Money, visa, VAT, flights, trains, buses, event tickets, health/emergency......

USA > Plan your trip > Practical Matters > Money, visa, VAT, flights, trains, buses, event tickets, health/emergency......

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The Czech Republic is not yet in the Euro zone; U.S. nationals don't need tourist visas; plus other tips for planning your trip. We have also included a quick reference guide to Czech web resources, including online guides.

This section covers the following chapters:

  • Visa
  • Weather
  • Money, Credit Cards, VAT refund
  • Flights
  • Trains & buses
  • Events, schedules and tickets
  • Useful links
  • Online Guides

 

VISA

US Citizens do not need a visa to stay in the Czech Republic for up to 90 days; however, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.

A complete list of countries with a visa waiver regime is located here.

To receive an application for a Czech visa and to learn more about the process, visit the Czech Embassy web site.

WEATHER

The Czech Republic has a mild continental climate with four distimct seasons.All four seasons are good for travel, but the spring and fall are the most popular thanks to pleasant, not-too-cold, not-too-hot weather, relatively long days, and plenty of cultural events.

For the current weather forecast for Prague, visit this web site.

MONEY

Currency: the Czech Republic (an EU member as of 5/2004) will NOT adopt the Euro until 2008; Czech crowns (CZK) are easily obtained from any Czech ATM machine via an ATM card, or from non-stop exchange offices at all Czech airports and most major train stations. Current exchange rates: www.xe.com/ucc

NOTE: Don't bother exchanging your US dollars into Cech crowns until you arrive in the Czech Republic.  Most U.S. banks don't carry the Czech currency and although it can be ordered, the exchange rate is not going to be good.  A quick stop at an exchange office or ATM at the airport or border crossing is a better option.

CREDIT CARDS

All major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, AmEx, and to a lesser extent Diners' Club and Discover) are accepted at larger stores and restaurants, especially in Prague.  Most larger hotels in the 4*+ category will accept credit cards, too.

V.A.T. REFUND

Foreign visitors to the Czech Republic can apply for value added tax (VAT) reimbursement when leaving the country. The minimum price of a single item to be refunded is 2,000 CZK and visitors can ask for refunds of all purchases up to 30 days prior to their departure from the country. Foreigners must claim the refund no later than 3 months after the day of purchase. The VAT REFUND FORM, which must be validated by Czech Customs authorities upon departure, can be obtained at Financial Offices, Customs Offices, and the retailers. Refunds must be claimed with the same retailer (1) in person or (2) through a specialized collecting agency (such as Deloitte).

The process runs as follows:

  1. Buy goods worth more than CZK 1,000 in one day from a retailer marked by TAX REFUND signRequest the envelope, the VAT REFUND FORM and the receipt

  2. Have the VAT REFUND FORM filled in, indicating the VAT amount, and stamped by the retailer.
  1. Get your VAT REFUND FORM validated at the Czech Customs Office upon your departure from the Czech Republic

  2. (a) Stop at any of the specialized collecting agency's refund office before you leave the Czech Republic and get the cash; or

    (b) return home and mail your forms and receipts to any of the specialized collecting agencies, requesting a refund; or

    (c) keep all the forms and receipts and claim the refund with the same retailer during your next trip to the Czech Republic (within 3 months from the day of purchase).

FLIGHTS

CZECH AIRLINES (www.czechairlines.com) is the Czech Republic flag carrier, offering the only non-stop connection between North America and Prague.

Flight information for Czech Airlines is at www.CzechAirlines.com; there are up to 10 weekly non-stop flights between Prague and North America (New York – both JFK and Newark, and Montreal.)  Most major European airlines and their US code-share partners fly to Prague via their European gateways.

SMARTWINGS (www.smartwings.net) is a modern low-cost airline operating from the Prague airport. Among destinations it offers are Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich, plus several destinations on the Greek islands, all for highly competitive fares.

TRAINS AND BUSES

www.vlak-bus.cz  - provides domestic and some international train and bus schedules (or a combination); for the English version, scroll down the page and click on the British flag; also, make sure you write the name of the city in its original language e.g. Praha for Prague, Wien for Vienna, etc.

http://bahn.hafas.de – the German Railways’ web site; complete database of European train connections

TRAIN TICKETS: You can purchase tickets for international trains in the US through Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com) or DER Travel (www.dertravel.com) as well as through Eurail www.eurail.com .

OPERA, CONCERTS, THEATER

Bohemia Ticket International – Schedules & Tickets for Prague theaters and concerts, www.bohemiaticket.cz

Ticketstream – Schedules & Tickets, www.ticketstream.cz

Ticketpro – Schedules & Tickets , www.ticketpro.cz

Prague Information Service – Information on current exhibitions, concerts, and theater – www.prague-info.cz

HEALTH

There are no health precautions for travel to the Czech Republic and no vaccinations/ inoculations are required.  Tap water is safe to drink (though the chlorination may give it an unpleasant taste), and the incidence of hepatitis is smaller than in the United States. Prague has a number of health facilities catering mostly to foreigners (with English-speaking doctors and personnel), but check with your provider to make sure you are eligible for coverage abroad.

In order to comply with European Union regulations, the Czech Republic has adopted a new number for emergency services. This number, similar to the "911" in the US, is for ALL emergencies, including medical, fire and police. Operators will be able to speak both English and German.

New emergency number for MEDICAL, FIRE, POLICE: 112

 

USEFUL LINKS


PRAGUE

CZECH REPUBLIC GUIDES (best out of many)

OUTSTANDING MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL WEB SITES

Additional information