This Czech Republic Travel Guide aims to provide you with simple and stress-free travel planning information and inspiration for planning a trip to the Czech Republic.
On this regularly updated page you will find links to useful posts on The Trusted Traveller, budget information, details on types of accommodation available, information on getting around the country and more useful links to resources around the web.
Quick Facts
Capital: Prague
Language: Czech
Currency: Kč Koruna or Crown which is made up of 100 haler. Coins come in 50 haler, 1Kč, 2Kč, 5Kč, 10Kč, 20Kč and 50Kč denominations and notes in 100Kč, 200Kč, 500Kč, 1000Kč, 2000Kč and 5000Kč denominations.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs with two round pins are standard. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances can be found in most hotels.
Travel Tips
Geography
The Czech Republic is a small landlocked country in central Europe bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia.
The country is split into two regions. Bohemia occupies the western two-thirds of the country and is home to Prague, the country’s capital city. The area has a vast river basin with hills and mountains. The other third of the country is occupied by the area known as Moravia. Again is has a vast river basin that flows into the Danube and hills near the Polish border.
Weather
The Czech Republic has a seasonal climate with each of the four seasons being very distinct .
Best Time to Visit
The Czech Republic is a year-round destination and you should plan your visit based on the types of activities you wish to enjoy.
May to August sees soaring temperatures but high rainfall. The shoulder seasons, March/April and September/October, still have warm weather but are a lot drier so visiting during these periods may be the better option.
If you are wanting participate in winter sports such as skiing, or you want to see magical Prague covered in a layer of snow, then you will want to visit from November to March when it is cold and there are frequent snow falls.
Money
It is always recommend to have a mixture of cash and bank/credit card with you when you travel anywhere in the world and this is no exception in the Czech Republic.
ATM’s are found in all major towns and cities across the country. As well, credit cards are widely accepted although some establishments such as small hotels and shops may only accept cash.
Getting There
Getting to the Czech Republic from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train. You can find out more about rail travel in Europe, including purchasing tickets, on the Rail Europe website; and about bus travel on the Eurolines website.
The Czech Republic is also well-connected by air with flights arriving in Prague from all across Europe and the UK and parts of the US, Middle East and Asia. A flight from London will take around two hours and a flight from New York about nine hours.
I use and recommend Expedia for researching and booking flights all around the world.
Getting Around
The Czech Republic is a relatively small country so getting around it is pretty simple and cheap.
Train
Europe’s excellent network of trains means that getting around the Czech Republic and in fact to/from other European countries is the most timely and cost-effective way to travel. All the major cities are connected to one another and you will find that most regional areas are well-connected to at least one of two of those major cities.
There are two classes on the trains, 1st and 2nd class, with the only real difference being slightly more leg space and room to move about in 1st class.
Most trains you can just show up at the train station and buy your ticket on the day while a few (mostly high-speed intercity trains) may need a seat reservation to be made in advance. This can be done either at any train station in the country or online through a ticketing agent in your home country. Here are a few that I recommend depending on where you are from:
- Rail Europe for residents in USA, Canada & Mexico.
- Rail Europe for residents in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe and other select parts of the world.
Bus
Eurolines operates services bus services around the country and they are a cheaper alternative to train travel but will take longer to get from a to b.
Driving
Because the Czech Republic is a small country, it is relatively easy to navigate if driving yourself.
You’ll be able to collect a hire car from all major airports and cities with most allowing you to pick up in one location and drop off in another, which makes sense if you’re road tripping around the country.
The roads in the Czech Republic are well maintained and easy to navigate because they are well signposted. During the winter months remember that weather conditions can change rapidly especially on roads going through the mountains. Be sure to obey all signs and drive with care in slippery conditions.
I use and recommend Expedia for researching and booking car hire all around the world.
Where to Stay
The Czech Republic caters for everyone when it comes to accommodation. Here is a list of the types of accommodation you’ll find:
- Camping/Cabins – With the Czech Republic being a very outdoorsy country you’ll find lots of camp grounds that offer tent sites and basic cabins as low costs. And as with a lot of other European cities, you’ll also find large camp sites on the outskirts of big cities like Prague that you can stay at cheaply and commute each day into the city for sightseeing.
- Hostels – You’ll find hostels in abundance in the the Czech Republics bigger cities and one or two in most other regional areas as well. The level of cleanliness in Austria and similar parts of Europe is well above average so you will likely find your room and shared bathroom to be super clean.
- B&B’s/Pensions – Small family run style accommodation like B&B’s or pensions can be found all over the country in big cities, small towns and popular rural locations. Accommodation is simple yet comfortable and the experience usually comes with friendly hosts and a home cooked breakfast each morning.
Get up to $45.00 AUD credit when you join Airbnb using this link.
- Hotels/Apartments – You will find both chain hotel/apartments brands and independent hotel/apartments to be in abundance in cities across the country. The good thing about this type of accommodation is in most cases you know what you are going to get, a clean, comfortable and modern room with a decent array of facilities in the room and on the property. Apartments are great for longer stays as they allow you a bit more space and the option to self cater.
I use and recommend Booking.com for researching and booking hostel, motel, hotel, apartment and resort accommodation around the world.
- Luxury Hotels & Resorts – The Czech Republic has its fair share of 5 star properties, some of which have been named in top lists of accommodation around the world. These will offer you brilliant service and a top location, sometime with incredible views of the surrounding area.
Eating
The Czech Republic has a variety of eating options that will suit all budgets and tastes. While you will find the majority of its restaurants and cafes serve local and European dishes, the country is expanding and becoming more multicultural with its cuisine offerings.
- Supermarkets/Markets – Save money and shop in supermarkets and local markets for snacks, picnic lunches and even ingredients to make a whole meal in your self catering accommodation.
- Fast Food / Take-away – Chain fast food stores are in all major centres of the country and along highways as well. If you’re looking for a cheap and tasty fast food meal, look to where the locals are, usually getting snacks and light meals from food trucks and stands on the side of the street. A popular street food snack is a sausage or hot dog and you’ll find stands selling them everywhere.
- Cafes – Austrian’s love cafes and some of the world’s most well know can be found in the country. Coffee, delicious sweets and tasty sandwiches will be on offer for sit down or takeaway.
- Pubs – The best place to experience a traditional Czech meal is in a pub. Dominated by meat and usually served with potatoes, bread or dumplings, Czech pub meals are best washed down with are refreshing Pilsner beer.
- Restaurants – Portion sizes tend to be on the larger side in the Czech Republic so eating out in restaurants can be really good value. Consider sharing a meal with a travel companion if you’re not too hungry to save money or sticking to one course.
- Fine Dining – The Czech Republic has it’s fair share of the worlds best restaurants so if it is fine dining experiences you are after then you won’t be disappointed.
Useful Czech Republic Posts
Suggested Intineraries
First Timers One Month Europe Itinerary
Things to Do
Other Czech Republic Travel Planning Resources
Here is a constantly growing collection of resources from around the web to help you plan you dream trip to the Czech Republic.
- The official Czech Tourism website is a great place to start planning your trip.
- The authority in all things travel, Lonely Planet has an extensive section all about the Czech Republic. Or why not buy the Czech Republic Lonely Planet Guidebook in hard copy or as an eBook.
- Cynthia is an American expat living in the Czech Republic who writes all about life in the country and her travels around the rest of Europe on her blog Adventurings.