Prague Essentials

Prague Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency	The Czech Crown (Koruna)
Exchange Rate	Aprox £1 = 40Kc
Flight Time	UK 1H 50 minutes aprox
Time Zone	GMT = +1 hour
Language	Czech
Voltage	230 V (European two-pin plugs)

National Holidays In Prague

January 1st -	New Years Day
4th April (2010) -	Paschal Monday
May 1st -	May Day
May 8th -	VE Day
July 5th -	Introduction of Christianity
July 6th -	Death of Jan Hus
Sept 28th -	Czech State Day

Prague Tourist Attractions
Museums in Prague are generally open from 10am – 6pm every day except Monday when they are closed. Ticket prices range between 50Kc and 100Kc, although some of the major attractions charge more. Prague castle is open daily from April – October (5am – midnight), November – March (6am – 11pm). There are different levels of entry tickets to purchase. The most expensive is 220Kc and grants access over 3 days to a number of attractions within the castle. Read more information on things to do in Prague.

 Search for Prague City Breaks

Prague Opening Hours
Shops in Prague generally open from 9am – 5pm (mon-fri), although many supermarkets will stay open till around 6-7pm. On a Saturday, some shops will shut by 12pm-1pm. Very few shops are open on a Sunday. Pubs will generally close at around 10pm-11pm, although there are a number of late night bars and restaurants open till much later.

Prague Food & Drink
Czech cuisine usually consists of lots of meat served with dumplings, potatoes or rice, in a sauce. A traditional Czech dish is pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, served always with a glass of beer. The Czechs are the number one beer drinking nation in the world and export a number of well known beers including Budweiser, Pilsner Urquell and Prague’s very own Staropramen, which has been brewed in the city since 1869. Beer prices are also amongst the lowest in Europe and a large beer in the touristy area surrounding Wscenlas Square will cost you around £2, although a large beer in the suburbs with the locals will set you back just 30p. If you would like to taste an original Czech liqueur, order Becherovka, a bitter-sweet, yellow herbal drink.

Tipping & Etiquette In Prague
Tipping in Prague is fairly relaxed and workers will not normally expect a tip. However, 5% - 10% is appropriate. The Czechs are very polite people and are exceptionally well mannered. On a city break in Prague it is polite to acknowledge people within a relatively closed space, i.e. when entering a shop, bar, lift or train. Czechs will also often greet and say goodbye to each other with a handshake.

Czech Phrases For Tourists  

Hello	Pomac		I do not understand	Nerozumim
Hi	Ahoj		How much is it?	Kolik to stoji
Goodbye	Na shledanou		Hotel	Hotel
Yes	Ano		Train Station	Nadrazi
No	Ne		Airport	Letiste
Please	Porsim		Currency exchange	Smenarna
Thank you	Dekuju		Police	Policie
Do you speak English?	Mluvite anglicky?		Beer	Pivo

Prague Useful Numbers
The majority of public phones only take phone cards but these are available to buy in local shops.
• Calling the UK from Prague – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 158
• Ambulance – 155
• Fire - 150

Disabled Access In Prague
Since 1994 all new buildings in Prague must provide disabled access and being a compact city Prague is easy to navigate. However, Prague's cobbled streets and lack of ramps can make life hard on the streets. Transport wise, getting around Prague is a lot easier as around half of the metro stations offer wheelchair access, as well as the two stations.

Czech Embassies
• GB Embassy - Thunovska 14, 118 00 Praha 1. Tel: 5753 0278
• Czech Embassy - 26 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QY. Tel: 020 / 7243 1115
• Prague Lost Property Office - Prague 1, Karoliny Svetle 5. Tel: 224 235 085

Prague City Breaks  Getting Around Prague

Things To Do In Prague  Prague Weather