Prague Travel Facts

The Basics

City Name: Prague

Where is it located?: Prague lies slightly west and slightly north of the center of the Czech Republic.

Why do people go there?: Cheap accommodation, cheap food and even cheaper beer draws tourists en masse. Despite the creeping in of western European backpackers, Prague still remains substantially cheaper than its neighbors. If you’re heading to Europe and want a taste of the East, Prague will give it to you with museums documenting their foray with Communism, old-world clock towers and a central square that remains the center of everything in the city.

How do travelers get there?: Pay the Eurail supplement and head on over from Germany or Budapest – note that if you come from Budapest, you’ll go through Slovakia too, so don’t get stuck without a ticket or you’ll have to pay twice.

Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)

City Code: 2

Population: 1.4 million

Languages: Czech, but everyone in the tourist sector speaks English

Travel Information

Neighborhoods: Old Town Prague – Stare Mesto, The Castle District – Hradcany, The Lesser Quarter – Mala Strana, Josefov – Jewish Quarter of Prague, Nove Mesto – New Town Prague, Zizkov, Vinohrady, Smichov, Devjice, Vysehrad

Attractions: Cheap-cheap, History, Central Square

Accommodations: Prague Hostels, Prague Hotels

Tourist Office: Czech Tourist Authority, Vinohradska 46, Praha 2, Telephone: +420 2 2158041, http://www.cccr-info.cz/, http://www.visitczech.cz/

Off-the-beaten-path: Kutna Hora, Karlstejn Castle, Strahovsky monastery

Health Issues: None

Tips for Visiting

When to go: Spring can cause flooding- watch out! Fall is usually a nice time to visit.

Common Phrases: Yes = Ano, No = Ne, Please = Být príjemný, Thank you = Být zavázán tebe, Do you speak English? = Cinit tebe mluvit Anglicky?

City Specific Events: St. Nicholas’ Eve, The Bohuslav Martinu Festival, Prague Writers Festival, One World International Film Festival, International Music Festival, Prague Spring International Music Festival, Shakespeare Summer Festivities, Summer Old Music Festival, Strings of Autumn Festival, Prague Autumn International Music Festival, International Jazz Festival

How to get around?: The trams and buses get you where you need to go if you’re too tired of walking.

Good to know: Prague is also known as the mother of the cities, the golden city and the city of a hundred spires.

Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Prague is the Ruzyne International Airport.

Need more information?: Check out the Prague travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.