Who traveled to Prague on their own. Prague is a beautiful, budget city for traveling around Europe. How to get to the Czech Republic on your own

The joy of meeting a new country for the first time can easily be overshadowed on the very first day. After all, the inexperienced traveler is surrounded by tourist traps at every step - you just have to go to a cafe, store or currency exchange office without knowing certain nuances. However, every scrap has its own trick... Our tips will certainly help you not only save money, but also avoid becoming a victim of Prague scammers.

Trap #1. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in new country? Change money. And here the first Prague trap awaits you - one of the most important in Prague. IN exchange offices capital of the Czech Republic operates hidden commission. Even if “0% commission” is written on the window, this does not at all guarantee that you will receive as many crowns as you calculated at the indicated rate. Therefore, ask about the amount you will receive BEFORE you hand over the currency at the window. Because then you won’t be able to do anything - the banking operation cannot be reversed. And neither scandals nor calling the police will help you.

You can protect yourself from the nervous procedure of currency exchange - go to Arab exchange offices. Yes, the Arabs are the most honest in Prague! There they will not charge you any commission; the employee will first show you the final amount on a calculator.

Here are some addresses of Arab exchange offices in Prague:

1. Provaznická Lane;

2. Panská 6;

3. Panská 4;

4. Náměstí Republiky 1 in the Palladium shopping center

Trap #2. The second trap also relates to the exchange of money. Never, under any circumstances, change money in Prague on the street, from your hands - they will slip you Hungarian forints, which are vaguely similar to Czech crowns and cost practically nothing, or Bulgarian levs.

Trap #3. Portions in Prague cafes are huge. With a few exceptions, one serving is quite enough for two - dishes in Prague are not only large, but also very filling. However, the waiters are unlikely to warn you that it is better to order boar's knee for two. Therefore, if a dish is unknown to you, order one first. If it’s not enough for you, you can always order more. This will allow you to save some money. If you still haven’t calculated your strengths, you don’t have to languish over a plate like Koschey over gold - you can always take what you haven’t eaten with you by asking the waiter to pack the food.

Trap #4. Also connected with food, cafes and waiters. And where the waiters are, there are tips. Remember: in Prague it is forbidden to include tips in the bill. They are at the discretion of the visitor. Therefore, if on the check you see the line “сouvert” or “сouvertа” with a certain amount opposite, cross it out if you do not agree with the indicated amount. Some establishments may include a 15% or 20% tip in the bill. Even if they start arguing with you, call the police - you are right!

Trap #5. Controllers in public transport in Prague are not identifiable in any way - neither badges nor corporate uniforms. A man with a token in his hand will simply appear in front of you. The fine for traveling without a ticket in Prague is up to 1200 Czech crowns, or €50. Therefore, if this money in your wallet is not superfluous, buy coupons!

The fare payment system in Prague is different from what we are used to. In the capital, there are uniform coupons for all types of transport, differentiated by travel time. If you do not plan to travel a lot by metro, you can buy a ticket for 30 minutes - 24 CZK. 30 minutes is enough to travel by metro from the center of Prague to a remote residential area - for example, Prague 10. If you expect to travel by metro often, buy a three-day pass or a week pass.

Important! If you plan to return to the hotel later, leave some change for the machines in the metro - ticket offices close at 20.00 and after this time you can only buy a ticket from the machine.

Trap #6. You can pay for purchases in some Prague stores not only in Czech crowns, but also in euros. But in this case, the seller tells you the course he wants. Naturally, it will be beneficial to him, not to you.

Trap #7. Be careful when making payments in shops and especially in taxis - instead of a coin with a face value of 50 crowns (about €2), you may be given a 10 or 20 crown coin that looks similar to it in change.

Trap #8. In Prague, unlike, for example, Krakow, entrances to almost all churches and cathedrals are paid. Yes, Czechs do not hesitate to take money, and sometimes considerable money, for visiting shrines. Add this expense item to your list of expected expenses.

Trap #9. Tax free in Prague, in some stores you can return it on the spot - directly to the card. However, it is very easy to get into trouble here, since this service is best used by those who plan to fly from the Czech Republic by air. In the store you will be given a long orange receipt, which you need to “redeem” at the airport and throw in a special box. The catch is that you can ONLY redeem it at the airport. If you are leaving by land transport, this cannot be done at the border - it is not provided for by the procedure. When you arrive home, the check will have to be mailed back. And if it does not return in time or gets lost somewhere along the way, the money returned to you from the purchase will simply be debited from the card. Therefore, in the case of a land departure, issue a regular Tax free receipt at a Czech store. The minimum purchase amount must be 2000 CZK (€73) in one store on one day.

