Tips for your visit to Prague
National name: Ceska Republika/Czech Republic
Area: 78,864 sq km/30,449 sq mi
Capital: Prague
Currency: koruna (based on the Czechoslovak koruna)
Population: 10,250,000(2002 est)
Language: Czech (official), Slovak
Religion: Roman Catholic 39%, atheist 30%, Protestant 5%, Orthodox 3%
Time difference: GMT +1
With a population of 1, 156 000, the City is spread out over nine hills between which the river Vltava flows for 30km within the city.
Czech is the official language but Slovak is also commonly understood. The majority of Czechs are agnostic or Catholic. Foreign language services are conducted in some churches for visitors to the city.
The time is Central European (GMT + 1), a summer time is used in the same way as in the other European countries and the USA (GMT + 2).
The Czech Republic may be in the E.U., but the currency in Prague is still the Czech Crown (czk).
WEATHER INFORMATION
Prague's geographical location in the
northern part of Central Europe brings fairly extreme weather patterns.
March is usually chilly and wet with temperatures below 10°C/50°F. 
GETTING AROUND
Traveling by city transport is only possible with a valid ticket. Passengers
must obtain their tickets before boarding the vehicle or entering the
Metro system. Tickets can be bought at selected Metro stations, Dopravni
podnik Information Center, Hotels, newsstands, department stores or
at the slot machine located at Metro station.
Prague Public Transport Schema:
Tourist tickets are available and valid for all city transport facilities.The ticket is valid from the moment of its marking for:
24 hours ticket – 70 Kc
3 days ticket (72 hours) – 200 Kc
7 days ticket (168 hours) – 250 Kc
BY METRO
The Prague Metro Network consists of 3 lines – A, B and C. It operates daily from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm. The time interval between trains is approximately 2-3 minutes during rush hours and 4 to 10 minutes during off-peak.
BY TRAMS
Daytime operation is from 04:30 am to 24:00 am. Nighttime operation is from 00:30 am to 04:30 am and is provided by tram numbers 51 to 58.
The central transfer station for nighttime is Lazarska stop. Tram schedules are located at individual stops.
BY BUS
The daytime / nighttime operation is similar to tram operation. Bus numbers 501 to 514 provide nighttime service. Bus schedules are located at individual stops.
BY TAXI
A cab in Prague can be a colourful and adventurous experience, and might sometimes be very expensive.
We recommend ordering a taxi from one of the following companies:
AAA Radio Taxi
Phone 140 14
City Taxi
Phone 257 257 257
Credit Taxi
Phone 235 300 000
OPENING HOURS OF PLACES OF INTEREST
Museums, art galleries, castles and chateaux are open from Tuesday till
Sunday 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
(Closed on Mondays).
OPENING HOURS OF SHOPS
Most shops are open daily from 9 AM till 6 PM, except National Holidays.
CURRENCY
The legal money is the crown (Kc – CZK), divided into 100 hellers;
the available are in values of 10, 20 and 50 hellers, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20
and 50 CZK, banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000,
2000, 5000, CZK. In the Czech Republic, the Euro is not used for payment
It is highly recommended that you exchange money only in some of many
official exchange bureaux.
Currency exchange
Our recommendation for currency exchange in Prague is at the bureau
de change "Xchange", on the corner of Kaprova and Maiselova
streets, near the Old Town Square.
If you cannot make it to Xchange, banks are generally the best place
to change money; most banks offer good rates and fairly low commissions.
Banks can be found throughout Prague, but are most prevalent in and around
Wenceslas Square, and en-route to the Old Town Square.
Aside from Xchange, there are many other currency exchange offices in
small booths throughout Prague. These should be viewed as a last resort
though, as exchange rates can vary wildly, as can commission charges.
TOURIST BANKS
| Deutsche Bank Jungmannova 34, Prague 1 Tel: 221 191 111, www.db.com Mon-Thu 09:00-16:00, Fri 09:00-14:30 |
Ceska Sporitelna Vaclavske nam., Prague 1 Tel: 221 010 111, www.csas.cz Mon-Fri 08:00-18:00 |
| GE Capital Bank Hybernska 18, Prague 1 Tel: 221 490 612, www.gecb.cz Mon-Thu 08:30-18:00, Fri 08:30-17:00 |
Komercni Banka Na Prikope 1, Prague 1 Tel: 222 432 111, www.kb.cz Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00 |
CREDIT CARDS
In the Czech Republic - all major types of travel cheques (Eurochecks,
Amexco, Thomas Cook) as well as credit cards (AMEXCO, VISA, EUROCARD,
MASTERCARD, DINNER'S CLUB, JCD) are accepted.
American Express
Tourists with American Express travelers cheques can redeem them at the
American Express office in central Prague: American Express, Wenceslas
Square 56, Prague 1.
Lost credit cards
American Express card info - Tel: 224 194 400
Visa card info - Tel: 224 125 353
Mastercard & Eurocard info - Tel:224 423 135
International Dialling Code: 00420
Phone calls in Prague can be made using coins - 4czk is the minimum for a local call - or phone cards, which can be purchased at most post offices and news stands.
Emergency telephone numbers
150 Fire department
155 Ambulance
156 Municipal police
158 Police
141 23 First aid children
141 23 First aid adults
141 22 Dental first aid
141 24 Pharmacy first aid
Telephone enquiries and telegraph services
1180 Information regarding telephone numbers in the Czech Republic
1181 Directory enquiries and information about services and rates abroad
14118 Tourist information (telephone service)
133 002 National operator
Main post office
Jindrisska 14, Prague 1
Open 2 a.m. - midnight
Tel. 221 131 111
Postage rates
International Letters/Postcards: Europe 9czk - Overseas 14czk
Medical emergencies - tourists
Sololska 27, Prague 2. Tel: 224 266 150.
Konevova 205, Prague 3. Tel: 284 862 149.
Doctor Prague Health Centre:
Vodickova 28, 3rd entrance, 2nd floor, Prague 1.
Tel: 224 220 040 or 24hr service: 603 433 833.
www.doctor-prague.cz
Pharmacy 24 hours - tourists
Palackeho 5, Prague 1. Tel: 224 946 982.
Belgicka 37, Prague 2. Tel: 222 513 396.
Stefanikova 6, Prague 5. Tel: 257 320 918