1. The basics
💰 MONEY
➕ CURRENCY: The Czech currency is the Czech Crown Kč (CZK). The exchange fluctuates from 21-25 CZK = $1 USD. A few places in the center might accept Euros, but will generally overcharge you for them.
➕ PAYING BY CARD: Most shops, vendors, and restaurants accept cards and Google/Apple Pay.
➕ CHANGING MONEY: We don't recommend using exchange offices. They often advertise zero fees—but they take advantage of tourists by giving a very unfavorable exchange rate!
➕ ATMs: Choose an ATM connected to a bank. The ATMs attached to restaurants or shops will charge you much higher fees.
➕ MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNTS: If you are a frequent international traveler, we highly recommend having a multi-currency account such as WISE, to easily switch back and forth from dollars to euros to pounds to crowns, with minimal fees.
📲 HELPFUL MOBILE APPS
➕ Google Maps will get you around town by foot, car or public transit.
➕ Thatch: All Dream Prague & Co travel guide you purchase will appear on the same Thatch app map.
➕ Google Translate will help you read menus and signs. (It even has a real-time translate feature to help you read anything you point your camera at.)
➕ Currency Converter app for one the spot conversions from Crowns to your local currency.
➕ Wise for seamless and inexpensive online currency exchange.
2. Traveling to and from Prague
🚘 Rental cars are available for hire at the airport and the main train station.
🚫 We recommend not driving within the city. You can get anywhere in the city by foot, public transit, or as a last resort, Uber or a taxicab.
🤔 If travel by car suits you best, here are a few things to know:
➕ VIGNETTE: You'll need to purchase a známka (vignette) to legally drive anywhere in Czechia, or pay a fine. Prices for 2023 ⏬
You can buy one online by following the link below ⏬
You can also buy it at gas stations near the border, but those will cost more. If you rent a car within CZ, the vignette will be included.
➕ STREET PARKING in Prague is mainly reserved for locals or short-term parking. There are pay meters, but we don't recommend parking there for more than a few hours.
There are different parking zones around the city. It takes a little bit of research; depending on the length of your trip and the location. But can be useful for longer-term parking as well.
➕ LONG-TERM PARKING: If your hotel or AirBNB offers parking, verify the cost, because they will often tell you the cost after you arrive.
To avoid any headaches and assure a hassle-free trip, we recommend leaving your car at one of the Mr. Parkit locations around the city. It is a very smooth process -- 1. make a reservation online, 2. gain access to the garage using your phone (or attendant), 3. park and leave (same process as #2). They have a phone number that is free of charge and are ready to help with any issues.
3. What to expect in the main Prague Neighborhoods:
🍨 Prague neighborhoods are like flavors of gelato—it's impossible to choose a favorite!
🌗 Some areas are best enjoyed in the daytime, some are better for nightlife. Some are better to sleep in, and some are better to drink and dine in!
📚 Our Local Foodie Guide and Prague for Dreamers Guide offer detailed plans in various neighborhoods so be sure to check those out (bottom of this guide)!
4. The main sights
These are the main Prague sights you won't want to miss. When you use multiple Dream Prague Guides, all of the indicated places in each guide will appear on your map. That way you can visit these big sights and then sneak away from the tourist traps to experience the hidden gems we've selected for you.
5. How to use Public Transportation
We locals hardly ever use taxicabs. Uber is available in the city if you need it. But we prefer Prague's metro, trams and buses—cheap, safe and convenient! Here's how to use them:
👉 Why do I see everyone getting on the metro/trams without paying or scanning anything?
Residents buy monthly digital passes on their mobile phones. Once on the metro/tram/bus, the occasional ticket inspector will show you their badge and ask you to produce your digital pass or physical ticket. If you do not have a valid ticket, you will be asked to pay 1000 Kč ($45) on the spot. They do not accept euros or dollars.
👉 Buy a ticket
Buy a ticket at a ticket machine inside a metro station and at occasional tram stations. Some accept payment by card, all accept coins. The tickets are not valid until you validate them in the stamp machine, so you can buy a few at a time and save them for later.
*Discounted “half-price” tickets can be used by persons from 60 to 65 years.
**Free travel: Children under 15 years and adults 65+ travel for free.
‼️ You must have your passport with you to prove you qualify for a discounted or free ride!
Some trams offer the possibility of purchasing a ticket onboard by card, but not all trams, so don't count on it!
👉 Validate your ticket
Validate your ticket in the yellow stamp machine you see on the bus/tram or before you go down into the metro (left photo). Your ticket duration starts upon validation.
**Your ticket is valid for any combination of metro/tram/bus travel during the time period listed on your ticket. You do not need to validate again after the first stamp.
Keep your ticket as long it's valid in case you are asked to produce it by a ticket inspector.
