In this video, we’ll cover all you need to know before traveling to Prague, including
where are all the major attractions, the best time to visit, where to stay and for how long,
public transportation, how much things cost, the best apps to use, the best views
of the city, and other practical information.
We want to thank Ceptics, a number one choice for travel adapters on Amazon,
for sponsoring this video.
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or ask a question in the comments below.
We’ve also created a mobile-friendly .pdf document covering all the things in this video,
plus the Top 20 things to do in Prague, including maps, links, opening hours, and more.
Here are 11 essential tips to know before you visit Prague:
NUMBER 11: THE MAP OF PRAGUE
Prague is the capital and the largest city in the Czech Republic and lies on both banks
of the Vltava river.
For orientation, let's start with the historic Charles Bridge from the 14th century.
Close to the bridge, you will find the Klementinum complex with an impressive baroque library
and the famous astronomical tower.
Old Town Square is home to Old Town Hall with the famous Astronomical Clock, Prague Meridian,
Church of Our Lady before Týn, and other attractions.
If you continue towards the east, you will find the Powder Tower, one of the original
city gates, that separates the Old Town from the New Town and Manifesto Market Florenc,
an industrial-chic dining and drinking hub.
The Jewish quarter is home to Old Jewish Cemetery, Jewish Museum, Synagogues,
memorial Kafka sculpture, and other exciting attractions.
Don’t miss Speculum Alchemiae underground laboratory
from the 16th century if you are in the neighborhood.
Located near the main train station is Wenceslas Square or Václavské náměstí,
home to National Museum and the site of important public events.
Don’t miss the Statue of Franz Kafka in front of the OC Quadrio shopping center.
And don’t forget to also visit the famous architectural jewel Dancing House
which was declared one of the most prominent buildings of the 1990s.
If you continue South, you will find the Botanical Garden and Vyšehrad, a historic fort from
11th century with beautiful cemetery and a medieval basilica situated
on the Southern part of the city.
If you cross one of many beautiful bridges, you will enter Malá Strana or Little Side district
one of Prague's most historic neighborhoods with Wallenstein Palace, many impressive gardens,
and other notable attractions.
If you continue north, there is the largest ancient castle in the world, Prague Castle,
a castle complex from the 9th century with impressive Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral,
and other impressive attractions.
Don't miss Hradcany Square, full of remarkable palaces and houses.
Strahov monastery with the library is located just below Petřín Hill.
And Petřín Lookout Tower, built in 1891, offers fantastic views of the city.
And don’t forget to visit the Prage ZOO which is said to be one of the best in Europe.
All the attractions you see here and many additional ones are covered in our travel guide,
which also comes with dedicated Google maps.
Václav Havel Airport is located about 10 miles or 16 kilometers from the city center.
To get a better sense of the distance, a 1 mi. or 1.6 km walk from Prague Castle
to Old Town Square takes about 20 minutes.
It takes approximately the same amount of time if you combine walking
and public transport.
It takes about 40 min if you walk from Old Town to Vyšehrad or 20 min if you combine
walking and public transport.
NUMBER 10: WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Prague has a humid continental climate, which means dry and cold winters
and wet and hot summers.
Temperatures in winter are generally right below or around freezing, and ranging between
30 °F and 41 °F or -1 °C and 5 °C.
There’s not a lot of sunshine and snow is common,
but there's usually not a lot of it at once.
In the spring, the weather is unstable and often changes
from relatively mild and pleasant to cold.
The temperatures range between 35 °F and 68 °F or 2 °C and 20 °C.
The weather usually stabilizes in May.
Summer is nice and warm with little rain,
although random thunderstorms can occur.
Temperatures range between 57 °F and 78 °F or 14 °C and 26 °C.
Weather in the fall is still pleasant in September and part of October, but it then quickly becomes
colder, rainy and sometimes snowy starting with November.
Temperatures range between 37 °F and 68 °F or 3 °C and 20 °C.
Of course, these are all just averages.
The weather and temperatures can be different
when you visit, so remember always to check the weather forecast before you travel.
