Czech Republic Travel Guide

Social Conventions

It is considered polite to say 'good day' (dobrý den) when you meet a stranger, including the person behind the counter in a shop or a pub, and 'goodbye' (na shledanou) when you leave.

When attending a classical music concert or opera performance, most Czechs will dress formally - you can usually spot the tourists by their casual clothes, which the locals will save for jazz clubs, cinema and theater.

If you are invited to someone's house, it is polite to take a small gift - a bunch of flowers will do - and to remove your shoes when you enter.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Czech Airlines (OK) (www.csa.cz).

Departure Tax

Included in ticket price.

Main Airports

Prague (PRG) (Ruzyne) is 20km (12 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: Cedaz (www.cedaz.cz) operates a shuttle bus to the city center and a 24-hour door-to-door minibus service. Public buses run every 10 minutes or so from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to the Zličín and Dejvická metro stations. Bus 100 goes to Zličín (line B) (journey time - 15 minutes) and bus 119 runs to Dejvická (line A) (journey time - 20 minutes). The night bus 510 links up with the night tram 51 at Divoká Šárka. Minibuses and taxis are also available; some major hotels operate shuttle-bus services. Facilities: Duty-free shops, left luggage, post office, banks/bureau de change, restaurant and bar, car parking and car hire.

Getting There By Rail

The Czech Republic forms part of the European InterCity network. The most convenient routes to the Czech Republic from Western Europe are via Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Munich, Vienna, Würzburg or Zurich to Prague. The Vindobona Express is a once-daily through train that travels from Vienna to Brno and Prague and on to Berlin. Rail travel information is available from Czech Railways (tel: 8401 12113, within the Czech Republic only; www.cdrail.cz). Train timetables are available at www.vlak-bus.cz.

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (www.raileurope.co.uk).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited travel in 20 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days to three months, or for 10 or 15 days travel in a two-month period. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more travelers. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26 and offers unlimited travel. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three to five bordering countries and allows up to 15 days travel in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows four to 10 travel days in a two-month period in two or three neighboring countries. Children receive a 50% reduction. The passes cannot be sold to residents of Europe, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, or the Russian Federation. Available from The Eurail Group (www.eurail.com).

Getting There By Road

A network of international motorways (or ‘E' roads) link Prague and the Czech Republic to neighboring Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria.

Coach: There is an international coach network covering most European cities. There are connections to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Vienna and other main cities from the Florenc and Zelivskeho Bus Terminals in Prague. Touring Bohemia/Eurolines runs services from London Victoria to Plzen, Prague and Brno (tel: 2242 18680; www.elines.cz/en/). In the UK, you can buy London-Prague coach tickets through National Express/Eurolines (tel: 08717 818181; www.nationalexpress.com).

Coach passes: Prague is one of 40 cities that travelers can visit with a 15- or 30-day Eurolines Pass. These can be bought online from Eurolines (www.eurolines-pass.com).

Duty Free

Overview

The Czech Republic is within the European Union. If you are traveling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into the Czech Republic by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (if over 16 years of age).
• 1L of spirits and 2L of wine.
• 60mL of perfume or 250mL of eau de toilette.
• Gifts up to a value of €175.
• Foods, fruits, flowers and medication for personal use. Age restrictions apply.

Note: The export of cultural heritage pieces is only possible with prior approval by the Czech Ministry of Culture.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Czech Airlines (OK) (www.csa.cz) operates an extensive domestic service. There are regular domestic flights from Prague to Ostrava, Karlovy Vary and Brno.

Getting Around By Water

Navigable waterways can be found in the country and the main river ports are located at Prague, Ústí nad Labem and Děčín although there are no regular passenger services along these.

Getting Around By Rail

The rail network is operated by Czech Railways (tel: 8401 12113, within the Czech Republic only; www.cdrail.cz; train timetables www.vlak-bus.cz). There are several daily express trains between Prague and the main cities and resorts. Reservations should be made in advance on major routes. Fares are low, but supplements are payable for travel by express trains.

Rail Passes

European East Pass: available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, this offers unlimited first or standard class train travel for five days in one month in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. It can be purchased online through the European Rail Guide (www.europeanrailguide.com) and Rail Europe in the USA (www.raileurope.com).

InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within the Czech Republic. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (www.raileurope.co.uk).

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. The Czech Republic has a good network of first and second class roads, as well as a growing motorway network. Users of the Czech motorways have to buy a windscreen sticker or vignette (season ticket valid for two weeks or one year). This is usually included with rental cars.

Coach: The extensive coach network is efficient and comfortable. Buses are run by a range of private operators and the state bus company CSAD. For bus timetables, see www.vlak-bus.cz.

Car hire: Self-drive cars may be hired through international and local companies.

Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are 31mph (50kph) in built-up areas, 55mph (90kph) outside built-up areas and 80mph (130kph) on motorways. Seat belts are compulsory and those aged under 12 years must sit in the rear. Drinking is prohibited, as is using a handheld mobile phone. Headlights must be turned on at all times when driving. All private cars must carry: one fluorescent green high visibility safety jacket, one first aid kit, one spare pair of prescription glasses (if necessary) kept in the glove compartment, one warning triangle and one complete set of spare bulbs.

Emergency breakdown service: A 24-hour service is available from the Ústředni Automotoklub (tel: 1230) and the Autoklub Bohemia Assistance (tel: 1240).

Documentation: A valid national driving license. If this has no photocard, an International Driving Permit is also required. A Green Card should be carried by visitors taking their own car into the Czech Republic.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Public transport is excellent. Dopravní podník (www.dpp.cz) operates Prague's public transport system. The city's metro service runs from 0500-0000. There are also tram and bus services (for which tickets must be purchased in advance from vending machines, tobacconist shops, newsagents, metro stations, information centers or travel agents). Night trams and buses run from 0000-0430 in Prague.

Buses, trolleybuses and trams also exist in Brno, Ostrava and several other towns. Most services run from 0430-0000.

All the cities operate flat-fare systems, and passes valid for a certain number of journeys or specific period of time can be purchased in advance. Tickets should be validated in the appropriate machine on entering the tram, bus or, in the case of Prague, metro station. There is a fine for fare evasion.

Taxis are available in all the main towns and are metered; higher fares are charged at night.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Prague to other major towns/cities in the Czech Republic.

	Air	Road	Rail
Brno	0.45	2.15	2.15
Karlovy Vary	0.30	2.00	2.10
Ostrava	1.00	6.45	4.30