In general
Documents and visa
The Czech Republic is in the European Union and the Schengen area: EU citizens only need a valid ID card or passport, no visa, and there are no border checks arriving from other Schengen countries. Citizens of other countries should check their own entry rules.
Currency and exchange
Note: the Czech Republic does NOT use the euro. The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK, symbol Kc): about 25 korunas to 1 euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere and ATMs are widespread. If you change cash, do it ONLY at banks or ATMs: the many exchange offices in central Prague often offer terrible rates and hidden fees (always check what you receive before accepting).
Language
The language is Czech, Slavic and difficult, but in Prague and tourist centres English and German are widely understood (and sometimes Italian too). Communicating is easy in tourist areas; less so in rural areas and with the police. A translation app is useful.
Health and ticks
No mandatory vaccines. Care is of good quality; EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to emergency care, but insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is recommended (hospitals may ask for advance payment). Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is common in woods and parks: in summer use repellent and covered clothing, and discuss the vaccine with your doctor if you plan hikes. It is worth bringing a supply of your usual medicines (finding them can be tricky).
eSIM and connectivity
Mobile coverage is excellent and WiFi widespread. As the Czech Republic is in the EU, EU SIMs roam at no extra cost, just like at home. Travellers from outside the EU can buy a local SIM or eSIM (O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone).
Electricity
Power is 230V/50Hz with type C and E sockets: European two-round-pin plugs fit without trouble; the type E socket (with an earth pin) may need a small adapter. In practice, no adapter is needed for European travellers.
Time zone
The Czech Republic is at UTC+1 (UTC+2 with daylight saving time), the same as Central Europe.
Climate and seasons
The climate is continental: cold winters (often below zero, with snow) and mild summers (around 22 degrees, peaking at 30 with humidity). Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting Prague and Bohemia with pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Winter brings the famous Christmas markets and a fairytale city under the snow.
Good to know
Pickpockets and taxis in Prague
Prague is safe but has a high rate of petty crime against tourists: take great care with pickpockets in Wenceslas Square, on the Charles Bridge, at Mustek metro and on crowded transport (keep wallet and documents in inner pockets). For taxis, book by phone or app (Bolt, Uber): avoid those parked on the street in tourist areas, known for inflating fares, or agree the price before getting in.
Driving: vignette and zero alcohol
An EU driving licence is enough. For motorways an electronic vignette is compulsory (e-vignette, at edalnice.cz: about 9 euros/day, 12 euros/10 days), on pain of steep fines. There is ZERO tolerance for drink-driving (0.0). Dipped headlights always on, seatbelts for all, and a triangle, first-aid kit and reflective vest on board. Snow tyres are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March; studded tyres are banned.
Smoking, alcohol and city rules
Smoking is banned in all public venues and near transport stops. In some areas of central Prague it is forbidden to drink alcohol in the street, and dropping cigarette butts or chewing gum is heavily fined (up to 10,000 korunas). Police are also strict on drugs: possession of even small amounts for personal use is punished with fines.
Public transport and tickets
Prague has an efficient and cheap metro (3 lines), trams and buses. Tickets are time-based (30 or 90 minutes) and must be validated on boarding or entering the metro; there are 24- or 72-hour tourist tickets. Inspectors, often in plain clothes, fine those without a valid ticket on the spot. For Bohemia, trains and buses connect the towns well.
Beer, tips and customs
The Czech Republic is the homeland of beer (the most drunk per capita in the world): try it on tap in the pivnice, the traditional beer halls, where it often costs less than water. In restaurants a tip is welcome (about 10%, often by rounding up and telling the waiter the total). Be careful buying antiques: exporting valuable pieces requires a certificate from the Ministry of Culture.
Useful numbers
- 112 — Single emergency number (also in English)
- 158 — State Police
- 155 — Ambulance
- 150 — Fire brigade
- +420 233 080 111 — Italian Embassy in Prague (emergencies: +420 603 517 770). For other nationalities, contact your own country's embassy
💡 Change your euros into korunas only at a bank or ATM, never at the city-centre exchange offices (trap rates). And enjoy the beer: in a traditional pivnice a draught Pilsner costs next to nothing, often less than a bottle of water.