Getting around Prague and the Czech Republic
HOW TO GET TO AND FROM THE RUZYNE AIRPORT
Ruzyne airport is the largest international airport in the Czech Republic, located about 10 kilometers northwest from the center of Prague. The airport is easily accessible by both taxis and public transportation. The airport operator is the Czech Airports Authority; a printable (pdf) guide to the airport is available here.
TAXI
There is taxi and limo service available from the airport round the clock.
From the airport to Prague
Fares: from the airport to the center of Prague, the cost is about 500 CZK. Otherwise, fares can be up to 870 CZK depending on the price zones.
From the airport to anywhere in the Czech Republic
Fares: 25 CZK per kilometer, 1 minute waiting 5 CZK
It is generally preferable that you or a concierge, call a taxi on the phone, rather than finding one on the street. There are several large, reliable radio taxi companies in Prague with English-speaking operators and fast, courteous service:
Company | Web site | Tel. | |
AAA Taxi | 221102233 | sekret3@aaa.radiotaxi.cz | |
Credit Taxi | 235300000 | credittaxi@volny.cz | |
Taxi Sedop | 271726666 | ||
Dimotaxi | 220513355 | ||
Halotaxi | 244114411 |
Never use taxis—especially expensive models—that are waiting in “tourist spots”: Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, etc., or cars marked otherwise than by the word “taxi”, e.g. “taxiplus”.
SHUTTLE SERVICES
The Czech Airports Authority works together with Fix s.r.o. and Cedaz s.r.o. - two transport companies -providing a 24-hour service to and from the Airport.
CEDAZ
Cedaz (www.cedaz.cz) is a company offering shuttle service between the airport and the center of Prague. There is a shuttle bus standing just in front of the arrival terminal and leaves every half an hour from the airport to the center of Prague.
CEDAZ Shuttle Service
Operating hours: 5.30 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Fares: 90 CZK per person to Namesti Republiky (subway B)
CEDAZ Minibus Service
Private transport to any destination in Prague (hotel, private address, etc.), in the Czech Republic, and in Europe; the service runs 24-hour a day; fares differ based on distance but are cheaper than a taxi.
CEDAZ fares paid for transport to and from the Airport:
480,- CZK - A group of 1-4 persons/one destination in the city center
960,- CZK - A group of 5-8 persons/one destination in the city center
960,- CZK - A group of 1-8 persons/one destination outside the city center
FIX, s.r.o.
Fix provides transport from the Airport to any customer-ordered destination. The departure point is located in front of the Terminal North Arrival Lounge.
Fares
Prague: 120 - 870 CZK (according to Fare Zones); around 450 CZK to the city center
Outside Prague: 25 CZK/km carrying customer
20% discount is provided on charges paid for a return journey to the Airport from locations covered by Fare Zones. The Fare Zones Map is available at FIX counter of Terminal North Arrival Lounge, at the platform information post as well as in each vehicle.
Contact:
Tel. +420 220 113 892 (Monday through Friday and Sunday: 7:30 am-11 pm; Saturday: 7:30 am-10 pm)
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN PRAGUE
SUBWAY
Number of lines: 3 - designated by letters A, B, C
Operation: daily from 5:00 a.m.- 12 midnight
Frequency of trains: 2 - 3 min. in peaks on working days
Please note that the Prague subway system does not operate between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 a.m. During these hours, you can use special night trams (designated by a two-digit number starting with the digit 5) or buses. The schedules are listed at all bus and tram stops.
Information on the Prague public transit system is available at http://www.dpp.cz/
TRAMS
Daytime operation: from 4:30 to 12 midnight
Frequency of trams during the day:
Majority of trams run on the average every 8 minutes in the early morning and afternoon hours on working days, 10 minutes in the mornings and 7.5 - 15 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nighttime operation: from 12:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Frequency of trams at night: 30 minutes
Night trams have numbers 51 - 58
BUSES
Daytime operation: from 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Frequency of buses during the day:
Majority of buses run on the average every 6 -8 minutes in the early morning and afternoon hours on working days, 10 - 20 minutes in the mornings and 15 - 30 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nighttime operation: from 12:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Frequency of buses at night: 30 minutes
Night buses have numbers 501 - 512
FUNICULAR RAILWAY
The funicular railway is located next to "Újezd" tram stop and runs along the route Újezd - Nebozízek - Petřín Hill.