NUMBER 9: BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Prague is in May and June in the spring and in September and October
in the fall when the weather is warm and stable, and the summer tourist crowds are gone,
and prices drop.
Summer gets a lot of tourists and higher prices, but the weather is still pleasant.
The cheapest time to visit Prague is in the winter when there are less tourists and the
prices of accommodation are lower.
However, be prepared for some cold weather,
often below freezing, and know that days will be shorter,
and you will have less time during the day.
Also, Prague is a very popular tourist destination and crowds are common even in low season.
Anyway, you'll probably have a great time regardless of the season since Prague is full
of amazing attractions and things you can do all year long and regardless of how cold it is.
And how can you figure out the best days and hours to see the attractions?
Just check Google to see how crowded a specific location is at a particular time of day.
Of course, we recommend going early during the week and/or in the morning.
Many travelers stay in Prague for three days to see its main attractions and get the full experience
If you want a more relaxed experience, you can stay an extra day or two.
NUMBER 8: WHERE TO STAY AND PRICES OF ACCOMMODATION
If this is your first time in Prague, choose to stay in the Old Town where you’ll have
many of the best sights, bars, and restaurants just minutes away.
For nightlife, stay in Zizkov, close to the Zizkov TV Tower.
If you’re on a budget, stay in the New Town, near Wenceslas Square.
Despite being called New Town, the area is actually full of historic buildings.
If you’re traveling with the family, Malá Strana, on the opposite side of Vltava is
a good option.
A mid-range hotel double room in Prague costs between 1,000 and 3,000 CZK per night.
For budget hotels, the average is 1800. Hostels cost around 400 CZK per night on average.
Alternatively, you can rent an Airbnb apartment. You can find a small apartment that sleeps
four people for under 2,000 CZK per night.
Again, these are the average prices, and the ranges for different hotel categories are
quite extensive, and, in the summer, or duringthe weekends, the accommodation can be more expensive.
However, with a little research online, you can get better deals, especially
if your dates are flexible and you don’t travel in high season. Check out our video on the
best apps for booking your stay.
NUMBER 7: TRANSPORTATION
From and to the airport:
To get to and from Václav Havel Airport Prague,
you can use: buses, airport shuttle, taxis, and car rentals.
Check out our travel guide for more information.
Arriving by train: You can travel to Prague by train from numerous European cities.
If you’re arriving from outside Czech Republic, you’ll arrive at the Main railway station
in Prague city center.
Arriving by car: You can use Google Maps to get driving directions to Prague.
Parking in the city center is limited, especially during the day, so it might be challenging
to find a spot. Also, parking in the yellow and blue areas is for locals only.
Parking costs between 40 to 60 CZK per hour.
In many open space parking places, you can only park
for up to two hours.
You can also park in one of the parking garages for about 30 CZK per hour
and from 200 CZK to 700 CZK per day.
Alternatively, you can book one of the many hotels in the city that offer parking.
Getting around the city: The sights in Prague are mostly close-by,
so it easy to get around on foot. Of course, don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes.
But if you don't feel like walking, you can use the following modes of transport:
Metro, tram, bus, Uber or taxi, hop on hop off bus, electric scooters, bikes, old car
carriage, riverboat rides, and other forms of transportation.
If you use public transportation such as metro, tram, or a bus, you will pay 24 CZK for 30
minutes, 32 CZK for 90 min, 110 CZK for one day ticket, and 310 CZK for a three-day ticket.
Don’t forget to validate your ticket when you enter the metro, tram, or bus.
Check our travel guide for more information and prices.
NUMBER 6: GENERAL INFORMATION
Here are some other things you should know for a pleasant and smooth experience in Prague.
Prague is not cheap. While many people traveling to Prague expect
low Eastern-European prices, Prague is anything but cheap.
So, remember to always check what
the price for what you’re paying is in your home currency, which you can easily do on
your phone in real time.
Drinking water: It is perfectly safe to drink tap water in Prague
There are also some drinking fountains available throughout the city.
