Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

284 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

Since the Velvet Revolution of 1989 (see p228), the Czech
Republic has become far more open to visitors. The
country has responded well to the huge influx of tourists,
and facilities such as communications, public transport,
banks and information centres have improved consider-
ably. Travelling by train is a great way to explore the
country at leisure, although buses tend to be cheaper
and faster. Remote places are most easily visited by car.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit the
country is between May and
September. During these
months the warm weather
makes for pleasant outdoor
excursions such as camping
and mountain trekking. The
busiest months are August
and September, although
Prague can also be very
crowded in June. While the
main sights are often packed
at these times, the crowds
lend a festive atmosphere,
which can make a visit all
the more enjoyable. Late
September is a good time
to visit Moravia to catch the
grape harvest season. Many
sights are closed between
the end of October and the
begin ning of April.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of EU countries do
not need a visa to travel to
the Czech Republic; they are
simply required to carry a
passport that is valid for at
least 6 months, or an ID card.
EU, New Zealand, Australian
and US citizens need a valid
passport to enter the country
and can stay for up to 90
days. UK citizens are entitled

to stay for up to 180 days

without a visa. For more

information, consult the

nearest Czech Embassy

or the Foreign Affairs

Ministry’s website.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The Czech Republic has a

very efficient network of

tourist information offices,

which can be found in almost

every town, village and resort.

They are usually run by the

local council and are open

from 9am to 5pm (7pm in

Prague). Many employ

English-speaking staff and

offer a variety of English-

language publications, maps

and guides. The Prague

Information Service (PIS) is

the best source of tourist

information for visitors to the

capital. It has three offices in

the city centre, providing

information in English,

German and Czech.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

There is a reasonable

standard of health care in the

Czech Republic. EU nationals

are entitled to receive free

medical treatment, but in all

other cases medical help has

to be paid for. It is advisable

to take out travel insurance

to cover any medical costs

incurred abroad. For pres-

cription and non-prescription

medicines, it is advisable

to visit a lékárna (pharmacy).

Pharmacies are found in

large towns and are open

on weekdays from 8am

until 6pm, and on Saturdays

until 2pm.

Violent crime against

tourists is rare in the Czech

Republic. The main problem,

especially in Prague, is petty

theft from cars, hotel rooms

and pockets. Visitors are

advised to carry their

passports with them and

to keep a photocopy.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Despite some improvements,

the country is not very easy

for disabled travellers to

negotiate. In Prague, how-

ever, hotels, restaurants and

historic sights have made

efforts to improve access.

A number of railway stations,

trains and some of the

capital’s metro stations now

provide wheelchair access.

Disabled travellers seeking

advice on transport,

accommodation and sight-

seeing tours should contact

the Prague Organization of

Wheelchair Users.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

The Czech unit of currency

is the Czech crown (Kč).

Banking hours are generally

9am to 5pm Monday to Friday,

with some branches closing

for lunch. Private exchange

bureaus add higher com-

mission charges, and the

rate of exchange is often

much less favourable than

that offered by banks.

Traveller’s cheques can

only be changed in banks.

Credit cards are becoming

more widely accepted.

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone and postal services

in the Czech Republic are

very efficient. Every town

and village has a post office

and public telephones.

THE CLIMATE OF THE

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic enjoys

long, warm days in summer,

the hottest months being

June, July and August.

Winter can be bitterly cold,

with temperatures often

dropping below freezing;

heavy snow is not uncom-

mon. The wettest months

are October and November,

but frequent, light showers

occur in the summer

months as well.

68

mm

8

hrs

27

mm

6

hrs

33

mm

4

hrs

18

mm

2

hrs

monthApr Jul Oct Jan

PRAGUE

5 /41

12 /54 12 /54

0 /32

13 /55

23 /73

3 /37

-5/23

° C/F

0°C

32°F