Prague Essentials

Prague Essentials

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

Prague Tourist Attractions

Museums in Prague are generally open from 10am – 6pm every day except Monday. Prague Castle is open daily from April – October (5am – midnight), and November – March (6am – 11pm). There are different levels of entry tickets to purchase.

Opening Hours

Shops in Prague generally open from 9am – 5pm from Monday - Friday, although many supermarkets will stay open till around 6-7pm. On a Saturday, some shops will shut by 12pm-1pm, and 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.

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. If you would like to taste an original Czech liqueur, order Becherovka, a bitter-sweet, yellow herbal drink.

Tipping & Etiquette

Tipping in Prague is fairly relaxed, and workers will not normally expect a tip, however, 5% - 10% is appreciated for very good service. The Czechs are very polite people and are exceptionally well mannered, and will also often greet and say goodbye to each other with a handshake. It is polite to acknowledge people within a relatively closed space, i.e. when entering a shop, bar, lift or train.

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

Since 1994, all new buildings in Prague must provide disabled access, and being a compact city, the centre is easy to navigate, however, cobbled streets and lack of ramps can make life fairly hard. Transport wise, getting around is a lot easier, as 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



Weather

Prague's weather is similar to the UK, in that is has four distinct seasons, and can be very changeable. Winters, however, are much colder, with plenty of snow, and summers can see extreme heat. The average temperature in summer is 22C, often rising to over 30C, with at least 8 hours of sun, and the long hot days are occasionally interrupted by heavy showers and thunderstorms. Spring and autumn can be the best time to come, with 5 hours of sunshine, and highs of between 15C - 20C, however conditions can be unpredictable during this time. Winters can be cold, with the city often experiencing freezing temperatures, and heavy snowfall.