Airport
Prague Airport is the operator of the most important international airport in the Czech Republic and the biggest airport among the new EU member states. In 2008, Prague Airport was voted the best Eastern European airport in the World Airport Awards pole. This international air hub yearly services between 11 and 12 million passengers who can choose from the offer of approximately 50 airlines connecting Prague with about 130 destinations worldwide by direct scheduled flights.
Transportation
To travel by public transport into the city, take either bus 119 from Prague Airport to Dejvicka metro station (line A), then cross the main road and catch the metro. Or, take bus 100 from Prague Airport to Zlicin metro station (line B), then catch the metro.
Total travel time for either route is around 60 minutes.
Fare: 32czk if you have a ticket. 40czk for a ticket purchased from the driver.
Getting around Prague by public transport
Once in the city and checked-in to your hotel, travel around either on foot (Prague is highly pedestrianised) or take public transport. Use taxis with caution - taxis hailed on the street have a reputation for overcharging, and traffic congestion can slow your journey.
A ticket for the Prague public transport network permits travel on all trams, buses and the metro for a set period of time. And it allows you to transfer between transportation modes.
1, 3 and 5 travel day passes are worth considering, enabling you to travel on any mode of public transport at any time.
Purchase tickets at newsagents, at any metro station, or at a Public Transport Information Centre - located at Prague Airport, and at Muzeum and Mustek metro stations.
Click here for More information about Transportation
Climate
Prague has a mild climate with warm, wet summers and cold winters. Average summer temperatures are 75-79° F (24-26°C), with chilly nights. In winter daytime temperatures hover around freezing, falling several degrees lower at night. Spring is generally sunny, the wettest months being in summer, May to August. Snow is rare in the city.
Communications
Important Phone Numbers
112 - Emergency Central Number
158 - Police
156 - City Police
155 - Ambulance
150 - Fire Department
1180 - Information about telephone numbers in the Czech Republic
1181 - Information about telephone numbers abroad
12 444 - Prague Information Service
A telephone help line provided in Czech, English and German. Tourist information, cultural events, public transport, phone numbers and addresses of companies, stores and services, etc. Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., local calling rates.
Currency
The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (koruna), abbreviated as Kč, with the international abbreviation CZK. 1 crown consists of 100 hellers (haléř), abbreviated as hal. Heller coins have not been in use as of September 1, 2008, but hellers are still incorporated into merchandise prices. The final price is always rounded off to the nearest crown value.
The approximate value of 100 CZK is 4 EUR/6 USD.
Coins: 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč, 50 Kč View Czech coins
Banknotes: 100 Kč, 200 Kč, 500 Kč, 1000 Kč, 2000 Kč, 5000 Kč View Czech banknotes
Currencies Accepted
As the official currency, the Czech crown is the best and often the only possible currency to use when paying. Although the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, the euro is not widely accepted here yet. Some stores, restaurants and hotels accept payments in euros but the exchange rate may not be very good.
Electricity
As in most of continental Europe, the electricity supply in Prague is 220v. Electrical sockets take standard European two-pin plugs. British, North American and other non-European tourists are advised to bring adaptors with them, which can usually be purchased at your departure airport. If you arrive in Prague without one, try Tesco.
Language
Czech is widely spoken by most inhabitants of the Czech Republic. Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century. Czech is similar to and mutually intelligible with Slovak and, to a lesser extent, with Polish and Sorbian.
Safety and Security
112 - Emergency Central Number
158 - Police
156 - City Police
155 - Ambulance
150 - Fire Department
Hotel Security
Hotels for delegates have been carefully selected. However, delegates are advised:
- Never give out your room number or invite strangers to your room.
- Never leave valuable property unattended in hotel rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants, swimming pool area, etc.
- Always use safety lock on the door, even during the daytime.
- Always use room safe for valuables, or use lockable storage for valuables at the front desk, but make sure they issue a receipt for your items.
Tipping
Tips are welcomed by staff working in the tourist industry in Prague, although generally tipping is relaxed and workers do not chase them. 5%-10% is appropriate. The one exception is the very touristy restaurants in the city centre.
Tourism
Tourism information will be posted shortly. Please check back soon!