Skip to content

Central Europe

Czech RepublicTravel guide

Explore Czech Republic visa rulesCommon scams in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic, also called Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Its capital is Prague, and it has historic towns, castles, monasteries, forests and mountains.

Why go

  1. Explore historic towns with many architectural treasures.

  2. See ancient castles, monasteries and stately mansions.

  3. Enjoy forests and mountains.

Getting there

By air

  • Václav Havel Airport is about 10 km west of central Prague. Its airport code is PRG.
  • Other international airports include Brno, Ostrava, Pardubice, Karlovy Vary and České Budějovice.
  • Nearby airports outside the country include Vienna and Bratislava. Vienna airport has a bus shuttle to Brno.

By land

  • International buses connect the country with many European cities. Operators include Eurolines, RegioJet and FlixBus.
  • Direct trains run from Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and Ukraine. Summer services also run from Croatia.
  • Drivers can enter from Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia. Most vehicles need a motorway vignette, which is a permit to use motorways.

Customs

  • There are normally no immigration checks when travelling between countries in the Schengen area, a group of countries with shared border arrangements. Temporary checks may take place.
  • Transport operators may check your identity before international journeys, including journeys within the Schengen area.

Getting around

  • Journey planning

    Jízdní řády Seznam and Public Transport IDOS cover Czech trains, buses and city transport. IDOS also has a mobile app. Both services also cover many train and bus routes abroad.

  • Bus

    Long-distance buses are often cheaper and slightly faster than trains. Operators include FlixBus, RegioJet, Leo Express and Student Agency. Reserve a seat when travelling to or from Prague on Fridays or during holidays. Most long-distance buses from Prague leave from Florenc. Other major bus stations are beside metro stations. On local buses, tell the driver your destination and pay when you board.

  • Train

    České Dráhy, also called Czech Railways, runs most trains. RegioJet and LeoExpress also run trains between Prague and Ostrava. Trains reach remote places and usually run regularly at weekends and outside busy hours. Journeys to smaller towns and villages can be slow. Routes outside the main upgraded lines often wind through the countryside.

  • City transport

    Prague's public transport is cheap, fast and reliable. The Prague metro runs until midnight. Night trams run throughout the night and meet at Lazarská. Keep valuables secure in crowds, especially on trams 9, 10 and 22 and at central metro stations.

What to see and do

  • Historic towns

    Entire towns preserve rich architecture shaped by the many communities that lived and worked here.

  • Castles, monasteries and mansions

    The country has hundreds of ancient castles, monasteries and stately mansions.

  • Forests and mountains

    Natural landscapes complement the country's historic buildings and towns.

  • Walk in the countryside

    Explore forests and mountains, staying on trails to reduce contact with ticks in tall grass and bushes.

  • Watch club football

    The top men's league includes Slavia Prague, Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzeň.

  • Watch national-team football

    The men's team often plays at Fortuna Arena in Prague. The women's team often plays in Uherské Hradiště, though neither team has a fixed home stadium.

Food and drink

  • Pubs and restaurants used by locals

    These are alternatives to overpriced tourist restaurants. Ask local friends for recommendations, and bring a Czech phrasebook because English may be limited.

  • Denní menu

    This daily lunch special usually has two or three courses at a discounted price. Menus are usually in Czech, and service ends around 13:00–14:00.

  • Lidová jídelna

    These self-service canteens serve affordable traditional Czech food at lunchtime. Expect Czech menus on the wall and staff who do not speak English.

  • Tap water

    Tap water is safe to drink. Water in small towns may have a strong chlorine taste.

  • Karlovy Vary mineral water

    The source highlights mineral water from Karlovy Vary for its taste.

Money

Czech koruna, written Kč or CZK.

  • Prices may appear as "37,-" without a currency symbol.
  • Some large stores accept euros, but the exchange rate can be poor. Change may be returned in koruna.
  • Many better restaurants in major cities accept cards, but some do not. Check the door for card logos or ask before ordering.
  • Banknotes issued in 1999 or earlier are no longer valid for payment. They can be exchanged at the Czech National Bank.

Tipping: Tipping is optional. Rounding up by a few crowns is common, while 10% is standard in tourist restaurants; give the tip to the waiter before leaving rather than leaving it on the table. Value-added tax, shown on receipts, is already included in the bill.

Typical costs

  • The source gives a 2023 motorway permit price of 310 Kč for ten days for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes.
  • The source gives a 2023 motorway permit price of 440 Kč for one month.
  • The source gives a 2023 motorway permit price of 1,500 Kč for one year.