Trap #10. The limit for importing alcohol into Belarus is 3 liters INCLUDING beer. Therefore, anything that is above the norm, even if it is Pilsner Urquell straight from the factory in Pilsen, will either have to be drunk on the spot at the border or thrown away. There is no third.

Trap #11. Inflated prices in tourist places– it’s a common thing. Therefore, so that you do not overpay, we offer you a certain price indicator. Using it, you can determine whether the prices in the cafe are too high. Yes, in a cafe acceptable prices, if: a glass of Czech beer costs up to 35 CZK, and a glass of Czech wine costs up to 40 CZK.

But the famous Czech Becherovka, which many take as a souvenir, should cost no more than 180 Czech crowns per bottle. Everything else is the machinations of greedy businessmen. By the way, it is best to buy Becherovka in its homeland - in Karlovy Vary, in a company store.

Trap #12. Turkish gold is most often sold in Prague jewelry stores.

Trap #13. When going for a walk around Prague, be sure to take documents with you - passport, insurance. Leave photocopies of your passport at the hotel. Travel agency managers often advise doing the opposite, but in Prague this rule works exactly like this: take only original documents with you.

We wish you a pleasant first acquaintance with Prague. As, in fact, the second one - rest assured, you will return there again! Tested for myself.

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Beautiful Prague, the Czech capital, is beautiful at any time of the year, perhaps that is why the flow of our compatriots to the Czech Republic does not dry out. Russians love Prague in a special way; their native speech can be heard there in the darkest corners of the city. Travel agencies sell tours to Prague like cakes, but I would like to tell you how you can prepare an independent trip to the Czech Republic, because there is nothing complicated about it. In my opinion, buying tickets, obtaining a visa, planning a route, choosing a hotel is already the beginning of the journey!

My first acquaintance with Prague took place many years ago, in winter. Despite the inclement weather, the city impressed with its harmonious architecture, hilly landscape, ancient castles and churches. In cold February there were few tourists, only the most desperate ones. But what could be better than a deserted popular city without tourists? It is difficult to imagine that the city suffered greatly during the Second World War, so those who preserved and recreated this ruins wonderful city, I would like to say a huge thank you.

Prague is a city of contrasts, where antiquity combines with modernity. Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, the streets of the mysterious Jewish quarter. And right there next to you modern Art on the island of Kant, the famous dancing house, where two giants made of glass came together in a dance...

Those who visit the Czech Republic for the first time want to see everything at once. Tourists buy a lot of excursions from their tour operator and superficially see as many attractions as possible. However, those who have tasted the benefits of independent travel should reject such options. This doesn't mean that excursions are bad. But first things first.

Visa to the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is located in the European Union and in the Schengen Agreement, so you will have to obtain a visa. Many people think that obtaining a Schengen visa is a very difficult process, but I can assure you that there is nothing difficult about it. In many cities of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod etc.) official work visa centers Czech Republic, here is the website address where you can see the full list of cities, as well as get all the information in Russian on how to get a visa. http://www.czechvac-ru.com/

In accordance with the new rules, you need to come to the visa center yourself, having prepared a package of documents at home. Some documents can be done for money in the center (photo, photocopier, filling out a form, etc.), but it’s easier and cheaper to fill out everything at home, especially since the website has comprehensive information. You can sign up to submit documents online (in Moscow for sure), you can receive passports by courier service for a fee (I am often lazy and order delivery to the office).

How to save money on a flight

Now about air tickets to Prague. A few months before your trip, you can almost always find inexpensive direct flights to Prague from Moscow and other major cities. For example, at the current (crisis moment) at the end of December there are Aeroflot tickets for 14,900 rubles. On holidays, of course, prices soar above airplane prices. If you can't find cheap flights to Prague, you can look at other airports that are a few hours away. I came across cheap tickets to Brno, a city in the Czech Republic. The best chance is to buy cheap air tickets to Vienna, and from there take a train to Prague. This option will help unite the two countries in one trip, because who wouldn’t want to stay for a day in pompous Austria? If you plan your trip in advance, then it is likely to buy cheap tickets from your city to Vienna, and return ticket from Prague. In general, there are always many options!

Sometimes it is more profitable to buy a package tour, but “hidden” costs are unlikely to make the dream of a freebie come true.

