CZECH REPUBLIC FAQ

"An excellent tourist FAQ, this site covers useful information on many things Czech, including visas, driving in, travelling around and getting off the beaten track of the republic. There's also much about Prague here."Excite Review

prepared by Ivan Sever (original HTML conversion by Jiri Muselik)

hosted by Web Travel Review

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Table of contents:

• About the Czech Republic
• Tourist Information (excluding PRAGUE)
• PRAGUE Tourist Information
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Sights
• Other Sources of Information
• If You Are Ready to Go

About the Czech Republic

Official Name: Ceska republika
Area: 78 864 sq. km (30 450 sq miles)
Population: 10,357,000 (1995)
Official Language: Czech
Bordering Countries: Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Austria
Capital: Prague (Praha) (Population: 1,213,800)
President: Vaclav Havel
Prime Minister: Vaclav Klaus

Currency: Czech Crown (Kc)
Approximate Exchange Rate: U.S.$1 = 30.5 Kc

Cash Machine Locations: (Mastercard, Eurocard, Eurocheque, VISA)

• Cirrus/Mastercard (more common): (800) 424-7787
• The Plus Network: (800) 843-7587

• Visa, Diners Club: 24-12-53-53
• MasterCard: 24-42-31-35
• American Express: 24-21-99-92

"The ubiquitous "Exchange" outlets around Prague tend to charge much higher commissions (and beware - the maps such outlets "give out" are not free). Some of these rates prominently display the rate at which they buy Czech crowns rather than the selling rate, making it appear that they offer more crowns per dollar, pound, mark or franc than they actually do. But if you need money at, say, 10pm on a Saturday, you might find no alternative to these bank-in-a-box operations." (The Prague Post - weekly)
"Growing numbers of private exchanges, especially in Prague, are convenient but take the highest cuts; some advertise low commissions but invent their own lopsided rates." (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit: Czech and Slovak Republics, page 58)
"In the past 4 years, the bureau de change business has turned into one of the most profitable enterprises in Prague. ... The usual bureau rate is 8% commission, but it's sometimes possible to beat them down to 5%. Most banks ... charge a much lower commission - usually 1 - 3%." (Time Out Guide: Prague, page 5 - 7)
"We used to have a quote about ChequePoint, a chain of bureau de changes, but they didn't like what it said and threatened to sue us." (Ivan Sever & Philip Greenspun, 6/96)

Postage

• Postcard to U.S. 8 Kc
• Letter to U.S. 12 Kc
• Postcard to G.B. 6 Kc
• Letter to G.B. 9 Kc

CUSTOMS:

• Tipping: Round the restaurant bill up by about 10%
• You have to pay to use public restrooms: Drop 2 Kc in the attendant's dish and take the strip of toilet paper. There's none inside.

STORE HOURS:

• Generally 9-6 (some with lunch breaks)
• Banks may close at 3:30
• Saturday: most stores close at noon
• Sunday: almost none are open

Time zone: GMT+1 (April-September: GMT+2)
Voltage: 220V/50Hz
Video System: :PAL

Telecommunications:

IN MARCH 1997, THE COUNTRY CODE HAS CHANGED TO 420!
"City codes begin with 0 (e.g. Prague is 02). However, the leading zero is not dialed when calling from overseas."

• Country's Telephone Code: 420
  
• Local pay phone calls: 3 Kc
  "Telephone cards can be bought at larger post offices, airports, railway stations, metro stations, big department stores, kiosks and hotels. There are 3 types: 50 'units', 100 'units' and 150 'units'"
  For all international calls from the Czech Republic: dial 00 first.
• Call to North America: 42 Kc (first minute)
• AT&T Operator: 00-420-00101
• MCI Operator: 00-420-0011
• Sprint Operator: 00-420-87187
• Bell Canada Operator: 00-420-00151

