The official language of Czechia is Czech. It is spoken by approx. 10.6 million people. Czech falls within the West Slavic language group and therefore is similar to Polish, as well as Russian and Croatian. An interesting phenomenon is its great similarity to Slovak. And did you know that the famous writer Franz Kafka spoke Czech? Or that Czech ranks among the most complicated languages in the world?
Although the vast majority of the population of Czechia (96%) speaks Czech, you can also hear Slovak, Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, or Vietnamese as these are languages of the largest national minorities in  Czechia.

Tourists will usually make themselves understood in English and quite often also in German or Russian.

The deaf are advised to use, if possible, Italian or Austrian sign language, since these are closest to Czech sign language.

Basic glossary of words and phrases, which may come handy in Czechia

• Hello = Ahoj [aɦɔj]
• Good day = Dobrý den [dɔbriː dɛn]
• Goodbye = Na shledanou [na sɦlɛdanɔʊ̯]
• Thanks = Děkuji [Djɛkʊjɪ]
• Not at all = Není za co [Nɛɲiː za tsɔ]
• Beer = Pivo [Pɪvɔ]
• Another one = Ještě jedno [Jɛʃcɛ jɛdnɔ]

The list of countries whose citizens may travel for a short term to Czechia with only a valid travel document, without a visa, can be found here.
The list of countries whose citizens must have a relevant valid visa to enter Czechia can be found here.

In order to travel to Czechia with dogs, cats and ferrets, you must have:

• A pet passport, i.e. a uniform document throughout the whole of the EU which is issued by a vet.
• A condition for issuance of the passport is marking of the animal – it must be tattooed (legibly); marking with an electronic chip is obligatory from 2011 onwards. This is performed by a vet.
• The animal must be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the legislation of the European Union, i.e. the first vaccination must take place from three months of age.

The largest airport in the Czech Republic is the Václav Havel Airport in Prague, formerly called Ruzyně and renamed after the Czech president in 2012. The airport is situated on the outskirts of Prague, but the connection with the centre is very good. The AE (Aeroport Express) bus line will take you to the Main Train Station in the centre in 30 minutes. The line has its own fare and the tickets are available directly from the driver. There is also a number of regular fare buses going from the airport to different metro stations, such as Nádráží Veleslavín or Zličín. More details are available here. You can also travel to and from the airport with one of the private carrier services.

The average price per kilometre in a taxi is CZK 20 (EUR 0.75, USD 0.85, CNY 5). The final amount to be paid depends on the city, Prague usually being the most expensive. The price for the trip from downtown to the Prague airport ranges from CZK 500 (EUR 18, USD 20, CNY 135) to CZK 700 (EUR 25, USD 29, CNY 189).

Unfair taxi drivers are everywhere, but their number in the Czechia is decreasing – to avoid the remaining ones, do not take a taxi directly in the street and rather call one by phone. Use only taxis that are clearly identified and ask about the price to your destination beforehand, if it is too high, do not get on.

Czechia has one of the most dense railway networks in Europe and a sophisticated system of bus transportation. Both trains and buses are reliable.
In Prague you can use trams, buses, metro, ferries and even cable cars. Timetables, connections and other important information on Prague transport can be found here. With the modernisation of the fleet, an increasing number of public transport vehicles are barrier-free. The timetables include information on stations that have lifts or special paths making them accessible to disabled people.

In Czechia you drive on the right. Lights must be used throughout the day and night all year round.

Without exception, it is prohibited to drink alcohol before driving a car – the police may require you to take a breath test to prove that you are absolutely sober.

It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is operated hands-free.

Children weighing less than 36 kilograms (80 lb) and under 150 cm (4ft 11in) in height must use a car seat and a safety belt.

From 1 November to March 31, drivers in Czechia must use winter tyres. Although the law permits using summer tires when the conditions allow it, the weather in Czechia is very variable, specifically in winter, and so winter tyres help prevent problems and accidents.

All drivers should carry with them their driver’s license, identity card and documents associated with their car’s safety (technical licence and green card).

SPEED LIMITS

In built-up and residential areas – towns and villages, the speed limit is 50 km/h (30 mph). You must always give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings. The only exception are trams, which must be given priority by both drivers and pedestrians.

