Czech Republic: Practical A–Z

Czechia is an EU and Schengen member. German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens need:

• Valid ID card or passport (Children: child passport or own ID card)
• No border controls at Schengen internal borders
• When driving: vehicle documents, driver's license, green insurance card (recommended)

Third-country nationals should check Schengen visa rules before traveling.

The official currency is the Czech Koruna (Česká koruna, CZK), abbreviated as "Kč" in Czechia. 1 Koruna = 100 Haler (mostly used in billing amounts, not as coins).

• Exchange rate (guideline): 1 EUR ≈ 24-25 CZK
• Czechia is not in the Eurozone — Euro is sometimes accepted in tourist areas, but at poor rates
• ATMs are widely available (especially dense in Prague); watch out for your bank's exchange fees
• Card payment is very widespread — even for small amounts; contactless payment is standard
• Exchange offices: in Prague's old town, there are fraudulent offices with misleading rates. Better: ATMs or online credit cards with good rates

Czech is the official language — a West Slavic language with complex grammar. In tourist areas and among the younger generation, English is widely spoken. German is common in border areas (Pilsen, Karlovy Vary, South Bohemia, border area with Austria), especially among older people.

Useful Words

• Hello: “Dobrý den" (formal), “Ahoj" (informal)
• Thank you: “Děkuji" (Dje-kui)
• Please: “Prosím"
• Yes/No: “Ano" / “Ne"
• Sorry: “Promiňte"
• The bill, please: “Zaplatím, prosím" or “Účet, prosím"
• Beer, please: “Pivo, prosím"

Public Transport

Czechia has a dense rail and bus network. State railway: ČD (České dráhy). Private competitors: RegioJet and Leo Express with modern trains, low prices, and onboard service on main routes (e.g., Prague-Brno-Ostrava, Prague-Vienna).

Prague Public Transport

One of the cheapest and best in Europe: subway (Metro, 3 lines A/B/C), trams, buses. Tickets for 30 min., 90 min., 24 hrs., or 72 hrs. are valid throughout the system. Night trams/buses radiate from Lazarská.

Rental Cars

Ideal for exploring regions and castles. Toll highways: electronic vignette mandatory, book online at edalnice.cz before entry. Daily rate approx. 4 €, 10-day rate approx. 12 €.

Bicycle

Very well-developed cycling network, especially in South Moravia (wine routes) and South Bohemia (pond area, Vltava route). In Prague, bike paths are growing, but the old town is better explored on foot due to cobblestones.

Czechia is a very safe travel destination. The main risks for tourists:

• Pickpocketing — especially in Prague on Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, in trams (line 22/23, leading to the castle), and at train stations
• Taxi scams — unregulated taxis at Wenceslas Square and the airport often charge excessive prices. Solution: Uber/Bolt or official AAA Radiotaxi via app
• Overpriced exchange offices — see above
• Brothel scams — in Prague's tourist zone, there are "clubs" with exorbitant bills

Outside Prague, crime is almost not an issue. In general: usual caution in tourist hotspots, leave valuables at the hotel, use well-lit paths at night.

Czechia has a good medical infrastructure. For EU citizens, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) applies — necessary treatments are covered at state facilities, though often with co-payment.

• Travel health insurance is strongly recommended — private clinics bill directly and can be significantly more expensive
• Emergency call 112 (general), 155 (ambulance)
• In Prague, there are German-speaking doctors and the Nemocnice Na Homolce with a foreign department
• No special vaccination requirements, standard vaccination protection as in Germany is sufficient
• Tap water in Czechia is drinkable

Tipping

In restaurants, 10% is customary. Usually, the amount is rounded up or stated when paying: "That's fine" (often in German in tourist restaurants) or you state the total amount with tip ("Deset pět set, prosím" = 1500 Kč). Service is NOT automatically added to the bill, but tourist menus sometimes show a "cover charge" or service fee.

Etiquette

• Greeting: shake hands, make eye contact, say "Dobrý den" when entering a small shop
• Toasting: always look into the eyes, do not toast across, say "Na zdraví!"
• Bill: cash or card, always order separately / ask to pay together
• Remove hats in churches, take off shoes when visiting privately

Opening Hours (typical, check individually)

• Supermarkets: Mon-Sat often 7-21, shorter on Sundays — larger stores 24/7
• Small shops: weekdays 9-18, shorter on Saturdays, often closed on Sundays
• Banks: weekdays 9-17
• Restaurants: usually 11-22, longer in Prague and Brno

Emergency Calls

• 112 — general emergency (English & German-speaking operator)
• 150 — fire department
• 155 — ambulance
• 158 — police
• 156 — municipal police (local police)

German Embassy in Prague

• Address: Vlašská 19, 11801 Praha 1
• Consular Section

Austrian Embassy in Prague

• Address: Viktora Huga 10, 15000 Praha 5

Swiss Embassy in Prague

• Address: Pevnostní 588/7, 16200 Praha 6

Useful Websites

• CzechTourism: visitczechia.com — official tourism information
• ČD Timetables: cd.cz
• RegioJet: regiojet.cz
• Digital Vignette: edalnice.cz