Language

  • Czech is the official language.
  • English is widely spoken by younger people, but many older people do not speak it.
  • German is widely spoken as a second language among older people.
  • Slovak is closely related to Czech and is largely understood.
  • Many older people know some Russian, but ask whether they speak it before using it.
Dobrý den
Hello; use it when entering a small shop.
Na shledanou
Goodbye; use it when leaving a small shop.
Lékárna
Pharmacy.
Denní menu
Daily menu, usually a discounted lunch special.
Dálniční známka
Motorway vignette, a permit to use motorways.

Staying safe

  • Violent crime is very rare, but scams and pickpocketing are common in tourist areas, especially during the busy season.
  • Keep your wallet and money secure and separate. Be alert when boarding public transport, leaving it or using escalators.
  • Do not confront pickpockets, as they may become aggressive. Only take out your ticket when specifically asked.
  • Drink spiking followed by robbery has been reported in areas where sex work is common. Street-based sex work and cheap brothels also carry high health risks.
6 common scams in Czech Republic, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Describe the country as part of Central Europe.
  • Try a little Czech, even when the other person speaks English.
  • Say hello and goodbye when entering and leaving small shops.
  • Remove your shoes when entering a Czech home.
  • Respect personal space and people's religious beliefs or lack of religion.
  • Use Czech place names when asking for directions.

Don't

  • Do not assume the country was part of the Soviet Union or the Russian Empire.
  • Avoid remarks about how cheap everything is; they can sound condescending.
  • Treat discussion of communism and Soviet domination with care. Avoid being overly enthusiastic about Russia.
  • Do not begin speaking Russian without first asking whether the other person speaks it.
  • Do not deny the Holocaust or communist atrocities, or perform a Nazi salute in public. Denial of genocide or crimes against humanity can lead to imprisonment.
  • Avoid the terms "Sudeten" and "Sudetenland" and former German place names, which may cause offence or confusion.

Staying healthy

  • Buy non-prescription medicine at a pharmacy, called a lékárna. Grocery stores do not sell medicines such as aspirin.
  • Pharmacies are usually open Monday to Friday, 08:00–19:00. Bigger cities have 24-hour pharmacies, and nearby pharmacies usually display their addresses in the window.
  • In Prague 2, a central 24-hour pharmacy is at the corner of Belgická and Rumunská streets. Outside normal hours, use the small window on Rumunská and ring the bell if needed.
  • Tap water is safe to drink.

Phone and internet

  • T-Mobile, Vodafone and O2 sell prepaid phone cards if roaming is too expensive or you want a Czech number.
  • Prepaid plans and extra packages can be complicated. Compare them before choosing.
  • The country's international calling code is +420.
  • Mobile coverage is mostly excellent across the country. Fourth-generation mobile internet, called 4G, covers most areas, while fifth-generation service, called 5G, is concentrated in cities and transport corridors.

Schengen Area

One visa, 29 countries

A Schengen visa from any member lets you travel across all of them, with no passport checks at the borders between them. With it, a trip to Czech Republic can also take in:

  • Up to 90 days in any 180
  • One visa for every member
  • No border checks between members

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Czech Republic before you plan the route.

Trips to Czech Republic

Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.

5 nights
Prague at Your Own PacePragueKutná HoraFrom, per person~US$1,220
 6 nights
Prague and Spa Town HoneymoonPragueKarlovy VaryFrom, per person~US$1,920
 8 nights
Bohemian Towns and PraguePragueČeský KrumlovKarlovy VaryFrom, per person~US$2,080

Outdoor adventures in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has forests, mountains and a wide network of marked walking trails. You can paddle the Vltava River, ski in the Krkonoše mountains, explore the Punkva caves or visit the hot springs in Karlovy Vary.

  • Vltava River rafting and paddling

    RaftingSouth Bohemianear Český Krumlov

    Easy 2 hours to several days Vydra rentals: weekends in May and June; daily July–September.

    Rent equipment from Vydra in Nové Spolí, which includes transport to the start and collection at the finish. Choose a short float through Český Krumlov, a full-day paddle from Rožmberk or a multi-day trip from Vyšší Brod. Ontario offers guided night rafting. Maleček offers guided wooden raft trips with English commentary.

    • Cost: Vydra: canoes from 350 CZK; rafts from 1,200 CZK.
    • Summer rain can make the river flow faster.
    • Approach weirs, the low barriers across the river, with caution.

  • Krkonoše mountains and Špindlerův Mlýn

    SkiingEast Bohemianear Špindlerův Mlýn

    Choose a ski resort in the Krkonoše mountains along the Polish border. Špindlerův Mlýn is one of the popular resorts named in the area.

  • Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj)

    Hikenear Turnov

    Use Turnov as a base for the rock formations and castles. Jičín is another gateway. Explore on marked trails with a local hiking map or Seznam online maps.

    • Stay on trails to reduce contact with ticks in tall grass and bushes.
    • Check exposed skin for ticks after your walk.