The speed limit outside towns and municipalities is 90 km/h (55 mph).

The speed limit on motorways outside residential areas is 130 km/h (80 mph), in towns and villages, you can travel down the motorway at up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

VIGNETTE

Cars of up to 3.5 tons driving down public roads that are subject to a charge, such as highways, must have a vignette – a proof that the driver has paid the appropriate fee.
The electronic vignette became valid in Czechia on 1 January 2021. It has replaced the former paper coupon stuck on to the windshield. The vignette can be purchased on the official state website at eDalnice.cz (the website is available in 5 language versions), as well as from the previous providers, such as EuroOil petrol stations or Czech Post Office branches, as well as in self-service kiosks located mostly in border areas. You can also find a map of highways in Czechia with an overview of toll roads at eDalnice.cz.

Motorway vignette for 10 days: 310 CZK (EUR 11, USD 13, CNY 85)
Motorway vignette for one month: CZK 440 (EUR 16, USD 18, CNY 120)
Motorway vignette for 14 months (1 December to 31 January): CZK 1500 (EUR 55, USD 63, CNY 405)

IN CASE OF ACCIDENT

Drivers must report all accidents in which anyone is injured or killed, or when a third party suffers damage or when the damage suffered by one of the parties exceeds CZK 100,000 ( EUR 3.700, USD 4,200, CNY 27,000). Where none of these situations occurs and the drivers reach an agreement as to who caused the accident, they do not have to call the police. However, it is recommended that the form of “European Record of a Car Accident” should be filled in.

Basic rules of road traffic in Czechia in English you can download here.

A unique destination calls for a unique place to stay. We think that nice accommodation plays a big role in making your stay in the heart of Europe even more unforgettable.

Therefore, we will look for boutique hotels, cosy cottages, farm or castle stays, mountain places, apartments and spas. Keywords are service and quality.

Restaurants in Czechia mostly stay open late into the night, but the kitchen usually closes before the actual establishment. If you want to dine, you should definitely arrive at the restaurant sometime before 10 p.m. Bars are open longer and some run non-stop.

In the spring and the summer some restaurants set up outside seating areas on the streets or yards. In Prague they can stay open only to 10 p.m. as the city regulation bans noise and disturbance during night-time hours. However, each town can make their own rules on this matter and so it is possible to experience a great atmosphere full of late night fun and entertainment on the streets of Brno, for example.

It is customary to leave tips when paying bills in Czech restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other establishments. Some of these include the tip in the bill, but it is quite usual that a guest will decide for himself how much to tip the staff in the restaurant. 

With smaller items and in ordinary restaurants it is customary to round up the sum to match one’s satisfaction. If you were happy with the lunch, service and the restaurant itself and the waiter brings a bill for 116 crowns, round it up to 130 or more. The higher the price, the bigger the tip should be. 

In more upmarket restaurants tips are expected at about 10% of the price, but you can also expect much better service. If you weren’t satisfied, you don’t have to leave any tip at all.

The technology for broadband connection to the internet is widespread throughout the territory of  Czechia, except for few outlying areas. You should be able to easily connect to the internet.

Wireless connection to the internet is available in many places in Czechia. Normally it is offered by restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels or libraries and means of transport, such as certain trams, buses and trains. Big cities like Prague, Brno, Plzeň, Ostrava and other, are covered with high-speed networks.You can easily connect with your tablet, laptop or smartphone. 

From the summer of 2017, the European Union regulation started to apply, banning mobile operators from charging extra roaming fees for voice services, text messaging and data. As from 2017, all citizens of the European Union are charged per minute of call, sent messages and internet connection in the EU countries at the same price as they would have paid in their home state.

Yes, same as in other European countries, mobile phones operate on the frequencies of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. Although other states may use a different frequency, like 1900 MHz in the United States, newer phones work in any network. The international dialing code of Czechia is +420 (00420).

There are several mobile operators in the Czech market, like O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile or U:fon, offering postpaid packages as well prepaid cards for those who want to use their phone without a contract. If you’re considering buying a prepaid sim card, make sure that your phone is not blocked by another operator.

