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Mini-Guide To Czech Republic

Located in central Europe, the Czech Republic is a famously historical country, with striking architecture and a temperate climate. Prague is one of the popular tourist destinations, as are the many castles and spas in the country. Combining this with beautiful mountain scenery, the Czech Republic can cater for all tastes.

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There are some domestic flights running from Prague to Brno and Ostrava, but the bus is a more popular method. It is relatively cheap and there are several lines which run through the country. Normally booking in advance is not required, but it is advised if you are travelling on Fridays, or before the holidays. Driving is not as expensive as in other countries, although there is a zero tolerance policy towards drink driving, and the violations are very severely dealt with. It is best to drive on the motorways as much as possible, as the road conditions throughout the rest of the country are generally quite poor. In order to be allowed to drive on the motorways, you will need to purchase a toll sticker, which costs roughly CZK 100 for ten days, and stickers for longer periods are available. The train service in the country is extensive and operates regularly even during off-peak hours. However, outside the main routes the train services can be quite slow, taking the long route through the countryside. There are six categories of trains: Osobní, slow ‘local’ trains, which stop at every station on the line; Spešný, slightly faster trains, which generally skip the small village stops; Rychlík, the fast trains which stop in major towns and are commonly used for long distance trips; Expres, which are very similar to, and perhaps slightly faster than the Rychlík; Intercity and Eurocity, which are modern trains that stop only in big cities; and the Supercities, which are the most modern trains that only operate between the biggest cities. There is also a boat service available between Budapest and Prague, but it is a long trip. There are various cycle paths and hiking routes as well, ideal for people who want to see the country more closely. The national language is Czech, and many older people are unable to speak English, so learning some of the language before you visit. Most younger people speak some English, but German is the most widely spoken second language. The currency is the koruna, the local symbol for which is Kc. Major stores across the country accept Visa and Mastercard, as do the tourist stores in Prague.