👉 Map your route:
The Google Maps mobile app will tell you the exact route to take to your destination, just select the public transit icon. Take note of transfers from one type of transportation to another.
👉 Choose your stop/platform
🚋 TRAMS & BUSES
Trams & buses arrive at street-level stops. The schedule will be listed at each stop and look like this:
Your current location will be bold and underlined. The next stop will be the one listed directly below it. If your destination is listed above your current stop, look for the tram stop on the other side of the street.
🚈 METRO
There are three metro lines in Prague: A, B & C. Each journey is a "local" and stops at every station unless indicated otherwise by an "X". To choose the correct platform in a metro station, look at these posted signs:
Your current location is indicated by the solid color circle and left/right arrows.
If your destination is to the left, go to the platform on the left. If your location is shown to the right, go to the right.
You can change from your current metro line to the other two metro lines, indicated by their colors and letters on this sign.
6. Essential Phrases
Earn the respect of the Czechs by using a bit of their language! Make sure you listen to the audio recordings of our co-creator, Radka. She is a Czech local in Prague and she has a few essential phrases you might find useful below.
7. How to eat in Prague Restaurants
Um, with a fork and knife?? 🧐 Well, yes, but...
...there are many nuances that can cause confusion for a foreigner in a Czech restaurant. These tips will help you ensure a great dining experience:
📞 RESERVATIONS: Most restaurants (outside the touristy center) prefer that you reserve a table in advance, as they fill up quickly! All the locals reserve tables. Make a reservation a day (or at least a few hours) in advance, online, by phone, or in person. Most restaurant employees speak some English, and most have English reservation pages on their websites.
⏰ TIME LIMIT: A Czech server will not rush you out of the restaurant in an attempt to turn tables. You're free to stay and enjoy as long as you want. However, if you made your reservation for a specific length of time (as is requested on many reservation application forms) respect that agreement.
🥨 EXTRAS: Czech restaurants do not offer free "extras". Baskets of bread, tortilla chips, (bottled) water, and even condiments come with an extra nominal fee. And don't even think about free refills!
🎩 SERVERS: Czech servers have a reputation for brusqueness, which can be misinterpreted as rudeness. This difference is simply cultural. Czech people don't care for small talk, so a Czech customer would be turned off by a chatty server who asked "How is everything?" every 10 minutes. As long as our beer mugs are filled and our order is timely and correct, we consider that good service.
💸 PAYING: Tell the server "Zaplatim" (za-pla-teem = I will pay now) when you're ready to leave. If paying together as a group, the server will bring the card reader/cash wallet to your table. If paying separately, she'll ask you to pay individually at the register. They have no problem splitting bills.
👌 TIPPING: For bills under 300 Kč ($14), round up to the nearest 50 Kč. For bills more than 300 Kč, 10% gratuity is appreciated. If paying by card and you wish to tip, you must include the tip in the initial payment (there is no tip line for you to write an amount on your credit card receipt). If the server says your bill is 440 Kč, you can say "500, please" and she will charge your card for 500, which includes your 60 Kč tip.
🧞♂️ SPECIAL REQUESTS: Most Czech menus will have a list of allergens. Depending on the type of the restaurant (typical touristy pub vs. Gastro/culinary) many are not completely used to catering to substitution requests, and will often not allow you to swap side dishes from one meal to another. (No, you can't have fries with that pork knuckle, it only comes with pickled cabbage 🤷🏻♀️.) It never hurts to ask though!
🥑 VEGAN/VEGETARIAN: Typical Czech restaurant food is not vegetarian. At most, a Czech restaurant will offer vegetarians a plate of hearty fried cheese. Surprisingly though, Prague is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe. Many non-Czech restaurants have vegan/vegetarian options. We list several of our best picks of vegan restaurants in Prague in our Prague for Dreamers guide. Scroll down to the very bottom to access it! ⬇️
Our Hotel Recommendations
There are plenty of beautiful boutique hotels in Prague, we selected the ones that stood out for us to make your Prague visit exceptional. All hotels are within walking distance of the main Prague historical sites.
💲SIMPLE
💲💲FANCY
Want the best Prague experience?👇
🌈 Are you a traveler who wants an elevated experience? Ditch the tourist traps and let us take you on 4 inspirational tours through our favorite places in this magical city.
🥐 For the best dining experience, don't risk it with "traditional" Czech restaurants drawing the dusty masses of tourists. Check out our food guides for a much tastier and more pleasant experience!
📞 Would you like a Prague itinerary more tailored to your specific requests and preferences? Book a Dream Prague consultation and we'll help you create an unforgettable adventure in the Golden City.
🍺 Are you ready to experience the best of Prague's beer scene? Get the whole presentation of different types of beer, the best local breweries to get them, and even a little beer etiquette!
