Travel Tips Prague – I recently returned from my first solo adventure in the Czech Republic and I can’t begin to tell you how incredible Prague truly is. To make sure you have the time of your life, here are my top Prague tips to make your trip a smooth one.
It is known for its rich history, gothic churches, cobbled streets and colorful baroque buildings, just to name a few. Between 2 and 8 million people visit it every year, making it the most visited tourist destination in the Czech Republic.
Travel Tips Prague
But enough of that, because you’re obviously not here for a statistics class. Here’s what you need to know about Prague if you’ve never been before.
Prague Travel Guide
Note. Since most of my readers are American/Canadian, I won’t go into visa requirements as both countries
T for up to 90 days. If you are coming from another place, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules for entering the Czech Republic.
However, we know that summer is the peak season when it comes to travel. If you want to avoid crowds, choose the spring or autumn months, such as April and May or September and October.
My trip took place around mid-September. While iconic sights like Charles Bridge were still quite busy (thanks to the pandemic revenge travel), I was able to enjoy most of them early in the morning.
Travel To Czech Republic
Now the weather has unfortunately been hit or miss. Some days were nice and sunny. Others were cloudy and rainy. Fortunately, the rain in Prague at this time of the year does not last long. It usually drizzles a little, then stops. Not to mention that the average rainfall in September is 6 to 7 days. As usual, I was just unlucky with the weather.
However, 3 days is more than enough in my opinion. If you prefer slow travel or want to explore more than guidebooks usually recommend, plan to spend
I had no problem communicating with my hotel concierge, waiters, ticket sellers or security guards at Prague Castle. However, a simple “please” and “thank you” can go a long way.
For reference, a meal in Prague usually costs between 2 and 300 CZK, which is no more than 15 USD/20 CAD. You can use this to determine how much money to exchange. Alternatively, most establishments also accept cards as well as Apple Pay.
The Best Time To Go To Prague
Again, all major Prague attractions are located in Prague 1. Everything is relatively close or within walking distance. And if you’ve ever been anywhere in Europe, you know that a 30-minute walk is considered “close”.
With that in mind, the cheapest way to explore Prague is on foot. (I walked a whopping 32,268 steps in one day, which honestly is probably more than I walked in a year during the pandemic, lol!)
Public transport is also easily accessible and affordable. I suggest downloading PID Lítačka on your phone. You can purchase transit tickets online and not worry about losing your physical ticket.
Uber is another fantastic option as taxis are not as reliable unless booked by your hotel. I paid only 10 Canadian dollars for a 10 minute ride from the hotel to the bus station. Unless you’re traveling to/from the airport, or taking an early train or night bus, you really don’t need to use Uber.
A Local’s Guide To Prague: 10 Top Tips
We have already established that Prague 1 is where all the action takes place. Naturally, you will want to stay in the area.
I highly recommend Asten hotels. They have a collection of luxury boutique hotels throughout the Czech Republic, three of which are conveniently located right in the center of Prague.
I divide my time in the city between the Golden Key Hotel and Rezidence Dvořák. The first is located directly under the Prague Castle, and the second is adjacent to the Charles Bridge.
Golden Key Hotel offers a free airport shuttle in addition to free daily breakfasts. In contrast, Rezidence Dvořák suites are brand new and ideal for families or those traveling in a group of 3-4 friends.
Prague Travel Essentials
The third Asten Hotels in Prague is the Klárov Hotel in the Old Town. I didn’t stay there but I can say that my experience with the other two was nothing short of amazing. You really can’t beat their location and they are great value for money.
The streets in Prague are cobbled and, as mentioned above, walking is the best way to get around the city.
You can expect to walk a lot on your feet, so a pair of well-fitting walking shoes is a must. Leave your stilettos at home and bring comfortable sneakers.
It can be culture shock, but even if you’re at a crosswalk, trams always take precedence.
What To Tip A Tour Guide In Prague
You are expected to miss them first, and you are required to move if a stopped tram suddenly starts moving and heads towards you.
Public transport in Prague is quite cheap compared to other world capitals. However, the fines will be hefty if you get caught without a properly validated ticket.
If you purchased your ticket from a ticket machine, tourist information centre, bus or shop, you must validate it before/during boarding. (Look for a yellow machine in a tram or metro station. Place your ticket in the ticket slot and the machine will stamp it confirming your trip.)
If you have purchased a ticket from PID Lítačka, you have the option to activate (validate) the ticket immediately after purchase, at the set time or later manually.
Prague Travel Guide: Tips On What To Do In Prague
You’ll see chimneys all over the Old City, but you know what? These are not traditional Czech desserts! They are technically Hungarian and are a big tourist trap.
A local favorite is Perníkový panáček near Cihelná Park. They can be a bit pricey, some of them cost as much as real food, but that’s understandable given their intricate designs.
Before the trip, I did not know many of them. I hope I can share this newfound knowledge with you to help you get rid of your travel anxiety because trust me, I am completely nervous every time I visit a new country.
If you enjoyed this Prague travel guide, don’t forget to bookmark these Prague tips!
Best And Fun Things To Do In Prague, Czech Republic
I am a Taiwanese Canadian from Vancouver, Canada, or as I like to call it, from Raincouver. Here, ten of the twelve months of the year are dull, so you can expect me to stay dry somewhere and avoid the rain. I love documenting my experiences with photography and can’t wait to share new adventures with you. Follow me around the world for the best information on where to eat, where to stay and what to do!
My Suitcase Journeys is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide sites with the means to earn advertising fees through ads and links to Amazon.com. Are you planning a trip to Prague? This beautiful and historic city, located in the heart of Europe, attracts millions of visitors every year. There are ancient sights and historical wonders in the heart of Prague, but drive a little outside the city and you’ll find stunning lookouts, extensive green spaces, and local bakeries and pubs. Whatever brings you to Prague, it’s important to know what to expect and what not to do before visiting.
One of the most common questions I get when people visit the Czech Republic is “Is Prague safe?” This is a fair question. Most people want to know if they can walk around Prague day and night without worrying or looking over their shoulder.
My answer is yes! Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe. Personally, I have never felt safe while walking around Prague, day or night. In fact, the Czech Republic is known for its low crime rate and general safety. Of course, the country still struggles with some petty crime (mostly pickpocketing), but other than that it’s perfectly safe.
Two Days In Prague, Czech Republic Best Places To Visit
When most tourists arrive in Prague, they tend to choose the rundown parts of the city: the Old Town and its surroundings. However, Prague is much more than the city’s tourist areas, and many of Prague’s best areas are often off the beaten track.
For example, the city zoo is located on the outskirts of Prague, and some of the most beautiful city parks (and the best restaurants!) are not located in the very center. The good news is that public transport is cheap and easily accessible, and you can travel outside of the main tourist spots with little effort.
There are plenty of places to exchange money in Prague, especially in the city center. I always advise visitors to stay away from these money changers who often promise overpriced deals and charge hidden fees. Instead, take money directly from the bank’s ATM (for example, check Raffeisen or Česká spořitelna). Their exchange rate is often much better.
If you insist on using one of these currency exchange offices, be sure to request the final amount in writing before handing over the cash. Also, insist on