If you need to quickly find a phone number, taxi or other information and you do not have access to the Internet or time to search, just call 1188, where they will find the requested information for you. The operators speak English, Russian, French and Slovak. Big companies and public authorities have toll free lines starting with 800.

Czechia still has phone booths for those without a mobile phone. You only need coins coin or a prepaid card.

The electrical network in Czechia has a voltage of 230 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. The sockets are the same as in France, Germany, Belgium or Poland. If you are using an appliance with a different ending, use a universal adaptor, whether ordinary or one that changes the voltage and frequency.

The official currency of Czechia is the Czech crown (Kč/CZK). 
CZK 1 = 100 halers, but you will be able to see these in Czechia only on price labels. When you make a payment you will not use halers or get them back in change. Prices are subject to rounding. For example: if the price is 299 crowns and 75 halers, you will pay 300 crowns. And if it is 159 crowns and 20 halers, you will pay 159 crowns.

Many shops, restaurants as well as tourist centres accept Euros. But you should not be surprised that particularly in shops any change returned will be in Czech crowns.
The exchange rate of a crown to a Euro and other currency can be checked at the website of the Czech National Bank and European Central Bank.

In exchange offices. Foreign currency exchange offices are not permitted to charge fees for the exchange of currency. A single foreign exchange office may only use a single exchange rate. It is no longer possible to use any preferential VIP rates. If you believe that a currency exchange transaction was unfavorable, you can cancel it within three hours after the purchase of currency. You must do so at the same foreign exchange office during its working hours. Keep the receipt after your exchange and check that it contains the correct date and time of transaction. The foreign exchange office is only obligated to return amounts up to EUR 1,000.

In banks. The fee charged for currency exchange ranges around 2%. Some banks add the condition of the minimum fee (for example CZK 30). Banks in Czechia are shut at weekends and on public holidays.

In hotels. You can exchange your money for crowns even in the hotel where you stay. However, they too may charge some fees.

WARNING!
Never exchange money on the street. Don’t accept offers from people who are offering an excellent exchange rate outside of an exchange office, bank or different institution.

You can also withdraw Czech crowns from cash machines which can be found in sufficient numbers in Czech towns. However, it is advisable to ask your bank how much it will charge for cash machine withdrawals abroad.
You can make payments with an internationally recognized card (Visa, MasterCard, Plus, Maestro, etc.) in most shops and restaurants.

• Bottle of still water (0.5 l) – CZK 15
• Bottled beer (0.5 l) – CZK 20
• Wine (0.7 l) – CZK 100
• Bread (0.5 kg) – CZK 25
• Cheese (100 g) – CZK 30
• Yogurt (150 g) – CZK 12
• Ham (100 g) – CZK 30

• Cinema ticket – CZK 180
• Theatre ticket – CZK 300 or more
• Concert ticket – CZK 500 or more

• CZK 100 – CZK 350

In the case of sudden illness or injury while in Czechia, a 24-hour medical service is available in emergency departments of hospitals.
If due to illness or injury, you are unable to get to hospital yourself, call an ambulance on telephone number 112.

In Czechia you can buy over-the-counter medications to relieve common illnesses (such as cold, flu, etc.) in pharmacies without a prescription. However, for other types of medicaments you will need one.
Prescriptions are usually valid for 14 days, with some exceptions. If you get a prescription from the emergency services, it will be valid for only two days, and if you are prescribed antibiotics, you must pick them up within five days.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FOREIGNERS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION, SWITZERLAND, NORWAY, ICELAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN
In order to be able to use medical care in Czechia, you must have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). In terms of treatment in medical facilities in Czechia, this proves that you are insured and that medical care will be paid for by your insurance company.
However, the insured party of one EU member country is only entitled to essential medical care within the territory of another member country according to the nature of the illness and expected length of stay. On the basis of the card, the insurance company will not pay for anything above the framework of essential care and will not even settle the excess stipulated by the local laws.
We recommend to arrange additional commercial insurance which can cover these fees before you travel.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FOREIGNERS FROM COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EU
If you do not have permanent residency within the EU, you must conclude a commercial insurance policy. If you do not have this, you will have to pay for all care on the spot in cash.