1. The basics
💰 MONEY
➕ CURRENCY: The Czech currency is the Czech Crown Kč (CZK). The exchange fluctuates from 21-25 CZK = $1 USD. A few places in the center might accept Euros, but will generally overcharge you for them.
➕ PAYING BY CARD: Most shops, vendors, and restaurants accept cards and Google/Apple Pay.
➕ CHANGING MONEY: We don't recommend using exchange offices. They often advertise zero fees—but they take advantage of tourists by giving a very unfavorable exchange rate!
➕ ATMs: Choose an ATM connected to a bank. The ATMs attached to restaurants or shops will charge you much higher fees.
➕ MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNTS: If you are a frequent international traveler, we highly recommend having a multi-currency account such as WISE, to easily switch back and forth from dollars to euros to pounds to crowns, with minimal fees.
📲 HELPFUL MOBILE APPS
➕ Google Maps will get you around town by foot, car or public transit.
➕ Thatch: All Dream Prague & Co travel guide you purchase will appear on the same Thatch app map.
➕ Google Translate will help you read menus and signs. (It even has a real-time translate feature to help you read anything you point your camera at.)
➕ Currency Converter app for one the spot conversions from Crowns to your local currency.
➕ Wise for seamless and inexpensive online currency exchange.
2. Traveling to and from Prague
🚘 Rental cars are available for hire at the airport and the main train station.
🚫 We recommend not driving within the city. You can get anywhere in the city by foot, public transit, or as a last resort, Uber or a taxicab.
🤔 If travel by car suits you best, here are a few things to know:
➕ VIGNETTE: You'll need to purchase a známka (vignette) to legally drive anywhere in Czechia, or pay a fine. Prices for 2023 ⏬
You can buy one online by following the link below ⏬
You can also buy it at gas stations near the border, but those will cost more. If you rent a car within CZ, the vignette will be included.
➕ STREET PARKING in Prague is mainly reserved for locals or short-term parking. There are pay meters, but we don't recommend parking there for more than a few hours.
There are different parking zones around the city. It takes a little bit of research; depending on the length of your trip and the location. But can be useful for longer-term parking as well.
➕ LONG-TERM PARKING: If your hotel or AirBNB offers parking, verify the cost, because they will often tell you the cost after you arrive.
To avoid any headaches and assure a hassle-free trip, we recommend leaving your car at one of the Mr. Parkit locations around the city. It is a very smooth process -- 1. make a reservation online, 2. gain access to the garage using your phone (or attendant), 3. park and leave (same process as #2). They have a phone number that is free of charge and are ready to help with any issues.
3. What to expect in the main Prague Neighborhoods:
🍨 Prague neighborhoods are like flavors of gelato—it's impossible to choose a favorite!
🌗 Some areas are best enjoyed in the daytime, some are better for nightlife. Some are better to sleep in, and some are better to drink and dine in!
📚 Our Local Foodie Guide and Prague for Dreamers Guide offer detailed plans in various neighborhoods so be sure to check those out (bottom of this guide)!
4. The main sights
These are the main Prague sights you won't want to miss. When you use multiple Dream Prague Guides, all of the indicated places in each guide will appear on your map. That way you can visit these big sights and then sneak away from the tourist traps to experience the hidden gems we've selected for you.
5. How to use Public Transportation
We locals hardly ever use taxicabs. Uber is available in the city if you need it. But we prefer Prague's metro, trams and buses—cheap, safe and convenient! Here's how to use them:
👉 Why do I see everyone getting on the metro/trams without paying or scanning anything?
Residents buy monthly digital passes on their mobile phones. Once on the metro/tram/bus, the occasional ticket inspector will show you their badge and ask you to produce your digital pass or physical ticket. If you do not have a valid ticket, you will be asked to pay 1000 Kč ($45) on the spot. They do not accept euros or dollars.
👉 Buy a ticket
Buy a ticket at a ticket machine inside a metro station and at occasional tram stations. Some accept payment by card, all accept coins. The tickets are not valid until you validate them in the stamp machine, so you can buy a few at a time and save them for later.
*Discounted “half-price” tickets can be used by persons from 60 to 65 years.
**Free travel: Children under 15 years and adults 65+ travel for free.
‼️ You must have your passport with you to prove you qualify for a discounted or free ride!
Some trams offer the possibility of purchasing a ticket onboard by card, but not all trams, so don't count on it!
👉 Validate your ticket
Validate your ticket in the yellow stamp machine you see on the bus/tram or before you go down into the metro (left photo). Your ticket duration starts upon validation.
**Your ticket is valid for any combination of metro/tram/bus travel during the time period listed on your ticket. You do not need to validate again after the first stamp.
Keep your ticket as long it's valid in case you are asked to produce it by a ticket inspector.