When using the funicular you may use all types of public transport tickets except the non-transfer single-ride tickets.
http://www.dpp.cz/en/the-petrin-funicular/
Frequency of service:
Winter season (October - April) runs every 15 minute
Summer season (April - October) runs every 10 minutes
Open: daily from 9:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
PUBLIC TRASIT TICKETS
Buying Your Ticket
Tickets are sold at the Metro stations, ticket vending machines installed in subway stations, newsstands, travel information centers, hotels, travel agencies, department stores etc. www.dpp.cz/en/fares-in-prague
Prague Card & Prague Passport
Price:
basic (including 3-day ticket for public transport).......1120 CZK / 35 EUR
Note: Soon it will be possible to buy a 7 or 14 day ticket for Prague`s public transport system
Detailed information including a complete list of all points of sale and areas where tourists can use the card can be found on www.praguecard.info or obtained by e-mail (start@praguecard.info).
Olomouc Card
The Olomouc Card is a tourist card which provides visitors with the following advantages:
- Free admission to 16 attractive sights in Olomouc and surroundings
- A ticket for public transport in the centre of the city
- Discounts at selected shops, restaurants and hotels.
This card also includes a handbook with detailed information about all the services provided and a city plan on which all the partners in this project are marked. The card is available at many points of sale, mainly at Information Centres, hotels and travel agencies etc.
Price:
Information can be found on http://www.olomoucregioncard.cz/en/
TRAVELING AROUND THE CZECH REPUBLIC
TRAIN
Prague is easily reached by train from Berlin (approx. 5 hrs), Munich (approx. 6-7 hrs), Vienna (approx. 4.5 hrs), Budapest (approx. 8 hrs), and a number of other European cities. Railway travel within the Czech Republic is both convenient (thanks to frequent connections and a dense network) and inexpensive.
Important Railway Stations in Prague
- The Main Railway Station - Hlavni nadrazi
Prague 2, Wilsonova street, Subway line C to Hlavni nadrazi station - Masaryk Railway Station - Masarykovo nadrazi
Prague 1, Hybernska street, Subway line B to Namesti Republiky station - Smichov Railway Station - Smichovske nadrazi
Prague 5, Subway line B to Smichovske nadrazi - Holesovice Station- Nadrazi Holesovice
Prague 7, Subway line C to Nadrazi Holesovice station
BUS
Bus transportation is inexpensive and often faster than the train.
Important Bus Stations in Prague:
- Florenc - Prague 8, Krizikova Street, Subway line B to Florenc station
- Holesovice - Prague 7, Partyzanska Street, Subway line C to Nadrazi Holesovice
- Na Knizeci - Prague 5, Nadrazni Street, Subway line B to Andel Station
- Roztyly - Prague 4, Rysaveho Street, Subway line C to Roztyly Station
- Cerny Most- Prague 9, Subway line B to Cerny Most Station
SCHEDULES
A combined database of domestic and international bus and train schedules is available at www.vlak-bus.cz (Make sure you spell the names of Czech cities in Czech, e.g. Praha, not Prague, Plzen, not Pilsen, etc.)