  Notes on Cellular Telephones: "Your cell phone is most likely 800MHz. In the Czech Republic, the current standard is 450MHz. Therefore, there is no chance that it would work over there. The only provider in the Czech Rep. is Eurotel. The connection fees, the phone (about $1000 US), a phone number and the connection, according to some friends, will cost around $1500 US. (Just passing on what I heard)".
  "Starting in July 1996, there will be a second cellular network available in larger cities and along the main highways, gradually covering up to 90% of the country. This system will use the European GSM standard. It will first be operated by Eurotel and later also by Radiomobil.
  "Current price of 1 unit (30secs) on GSM phones is 9 Kc (US$ 0.30) for EuroTel cellular phones and between 2 Kc (US$ 0.07 - from 22:00 to 6:00) and 8 Kc (US$ 0.28 - 12:00-18:00) for RadioMobil phones. "

• Beeper services are available in the Czech Republic through:
  • Radiokontakt Operator a.s.,Skokanska 1,169 00 Prague 6,Tel:[420-2] 341-004, 323-434 (Czech only!)
• EUnet/Internet service providers in Prague

DRIVING:

• 4-lane highway: 110 km/h (70 mph) - from 6/97: 120 km (75 mph)
• open roads: 90 km/h (55 mph)
• build-up areas: 60 km/h (35 mph) - from 6/97: 50 km/h (30 mph)
• Speeding fines: 500 Kc (payable on the spot)
• Seat belts: Compulsory

Motorists who wish to use the Czech toll-road, must also prepay ahead of time. The toll (400 Kc - about US$ 15.50), is good for one year. The fine for not displaying the toll sticker on the windshield is 5 000 Kc - about US$ 195. The stickers are available at gas stations andother retail outlets.

"Gas/petrol (benzin) comes in 2 types: Super (96 octane) and Special (90 octane) both leaded. The unleaded, called "natural", is available at major stations and in bigger cities may come in 2 "flavors", as well. (Diesel fuel is called "nafta"). The APPROXIMATE cost per U.S. gallon is around $3.25. Remember: stations aren't as frequent as in Western Europe, many close for lunch and only some are open past 6 P.M. Get a list of 24-hour ones from Cedok!"

Emergencies:

• Police (tel. 158 or 2121)
• Ambulance (tel. 155)
• English/German Speaking Doctors in Prague:
  • FIRST MEDICAL CLINIC OF PRAGUE:
    Praha 2, Vysehradska 35
    Mon.-Fri. 07:00-19:00
    ph: 9000-0686, ph/fax: 29-22-86, 29-89-78
    24-hours on-call service, ph: (06) 0122-5050

National Holidays: Jan. 1; Easter Mon., May 1, May 8, July 5+6, October 28, December 24-26

Climate: (Prague)
Average Maximum Daily Temperatures:

Jan: 2C (36F) May: 19 (66) Sep: 20 (68)
Feb: 3  (37)  Jun: 22 (72) Oct: 13 (55)
Mar: 8  (46)  Jul: 24 (75) Nov: 8 (46)
Apr: 14 (58)  Aug: 23 (73) Dec: 3 (37)

Some Airline Connections:

Czech Airlines

(U.S. & Canada): (800) 223-2365

(London): 44(071) 255-1898

Delta (800) 241-4141

Tatra Travel:

212 E 51st St. NY ph. (212) 486-0533 fax: (212) 486-1150

"If you want to bring gifts for relatives, bring a 'boom-box' with a CD player or a portable CD player. These are expensive over there."

Addresses in Prague:

• U.S. Embassy: Trziste 15, Mala Strana (420-2/2451-0847)
• British Embassy: Thunovska 14, Mala Strana (420-2/2451-0439)
• Canadian Embassy: Mickiewiczova 6, Hradcany (420-2/2431-1108); Fx: (420-2/2431-0294)
• The Czech Chamber of Commerce: Argentinska 38, Praha 7, ph: (02/6679-4111), fax: (02/6671-0805)
• The American Chamber of Commerce: Karlovo nam. 24, Praha 1 ph: (02/299-887, 296-778), fax: (02/291-481)
• Main Post Office: Jindrisska 14

