Taxi
Prague used to be known with bad taxi drivers. Some of them were real bandits and were even involved with crime. But it has been improving in last few years and now you don't have to worry about calling taxi through the operator anymore. One of the best is AAA Taxi, they are not expensive and the operators speak English, just dial 14014. On the contrary hailing taxi on the street is still hazardous and we can't recommend it.
Drive a Car
The legal driving age in the Czech Republic is 18. You are required to have a zero blood alcohol level when driving. Remember, it is the law and police often conduct breath test. You must have fastened seat belt and children up to twelve years of age may not travel in the front seat of vehicle. Speed limit is 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (60 mph) out of built-up areas and 130 km/h (80 mph) on highways.
If you use any multilane divided highway you have to buy the Highway Sticker for 1000 Kc and place it on the windshield. The sticker may be purchased at all border crossings, post offices and some gas stations. The fine for driving without the sticker is 20.000 Kc.
For car emergency service call the automobile and motorcycle club 24 hours a day on the number 1230. In case of an accident the police should be contacted immediately if damage exceeds 100.000 Kc.
There are a lot of amateurish and awkward drivers in Czech. They often tend to have really bad overview of the situation around them. So be careful, watch the drivers around, anticipate and think instead of them. Especially driving in Prague is not fun as in any other big European city. The drivers are nervous, narrow city streets are crowded by traffic (especially on morning rush hour from 7:30 am to 10 am) and it is difficult to find any parking space in the city center. Be careful and do not park your car in the Blue Zone which is for residents only. The Green Zone is good for your long term parking up to 6 hours and the Orange Zone is for short term parking up to 2 hours. Do not forget to make a prepayment and get the ticket from the automatic ticket machine on the sidewalk. You need a change, no bills. Anyway, if your car has been towed away go to the nearest police station. They will tell you which place you can pick up your car from. You will be charged 1000 Kc for towing away and you will have to pay the fine in addition. If your car is booted it will cost you from 500 to 1000 Kc. Have a safe trip!
Rent a Car
If you need to rent a car online, please use the form or contact any worldwide rental agencies by yourself. All of them usually charge $40 or more a day and have their branches in the city center and at the airport. Branches at the airport have better opening hours.
- Alamo, Prague Airport, phone 220 114 554, daily 8 am-10 pm
- Avis, Prague Airport, phone 235 362 420, weekdays 8 am-10 pm, weekends 8 am-8 pm
- Budget, Prague Airport, phone 220 560 446, daily 8 am-10 pm
- Hertz, Prague Airport, phone 225 345 021, daily 8 am-10 pm
- Sixt, Prague Airport, phone 220 115 346, weekdays 8 am-10 pm, weekends 8 am-8 pm
If you wish to save up money visit some small local rental agency which will charge you from $20 a day. Find their phone numbers in yellow pages in your hotel while you are in Prague.
Take a Train
Czech Republic has an extensive railway network which is operated by state railway company Ceske Drahy (CD). With some exceptions, domestic train travel is more leisurely, than bus travel, sometimes to extremes. So if you are not in hurry, the train ride could turn out to be romantic and gives you an excellent chance to admire beautiful Czech countryside. Anyway, there is no need to book domestic rail travel before you get there. You can buy the ticket from the ticket office at the railway station or from the conductor on the train.
Most domestic trains departure from Praha Masarykovo Nadrazi, Praha Hlavni Nadrazi (Main Station) or from Praha Smichov. A few leaves from Praha Holesovice. All these stations have metro stops and are easy accessible.
Take a Bus
In addition to the extensive railway network there is a dense network of coach lines which is mostly operated by state bus company Ceska Autobusova Doprava (CAD). Its long distance coaches tend to be faster, more frequent and even cheaper than trains.
Long distance domestic coaches departure from main bus station Prague Florenc as do buses to most regional destinations. Find there the schedules and the fares. Long distance domestic tickets are sold from the ticket counter and the regional ones are also sold on the bus.
Recently the bus station Florenc is temporary closed because of the reconstruction after floods in August. All busses leave from the parking lot on the roof of the Main Railway Station and from metro stations Roztyly, Zelivskeho or Hradcanska. The booking counter at bus station Florenc is open.
Take a Boat
River transport is used for pleasure only and mostly in summer. The Prague Steamboat Company harbor is located on the east bank north of the bridge Palackeho most near metro station Karlovo namesti (exit to Palackeho namesti).
Enjoy 55 minute cruise to the Vysehrad castle for 150 Kc. The boat leaves in summer daily every hour (first at 10 am, last at 6 pm). Enjoy the cruise through a wild, green landscape to the big dam Slapy. The boat departures in summer on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 am, arrives back at 6:30 pm. This fine escape is 250 Kc return. Also you can take a boat to the Prague Zoo or you can enjoy lunch on the boat all the year round daily at noon for 590 Kc or dinner at 7 pm for 690 Kc.
You can rent a row boat or pedal boat on the river island Slovansky ostrov in summer.
Rent a Bike
Czech countryside is nice place to ride a bike especially in summer. Although there are no bicycle lanes you will make a great time riding through the undulating romantic scenery full of the small villages, meadows, ponds and forests. Also you will have a chance to check out your shape in the mountains. But it is not the best idea to start your bike tour from any big city because of the heavy traffic and the air pollution there. Use the train to escape from the city instead.
While you are in Prague rent a bike at:
- ABC Sport, Moskevska 74, phone 271 725 959
- WS-Ski Rent, Polska 50, phone 222 727 636
- WS-Ski Rent, U Hrusky 15, phone 257 219 505
- Mipos, Za Humny 4, phone 235 323 288
For other bike rentals out of Prague consult locals or yellow pages.
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The same ticket is used on all parts of the public transport system. They are sold from the yellow machines in metro stations or from newsstands or from the City Transport Authority Information Offices (located at most of the subway stations). Validate your ticket by punching it in a little yellow machine in the metro station lobby or on the bus or tram.