👉 Map your route:
The Google Maps mobile app will tell you the exact route to take to your destination, just select the public transit icon. Take note of transfers from one type of transportation to another.
👉 Choose your stop/platform
🚋 TRAMS & BUSES
Trams & buses arrive at street-level stops. The schedule will be listed at each stop and look like this:
Your current location will be bold and underlined. The next stop will be the one listed directly below it. If your destination is listed above your current stop, look for the tram stop on the other side of the street.
🚈 METRO
There are three metro lines in Prague: A, B & C. Each journey is a "local" and stops at every station unless indicated otherwise by an "X". To choose the correct platform in a metro station, look at these posted signs:
Your current location is indicated by the solid color circle and left/right arrows.
If your destination is to the left, go to the platform on the left. If your location is shown to the right, go to the right.
You can change from your current metro line to the other two metro lines, indicated by their colors and letters on this sign.
6. Essential Phrases
Earn the respect of the Czechs by using a bit of their language! Make sure you listen to the audio recordings of our co-creator, Radka. She is a Czech local in Prague and she has a few essential phrases you might find useful below.
7. How to eat in Prague Restaurants
Um, with a fork and knife?? 🧐 Well, yes, but...
...there are many nuances that can cause confusion for a foreigner in a Czech restaurant. These tips will help you ensure a great dining experience:
📞 RESERVATIONS: Most restaurants (outside the touristy center) prefer that you reserve a table in advance, as they fill up quickly! All the locals reserve tables. Make a reservation a day (or at least a few hours) in advance, online, by phone, or in person. Most restaurant employees speak some English, and most have English reservation pages on their websites.
⏰ TIME LIMIT: A Czech server will not rush you out of the restaurant in an attempt to turn tables. You're free to stay and enjoy as long as you want. However, if you made your reservation for a specific length of time (as is requested on many reservation application forms) respect that agreement.
🥨 EXTRAS: Czech restaurants do not offer free "extras". Baskets of bread, tortilla chips, (bottled) water, and even condiments come with an extra nominal fee. And don't even think about free refills!
🎩 SERVERS: Czech servers have a reputation for brusqueness, which can be misinterpreted as rudeness. This difference is simply cultural. Czech people don't care for small talk, so a Czech customer would be turned off by a chatty server who asked "How is everything?" every 10 minutes. As long as our beer mugs are filled and our order is timely and correct, we consider that good service.
💸 PAYING: Tell the server "Zaplatim" (za-pla-teem = I will pay now) when you're ready to leave. If paying together as a group, the server will bring the card reader/cash wallet to your table. If paying separately, she'll ask you to pay individually at the register. They have no problem splitting bills.
👌 TIPPING: For bills under 300 Kč ($14), round up to the nearest 50 Kč. For bills more than 300 Kč, 10% gratuity is appreciated. If paying by card and you wish to tip, you must include the tip in the initial payment (there is no tip line for you to write an amount on your credit card receipt). If the server says your bill is 440 Kč, you can say "500, please" and she will charge your card for 500, which includes your 60 Kč tip.
🧞♂️ SPECIAL REQUESTS: Most Czech menus will have a list of allergens. Depending on the type of the restaurant (typical touristy pub vs. Gastro/culinary) many are not completely used to catering to substitution requests, and will often not allow you to swap side dishes from one meal to another. (No, you can't have fries with that pork knuckle, it only comes with pickled cabbage 🤷🏻♀️.) It never hurts to ask though!
🥑 VEGAN/VEGETARIAN: Typical Czech restaurant food is not vegetarian. At most, a Czech restaurant will offer vegetarians a plate of hearty fried cheese. Surprisingly though, Prague is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe. Many non-Czech restaurants have vegan/vegetarian options. We list several of our best picks of vegan restaurants in Prague in our Prague for Dreamers guide. Scroll down to the very bottom to access it! ⬇️
Our Hotel Recommendations
There are plenty of beautiful boutique hotels in Prague, we selected the ones that stood out for us to make your Prague visit exceptional. All hotels are within walking distance of the main Prague historical sites.
💲SIMPLE
💲💲FANCY
Want the best Prague experience?👇
🌈 Are you a traveler who wants an elevated experience? Ditch the tourist traps and let us take you on 4 inspirational tours through our favorite places in this magical city.
🥐 For the best dining experience, don't risk it with "traditional" Czech restaurants drawing the dusty masses of tourists. Check out our food guides for a much tastier and more pleasant experience!
📞 Would you like a Prague itinerary more tailored to your specific requests and preferences? Book a Dream Prague consultation and we'll help you create an unforgettable adventure in the Golden City.
🍺 Are you ready to experience the best of Prague's beer scene? Get the whole presentation of different types of beer, the best local breweries to get them, and even a little beer etiquette!