To search for international train schedules, you can also use the Deutsche Bahn’s web page http://bahn.hafas.de or the Rail Europe home page www.raileurope.com
Additionally, Rail Europe’s toll-free phone number provides access to a selection of European timetables including Prague, as well as information about fares and travel times (also available by automated fax):1.800.848.7245, 1.800.4.EURAIL
Bus Companies offering international service:
- Bohemian Lines www.bohemianlines.cz
Stemberkova 10, Prague 7, Tel: 222 312 355 - Kingscourt Express www.kce.cz
Havelska 8, Prague 1, Tel: 224 234 583 - Student Agency www.studentagency.cz
Jecna 37, Prague 2, Tel: 224 999 666 - Cedok www.cedok.cz
Na Prikope 18, Tel: 224 197 618 - Eurolines / Sodeli www.eurolines.cz
Senovazne namesti 6, Prague 1, Tel: 224 239 318
RAIL PASSES
Although the Czech Republic isn’t part of the Eurail network, several train passes are available from Rail Europe:
The Czech Flexipass is good for Czech Republic only, valid for any 3 days unlimited train travel in a 15 day period www.raileurope.com
The European East Pass is good for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Poland; 5 travel days out of 30, cost: $205, 1st class; additional days are available.
Austria ‘n’ Czech Pass is good for the Czech Republic and Austria; 4 days of unlimited travel within a 2-month period.
DRIVING
Documents and permits
To drive in the Czech Republic, you will need an international driver’s license, which you can obtain at your local AAA. When using a motor vehicle, you are required to have a driver’s license and proof of payment/receipt of the compulsory car insurance (the so-called “green card”, “ zelená karta” in Czech). The car must have the international number plate of the country of its registration.
Highway tolls
There are no road tolls in the Czech Republic. To use the country’s network of highways, drivers must purchase a special sticker with the highway symbol and place it in an inside corner of the windshield. These stickers are available for the periods of ten consecutive days, one month, or one year, and are available at gas stations, post offices, and border crossings.
Prices
The highway stickers for regular passanger cars (weighing up to 3,500 kg) are abailable in the following categories:
15 days from date of purchase
2 calendar months
1 calendar year
http://www.motorway.cz/stickers
Roads
The quality of major roads in the Czech Republic approaches Western European standards; there are, however, relatively few high-speed highways compared to the United States or Canada. When calculating travel times, you should expect an average speed of no more than 90 km p/h, unless you plan to use a highway for the entire trip. Less-traveled country roads offer scenic views and pleasant driving.
Speed limit
There is a 130 km p/h limit for highways, 90 km p/h on other roads, and 50 km p/h within towns and municipalities.
Traffic regulations
Traffic regulations correspond with those effective in most European countries. Drivers are not permitted to drink any alcohol before and during the ride; seat belts are compulsory. Children under 15 years of age can ride in the back seat only.
Parking
For the safety of your vehicle, use only supervised parking lots and garages. Do not leave any valuables in your unattended car, as they might attract unwanted attention.
Car rental
Please be aware that certain car rental companies based in Germany and Austria do not allow their more expensive cars to be taken across the border into the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Make sure your car rental agent understands what your travel plans are and signs an appropriate contract with you.
Car rental and companies
Driving in Prague
As a medieval city, Prague is simply not car-friendly. There are plenty of one-way streets, no-turns, and a serious shortage of parking space. When in Prague, walk or use inexpensive and efficient public transit.
EMERGENCY TOLL FREE NUMBERS:
| Emergency | 112 |
| Police | 158 |
| Fire Squad | 150 |
| Ambulance | 155 |
The Lednice-Valtice complex is known as the Garden of Europe. It is probably the most extensive landscaped area in the world, recorded among the UNESCO monuments. Apart from the residences of the Liechtenstein family in Lednice and in Valtice, other follies can be found here, for example chapels, colonnades, man-made ruins and a victory arch.
This tapestry made of several tens of thousands of live flowers will adorn Old Town Square. Visitors will be able to see this singular exhibit from 3 to 5 September. The ceremonial opening of the exhibit will be held on 3 September at 6 o’clock in the evening.
All Czech rivers have their own unforgettable charm. The Berounka runs gently and quietly through forested valleys and is ideal for beginners and families with children. The rapids of the Sázava will give water sportsmen a hard time and test the skills of both rowers to manoeuvre the boat among the rocks. The longest Czech river, the Vltava, also has numerous rapids. Lovers of unspoilt countryside will appreciate its upper reaches flowing through the Šumava National Park. But which river is the right one for a summer trip in search of adventure and romance? 