15 things to know before your trip to Prague

Prague is a city that knows how to surprise. Wander its beautiful medieval core and you’ll quickly encounter both fairy-tale architecture and provocative street art. At night, small, dimly lit doorways lead to vast convivial beer halls, and riotous music clubs hide behind grand art deco facades.

While travelers will delight in unraveling the eclectic Czech capital's twists, no one wants to be thrown completely off guard. Come prepared with these insider tips to make the most of your trip to Prague.

Trip planning

When is the best time to visit Prague?

The beautiful city of Prague reveals gorgeous art and architecture tucked around every corner and town square. So perhaps it’s no surprise that it’s a popular place with visitors. Countless feet cross the cobblestones and wander through churches and museums every year, while queues form to take in the breathtaking view of Prague Castle from statue-lined Charles Bridge.

During the height of the peak tourist season in summer, the city's medieval charm can evaporate as pretty backstreets suddenly get crammed with visitors. Consider instead a visit in the spring or autumn months, with April and May particularly beautiful as trees and flowers bud and bloom. Book in advance during the busy Easter holiday – the unofficial beginning of the tourist season – when a festive 3-week Easter market takes over Old Town Square.

In the cold winter months, lower prices for hotels, fewer throngs on the squares, the undeniable delights of a cozy Prague pub and the chance to see Charles Bridge covered in snow help make up for the chill and midafternoon darkness.

How long should you stay in Prague?

While you can cram a lot of the city's museums and free attractions into a weekend, 3 full days is an ideal timeframe for getting to know Prague. Spend one day exploring the Staré Město side of the Vltava River, then dedicate the second to the sights on the Malá Strana and Prague Castle side.

On the third day, push beyond the center to lively neighborhoods such as Karlín, Vinohrady or Holešovice, or see the ancient hillside citadel at Vyšehrad. If you can spare a whole week, Prague also makes a good base for day trips to Karlštejn Castle or the former mining town of Kutná Hora and the famously creepy Sedlec Ossuary.

Where are the best areas to stay in Prague?

With its abundance of soaring spires and must-see attractions, Staré Město (Old Town) is a good-looking and convenient base – but don’t overlook Prague’s other neighborhoods. The center is compact, and the neighboring districts of Malá Strana and Nové Město (New Town) are also convenient to the major sights and have their own gauntlet of pubs, bars and clubs. Just be aware that Wenceslas Square transforms from a respectable shopping destination into party central after dark, and its glut of strip joints can attract roaming stag parties.

For those keen to see where locals kick back or those traveling with children, head to the outlying districts. Both cosmopolitan Vinohrady and hip Holešovice have good-value accommodations, fun nightlife and top-notch transportation links.

Prague still offers good value

Although prices have increased in recent years, Prague is still a good destination for budget-conscious travelers compared to many European capitals. Beer remains refreshingly cheap, and a 500ml mug will only set you back about 55 Czech koruna, or crown (Kč). A cappuccino is approximately 70Kč, and a decent traditional Czech meal costs around 200Kč. It’s usual to tip around 10% for table service.

Buying the Prague City Pass or Prague CoolPass means free and discounted admission to some key attractions and tours, although you’ll need to work hard to make either worth the investment. If you’re on a budget, paying for a few sights and making the most of Prague’s free diversions makes more sense.

Pack comfortable shoes and layers

Central Prague’s timeworn streets and alleyways are best explored on foot. Pack comfortable shoes that are cobblestone ready; high heels can lead to falls.

Besides dressing for truly fancy restaurants or a night at the theater, Czechs are a casual lot. Comfy layers – which can be peeled back in a subterranean pub and then restored during a blustery walk home – will help you blend in. Whatever the season, never discount the chance of a rain shower, so bring a raincoat.

There are ways to sidestep the crowds

Prague can get hectic, especially in the late spring and summer. To escape the hubbub, venture beyond the tourist triad of Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and Prague Castle. For example, instead of jostling through selfie sticks, admire Charles Bridge from the river islands of Kampa or Střelecký ostrov. Also, consider swapping the carnival atmosphere of Golden Lane for a romantic stroll around the tranquil castle district of Nový Svět. And if it all gets too much, find a shady spot in one of Prague’s handsome parks (some come with beer gardens and sweeping city views), or consider a day trip from the city.

