What To Expect
The Czech Republic, also sometimes referred to as Czechia, is a very popular country for travelers in Europe for one big reason: Prague. The capital of the country is one of the top destinations in all of Europe and attracts millions of tourists every year.
Prague is a world-class city with beautiful and historic architecture, some of the best nightlife in Europe, and so many things to see and do for all travelers. Take in the main sights like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square, and all the beautiful churches and cathedrals in the city, all while enjoying some of the finest Czech beer.
(Did you know the Czech drink the most beer per capita?)
However, Prague isn’t all that the Czech Republic has to offer! It’s also home to many other picturesque cities worth visiting such as Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary, Olomouc, Ostrava, Liberec, Kutna Hora, Brno, Talc, Litomysl, Loket, and the towns of Plzen & Ceske Budejovice which are must-visits if you are a beer lover.
Getting around the country is fairly easy and it is very accustomed to tourism, especially in Prague, making it very tourist-friendly. So whether you only stick to the capital or you choose to venture off the beaten path and explore the rest of the country, the Czech Republic is a great choice for your travels!
The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Area which has a single visa policy for all the countries that are in it. Citizens of most developed countries can enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180 day period. If you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you must go to the nearest Czech embassy and apply for a Schengen Visa to be granted entry.
The Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended, especially if traveling to rural areas. Also make sure you are up to date on your standard vaccinations and consult a health professional for further advice.
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Key Information
Population: 10.5 Million
Capital City: Prague
Languages Spoken: Czech
Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK/Kč)
State Railway: České Dráhy
Driving Side: Right
Largest Airports:
1. Prague (PRG) – Václav Havel
2. Brno (BRQ) – Tuřany
3. Ostrava (OSR) – Leoš Janáček
4. Pardubice (PED)
5. Karlovy Vary (KLV)
Best Time To Visit
The Czech Republic has a temperate continental climate with warm summers and cold winters.
Therefore, the best time to visit the Czech Republic is during its shoulder seasons (April – May & September – October) when you aren’t surrounded by a million other tourists and the weather is still quite pleasant. Your transportation & accommodation will also be cheaper and you won’t have to wait in long line-ups when visiting some of the main attractions.
However, if you want to have the best weather possible, then the summer (June – August) is the best time to visit. In addition, December is a great time to experience Christmastime in Prague. Keep in mind though that these are the most popular times to visit so expect to see lots of crowds and try to book your transportation and accommodation in advance to avoid sold-out tickets and fully-booked rooms.
High Season: June – August & December
Low Season: January – March
Top 5 Destinations
Prague
Cesky Krumlov
Karlovy Vary
Olomouc
Plzen
Currency Information
The currency used in the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna (CZK/Kč). The notes come in denominations of 100 Kč, 200 Kč, 500 Kč, 1000 Kč, & 5000 Kč whereas the coins come in denominations of 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč, & 50 Kč.
Note: some scam artists may try to give you old Belarusian Rubles (which are worthless) instead of Czech Koruna when exchanging money on the streets. Remember: Czech Koruna notes have portraits on them, old Belarusian Rubles have buildings.
Use the currency converter below to determine the latest exchange rate.
Tipping Guide
Tipping is customary in the Czech Republic, especially for good service. Here are some important guidelines to follow:
Hotel Bellhops: 20-50 Kč per bag
Hotel Housekeepers: 20-50 Kč per night is appreciated
Restaurant Servers: check the menu and bill to see if a service charge is already included and if not, then tip 10%
Bartenders: 10% of the total bill
Taxi/Uber Driver: round up to the nearest multiple of 10
Tour Guide: up to 10% of the total tour price on single-day tours and 250 Kč per day on multi-day tours
Note: any tips should be left in cash and given directly to the person you want to receive it when you pay your bill.
Power Outlet Information
Just like most of Europe, the Czech Republic mainly uses the Type C power outlet. In addition, they also use the Type E outlet.
Type C & F plugs can fit in a Type E outlet as long as they are compatible. Make sure your Type C adapter is oval-shaped or you have a Type E/F adapter.
Get your compatible Type C & Type E/F adapter here.
The voltage used in the Czech Republic is 230V. Learn more about how this may affect your electronic devices in my Guide to the Top Travel Accessories.
Cellphone Information
The Czech Republic has excellent overall 4G LTE coverage so it is unlikely that you will ever need to use their 3G networks, but it doesn’t hurt to be safe anyways. Make sure your phone is GSM-compatible with the 3G frequency and at least one of the primary 4G LTE bands used in the country to ensure you will always have a connection.
Learn more about this in my Guide to Travel-Ready Phones.
Info about local prepaid SIM cards in the Czech Republic
Calling Code: +420
Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Ambulance, & Fire)
3G Frequency Used: 2100
4G LTE Bands Used: 1, 3, 7, & 20 (primary) + 38 & 48
