Belonged in Eastern Europe, it borders Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland. Separated from Czech Slovakia in 1993, Czech Republic can be devided into three parts; Bohemia, Morava, and Silesia.
Czech Republic presents different charms during every season: In spring, it gets more romantic as flowers bloom. In summer, with full of greeneries, you will feel the special atmosphere you can have only in Czech Republic. In autumn, it truly charms you with red leaves and breezy weather. In winter, especially when it snows, it becomes such a magical country covered with white snow. As the living cost and travel budget is much cheaper than the other European countries, you can have more experience and try more various foods not worrying about budget. Also, different from western Europe, eastern Europe has its own special, romantic, and elegant atmosphere.
LANGUAGE : Česko
AREA : 78,867㎢
RELIGION : Catholic 39.2%, Non Religious 34.5%, Christian 1.1%
CURRENCY : Kč, CZK
VOLTAGE : 220V
The most visited city in Czech Republic is Prague. However, you can also easily travel to some other small cities near Prague by public transportations and they will show you a very nice scenery and different charms from Prague.
1) PRAGUE : Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Prague Clock Tower, Church of Our Lady before Týn, Kampa Island, John Lennon Wall, Havel Market, Mala Strana, Petrin Tower, Letna Park, Vltava River
2) CESKY KRUMLOV : Cesky Krumlov Castle, Egon Schiele Art Centrum, Bridge of Barber
3) KARLOVI VARI : Hot springs - You can buy a special cup for hot springs here and visit different thermal waters in the city to try.
4) PLZEN : Pilsner Urquell Brewery Museum, Cathedrale Saint-Barthélemy de Pilsen
The most romantic season, May-June & September
As Czech Republic is in Eastern Europe, the weather is relatively colder than other European countries. Spring usually starts from May, which is also a peak season. During this time, flowers bloom all over the country turning each city even more romantic and beautiful. It might still be cool in the morning and at night, so bring a light jacket.
Full of European ambiance, July-August
The weather gets warmer and you will spot more terrace seats, which allows you to feel the European ambiance better than the other seasons. The average temperature is around 16 degree, and the humidity is relatively not high.
The most peaceful time to travel, October-April
Winter comes earlier in Czech Republic. The weather tends to get darker in winter, but it will get easier to get around and visit tourist attractions due to less tourists. Also, as there are less tourists, it is easier to book accommodations with lower prices and to get into the restaurants.
The living cost in Czech Republic is quite low compared to other European countries. In 2017, the monthly salary on average is around $1,300 in Czech Republic, and the living cost is also low accordingly. The daily budget per person on average is 1,500 CZK($75) except accommodation.
1) PORK KNUCKLE : It is one of the most traditional local cuisine in Czech Republic. It is made with pork thigh, thus, it is more with lean meat and goes very well with Czech dark beers.
2) GOULASH : A traditional warm soup often enjoyed in Eastern Europe. The soup is thick and salty with meat.
3) SVICKOVA : With the soup made with some spices like curry, the traditional Czech bread, knedliky, and softly cooked beef are added on the top. The highlight of this food is that they put raspberry jam and whipped cream which make this cuisine more exotic, softer and sweeter.
4) TRDELNIK : You will find this everywhere in Czech Republic, especially during winter. Trdelnik is also called chimney cake as its shape looks like chimney with the hall in the middle. There are various types you can try from original to the one with whipped cream, icecream, or fruits.
5) FRIED CHEESE : This fried cheese goes very well with Czech beers. Warm and soft cheese is wrapped with a light batter adding crispy texture.
6) KOZEL & PILSNER URQUELL BEER : Czech Republic consumes the largest amount of beers in the world, thus, they have long history of their own beers. From Kozel Dark beer to Pilsner Urquell, Velvet beer, and also the icecream beer, you can find any type of beer you desire.
In Prague, there are various types of transportation pass like a ticket for 30 minutes(24 CZK), a ticket for 90 minutes(32 CZK), a ticket for 24 hours(110 CZK), and for 72 hours(310 CZK). For the ticket for 24 hours and 72 hours, the time is calculated by hours from the starting time, not by day. If you are carrying any luggage bigger than the cabin luggage, you have to buy one more ticket for the luggage. For the age from 6 to 15, the ticket price is reduced to half, and it is free for under 6 years old. You can purchase the ticket from the machine in the metro station, or from convenience stores.
You can use any type of transportation including bus, tram, and metro with the ticket within the time. You must validate the ticket when you first use it, and you should not validate the same ticket again before it expires. Not only when you get in, but sometimes, they also check your ticket when you get off. So do not forget to keep the ticket well until the last minute.
1) HOW TO GET TO CITY CENTER FROM PRAGUE AIRPORT
AE BUS : It is a direct bus to the city center, which takes 30 minutes to get to the center. You can buy the ticket at the information center located near the exit of the airport.
BUS 119 : Get off at the last station Nádraží Veleslavín, and take the metro to arrive at your destination.
BUS 100 : Get off at Zlicin station and take the metro to get to your destination.
2) HOW TO GET TO NEARBY CITIES FROM PRAGUE
STUDENT AGENCY BUS : One of the efficient and easiest way to go to the other cities near Prague. The fare is reasonable and the bus departs quite often. https://www.studentagency.eu/en/
TRAIN : If you cannot book the ticket on Student Agency, you can also take the train. https://www.cd.cz/en
If you are a student, do not forget to make an international student card and present it whenever you buy a ticket while traveling. Many tourist spots in Czech Republic are offering a discount for students which will allow you to save the budget.
