls when entering from other Schengen countries.

Swiss Citizens

Same rules as EU citizens (Schengen Agreement). Passport or ID is sufficient.

Currency

The Czech Republic is not in the Eurozone — the currency is the Czech Koruna (CZK). Exchange rate: approx. 1€ = 25 CZK. Many tourist spots accept euros, but at a terrible rate. Always pay in korunas! Best options: pay by card (possible almost everywhere) or withdraw korunas at an ATM (bankomat).

Time Zone

The Czech Republic is in the Central European Time Zone (CET) — same as Germany. No time difference, no adjustment needed.

Prague is a safe city — violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main issues: pickpocketing and tourist traps (exchange offices, overpriced restaurants, taxi scams).

Hotspots for Pickpockets

• Charles Bridge — Number 1, especially in crowds.
• Old Town Square — While everyone stares at the clock, pickpockets strike.
• Tram 22 — As in many cities: trams are hotspots.
• Wenceslas Square at night — Drunk tourists are easy prey.

The 5 Biggest Tourist Traps

1. Exchange Offices: "0% Commission" is a lie — the spread can be 15–30%. Always withdraw from an ATM or pay by card.
2. Restaurants at Old Town Square: Overpriced and mediocre. Go a side street further — double the quality, half the price.
3. Street Taxis: Manipulated meters, detour rides. Always use Bolt or Uber.
4. "Massage" offers on Wenceslas Square: Ignore.
5. Cheap Strip Club Invitations: Especially at night around Wenceslas Square — the bill at the end often amounts to 500–1,000€. Avoid.

Risk	Rating	Note
Pickpocketing	Medium	Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Tram
Violent Crime	Very low	Extremely rare against tourists
Fraud/Scams	Medium	Exchange offices, taxis, tourist restaurants
Natural Hazards	Low	Occasional Vltava flooding

Mobile Internet

Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your German mobile contract in the Czech Republic without additional costs. The network coverage in Prague is excellent (4G/5G everywhere).

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafés, hotels, and restaurants. The city offers Praha Free Wi-Fi at tourist hotspots.

Language

Czech is a Slavic language and initially inaccessible to German-speaking ears — even the pronunciation of consonant clusters (zmrzlina = ice cream, prst = finger) can be intimidating. The good news: In Prague, most young people speak English, and in tourist areas often German (historically influenced). Older Czechs sometimes speak Russian (school requirement before 1989).

A few words of Czech are highly appreciated:

• Dobrý den (Good day)
• Děkuji (Thank you) — pronounced: djekuji
• Prosím (Please / You're welcome)
• Pivo, prosím (A beer, please — the most important phrase!)
• Účet, prosím (The bill, please)
• Na zdraví! (Cheers! — look into the eyes when toasting)

Recommended Apps

• PID Lítačka: Official public transport app. Timetables, routes, and digital tickets.
• Bolt / Uber: Ridesharing — cheaper and safer than street taxis.
• Mapy.cz: Czech alternative to Google Maps — significantly more accurate maps for Prague.
• Google Maps: Download offline maps!

What to Pack?

• Comfortable Shoes: A must! Prague's cobblestones (dlažba) are ubiquitous, and after a day without good shoes, you'll have blisters. Sneakers with good soles — no flip-flops.
• Layers: Prague's weather changes quickly — cool in the morning, warm at noon, fresh again in the evening. Always carry a light jacket.
• Umbrella: Thunderstorms can occur even in summer — a compact umbrella is advisable.
• Warm Clothing (Winter): Hat, gloves, warm coat. Prague's winters are cold — minus 5 to minus 10°C is not uncommon.
• Small Backpack: Zipper towards the body (protection against pickpocketing on Charles Bridge).
• Travel Adapter: Type C fits (as in Germany). Type E (with grounding pin) is standard in the Czech Republic — usually works with German plugs, occasionally not. When in doubt: bring a universal adapter.

Important Notes

• Tipping: 10% in restaurants is customary but not mandatory. In Pivnices: round up to the next 10 CZK. Never 20% like in the USA.
• Drinking Water: Tap water in Prague is drinkable and of good quality. Bring a bottle and refill it.
• Sunday Opening: Supermarkets (Albert, Billa, Tesco) are also open on Sundays. Small shops: often closed.
• Smoking: Since 2017, there is a smoking ban in restaurants in the Czech Republic — beer gardens and terraces are exempt.