Toilets: While there are many public toilets in Prague,
most of them charge a fee of 10 CZK to use it.
If you can't find a public restroom near you,
you can use a restroom of a bar or a restaurant, but you will sometimes need to
pay there too anyway. So make sure always to have sufficient amount of coins ready.
If you want to see where public toilets are located, you can use an app on your phone.
More about that later.
Free WiFi: You can get free Wi-Fi at plenty of outdoor
and indoor hotspots all over the city, including restaurants, fast food places, cafés, bars,
and hotels. We’ll cover apps for finding free WiFi later.
Crowds & lines: Prague is a popular destination, so be prepared
to wait in line, especially in the summer months and around big tourist attractions.
And there will be tourists there regardless of the seasons.
The same goes for restaurants and other public places.
Even if you can't avoid all the crowds, you can do some things to make your trip to Prague
a more pleasant experience.
You can for example avoid peak seasons, avoid traveling during
rush hours, get up early in the morning to explore the city without the crowds,
explore the suburbs once you’ve visited the must-see attractions at the city center.
Safety & Scams: Prague is generally a very safe place for tourists.
A few areas are better avoided by night, but they are usually not located near
tourist attractions.
Typical for all major cities around the world, beware of pickpockets, especially around major
attractions and in big public squares like on the Wenceslas Square.
Watch your valuables and use common sense.
Also, watch out for scams aimed at tourist, which are, unfortunately quite common in Prague.
For emergency services, dial 112.
NUMBER 5: FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
Travel Adapters: If you’re coming from outside Europe or from the UK, you will probably need
a special European travel adapter to charge your phone and other devices.
This is what Czech power plugs look like.
We recommend purchasing a travel adapter before traveling to Prague.
In fact, it is worth buying a universal adapter so you can use it in other countries too.
This video is sponsored by Ceptics, the number one choice for international travelers to
and from the US when it comes to travel adapters.
Did you know that different adapters charge your phone, laptop, and other devices at different speeds?
Sometimes charging goes nowhere, and when you're traveling, you need your devices
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Ceptics just released a brand-new travel adapter designed to charge
your devices more quickly.
We've used it on our trip to Prague.
With multiple attachments, it allows us to charge up to four devices at once,
which is convenient, considering
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Also, we can just bring the right attachment in a pouch.
Visit Ceptics’s user-friendly website to find adapters that fit your needs.
We’ve also made a video about travel adapters and outlet types around the world.
The link is in the description.
Currency: Prague uses Czech Crowns.
One CZK equals approximately $0.04 or 0.04 EUR.
$10 equals approximately 230 CZK, and 10 EUR is about 255 CZK.
1,000 CZK equals approximately 44 USD or 40 EUR.
Some places like restaurants and bars also accept Euros – the currency used in most
other European countries - the exchange rate not is great, of course.
And naturally, you will get your change back in CZK.
While most hotels, stores, and restaurants in the city accept major credit cards like
Visa or MasterCard, it is always wise to have some Crowns in your wallet especially if you
plan to visit outdoor markets and other similar places.
Also, always check the exchange rate before traveling.
Language: Language spoken in Prague is Czech.
However, many people also speak English, especially at tourist attractions, bars, and restaurant.
ATMs and Money Exchange: In the Czech Republic, ATMs, as well as sale
terminals in stores, typically ask if you want to be charged in Czech Crowns or your
home currency. For better exchange rates and smaller fees, always choose to be billed in
Crowns and if asked, always decline the conversion.
Avoid stand-alone ATMs which are popular all over Europe as you might pay a significant
transaction fee on top of already bad exchange rate. Such ATMs also typically only display
the option to withdraw large amounts of money so always check how much you want to withdraw.
You can choose to exchange your foreign cash at currency exchange offices, but commission
and exchange rates vary a lot, so always compare the exchange rate on your phone to the board
displayed in the exchange office.
Prague has been known for exchange offices that charge as much as a 40% commission.
