Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 400–700 CZK | 1,200–2,500 CZK |
| Food | 250–450 CZK | 500–900 CZK |
| Transport | 40–120 CZK | 150–300 CZK |
| Activities | 0–200 CZK | 250–500 CZK |
| Drinks | 100–200 CZK | 250–500 CZK |
| Daily Total | 790–1,670 CZK | 2,350–4,700 CZK |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Schengen Zone — most nationalities get 90 days visa-free within any 180-day period
- Václav Havel Airport (PRG): Airport Express bus to Hlavní nádraží (100 CZK, 40 min). Bus 119 + metro (40 CZK, 50 min)
- Passport valid for 3+ months beyond departure. EU/EEA citizens need only a national ID card
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations required. Tap water is safe and good quality — fill your bottle freely
- Prague is very safe. Watch for pickpockets on Charles Bridge, in Old Town Square, and on tram 22. Avoid unlicensed taxis
- Emergency 112. Pharmacies (lékárna) are common. Motol University Hospital for emergencies
Getting Around
- PID metro (3 lines), trams (30+ routes), and buses. 30-min ticket: 30 CZK. 90-min: 40 CZK. 24hr: 120 CZK. 3-day: 330 CZK
- Trams are the best way to get around — tram 22 is a scenic route passing the Castle. Night trams run midnight–5am every 30 minutes
- Walking is ideal in the centre — Old Town to Castle is 20 minutes on foot. Bolt and Liftago are cheaper than traditional taxis
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in most cafes, restaurants, and some metro stations. Prague has good overall WiFi coverage
- EU roaming works at home rates. Otherwise, Vodafone, O2, or T-Mobile Czech prepaid SIMs from 200 CZK for 5–10GB
- Download PID Lítačka app for transport, Mapy.cz (best Czech maps app, works offline), and Google Maps
Money
- Czech Crown (CZK), NOT Euro. Never accept offers to pay in euros — the exchange rate will be terrible. Always pay in CZK
- Cards accepted in most restaurants and shops. Some pubs and markets prefer cash — carry 500–1,000 CZK
- NEVER use street exchange booths. Use ATMs from real banks (Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka). Decline "dynamic currency conversion"
Packing Tips
- Layers and a waterproof jacket — Prague weather changes quickly. Summers can be hot (30°C+), winters are cold and grey (–5 to 5°C)
- Comfortable walking shoes — Prague is cobblestoned and hilly. The Castle hill and Vyšehrad are steep
- A reusable water bottle (tap water is excellent) and a power adapter (Type C/E plugs, 230V)
Cultural tips
Beer Culture
Czech Republic drinks more beer per capita than any country on Earth. Pilsner was invented here (Plzeň, 1842). A half litre is the standard order. Tipping on beer is done by rounding up to the nearest 10 CZK.
Always Pay in CZK
Prague is NOT in the Eurozone. Always pay in Czech Crowns. If a restaurant offers to charge in euros, decline — the conversion rate will be 10–15% worse. ATMs give the best rate.
Taxi Scams
Never hail a taxi on the street — use Bolt, Liftago, or Uber apps for fair prices. If you must use a taxi, agree on the price beforehand. The rate should be around 28–36 CZK/km.
Czech Phrases
"Dobrý den" (good day), "Děkuji" (thank you), "Pivo, prosím" (beer, please), and "Na zdraví" (cheers). Czechs are reserved but warm up quickly. A few Czech words earn enormous goodwill.
Quiet Reverence
In synagogues, churches, and memorials, keep voices low and phones silent. The Pinkas Synagogue (77,297 names on the walls) and Vyšehrad Cemetery deserve particular respect and quiet reflection.
Cultural Prague
Prague has more live music, theatre, and performance per capita than almost any city. Check the Prague Fringe Festival (May), Signal Festival (Oct), and nightly classical concerts at churches throughout the year.
