Hi, I'm visiting Czech in April, and planning to stay in Prague for 8 nights and Brno for 8 nights. I have some questions, and if anyone could give me some advice, I would really appreciate it. 1) What is the best/easiest way to get to the hotel from the airport in the night? I'll be carrying a heavy suitcase, and I can't speak Czech, so I'm kind of nervous. Maybe a taxi? Is taking a taxi at night safe? (This may be a stupid question, but please understand, as I'm coming from one of the safest countries in the world. :wink: ) 2) I've heard that foreigners always have to carry their passports. Is this true? 3) When you are staying at a hotel for several nights, is it safe to leave a suitecase and bags in the room? 4) Hotel prices seem to go up between April 6 and 9. Is there some big event going on? 5) You have to pay to use a public restroom, right? Do you pay in Czech Kc or Euro? 6) Do you leave a tip at a hotel, restaurant, ...? If so, how much (percentage)? I'm sorry that I'm asking too many questions. This is my first trip to Czech, let alone Europe, so I'm a little nervous although I'm very excited. Thank you very much. Masa
1. The buses run about every 45 minutes throught the late hours if I am not mistaken. I am trying to find the site info. A taxi is relatively cheap, but I don't know how available they are in the middle of the night. Just mind your stuff and you should be fine. 2. I didn't carry my passport around with me in Prague and it never came up. Maybe someone knows more about it. 3. Where else would you leave your luggage? I always lock my stuff up and booby trap it so I know if someone has been messing around with my stuff. 4. Don't know 5. You do have to pay for the bathroom and the going practice is to pay in Kc because they lose money in the transfer rate. Pay in Kc for everything if possible. 6. If you feel they have done a good job, then tip accordingly. That's always my rule. Hope you have a great time. Prague is awesome and beautiful. Here I go on my beer kick again, but if you really like beer, I can turn you on to a few places I really enjoyed and very cheap (as is most pubs in Prague).
Hi About 4) I think it's because of Easter season. Easter Day is on the 8 April, Sunday, so probably the prices go up in that weekend.
geauxboy, Thank you for answering my questions. Your comments are helpful. 1. My travel guide says, "Avoid taking a taxi if possible," which made me wonder if it was safe... Perhaps I'll ask the driver how much it will cost before getting into a taxi. 3. Yeah, this question may have sounded stupid, I know. But some reviewers at Trip Adviser and some other sites said they lost their belongings like clothes in their hotel rooms. That's why I raised this question. 6. Thank you, this is very helpful. In Japan, we never leave tips. so I was wondering.... Again, I really appreciate your help. I've been wanting to visit Prague since I was a kid. Growing up in a modern, messy city, I've been attracted to beautiful, traditional architecture and art works of Czech. I'm sure that just walking around the city will be very exciting. I'll probably take hundreds of pictures. Where was your favorite place? I don't drink, but I'd love to listen to some live music. ---- Hi Lilac, Thank you for your reply. Oh yes, it's Easter. I hope I can see some enjoyable events at Easter.
a couple of notes: rogue taxis should be avoided mainly be cause they will overcharge you - use a reputable company like AAA - they will be fine. Take a look at the Prague Guide above in the blue tabs - or just click on http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/a ... ation.html for tips you can usually just round up the amount (for example bill is 237, maybe leave 250 - you'll get the idea after a while) I know you will enjoy your trip, Prague is a beautiful, wonderful city.
Sorry I can't help you on the music part. I didn't hit the clubs or music venues. I did go to a few classical concerts and an opera though. Absolutely AMAZING. Great prices and great venues along with very good musicians. That's a can't miss. I only mentioned the taxis only because you said it was a late nighter. Surely you should get the price before getting in. I don't know what a fair price is though. For the life of me, I cannot find the bus timetable. If I remember correctly, it's every 45 minutes or so from the airport during the late hours. Take the #119 bus. It's only about a 15 minute ride (maybe even faster during the late hours) to the subway. The subway is only 15 minutes or so to Old Town Square. Don't know where your hotel is, so I used old Town Square because that's a place that most know. I don't think I could narrow down where or what my favorite place was/is. There was nothing I didn't like. Sorry I can't help you there.
Normal taxi price is 40.- CZK entry fee, 28 CZK/km, it may slightly differ, the price must be shown at the taxi door from outside. The best is to call a phone taxi company, they speak english and the taxi usually comes in few minutes (and the price is better). If I need (not very often) I ususally use AAA, call (through GSM) +420729331133 or +42014014. The taxi driver is obliged to give you a bill, otherwise you may not pay... - but don't try this I don't know if you can use your mobile here, check your roaming possibilities. During the day there is usually no need to take a taxi - the Prague public transport is very good and (compared with taxi) cheap.
KARLE ! TY JSI ALE ZLATY DUL ! :shock: If I had had helped informations like that, I could be the hapiest man now. You are really a gold mine, Karel ! Don't worry anymore, Samurai7 ! I believe that you will be pleasantest Japanese in Prague ! _________________ "Vlk zmrzl, zhltl Ätvrthrst zrn." Doman je doma !
GlennInFlorida, The link you gave me is very informative and helpful. Thank you for your time. --- geauxboy, I would love to attend a classical music concert. (I was a music major in college, actually.) Where are good venues for classical music? As to transport, I'll probably use AAA taxi. While in the city, I'll make the most of the tram/subway. --- Karel_lerak, Thank you for your help. I wrote down the phone numbers you gave me. I'll try to rent a cell phone that works in Czech. I've been trying to learn basic Czech, but it's difficult. I memorized about 100 words&phrases so far. --- doman, Yes, I'm sure I'll enjoy my stay in Czech. And during my stay, I'll forget about all the stressful things that have been going on here in Japan. :lol:
I am not fully versed in the rules of the forum, so I won't post the link here, but I know of one site that has a great listing. I'll PM it to you. This site has great information and you'll probably be able to find most of the info here, I'm just used to the other site that I go to. BTW, the public transportation in Prague is GREAT. Subways, trams, buses ALL the time, everywhere. Get the pass so you don't have to keep getting a ticket everyday.
@samurai7 it's really hard to say which is my favorit place in Prague. Because there are so many nice places. But one of my favorits are Novy Svet, thats near the Hradschin. And I would recommend you to get up very early one morning and walk trough prague, because than you don't have so many tourists on the street. have a good time in prague benes
About passport - have always some ID document along. Maybe passport would be more understandable for Czechs than a Japanese ID card. It is not about controls, but you never know in which situation you get.
I usually keep a color photocopy of the identification page of my passport with me and leave the original in my room in a safe (or safe place). Never any problems.
geauxboy, I checked out the Web site. It seems like you could go to a concert every day if you would want to. This is amazing. I'll book a seat through this Web site. Thank you for the information. --- alenastef, Thank you for your reply. Yes, my Japanese ID is written in Japanese, so I'll be carrying a copy of my passport, taking Glenn's advice. Mockrat Dekuji. --- GlennInFlorida, This is a great idea. I'll scan my passport and carry it with me. Thank you for the tip.