How to get to the city center from the Airport

The road from the airport to the city is the first impression of the country. And how easy and pleasant it is depends on your mood, at least on the first day. There are many options, from booking a taxi on the website to traveling independently using the Airport Express system.

A note on how to get there from Prague Airport

Public transport in Prague

Prague is the kind of city where you want to wander around on foot. But you still can’t do without public transport, especially if you want to save time, because, sadly, vacation is not rubber.

In Prague public transport goes through almost everything tourist routes. It is best to decide on the route in advance and designate for yourself the necessary metro lines and stations, tram stops, and study the public transport map.

Prague train and bus stations: how to find, buying tickets

You can get from Prague to attractions located around the city by bus or train.

Two bus stations are important for tourists: Florenc (metro Florenc) and Na KnIec?, metro Andel.

You can also get to many cities and countries from the Main railway station Prague (Hlavn? N?draИ), located at the metro station of the same name, red line C. You can also get to the Main Station by trams No. 9, 5, 26.

Purchase online tickets for trains

From here you can get to Dresden, Karlovy Vary, Budapest, Krakow and many other cities and countries.

Prague is often combined with Vienna, so I advise you to pay attention to Austrian website railways . With the breeze and comfort you can drive from Prague to Vienna or vice versa.

I like the bus company for traveling around Europe, Eurolines. They have comfortable buses with wi-fi, baggage allowance is included and the prices are absolutely reasonable. Tickets for buses of this company for trips from the Czech Republic are available buy online here .

Good prices for bus trips to Budapest, Warsaw, Dresden are offered by the Hungarian bus company http://www.orangeways.com/en. Online purchase possible.

The most popular bus company in the Czech Republic for commuters and international travel Student Agency, search for directions about online book your tickets here .

It’s worth remembering that if you buy a ticket in both directions at once, you can save a lot of money. I always recommend buying tickets online and in advance, but this requires planning your trip day by day - for me this is a favorite activity, which is rewarded by saving significant money on tickets.

I used the service to create routes around Prague - link a.

It was not for nothing that I started a topic about hotels after a story about train stations and after advice on planning a route. When choosing a hotel, you need to look not only at the size of the bed and the color of the walls in the room, but also at its location. For example, you plan to spend all your time in Prague, walking around the old town, buying excursions and just enjoying a leisurely vacation. In this case, I recommend choosing a hotel in the very center of the city so that the attractions are within walking distance.

Hotels in the center of Prague near Charles Bridge on the map.

In the center there are luxury hotels, and there are modest ones at reasonable prices. When I want to live in the very heart of the city, I find one of the most expensive hotels on the map (in Prague, for example, this Four Seasons Hotel Prague and look at hotels located nearby, but at least 5 times cheaper.

Thus, in Prague you can select several well-located hotels at a reasonable price with good ratings based on reviews from tourists (3-4 thousand per day, taking into account the luxurious location and 3-4*).

Hotel Lippert 4*

U Kapra Apartments 4*

Charles Bridge Palace 4*

Palac U Kocku 3*
Hotel selection with prices and reviews

You can look at hotels a little further from the center to save money. In this case, I advise you to look at the map and choose a hotel near a tram stop, the line of which goes to the city center without a transfer, or near the metro on the line going to the center. This way, you can quickly get to your destination at any time, without wasting precious energy on transfers and precious time waiting for several trams. I don’t know about you, but it often happens that during the day we run into our room to unload a heavy backpack because of my purchases, which I can’t resist (there’s an interesting book, there’s a unique doll, I think many they will understand me).

If you plan to travel a lot on your own from Prague and back, then I recommend choosing a hotel within walking distance from the station. It is for this purpose that it is better to first decide on your plans, draw up a route by day, look at and buy tickets for trains or buses (moreover, it is better to choose a company that will allow you to go to different cities– ideally, of course) and only then choose a hotel within walking distance from the station. I don’t recommend living directly near the station, because even in Europe these are not the most comfortable places; beggars and homeless people are everywhere. It is better to choose a hotel within a 5-10 minute walk from the station. Then you won’t have to travel early in the morning by public transport, and after a tiring and eventful trip you will immediately find yourself at the hotel. As a rule, there is a huge amount of surface and underground transport from the stations to the center, so there will be no problems getting to the city’s attractions.

Undoubtedly, everyone has their own ideas about a good hotel, but I hope my selection experience will help someone.