Etiquette in Prague

Don’t expect much small talk

If you come from a culture where having a chat about the weather is the obligatory warm-up to every interaction, you may find the Czech approach more abrupt. Czechs (like everyone) can be very warm and funny; still, being reserved with strangers is common, even the norm. Always be polite – but it’s fine to get straight to the point.

English is widely spoken, but a little Czech is welcome

It’s common for people who live or work in Prague’s tourist hot spots to speak English. Menus and museum information boards will usually be translated into English. For the odd occasion when you’re struggling to be understood, it’s worth having a translation app ready on your phone.

Despite the ubiquity of English in central Prague, some basic Czech is appreciated. Greet people with Dobrý den (good day) or Dobrý večer (good evening). The more informal Ahoj (both hi and bye) is best saved for close friends and relatives.

Safety in Prague

Be wary of exchange rates that look too good to be true

Some unscrupulous currency exchanges promise brilliant deals – and then charge hidden fees. When exchanging money, ask for the final amount in writing before handing over your cash, and make sure you get a receipt. If you believe that you’ve been given a bad deal and have changed less than about €1000, you have 3 hours to cancel the transaction. A more scam-proof alternative is to have a bank account that offers reasonable rates and low fees for international withdrawals and use an ATM.

Take standard safety precautions and use common sense

Prague is generally a safe city, with low violent crime rates, drivers who follow traffic rules and safe-to-drink tap water. Still, take the same precautions you would in your home country and be especially vigilant about your belongings: pickpockets have been known to target crowded tourist areas, trains and trams. Should you need emergency help, calling 112 guarantees an English-speaking operator.

Get travel insurance

Czechia has high-quality health care. If you need a Schengen visa for entry, having medical insurance is mandatory. Visitors from the EU can get free emergency treatment in Prague by showing their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or, for travelers from the UK, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). It’s still advisable to take out travel insurance, as the cards do not cover all costs, such as medical repatriation.

Transportation in Prague

The metro doesn't go all the way to the airport

Prague has an excellent, affordable public transportation network. Its main pitfall is that the metro doesn’t quite stretch to the airport. The least expensive route to the Staré Město is to catch the often busy 119 bus to Nádraží Veleslavín station and then change to metro Line A; the full journey takes about 40 minutes. Tickets can be bought either in the visitors center or from machines in the terminals, which mostly accept contactless card payments. If you’re staying close to Prague’s central train station in Nové Město, consider taking the slightly more expensive but direct Airport Express bus.

Prebook your airport taxi for the best price

Opportunistic taxi drivers can be a problem. If you want to avoid hauling hulking suitcases on and off buses, it’s best to arrange a transfer in advance, rather than stepping into a cab outside the airport or the main train station. At the very least, ask about the price before you set off, and let the driver know you’ll want a receipt. Uber, Bolt and local company Liftago are popular rideshare apps.

Don’t forget to validate your public transit tickets

Public transportation tickets lasting from 30 minutes to 3 days can be bought at most newspaper stands and corner shops, and in all metro stations. Trams also have orange contactless card ticket machines onboard. Alternatively, you can use the PID Lítačka app. Just make sure to validate your ticket when starting your journey. This involves popping it into the yellow machine inside buses and trams or at the top of the metro escalators, or clicking the button on the app. Forgetting to this can leave you with a hefty fine if an inspector passes through your car.

Food culture in Prague

Try traditional Czech baked goods

Chimney-shaped cakes called trdelník are hawked at stalls by most tourist attractions, and they’re an Instagram favorite. The thing is: they aren’t Czech, but rather Slovakian or possibly Hungarian. So, sure, devour one of these sugar-encrusted towers (they’re delicious), but it’s also worth scouring local bakeries for more traditional Czech treats. Keep a hungry eye out for kolaches; the sweet, palm-sized disks of bread are filled with poppy seeds or fruit jam.