Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

CZECH REPUBLIC 285

Card-operated public phone
booths are found all over
the country. Telefonní karta
(phone cards) are available at
post offices and newsstands.
Inter national calls can be made
from public phones, post
offices or hotels, although
the latter option is expensive.
Most post offices are open
from 8am to 6pm, Monday to
Friday, and on Saturday
morning. Známky (stamps)
can be purchased at most
news stands as well as post
offices. All towns have at least
one Internet café. Many hotels
also offer Internet access.

ARRIVING BY AIR

The country’s biggest air
transport hub for both
international and domestic
flights is Prague’s Ruzyně
Airport, which is about 20 km
(12 miles) from the city centre.
The main Czech carrier is
Czech Airlines (ČSA), although
Prague is also served by most
major European airlines as
well as a number of low-cost
carriers, including easyJet,
Ryanair and Wizzair from the
UK and Ireland.
Those travelling from
Australia, New Zealand and
Canada will need to fly to
another European capital and
take a connecting flight to

Prague. A number of carriers, including Lufthansa, operate flights from the US via another European city. Čedaz runs an inexpensive minibus service from Prague’s Ruzyně Airport to the city centre. Taxis are also available from the airport to Prague.

RAIL TRAVEL

Prague is connected by rail to all the major capitals of Europe. Nearly all international trains arrive at and depart from Hlavní Nádraží, the city’s biggest and busiest station. The rail network is run by Czech Railways, České Dráhy (ČD), which operates two types of domestic routes. Express trains (rychlík) stop only at major towns and cities and it is best to reserve a mistenka (seat) on these. Slower, cheaper trains, or osobní, stop at every station and run on local routes. Czech railway stations are well equipped. Detailed information on train services, fares and timetables is available on the ČD website.

TRAVELLING BY BUS

Travelling by bus between Prague and other European cities is significantly less

expen sive than rail or air travel. It is advisable, espe cially in summer, to book well in advance. Eurolines is one of the main operators of international bus routes to Prague. Within the Czech Republic, there is an extensive network of inter-city bus routes operated by a variety of national and regional companies. Travelling by bus is cheaper than by train, and is faster. The main bus terminal in Prague is Florenc Station, which serves all international and domestic routes.

TRAVELLING BY CAR

Well-maintained roads and long sections of motorway make driving one of the best methods of exploring the country. Visitors driving on Czech roads must carry a valid International Driving Permit and an ID card. To travel on the motor ways, visitors are required to purchase a dálniční známka (tax disc). These are valid for either 10 days or a month and are available from post offices and petrol stations. Most of the major car rental firms, including Avis and Budget, have offices in Prague and at Ruzyně Airport, but hiring is relatively expensive.

Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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