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Flights to Prague and other ways to travel there

 

By plane:

it can be as quick as a 2 hours flight from the UK and as cheap as 80 £. Low cost airlines have dramatically lowered costs to get to Prague. Usually, it is better to book in advance to get the best fares. All of these arrive in Prague Ruzyne airport, 45 minutes away from the center. Depending on where you live, you can choose from the following airlines :

 

By bus:

a cheap and flexible solution if you come from continental Europe. You can check www.eurolines.com

By car:

it can be a good solution if you arrive from continental Europe.

• Once in Prague, you will not need your car any more because most of the sightseeing and entertainment are concentrated in a small pedestrian area, so choose a good accomodation in the center (with Rentego !) and put your car in a safe parking (as there are many car thefts). Budget about 500 CZK/24hrs.You can check your itinerary and travel time at www.viamichelin.com

By train:

might be a good solution if you arrive from one of neighbouring countries (Austria, Germany, Poland). Until now trains are not very competitive from further destinations.

Once there : if you use public transportation,

here are the new rates -check for updates and precisions on http://www.dpp.cz/en/fares-in-prague/ :

Single tickets

	transfer	non-transfer
Adult persons over 15 years	26,- CZK	20,- CZK
Children from 6 up to 15 years inclusive	13,- CZK	9,- CZK

Transfer tickets

Tickets for two fare zones can be used 75 minutes from validation. On working days from 08.00 PM to 05.00 AM and on Saturdays and Sundays round the clock such tickets can be used 90 minutes from validation.

Non-transfer tickets

apply to trams and buses 20 minutes allowing no change. On the Metro such tickets are valid for the distance of 5 stations from the station of validation (not including the station of validation) allowing to change between the lines A,B,C, but no longer than 30 minutes. These tickets do not apply to night routes and funicular railway.

Season tickets

24-hour ticket	100,- CZK
3-day ticket (72 hours)	330,- CZK
5-day ticket (120 hours)	500,- CZK

Monthly, full-price

550,- CZK

Charge payable for carriage of various items

Charge payable for carriage of various items is paid by a transfer ticket for CZK 13.-. Validity of such ticket is identical to that of the ticket used by a passenger carrying the luggage (but no longer than 240 minutes). This charge is payable for carriage of items larger than 25 x 45 x 70cm (a bar over 150cm, a board over 100 x 100 x 5cm) and an empty pram. Season tickets of all types entitle their holders to a free of charge carriage of one of the items subject to the charge payable for carriage of luggage. Passenger may carry only items permitted by Contractual Transport Conditions.

Charge payable for carriage of a dog without a container (not allowed on the Metro) is identical to the price of full fare, according to number of tariff zones. Charge payable for carriage of various items on trains of the Czech Railways is governed by provisions of the Railway Transportation Code. Season tickets do not entitle passengers to carry a dog without a container free of charge.

Season tickets valid for one or more days entitle passengers to carry free of charge one of the items subject to the charge for carriage of luggage (does not apply to carriage of animals)

Free of charge carriage

Free of charge carriage applies to the following groups of passengers:

• children up to the age of 6
• prams with babies (on trains of the Czech Railways only in folded condition - so-called "pushchairs")
• animals (dogs) in containers
• one ski-set with sticks
• bicycles (only on the Metro)
• ...(other specific Czech or handicapped categories)

Which ID to take?

• If you are a citizen from the European Union, your ID card is enough from May 1rst, 2004.
• If you are not a citizen from the European Union, please check with the Czech Embassy in your country – you might need a visa and a passport valid even after your stay. Us citizens may stay for 30 days without a visa, but citizens of Australia, New-zealand need one.

Which money to use?

• Local currency is the Czech crown, and the Czech Republic is not expected to adopt the Euro before a few years. Some shops like Tesco in the center do accept euros, but generally cash is preferred.
• Usually the best solution to change money is to use your credit card (Visa or MasterCard) to get cash from one of the many ATMs once in Prague. Credit cards are also accepted in many high-end restaurants and shops. 
• In case you must  exchange cash, go to Exchange on Kaprova street, close to Old Town Square. Otherwise choose bank instead of an exchange offices – we have been told by some of our clients they have experienced a very inconvenient exchange rate in one of those. If for some reason you don't have other choice, then – once at the counter - ask: “ If I give this amount of Euros, how much Czech crowns do I get back?”
• Traveler's cheques are also easy to change
• Never change money on the street - chances to get a good rate are minimal but your risk would be maximal

Which clothing to take?

• In all seasons: take comfortable shoes. Most of the sightseeing and entertainement are within a small area so you will probably walk a lot – with breaks in nice Cafés and restaurants of course. Moreover, some streets are cobbled, so high-heel shoes will not be ideal during the day. You might want them for evening concerts, though...
• In the summertime, summer cloth plus a pullover and a jacket in case it rains.
• In winter, take all your warm clothing : warm coat, gloves, warm underwear, warm and water-resistant shoes, etc. In january and february for example, it rains twice less than in Paris or London, but the average temperature is 5 °C lower. You might encounter snow –and see how it makes Prague even more beautiful !