Some Czech Embassies:

• US: 3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Wash. (202) 274-9100, fax: (202) 966-8540 or 244-2147, e-mail 72360.544@compuserve.com
• Consulate General of the Czech Republic: 10990 Willshire Blvd., Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90024 Tel.: (310) 473-0889,9713 Fax: (310) 473-9813
• Canada: 541 Sussex Dr. Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario (613) 562-3875, e-mail: czembc@ottawa.net

Some visa requirements:

• U.S: Up to 30 days not necessary (with valid passport)
• U.K: Up to 180 days not necessary (with valid passport)
• CANADIAN CITIZENS: -VISA NO LONGER REQUIRED!
• N.Z. CITIZENS: VISA NO LONGER REQUIRED!
• Australian citizens: -Visa required! (no fee)

Entering foreigners must prove by request they have about US $20/day available for visits up to 10 days, or a fix amount of around $270 for visits lasting longer than 10 days. Foreigners under the age 18 must possess half of these amounts. Presumably, the requirement is waived for citizens of the neighboring countries.

To obtain a trade license, at least one person in any company must speak Czech fluently. (This person must pass a proficiency test). Existing companies must comply within one year. A failed test can result in loss of the trade license. This law became effective April 1, 1996.

• Staromestske nam. 6, Praha 1
  phone: (420/2) 2489-7390, fax: (420/2) 231-4227
  (Opening and closing times and dates of various castles, museums & sites)

Selected regions & some cities:

Prague Tourist Information

"Well, more than year ago, the official estimates stated that over 30,000 foreign citizens were living in Prague as long-term residents. Be prepared to bus tables or pour beer at a sports bar, or be night manager of a laundromat in between English tutoring gigs. Also be aware that rents in central parts of Prague are now comparable to those in San Francisco. Unless you have a good source of income, you'll either be living on the outskirts or sharing a 1-bedroom with 3 or 4 people."
"BTW, a two-room flat in Vinohrady goes for 15,000 Kc/month right now. (The same flat in Smichov would go for about 8 000 Kc/month.) Meanwhile the average salary still hovers around 7,000 Kc/month. Enough to boggle the senses. Oh yeah - that 7,000 is gross, not net. And in the States, they say you are in trouble if you pay more than half your salary for rent!"

Long Term Residency Permits:

• BEFORE you go
• AFTER you arrive

PRAGUE (Country phone code starting in March 1997 changed to 420. City code for Prague: 02)

(City Codes start with 0. However, when calling from overseas, don't dial that zero!)

• U.S. Embassy: Trziste 15, Mala Strana (ph. 2451-0847)
• British Embassy: Thunovska 14, Mala Strana (2451-0439)
• Canadian Embassy: Mickiewiczova 6, Hradcany (2431-1108); Fx: (2431-0294)
• The Chamber of Commerce: Argentinska 38, Praha 7, ph: (6679-4111), fax: (6671-0805)
• Main Post Office: Jindrisska 14
• First Aid: Palackeho 5, Praha 1 (2422-2521)
• 24-hour Pharmacies (rotating schedule):
  Na prikope 7, Praha 1 (2421-0229) or:
  Pod Marjankou 12, Praha 6 (35-26-41) or:
  Stefanikova 6, Praha 5 (2451-1121)

• Cedok: Na prikope 18 (2419-7111) Fax: (2419-7387)
• American Express: Vaclavske nam. 56 (2421-9992) Fax: (2422-7708)
• CKM (Student travelers): Zitna 12 (2491-5767, fax: 235-1297)

• CSA Airline: (2481-5110)
• CSAD-Buses: (22-14-45)

• Avis: (231-5515 or 284-2043)
• Budget: (333-0777 or 231-9595, fax: 316-6727)
• Hertz: (312-0717 or 284-2047 or 312-0717), fax (29-78-36)
• Pragocar: (692-2875)
• Unix: (23-36-93)
• 24-hour Emergency Tow: (77-34-55)

• New downtown parking system went into effect earlier this year. Parking in the 'Blue Zones' is reserved for residents only. 'Orange Zones' is limited to the maximum of 2 hours (at 10 Kc for each 15 minutes) and the 'Green Zones' for up to 6 hours (10 Kc each 30 minutes).
• "The most convenient downtown parking is at the garage of the dept. store Kotva."

