Language: Czech is the official language but English and German are also widely spoken.
Currency: The official currency is the Czech crown, locally known as the Koruna (CZK), which is divided into100 haler. Most credit cards including American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are accepted, but it is best to have cash handy when traveling away from Prague and the main tourist centers. Travelers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels; commission is highest in hotels. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs (known as 'bankomats')
are becoming more common in Prague and are probably the best way to obtain local currency at a good rate and without commission. The Czech Republic is still cheap compared to the rest of Europe, though the gap is closing.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs with a hole for a male grounding pin are standard. Most sockets also take the standard European two-pin plugs.
Communications: The international access code for the Czech Republic is +420. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Area codes are not required, and the first two digits of the number indicate geographical location. There are high surcharges on international calls from hotels; it is cheaper to use the public telephone boxes - phone cards can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with all major international operators, except those in the USA. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.
Duty Free: Travelers to the Czech Republic over 17 years and entering from the EU do not have to pay customs duty on 800 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 1kg tobacco; 10 liters of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, or 20 liters of alcoholic beverages with alcohol volume less than 22%, or 90 liters of wine or 60 liters of sparkling wine, or 110 liters of beer. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, or a proportional assortment of these; 1 liter spirits or 2 liters wine; 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette; and food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use. Other goods to the value of EUR175 per adult and EUR90 per child under 15 years are allowed.
Tourist OfficeCzech Tourist Authority, Prague: +420 221 580 111 or www.czechtourism.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 158 (Police); 155 (Ambulance)
Embassies
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 274 9100.
Embassy of the Czech Republic, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7243 1115.
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 3875.
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6290 1386.
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 431 2380.
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 1135.
Consulate of the Czech Republic, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 522 8736.
United States Embassy, Prague: +420 257 022 000.
British Embassy, Prague: +420 257 022 000.
Canadian Embassy, Prague: +420 272 101 800.
Australian Consulate, Prague: +420 296 578 350.
South African Embassy, Prague: +420 267 311 114.
Irish Embassy, Prague: +420 257 530 061.
New Zealand Embassy, Berlin, Germany (also responsible for Czech Republic): +49 (0)30 206 210.