Tourist Praga Card: how to save on visiting attractions and get additional discounts

The Praga card is a card specially designed for tourists, by purchasing which you get the right to free entry or a discount to attractions and museums, the right to use public transport for free, and discounts in some cafes and shops. It is difficult to say for sure whether it is worth buying a Praga card, because it all depends on how many paid places you plan to visit that are included in the card program. An undoubted bonus in the terms of the Prague card is the right to free travel on the express train (bus) from the airport, entrance to Rashuta, Royal Palace, Gothic dungeon, Petřín Tower, St. Vitus Cathedral, Vysehrad Casemates, Prague City Museum, as well as a free two-hour sightseeing tour around the city by bus with an individual audio guide in Russian. The card also includes a boat trip to Prague Castle.
See full list on the official site .

While the card is valid, you can travel for free on buses, metro, trams, funiculars and ferries, i.e. the Praga card is also a travel card.

The cost of the Praga card (as of 2015) is as follows:

Children aged 6 to 16 years and full-time students up to 26 years old. For children under 6 years of age, public transport is free, as is admission to most attractions.

You can buy a card at the Airport in the arrivals hall, in tourist information centers, some museums, full list of places look on the map .

Stories from our readers about Prague

Route planning

It is best to start drawing up a route by determining how many days you want to stay in Prague, and how many days you are willing to spend traveling to neighboring cities and countries. In the city itself, I think there will be no difficulties in drawing up a route, because options for walking are in every guidebook, in free maps and booklets that you can take on the spot.

About excursions for Russian tourists

Choosing trips from the city is a more responsible undertaking, because, firstly, you need to choose from a huge variety, and secondly, it is advisable to buy train or bus tickets in advance so as not to overpay by buying tickets the same day. I advise you to read our article about spending time in the Czech Republic, there are ideas for trips from Prague. But in this article we talked about the excursions that are offered in Prague. You can choose something suitable for yourself and include it in your trip plan, or steal ideas and plan an independent trip by bus or train (for example, to Karlovy Vary).

But here you can book a tour with a local Prague resident who will tell you about the city, legends - there are a lot of options!

10 experienced tips on how to cheaply travel to Prague on your own. What nuances do you need to know about? We talk about our trip - how to save on everything and how much money to take.

Our review of an independent trip to Prague

The city is popular with both independent and package tourists - in both cases you can travel to Prague cheaply. We went on our own as part of a European tour and lived there for a week. Our review of Prague is contradictory. Did you like it? 50 to 50. Our hearts and stomachs have been taken over National cuisine, beer and some attractions. However, the city disappointed due to high expectations: there is no that notorious atmosphere, there are many tourists and beggars, some attractions are frankly boring and bloated. Will we come back? More likely to the Czech Republic, but not to Prague - we think that the province is much more interesting!

Watchtower on Charles Bridge.

1. Take a vacation during the low season

Prague is an all-season city, but the peak occurs in spring and summer. Spring, summer and the first half of autumn are good for walking around the capital and traveling to neighboring cities. All gardens, parks and museums are open, beer gardens and terraces are open, and festivals are held. Cons: a lot of tourists and high prices.

It is very beautiful in autumn when the trees turn yellow. The sales season begins, but the weather turns bad. Winter is mild but windy. It's great if you see Golden Prague in the snow and visit the Christmas markets. Cons - cold and rainy, some attractions are closed, for example gardens. But prices for accommodation and tours are low, with the exception of New Year and Christmas holidays.

So, if you want to save money on your trip and are willing to put up with changeable weather, plan your trip to Prague during the low season. We went at the end of November - we snatched a cool three-star hotel for low price(only 32 euros). However, don’t expect Prague to be deserted. November seems to be a low season, but everything was filled with tourists. It's scary to imagine what happens in the summer.

In the low season, think carefully about your wardrobe. Dress warmly, because on the hilltops the wind blows away all curiosity. For example, in Visegrad in November we only dreamed of a glass of scalding mulled wine. Don't forget an umbrella and waterproof shoes.

2. Apply for a visa yourself

For a trip to Prague to take place, you need to get. To do this, it is important to submit documents correctly. We advise you to do everything yourself, because there is nothing supernatural in obtaining a visa to the Czech Republic. Visa fee - 35 euros. Plus, visa centers charge an additional service fee of 25 euros. The processing time is from 5 days, but the application can be considered up to 30 days.

Don't forget about insurance! It will save you from expenses in case of emergency. Register it on the services or. Cost - from 300 rubles per week.