Streetcar, Bus & Metro Tickets:

• single trip ticket (must be purchased before boarding) : 6 Kc
  (6/96: 10 Kc tickets with unlimited transfers within one hour - or 90 minutes on evenings and weekends - become available)
  
• 5-day tourist pass: 170 Kc.
  YOU MAY GET A TICKET FOR NOT FILLING OUT THE BACK OF IT!

Taxis:

• AAA (ph. 6104-3399)
• Mikrolux (35-03-20)
• Profi (6104-5555)

Note:"According to a new law, a cab driver can now set his/her own rates, that should be visibly posted. After the initial 20 - 30 Kc, most drivers now charge between 15 and 20 Kc/km. Insist on a meter-printed receipt before entering the cab and negotiate a fare the best you can."

English-language newspapers and magazines:

• "The Prague Post" (weekly): Ph: (2487-5016), fax: (2487-5050), e-mail: PRGPOST@Traveller.CZ or 100120.361@compuserve.com
• "Prague Guide" (monthly)
• "What, Where, When" (monthly) Ph: (691-0905) fax: (691-1497)

• "Big Ben Bookshop" Mala Stupartska 5, Praha 1, tel: (231-8021), fax: (231-9848). E-mail: bigben@terminal.cz
• "The Globe" Janovskeho 14, Praha 7, ph/fax: (6671-2610), e-mail: globe@login.cz
• "U Knihomola" Manesova 79, Praha 2 ph: (627-7767), fax (627-7769)

LODGING:

NOTE: It is impossible to list every hotel and every restaurant. Rather, listed below are only those establishments at different price ranges that were recommended by fellow 'Netizens.'

HOTELS:
Hotel reservations are imperative!

• over US$ 200/double w. breakfast:
  • Diplomat, Evropska 15, Praha 6 (ph. 2439-4111) fax: (331-4215)
• US$ 150-200/double w. breakfast:
  • U Pava, U luzickeho seminare 106, Mala Strana (2451-0922), fax (53-33-79)
• US$ 100-150/double w. breakfast:
  • Kampa, Vsehrdova 16, Praha 1 (2451-0409)
  • Pension U Raka, Cerninska 10, 118 00 Praha 1 (35-14-53), fax: (2451-0377)
    "We stayed here all 7 nights and we were _extremely_ pleased. The setting, in the Hradcany castle district, is peaceful and village-like after the crowds in the town centre; the place is a genuine designer pension, conceived by its photographer owner, with carefully chosen rustic decor and genuine antique objects. Breakfast was copious, there was a minibar and tea available every evening; the staff were very helpful, and there was a night security guard. Guests have the use of a delightful rooftop garden. We even had 2 rooms (downstairs and mezzanine), with private bathroom. It was actually very difficult to fault; well worth the money, and we'd stay there again. Thank you very much for recommending it!"
• US$ 50 -100/double w breakfast:
  • Botel Neptun, U Ceskych lodenic, Prague 8 (ph. 6631-0134) Fax: (6631-0541)
    "It's a permanently docked boat outside the city center - It is about 5 mins walk from Metro Palmovka. Rooms with own bathroom including breakfast are about $60 single & $70 twin"
  • Hotel Central, Rybna ulice 8, 11000 Prague 1 (ph. 2481-2734; Fax: 232-8404) "This hotel has a marvelous location on a quiet side street about 5 minutes on foot from the Old Town Square. Service at the hotel, headed by English-speaking Karel Pechac is good. There's a pleasant bar adjacent to the lobby and a restaurant with a 1950s decor"
  • Hotel 16 U sv. Kateriny, Katerinska 16, Prague 2 (29-53-29; fax: 29-39-56)
    "It has the advantage of being proximate to the metro as well as the trams on Jecna, without being in the midst of all the tourists. It is a quiet block near the Botanical Garden and the medical school. I was more than willing to walk to the central areas of Nove and Stare Mesto. The facilities were quite nice (even a private terrace on our room) and the staff was most helpful in all respects."
  • Hotel Hlavkova Kolej, Jenstejnska 1, Praha 2 (29-21-39 or 29-58-23) "It is cheap, one block from the Vltava River, clean, and they have an excellent breakfast (not to mention a great little bar). They also have a 24 hour reception desk which is helpful if you don't feel like lugging your key around or you somehow get separated from your companions. Guests share bathrooms (one bathroom for every two rooms)."
  • Hotel Sax Jansky Vrsek 3, Praha 1 (ph: 53-84-22, fax: 53-84-98) "It is located just below the Castle in a quiet area. Best of all it, was off the tourist track and was mostly used by business people visiting Prague. The rooms are clean and bright with their own bathroom. The people working there were all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast is included and it was always very good and plentiful. I would recommend it to anyone."
    

