Travel tips · Prague · Czechia
Prague travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moyan Brenn from Italy, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Czechs can seem reserved at first, but pubs are where the city relaxes, and conversations at shared tables come easily over beer. Prague has a long tradition of classical music, puppetry and dark humour, and its people are proud of a history that runs from Charles IV to the Velvet Revolution.
Key facts
- Language
- Czech
- Currency
- CZK
- Plugs
- Type E sockets (Type C plugs also fit), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Say 'Dobrý den' when entering a shop or restaurant and 'Na shledanou' when leaving.
- In busy pubs it is normal to share a table; ask 'Je tu volno?' (is this seat free?) before sitting.
- Make eye contact when toasting with 'Na zdraví!'; avoiding it is considered bad luck.
- Offer your seat on trams and the metro to older passengers, and keep conversations quiet on public transport.
- Remove shoes when entering a Czech home.
- Book Prague Castle ahead: Buying the circuit ticket online saves queuing at the ticket offices; security checks at the gates can still be slow in summer.
- Book Klementinum ahead: Guided tours have limited places and fill up in high season.
- Pay in Czech koruna, not euros; prices quoted in euros usually include a poor exchange rate.
Tipping
Round up or add about 10% for good service, but tell the waiter the total you want to pay as you hand over money rather than leaving cash on the table. Check that service is not already included.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dobrý den | Hello / good day |
| Děkuji | Thank you |
| Prosím | Please / you're welcome |
| Na zdraví! | Cheers! |
| Pivo, prosím | A beer, please |
| Zaplatím, prosím | I'd like to pay, please |
What to wear
Dress is casual. Wear sturdy shoes for cobblestones and hills, and warm, waterproof layers from October to April.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type E sockets (Type C plugs also fit), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is widely available in cafés and hotels; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and eSIMs and local SIMs are easy to get.
- Time zone
- Europe/Prague
Prague is generally safe, but pickpockets work crowds at the Astronomical Clock, on Charles Bridge and on trams. Avoid street money changers and unofficial taxis, and check restaurant bills carefully in tourist areas.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Czechia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Prague?
Round up or add about 10% for good service, but tell the waiter the total you want to pay as you hand over money rather than leaving cash on the table. Check that service is not already included.
+Can you drink the tap water in Prague?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Prague?
Type E sockets (Type C plugs also fit), 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Prague?
Czech.