You can check the weather on http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/EZXX0012.html

Weather statistics:

	Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean temperature	Maximum	0	3	8	13	18	21	23	23	19	13	6	2
	Minimum	-5	-4	-1	3	7	11	12	12	9	4	0	-3
Mean Total Rainfall (mm)		24	23	28	38	78	73	66	70	40	30	32	25
Mean Number of Rain Days		7	6	6	7	10	10	9	9	7	5	7	7

Source: Cesky Hydrometeorologicky Ustav

How to phone?

Before you go, to phone to the Czech Republic, you should dial: International + country code (420) + number (usually 2 XX XX XX XX for Prague)
Once there, you can use four solutions:

• Your usual cell phone, if you have activated the roaming option for Europe (contact your mobile operator if not). Your usual cell phone number will work, all your calls will be transfered to you (at the cost of the international call)
  
• Buy a Czech SIM card for the time of your holidays. It will cost you 15 euros, but local calls and calls you get from abroad will be much cheaper than with roaming. This will not work if your cell phone is blocked by your operator. If it is blocked, you can unblock it in one of the small shops on Spalena street across from Tesco (look for "odblokovani mobilu") for 10 to 20 euros.
• Buy a calling card like Smartcall to use from landlines
• Use skype ( www.skype.com ) for free internet telephone

How to check e-mails?

You will find plenty of Internet cafés in Prague where you can connect to the Internet for about 0.03 € per minute.

If you are a Wi-fi user, all KFC and many bars provide Wi-Fi internet access.

Shopping:

• Overall Prague is not a very interesting shopping destination. The good deal here compared to Western Europe are entertainement and restaurants. quality clothe and consumer goods are about 10% more expensive than in the West.
• The shopping malls Palladium at Namesti Republiky and Novy smichov at Andel will provide you with all you forgot and more. You’ll find a , dozens of clothes shops, etc. and at andel there is even a Tesco hypermarket. If you still can’t find that little black dress to go dancing, try Zara at Na Prikope 15 or Mango at Na Prikope 8...
• Tesco, on Narodni Trida, might also be a good option
• For cristal, a local specialty, you can turn to Moser, on Na Prikope 12.
• For CDs (interesting in particular for good classical music recordings at a low price) :
  • Bontonland, in the "Palac Koruna" at the bottom of St-Venceslas square, with a wide choice
  • A shop more specialized in classical music at the crossing of Namesti Franze Kafky and Majzlova

Various:

• Electricity is 220 Volts, 50 Hz as in most of continental Europe. Power outlets are the same two small round holes as in most of continental Europe (sometimes with ground pin). Therefore, devices from the UK will need an adapter and North American devices will require a transformer
• Safety rules are the same as in any other european touristic cities. Violent crimes are very rare, but many pickpockets and car thieves are attracted by tourists. Make sure your wallet is in out of reach, do not leave valuables in your apartment and put your car in a safe parking as you will not need it in Prague
• No special vaccination is needed for Prague if you come from the rest of Europe
• Tap water is safe to drink in Prague.
• Taxis : A great way to order taxis is by sms to City taxi: send an sms in english to 00420 777 257 257, with your name, place where you need the taxi, time when you need it. You will not have to phone and wait, you will just get a confirmation sms with the time when the taxi will arrive, car type, car color and car plate number. The taxi will have 257 257 257 in big letters on it. 
• You can also call City Taxi 00 420 257 257 257 AAA at 14 0 14 (they speak english). If you take a cab in the street, try to choose an AAA or City Taxi or Profitaxi, check that he uses the meter and ask for a receipt. Avoid taxis parked in a highly touristic site ( St-Venceslas Square, near Charles Bridge etc.), some of these prefer to trick a tourist than work all day...
   
• The website of the British embassy is on http://www.britain.cz/en/General/gen_info.html , more travel advice is available on http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2
  FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618387144
• For Laundry you will find leaflets from Laundryland in our apartments, they ensure full service including pick-up and delivery www.laundryland.cz

Links to interesting websites :

• (Les liens vers la plupart des sites francophones sont sur www.rentego.fr)
• Dating for serious relationships with Czech and Slovak girls: visit www.Romantic-Future.com
  Romantic Future offers personalized matchmaking services to help you meet the woman of your dreams. Their international background ensures you will get western quality of service, and hundreds of beautiful Czech and Slovak ladies await you on their website
  
• For more information on Prague
  www.prague.cz
• For information targeted to expats
  www.expats.cz : we particularly appreciate the "Search" which will help you find in the forums all the tips from expats to find your tennis club or Pilates lessons
• Other websites (directories on travel and related topics, etc. :
  Willgoto.com - World travel guide and directory
• To rent a car: contact A Rent Car http://www.arentcar.cz/en/about_company.html and use discount code RENTeGO-discount 5% to get a 5% discount. They can bring the car to any place in Prague (e.g., your apartment), and take it back from any place in Prague (e.g., your apartment or the airport).

  

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