There is a Prague city pass, with this you can access faster to Prague Castle, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral, City tour bus, Prague Vltava River Cruise, and so on. You can also get a discount offer for museums, tour programs, activities, and restaurants as well. You can plan your itinerary first and compare the total price before buying the city pass.
Price : Adult 1390 CZK / Junior 990 CZK
City Pass Link : http://www.praguecitypass.com/en
In Czech Republic, they have their own currency, CZK. If you are staying in Czech Republic only for a day, you can also pay by euros at some restaurants, but usually, they calculate with higher exchange rate. You can find many exchange shops, but be careful to use the exchange shop. Most of the shops write '0% commission', but actually, it is not true many times. You can check the exchange rate in advance and see how much you should get, which will help you to avoid frauds. Also, some exchange shops get your signature on the receipt and give you other currencies for some other countries. So we highly recommend you to check it on spot right away.
Below are the exchange shops with good rates in Prague.
1) PRAGUE EXCHANGE
Address : Jindřišská 12, 110 00 Nové Město
Opening Hours : daily 9:00-21:00
2) MANGO DÖVİZ
Address : Jindřišská 908/12, 110 00 Nové Město
1) BECHEROVKA : For the locals who consumes a large amount of meats, this is used as a digestive drink. It has a high degree, but you can mix it with some other liquid to drink it. There are original one in the green bottle, and also a softer version with lemon flavor.
2) MARIONETTE : Marionette has a history over 300 years. You can easily buy it at many souvenir shops in Czech Republic.
3) MARLENKA : A traditional Czech dessert. It contains natural honey, without artificial colorings or preservatives. It goes very well with coffee or hot tea.
4) KORONADA : A traditional Czech snack, which looks like a thin waffle. In between two thin layers of snack, you can feel the sweet creams like chocolate, hazelnut, or vanila cream.
5) MANUFAKTURA : Founded in 1991, they own many branches in Prague. Beer Shampoo, Wine Shampoo, and bath salts with different scents are famous.
6) APOTEKA : Found in 1928 by Karel Havlík, they presents organic cosmetics made with herbs. The most popular products are hydrating mask packs you can use for 3 minutes in the morning before washing your face.
7) ZIAJA : They combine high-quality traditional components like herbal extracts and vitamins with modern technology. The most popular cosmetic is the goat's milk cream with the very reasonable price.
8) BOTANICUS : They make high quality products by harvesting herbs on their own and not using artificial ingredients. The most famous product is the rose oil which makes your skin glowy before putting on makeup.
9) BOHEMIAN CRYSTAL : Czech Republic is famous for crystal products. From small decorative stuffs to wine glasses, there are amazing and shiny crystal souvenirs.
10) PRAGUE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK SOUVENIR : The astronomical clock tower located in Prague old town is one of the must visit spots in Prague. Built in 1410, it is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world. There are various souvenirs with the design of astronomical clock like magnets, mini clocks, and so on.
Tax Refund is a system for travelers to get back the surtax who bring back products to their own countries purchased while traveling. If you want to get the tax refund in Czech Republic, you should not be a resident in Europe. To check if you can get the tax refund from certain shops, you can see the tax refund mark on the window or at the cashier.
You have to purchase over 2,001 CZK to get the tax refund in Czech Republic. Also, you should not unpack the products and they should be unused.
After you get a tax refund form from the shop, you have to fill it out and put it in the tax refund postbox at the airport. There are two types of company for the tax refund, Global Blue Tax Free and Premier Tax Free, so you should check your form and put it in the right postbox accordingly.
1) CASH REFUND ON SPOT : If you get the tax refund in cash, you have to depart from Czech Republic in 21 days. You will get the tax refund from from the store, and you can put it in the tax refund postbox at the airport.
2) CASH REFUND AT THE AIRPORT : You can visit the right tax refund counter between Global Blue or Premier Tax Refund at the airport. If the staff keeps your tax refund form, you don't need to put it in the postbox.
3) CARD REFUND : If you get the tax refund by card, the commission is lower than in cash, but it might takes a bit longer time to get the refund due to the process. Don't forget to put the documents in the postbox.
They still have tipping culture in Czech Republic. At many restaurants especially around the city center, you will get the receipt with the message 'tip is not inlcuded' at the bottom. Normally, you can leave around 10% of the total price as the tip at the restaurant. Or, if the total price is 270 CZK, you can round up to 300 CZK inclduing the tip. Sometimes, when you pay by cash, they will not return you the change thinking that the rest is the tip. So the best way is to put the exact amount including tips or paying with bigger bill so that they must return you the change and you can leave some tips after from the change.
If you know some basic greetings in Czech, you will have different aspects and more experience to enjoy your trip.
There are many pickpockets in Czech Republic, especially in Prague, so keep paying attention to your belonings, especially at busy spots.
In Czech Republic, you will find it easier to walk around than using transportations sometimes. Planning the route in advance will allow you to decide which transportation ticket to buy.
Most of the pavements are made of pieces of stones. For more enjoyable trip, we recommend you to wear comfortable shoes.
BASIC CZECH
Hello : Dobry den
Thank you : Dekuji
I am sorry / Excuse me : Prominte
Yes : ano
No : ne