Access the internet: You can purchase a prepaid SIM card to access
the Internet on your phone. Some options provided by local carriers are Vodafone, T-Mobile,
and O2. You can buy a travel plan that includes the internet at any of their stores in Prague.
At Vodafone, for example, you can get a 30-day 10 Gb plan for 800 CZK.
Alternatively, you can consider renting a mobile hotspot.
If you’re from the US and travel a lot, consider using Google Fi.
NUMBER 4: BEST APPS TO USE IN PRAGUE
Here is a list of useful apps:
Mapy.cz - great for hiking and exploring Prague on foot, TripAdvisor and Yelp for reviews of restaurants,
hotels, museums, tours, etc. WithLocals or Eatwith for food and other experiences
with local guides, Viator or Get Your Guide for reserving a tour
in Prague, XE Currency or a similar currency converter app
to always know how much you’re spending, Uber for getting around the city,
Liftago for getting a taxi, Google Maps or Apple Maps for walking, public
transportation, driving, etc. Google Maps also lets you download maps, which is an excellent
option if you don't want to use roaming. SitOrSquat or Flush for finding public restrooms,
WiFi Map or WiFi Finder, which helps you find WiFi throughout Prague.
Check out our travel guide for links to download these apps on iOS and Android and for more
app suggestions.
We also created a video on best travel apps. The link is in the description.
NUMBER 3: FOOD AND PRICES
Prague has plenty of dining options and offers a great variety of international and traditional
Czech dining.
We suggest using Yelp or TripAdviso to find nearby places with good reviews.
Try to avoid restaurants at or next to major tourist sites as you'll often
get a much higher price-quality ratio at local places away from the main attractions.
An inexpensive to mid-range restaurant meal ranges are from 100 to 400 CZK.
A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant is about 700 CZK.
A full traditional Czech dish like Vepřo knedlo is around 140 CZK, and a traditional
soup such as Kulajda is about 50 CZK.
As for drinks in bars, coffee costs from around 40 CZK, a bottle of water about 40 CZK,
a bottle of soda beer about 45, a pint of beer about 50 CZK, a glass of wine costs about
60 CZK and cocktail about 150 CZK.
Of course, prices are higher in front of the famous tourist places.
And just a quick note: drinking on the street in Prague is illegal.
You can drink and party in a bar or a club but avoid drinking outside or you might be fined.
The typical Czech chimney cake, or Trdlo, will cost you about 60 CZK.
There are plenty of great cheap eats in Prague.
Check out our guide for maps with the best cheap eats.
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Prague.
However, if you want, you can leave 5-10% if you liked the service.
NUMBER 2: CITY PASSES & GUIDED TOURS
If you want to save on attractions, you can choose from either Prague City Pass or Prague Card.
Both options offer free entry to some top attractions, various kinds of discounts,
free river cruise, and more.
A great way to discover Prague, is by a walking tour, organized by professional guides who
know a great deal about the city's rich history. Some providers even offer free walking tours.
However, at the end of the tour, it is recommended to make a donation.
See our travel guide for links to websites of free guided tours and other exciting tours of Prague.
Another great way to discover the city is by a Hop-On Hop-Off bus,
a boat tour, or an old car tour.
There are plenty of options to choose from. Check out our travel guide
for the list of providers and links.
NUMBER 1: BEST VIEWS OF THE CITY
You can enjoy amazing views of Prague from one of the following places:
Old Town Hall, Charles bridge,
Lesser Town Bridge Tower, Prague Castle,
St. Wenceslas Vineyard, The prospect – Letna,
National Monument on Vítkov, Žižkov Television Tower,
Vyšehrad, Petřín Hill Tower, and many others.
Check out our travel guide for more places with free and paid amazing views of the city
and maps to quickly locate them.
Our travel guide is a mobile-friendly .pdf document that you can store on your phone
for offline use.
It covers the top 10 things to do in Prague, plus ten additional attractions,
maps, links, opening hours, and other information that will help make your trip to Prague stress-free.
By purchasing our travel guide, you are also helping us sustain this channel.
So a big thank you for that.