  • Punkva caves in the Moravian Karst

    Cavenear Brno

    Half-day trip

    Join the half-day Moravian Karst trip offered by Wine-Tours.cz in the Brno listings. It includes a boat trip in the Punkva caves.

  • Karlštejn Castle and holy cave monastery hike

    Hike

    Make a hiking trip to Karlštejn Castle and the holy cave monastery. Use an area hiking map or Seznam online maps to follow marked trails.

    • Stay on trails to reduce contact with ticks.
    • Check exposed skin after hiking.

  • Karlovy Vary hot springs

    Hot springWest Bohemianear Karlovy Vary

    Get a list of the town's 12 hot springs from the Infocentrum. Visit the Hot Springs Colonnade, where small fountains let visitors drink the spring water.

    • Cost: Hot Springs Colonnade: free.

  • Nové Město na Moravě cross-country skiing

    Skiingnear Nové Město na Moravě

    Go to the cross-country skiing resort at Nové Město na Moravě. Cross-country skiing means travelling along snowy trails on skis.

  • Vltava River tubing

    More to doSouth Bohemianear Český Krumlov

    Rent a tube from Vltava Travel Agency on Kajovská. Ontario also rents river tubes.

    • Get proper instructions for passing the weirs through town; mistakes can cause injuries.
    • Summer rain can make the river flow faster.

  • Diana Lookout Tower forest walk

    HikeWest Bohemianear Karlovy Vary

    Walk through the forest to Diana Lookout Tower. A funicular railway also reaches the tower.

    • Cost: Tower: free. Funicular: 100 Kč to the top station or 150 Kč return.
    • Stay on trails and check exposed skin for ticks after walking.

  • Cross Mountain chapel walk

    HikeSouth Bohemianear Český Krumlov

    Follow the Way of the Cross walking route uphill to the chapel on Cross Mountain.

  • Horse riding at JK Slupenec

    More to doSouth Bohemianear Český Krumlov

    Book ahead with JK Slupenec Horses at Slupenec 1. Your accommodation or a tourist information centre can help. The stables are a 30-minute walk from town.

    • The provider supplies equipment, including a helmet.
    • Wear comfortable clothing.

  • Koloběžky Kleť kick-bike rental

    More to doSouth Bohemianear Český Krumlov

    Rent a kick-bike from Koloběžky Kleť, also called Koloběžky Krumlov.

  • Disc golf at Stromovka Park

    More to doSouth Bohemianear České Budějovice

    Go to the disc golf course at Stromovka Park, Na Zlaté stoce 692/1.

Airports, metros and trains in Czech Republic

Airports with scheduled flights

  • JCLČeské Budějovice South Bohemian AirportČeské BudějoviceMain international airport
  • KLVKarlovy Vary AirportKarlovy VaryMain international airport
  • OSRLeoš Janáček Airport OstravaMošnovMain international airport
  • PEDPardubice AirportPardubiceMain international airport
  • PRGVáclav Havel Airport PraguePragueMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • PraguePrague Metro61 stations65.4 kmsince 1974

Trains

Rail network
9,567 km
Electrified
3,237 km
High-speed lines
30.228 km
Top speed
200 km/h

People and safety in Czech Republic

Religion

No single faith is a majority. Very mixed.

  • No religion48%
  • Jewish30%
  • Christian12%
  • Other11%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #32 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

70% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 93 of 198 countries can visit Czech Republic easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required82
  • Freedom of movement11
  • Visa required104
  • Admission refused1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia12 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Can I pay in euros?

Some major stores accept euros, but the exchange rate may be poor and change may come in koruna. The local currency is the Czech koruna.

Will people speak English?

English is widely spoken by younger people, but many older people do not speak it. A Czech phrasebook can help in traditional restaurants.

How do I travel between towns?

Buses are often cheaper and slightly faster between major cities. Trains reach remote places and usually run regularly at weekends and outside busy hours.

Can I pay the local bus driver?

Yes. On local buses, tell the driver where you are going and pay when you board.

Is tap water safe to drink?

Yes. In some small towns it may have a strong chlorine taste.

Where can I find an affordable lunch?

Look for a denní menu, a discounted daily lunch special, or a lidová jídelna, a self-service canteen. Both usually have menus in Czech.

Should I leave a tip?

Tipping is optional. Rounding up is common, while 10% is standard in tourist restaurants; give the tip to the waiter before leaving.

Where can I buy basic medicine?

Go to a pharmacy, called a lékárna. Grocery stores do not sell non-prescription medicines such as aspirin.

What should I do when visiting someone's home?

Remove your outdoor shoes when you enter. Your host may offer slippers.

Does public transport run late in Prague?

The metro runs until midnight. Night trams run throughout the night and meet at Lazarská.

Reviewed by