CZECH REPUBLIC (CZECHIA)

 

Czechia is where Western Europe meets Eastern Europe. This intersection of culture, in addition to the country’s vast collection of castles and unique blend of architecture, draws tourists from all over the world. Did I mention its capital is also one of the least expensive major European travel destinations? In particular, backpackers flock to Prague because it is one of the few cities in the world where beer is cheaper than water - and nice beer at that! As the Czechs say, “Na zdraví” or “Cheers”!

  • Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:

  • Currency:

    • The official currency of Czechia is the Czech Koruna (CZK)

      • $1 USD = 22 CZK

  • Pricing for Leisure Travelers:

    • Average Hotel Expenses = 2,640-4,400 CZK/Night ($120-$200 USD/Night)

    • Average Food/Drink Expenses = 660-1,100 CZK/Day ($30-$50 USD/Day)

  • Pricing for Backpackers:

    • Average Hostel Expenses = 330-550 CZK/Night ($15-$25 USD/Night)

    • Average Food/Drink Expenses = 265-465 CZK/Day ($12-$21 USD/Day)

  • Communication:

    • The official language of Czechia is Czech. Also referred to as Bohemian, it is closely related to both Slovak and Polish. If you are visiting Prague, most locals will speak English. If you venture outside of the capital, be prepared for a slightly tougher time communicating, although you will likely get by just fine.

  • Transportation:

    • Train: Rail transit is your best bet for international travel. Czechia’s national railway, České dráhy (Czech Railways), boasts one of the strongest networks in Europe, running as far west as France and as far east as Russia. For those traveling in and out of Prague, there are plenty of daily routes connecting all across the continent.

    • Bus: Czechia is very well-connected by roads, making it the better option for domestic travel. There is no national bus service, so I recommend booking through Flixbus for both domestic and international tickets.

    • Airplane: Looking to fly into Czechia? 98% of the time, the cheapest option will be to land at Václav Havel Airport (PRG) in Prague. All of the main budget airlines (Norwegian, Ryanair, or easyJet) service PRG, as well as the country’s flag carrier, Czech Airlines. Outside of PRG, there are four other international airports in Czechia. They are located in Brno, Ostrava, Karlovy Vary, and Pardubice.

    • Taxi/Uber: Finding an Uber or taxi in Prague will not a problem. Uber does not operate outside of Prague though, so your best bet will be to utilize the local taxi services of whichever city you are in.

  • Miscellaneous:

    • According to government advisers and the EU, the official name of this country is Czechia - not the Czech Republic. From here on out, I will refer to it as such. Also, Czechia is still sometimes incorrectly referred to as Czechoslovakia. The peaceful split of nations took place in 1993, forming (you guessed it) Czechia and Slovakia.

 

PRAGUE