Visiting the Czech Republic

(Last updated: 18 Apr 2008)

Visas

Holders of valid Australian diplomatic, official and travel passports can enter the Czech Republic and stay up to 90 days without a visa. However, holders of Australian emergency passports do need Czech visas to enter the country.

Climate

The Czech Republic is a country of four seasons in the temperate climate zone of Central Europe, which makes for pleasantly mild weather with moderate amounts of precipitation. Air pollution is often experienced in mid-winter due to traffic emissions in large cities.

For weather details in the Czech Republic, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Prague’s Ruzyne International Airport is situated 16km northwest of the city centre. For flight departure information call the airport’s 24-hour hotline on +42 2 2011 5433 (English speaking operators are available).

Travel time between the city centre and the terminal is 25–40 minutes by taxi or shuttle, and 50–60 minutes by public transport.

Ground transport

There are a number of transport options:

• Taxis are the most convenient, but also the most expensive. The airport is serviced by a dedicated operator whose taxis charge about Kc600 to the centre or about Kc400 to Dejvicka metro station.
• Shuttles are a comfortable and affordable mode of transport from the airport. Several shuttle services provide service between the terminal and central Prague.
• Bus 119 or 100 is a cheap, but somewhat cumbersome alternative. This bus leaves from the covered island in the airport parking lot and takes you right to Dejvicka metro station -119 or Zlicin -100 and from there you can be at a central metro station in 15-30 minutes. You have to buy tickets from an airport machine or newsstand, as you are not able to pay on the bus. Tickets are Kc20 per adult plus Kc8 per large luggage item and tickets must be stamped on the bus.

Hotels

The high tourist season begins in May and ends in September. Christmas is also considered to be high season. If you plan to visit the Czech Republic during these periods, it is advisable to book your hotel accommodation well ahead.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Czech Republic. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

When you are in the capital Prague and visiting sites of interest or public places such as railway and tram stations, make sure you take extra care of your personal belongings.

Emergency telephone numbers which you can call from anywhere within the Czech Republic are:

• State police – 158
• City police – 156
• Ambulance – 155
• Fire alert – 150
• Road service – 123
• Local phone numbers search – 1180
• International phone numbers search – 1181

Health

There are no special vaccinations recommended.

Tap water is good, but it is recommended that visitors drink bottled water.

Medical treatment or any other medical care for foreigners is provided at the respective health centres nearest to the hotel or place of accommodation. English speaking doctors can be found and treatment is administered at mutually agreed prices in koruna (CZK).

Free treatment is provided only to foreigners from countries with inter-governmental agreements with the Czech Republic, which is not the case with Australia.

A travel insurance policy that covers medical treatment abroad is highly recommended and you should carry your insurance policy on you. If you have a medical problem, you may need to quickly confirm your insured status to assistance providers.

Generally, you should expect to pay the bill and then seek reimbursement from your insurance company. Emergency treatment and non-hospital first aid (extreme cases) are available free-of-charge to all guests of the Czech Republic. Call ‘Zachranna sluzba’ (Emergency service) by dialling 155 from anywhere in the Czech Republic.

Tipping

Tipping (approximately five to 10 per cent) generally applies to services such as taxis, restaurant bills and hairdresser.

Tips are not included in the quoted price and the tip amount is used to express satisfaction with service.

Time zones and time differences

The Czech Republic is 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time from October to March and eight hours behind from November to February.

To find out the current time in Prague, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

The Czech Republic's country code is 420.

For calls to the Czech Republic from Australia dial: 0011 + 420 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from the Czech Republic to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Offices are generally open from 8.30am–5.00pm.

Shops, and post offices stay open until 6.00pm. On Saturdays shops and some post offices are open from 8.00am–midday.

Banks are usually open from 9.00am–5.00pm Monday-Friday and are closed on holidays.

Supermarkets are open on Sunday.

Many companies shut down during the summer holidays in July and August, and also during Christmas and New Year (24 December to 2 January).

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
May 1 – Labour Day
May 8 – Day of Liberation, 1945
July 5 – Cyril and Methodius, Slavic Missionaries’ Day
July 6 – Jan Hus’s Day
September 28 – St. Wenceslaw’s Day
October 28 – Founding of Czechoslovak Republic, 1918
November 17 – Students’ Day, Velvet Revolution, 1989
December 24-26 – Christmas

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The Czech monetary system consists of the Crown (‘Koruna’), comprising in 100 Hellers (‘haler’). Coins are issued in 10, 20, 50 Heller pieces, and one, two, five, 10, 20 and 50 Crown pieces. Notes in circulation are of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 Crown denominations.

Electricity and water

The Czech Republic's power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz; 1, 3 phase, 2, 3, 4 wires. Plugs are the standard European configuration – two round prongs earthed.

Dining

Eating out is generally not expensive and you can eat anywhere with no health fears. In Prague and other tourist locations English is spoken in most of the restaurants and menus are translated into English.

Czechs tend to have their main meal of the day at lunchtime. In the evening, people tend to have a light dinner. Big meals are usually reserved for weekends.

Tourist attractions

Although the capital city of Prague has a vast number of cultural, architectural and historical attractions, there is much more to explore in the Czech Republic, such as:

• Castles (Karlstejn, Konopiste, Krivoklat)
• Cities (Kutna Hora – gothic pearl, Karlovy Vary – the most famous spa town)
• Medieval towns and villages
• Natural beauties such as Cesky Raj National Preserve, Krkonose mountains or Sumava mountains.

You can go for a skiing holidays or spend a great Moravian wine weekend. For some tips visit PlanetWare.