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Prague GENERAL INFORMATION

Prague airport information, getting around Prague, opening times, banks, communication, visas for the Czech Republic... basically we have put it upon us to provide you with some additional information that will ensure that your stay in Prague is a relaxed one!

»Tourist Information Service

»Getting to Prague from the Airport

»Getting around Prague

»Money and banks in Prague

»Communications in Prague

»Emergency Numbers in Prague

»About Visas for Czech Republic

Tourist Information Service

There are two main tourist information offices in Prague. These will provide you with all kind of services you may need such as tourist information, money exchange, gift shop, etc.

Na Prikope 20: Near to Wenceslas Square, Prague [Open: April to October: Mon-Fri 09.00 - 19.00, Sat-Sun 09.00 - 17.00. November to March: Mon-Fri 09.00 - 18.00, Sat 09.00 - 15.00 [+42 2 24 228 417]

Staromestska Radnice: Old Town Hall, Old Town Square, Prague [Open April to October: Mon-Fri 09. 00- 17.00, Sat-Sun 09.00 - 18.00. November to March: Mon-Fri 09.00 - 18.00, Sat-Sun 09.00 - 17.00. [+ 42 2 24 482 562]

Opening Hours: Prague's stores open between 09.00 and 19.00 on weekdays and from 10.00 to 13.00 on Saturday although many are now open alot later. If your staying in independant accommodation and you need to stock up the cupboards there are plenty plenty of late-night grocery shops dotted around the downtown are. Most central being the Bílá labut store at Wenceslas Square.

Getting to Prague FROM THE AIRPORT

All flights coming into Prague come into the Ruzyne Airport which is 10 kilometers northwest of the city.

By Bus: The cheapest way to get into Prague is on the number 119 bus that takes you to the metro station of Dejvicka. You will need to buy a 60-minute ticket for 12 Kc. You can buy these tickets at orange coin operated machines on the streets or at the entrance to underground stations, or at newsagents etc. At the airport there’s a transport desk just as you come out of arrivals, where you should be able to get them too.

By Train: The main train station is Praha hlavni nadrazi [sometimes written as Praha h.n.]. Located in the southeast part of Prague, it is on the fringes of both the Nove Mesto and Stare Mesto neighborhoods. The Hlavni nadrazi metro station is located at the main train station. Check the online train timetable to see when the different trains run: http://www.jizdnirady.cz

By Minibus: There's also the CEDAZ express minibus which leaves every 30 minutes and costs 90 Kc. The express minibus can also take you directly to your hotel for 360 Kc per drop-off.

Prague Taxi Warning: We recommend that you avoid taxis. We've eard many scams where drivers takin you on a nonstop tour of the city before droppin you off at your hotel for an exhorbitant amount. Drivers in Prague infamous for ripping off tourists.

Getting AROUND Prague

Prague is a small city and the best way to see it is on foot. Wenceslas Square is 10 minutes away from the station on foot and the Old Town Square is about 20 minutes from the station.

Money and banks in Prague

Currency: Even though the Czech Republic is a member of the E.U. the currency in Prague is still the Czech Crown (czk). Banknotes come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 & 5000czk.

Banks: The main foreign exchange banks and offices are located in the center of Prague at or near Wenceslas Square. They are open usually from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays and on Saturdays morning; closed on Sundays:

>>American Express, Wenceslas Square 56
>>Ceska Obchodni Banka, Na prikope 14
>>Komercni Banka, Na prikope 28
>>Zivnostenska Banka, Na prikope 20 s

ATMs and Money Machine: ATMs are found almost everywhere and almost all machines accept all major credit cards. American Express is not as widely accepted but most banks will allow you to take cash advances out. Make sure you have a personal identification number [PIN] that's designed to work overseas.

Traveller's Checks: Travellers' cheques are no longer the cheapest nor most convenient option and most people use bank cards now. However you can change up travellers checks pretty much everywhere and the usual fee for buying travellers' cheques is one or two percent. Our top tip 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.

Communications in Prague

Post Offices: The main Post office in Prague is located in directly right side from Wenceslas Square. This post office is open 24 hours a day. [Jindrisska st. 14, 24 22 88 56] Letters and postcards can be sent from the post office or directly on the streets via the mailboxes. Stamps can be bought from the post offices, tabaco shops or shops where you can buy postcards too.

Telephone Services: The dialing code for Prague is +420. 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.

Internet: There are also plenty of Internet cafes in Prague.

Prague Emergency Numbers

Prague is a small city and generally safe. If you are unlucky enough to be the victim of a crime, you should report the incident as soon as possible at the nearest police station. If you report a crime you will be asked to make a denuncia, an official statement, which is essential if you wish to make an insurance claim.

Emergency telephone numbers:
>> Fire department: 150
>> Ambulance: 155
>> Municipal police: 156
>> Police: 158

Medical emergencies - tourist services:

Doctor Prague Health Centre: [Vodickova 28, 3rd entrance, 2nd floor, Prague 1. 224 220 040 or 24hr service: 603 433 833] www.doctor-prague.cz

Pharmacy 24 hours [Palackeho 5, Prague 1. Tel: 224 946 982. Belgicka 37, Prague 2. 222 513 396]

Dental emergencies: [European Dental Centre: Wenceslas Square 33, Prague 1.224 228 994] [Open: 24 hour on-call emergency service] www.edcdental.cz

About Visas FOR Czech Republic

All visitors entering the Czeck Republic must have a valid passport. The Czech Republic is now part of the European Union. Nationals of all E.U. countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the USA and many other countries can visit Prague for up to 90 days, and UK citizens for up to 180 days, without a visa.

To check on any visa request you can also visit the Czeck Republic Consulate web site: http://www.mzv.cz