• Pension MAVO, Hlavni 109, 14100 Praha 4, Tel/FAX: (76-28-87)
• Berhanu Hostel, Terronska 28, 160 00 Praha 6, TEL/FAX: (2431-1107)
• (15 min. tram ride): Hotel Vaza, Na Petynce 45, Praha 6 (2051-3283)
• Vlasta Kubcova, Francouzska 26, Praha 2 (74-79-07)
• (20 min. tram ride): Pension Louda, Kubisova 10, Praha 8 (84-33-02)
• Antonin Gemroth, U Stirky 2/2033, Praha 8 (689-8131)
• (Metro Line C): Eva Bartlova, ul. Zateckych 7/1532, Praha 4 (429-0372 or 42-27-50)
• Family Kos Bed & Breakfast, Celakovskeho sady 8, Praha 2 (235-53)

• TJ Slavoj ("The boathouse") V Naklich 1, Praha 4 (Tel/fax: 46-00-70)
  "It was almost impossible to find from the tram stop, esp. at night. When I arrived they didn't have any beds, but they set me up in the upstairs hallway for the night on a comfy foldout until a bed became free. The groove there is to wake up at 11am run into the dining room to just make breakfast in time, eat and talk, venture into town, hit a bar for happy hour, then dinner maybe back at the hostel, then out clubbing all night....so exhausting, such fun... Some people did this for one or two months. They have Czech ladies living there doing the cooking and cleaning, and they were like Czech Moms after a while (except you couldn't understand them sometimes :) So cheap and warm and friendly.... a great place!"

• Universitas-tour: Opletalova 38 (26-04-26) fax: (242-2250)
• Welcome hostel: kolej V. Sinkule, Zikova 13, Praha 6

DINING:

• Expensive:
  • U Mecenase, Malostranske nam. 10, Mala Strana (53-38-81)
  • Lobkovicka vinarna, Vlasska 17, Mala Strana (53-01-85)
  • Penguin, Zborovska 5, Praha 5 (54-56-60)
• Moderate:
  • U Lorety, Loretanske nam. 8, Hradcany (53-13-95)
    "Conveniently positioned next to the Loreto convent. Affable management, comfortable furnishings, spacious, clean. Fare straightforward, but decent. Excellent place to eat outside in the summer."
  • U tri houslicek (The Three Violins), Nerudova 12, Mala Strana (53-50-11)
    "In one of Nerudova's most distinguished buildings. Recently refurbished with rustic decor. Prompt service; clean; tasty cheese fritters."
• Inexpensive:
  • Deminka, Skretova 1, Praha 2 (2422-3383)
  • U Koleje, Slavikova 24, Praha 2 (627-4163)
  • the Goldex, Vinohradska 25, Praha 2 (2421-8386)
    "nice place...friendly service, fairly classy, excellent food... for the four of us, including drinks and wine, the tab was 780 Kc...(about US$ 30)"
• Some lunch, snack and people-watching joints:
  • Tchibo (Staromestske nam. 6)
  • U Golema (Maislova 8)
  • N.Y. Pizza (Martinska 2)
  • The Globe Bookstore & Coffeehouse Janovskeho 14, Prague 7 tel/fax 6671-2610 e-mail: globe@login.cz
• "And if anyone wants a U.S. style pizza delivered in Prague, they can call 'Chicago's Famous Pizza Company' (316-4242)"

