Banks, ATM, Currency

Currency in the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown (CZK, “koruna”). All major credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants (Visa, Euro/Mastercard and American Express, etc.).
Opening hours for banks are usually 9am – 5pm. Banks are closed on weekends and national holidays, but all have non-stop ATM machines. Hotels usually have exchange offices.
You will find approximate exchange rates below:
EUR 1 ~ CZK 26
USD 1 ~ CZK 20
GBP 1 ~ CZK 30
It is not recommended to use a service of small exchange offices with declared 0% exchange fees, as the rate is not favourable for exchange.

Weather

Prague has a continental weather climate with hot summers and cold winters. May and September are particularly good months to visit, as it si usually not too hot and not too cold. Average low and high temperatures in September are 9/18 C (49/65 F). Check the weather before you go.

Transportation

Prague has an excellent public transportation system and you can buy tickets in ticket machines at tram or subway stations, or in newspaper stands. A ticket for 60 minutes of travel costs 26 CZK (approx. 1 EUR).

Taxi

We don´t recommend stopping a taxi on the street in Prague, as those tend to be overrated.
We made arrangements for CEBBIS visitors to receive a reduced rate with the following taxi company:

PROFI TAXI – phone number: 00420 261 31 41 51 When calling operator please state a code CEBBIS to receive a reduced rate (20CZK per 1km).

Health care and Emergency

In emergency or life threatening situations use emergency telephone number 112. Most GSM mobile phones can dial 112 calls even when the phone keyboard is locked or the phone is without a SIM card.

For EU citizens an European healthcare insurance card is sufficient for emergency treatment.

The tap water in Prague is of excellent quality and is suitable for drinking.

Public services

Opening hours of shops and banks correspond with European standards. Most shops open between 8-9 a.m. in the morning and close between 6-7 p.m., from Monday through Friday. Shopping centers are open later on weekdays and on Saturdays and Sundays (till 8-9 p.m.).  

Pharmacies: Mo-Fr: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sa  8a.m. – 12p.m. Emergency pharmacies stay open 24 hours a day. Pharmacies in shopping centers are open all week with hours corresponding with the center opening hours (see above).

Post offices are usually open Mo - Fr 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. You can also buy stamps in newspaper stands and use “orange” post-boxes to send postcards or mail. A stamp within European Union costs 21 CZK, outside EU 24 CZK.

Smoking

Smoking is generally allowed in Prague in any open public place (except tram and bus stations) and in most restaurants, except during lunch time (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.).