Other Sources of Information

• Radio Prague's daily news in 5 languages
• The World Factbook 1995 - Czech Republic
  (direct link to the CIA WWW site)
• USENET newsgroup: soc.culture.czecho-slovak
  (naive and/or silly queries are usually passionately flamed or ridiculed)
• Fodor's travel guides
  (traditional) Publisher: 201 E. 50th St. N.Y. 10022
• Frommer's (middle of the road) and Baedeker's (good graphics, maps; more expensive book) travel guides
  Publisher for both: Prentice Hall, 15 Columbus Circle, N.Y.10023
• The Rough Guide by Rob Humphreys
  (good details on many sights) Publisher: Rough Guides, Ltd.,1 Mercer St. London, WC2H 9OJ
• "Let's Go..." series
  (youth hostels & student accommodations) Publisher: 1 Story St., Cambridge, MA 02138
• Czech & Slovak Republics Guide by Open Road Publishing
  "A simple but complete straight-ahead guide to both countries. Instead of glossy pictures you get opinions ('The Best Places' or 'How to Get Along') and instead of fancy fold-outs, you get valuable descriptions of hundreds of hotels and restaurants even outside of Prague."
• EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE
  PRAGUE,first American ed. 1994,ISBN 1-56458-503-4, $22.95
  "Each area of the city is given its own section in the book and has a map of it's own. Every page has color photographs and there is a time line so one can tour each section of the city and follow the art, architecture and artifacts of every historical period. It also includes 4 premarked walking tours with all of the currently available information about shops and food along the way. If I could only have one of these books, this would be it."
• TEXTBOOKS:
  "William Harkins' MODERN CZECH GRAMMAR (Columbia University Press) used to be a very good textbook in the 50's. Although linguistically sound it is antiquated in many ways. Most universities now use Michael Heim's 'CONTEMPORARY CZECH,' Slavica Publishers, 1982."
• THE BEST SELF-STUDY LANGUAGE TAPES:
  "Speak and Read Essential Czech" (5 cassettes) Pimsleur International (800) 628-2597
  "An excellent repeat-after-me program you can do while driving, jogging or exercising. It will provide you with the essential language survival skills before you go there. And the "natives" appreciate that. :-)"
  "I just wish Pimsleur offered the higher levels In Czech that it offers in some of its other languages; I'd buy them in a flash--they're great for in-car-stereo facilitated learning."
• This is an English/Czech and Czech/English Dictionary on the Web.
• Czech-English, Czech-German, Czech-Russian, Czech-French, Czech-Italian and Czech-Spanish interactive dictionaries are distributed by:
  ESAPO, Udolni 25, 602 00 Brno, tel/fax: 05/4221-7667.

A multimedia CD-ROM on Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution titled 'VOICES OF DISSENT' is available from: 'MicroChronicle,' 34 Aleuian Rd. Ottawa, Canada

Read about impressions of an American (Philip Greenspun) in Prague

• The Bohemian Express specializes in deluxe Insider's Tours and Customized Itineraries to Prague, The Czech Republic and Select European Destinations.

• Peter Steiner organizes the Penn-in-Prague Summer Study Program
• Charles Hall organizes a non-profit summer language school in Plzen.
• NYU in Prague is a Summer program directed by Jenny Gibbs

For expanded information on any of subjects plus other related topics, please visit the CZECH INFO CENTER.