3. How to buy cheap tickets to Prague

There are direct flights from many Russian cities - from 14 thousand rubles in the high season and from 9500 in the low season. The cheapest way to fly is from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Do you want to travel to Prague cheaply from Russia on your own? There are 3 ways to save:

• Low-cost airlines or combinations of "plane + bus". It's cheap, but there are inconveniences. But you can see another city along the way. These options are suitable for those traveling light. Pobeda flies from Moscow to Karlovy Vary - you can buy cheap ticket, and get to the capital by bus.
• Use a cheap last minute tour for a flight. Sometimes there are tours to Prague that are cheaper than air travel - and the price includes hotel, meals and transfer. If you don’t like the hotel on the cheap tour, you can book another one yourself.
• Buy an inexpensive ticket for a direct scheduled flight during a promotion or during the low season.

4. How to book an inexpensive hotel in Prague on your own

In low season, hotels are a little cheaper. If you are planning a trip to Prague during high season, think in advance about where you will be staying. There are a lot of tourists even in the off-season, so look for accommodation several months in advance! So there will be a lot of choice inexpensive options. Book your own hotel on Rumguru, and an apartment or apartment on Airbnb.ru.

How much does housing cost? A bed in a hostel - from 7 €, hotels in the center - from 25 €. We practically lived in ideal hotel 3* in Nove Mesto for 32€ - Royal Court Hotel. We also rented a cozy apartment in Zizkov for 27 € per day.

Advice seasoned tourists: Find out about heating, as it can get very cold out of season.

How to save money and find a cheap one, but good hotel in Prague:

• Choose a hotel with a rating of at least 7 out of 10.
• Read the reviews carefully - even expensive hotels have shortcomings.
• It is not necessary to rent housing in the center: transport is convenient and inexpensive, and the distances are short. Settle in neighboring areas - it's cheaper and more interesting. For example, we walked from the Nove Mesto and Zizkov districts to the center.
• If the hotel is far from the center, check if the metro or bus stop is close.
• A bed and breakfast hotel saves a lot of time and money.
• It’s convenient if there are supermarkets and inexpensive cafes nearby - look at Google Maps or Maps.Me.
• Read the main ones.

5. How to eat inexpensively in Prague

At lunchtime you can eat inexpensively almost everywhere, as there is a business lunch - it costs approximately 70-200 CZK, depending on the type of establishment. It is called denny pad(Denní nabídka) and is valid from 11 to 16 or from 12 to 15, except weekends. In general, the cheapest place to eat is in Asian cafes, pubs and canteens.

How to save money on food in Prague? We did this: we had breakfast at the hotel (when we moved into an apartment, we cooked it ourselves), had a business lunch in a pub or cafe, and had dinner in a Chinese restaurant or pub. Sometimes we bought food for dinner at the supermarket. It worked out on a budget.

6. Use cheap public transport

Transport from/to the airport. You can save money in Prague on travel from the airport to the center and back - use the bus and metro. That's exactly how we got there. This option is not suitable if you have a lot of luggage. Conveniently, buses run even at night. Tickets start from 24 CZK.

For historical center There is no need for transport - the distances are tiny, and it is more pleasant to travel on foot. And to get to attractions distant from the center, for example, Visegrad, use the metro.

Metro simple and clear. The city is also served by buses, trams and a funicular. There is a nostalgic tram - it takes tourists to historical places.

In Prague, there is a single ticket system - the purchased pass is valid for all types of transport. A ticket costs 24 CZK for 30 minutes, 32 CZK for 90 minutes, 110 CZK for 24 hours, 310 CZK for 3 days. There are passes for more long term. We used 30 and 90 minute passes. The latter is convenient when traveling to the airport. Transfers are unlimited during the specified time. The ticket must be validated upon entry, otherwise it will not be valid. Save it until the end of your trip.

You need to buy from vending machines at the entrance to the metro, tobacco shops, kiosks, and minimarkets. We advise you to purchase tickets in advance - it happens that the metro is closed, the machine does not work, etc. The machines only accept change - we once had to look for a store to change money.

Taxi Thanks to the convenient system, it’s not really necessary, because transport runs even at night. Landing costs 40 CZK, 1 km - 20-28 CZK.

For trips out of town use trains or buses - they are inexpensive. For example, we went to Kutna Hora by train. It is profitable to buy round-trip tickets for two people - they cost 356 CZK. Route planner →

To travel to Prague cheaply, you need to think through a cultural program - in total, a lot of money is spent on attractions and excursions. For example, we almost didn’t spend money on them, but we watched a lot of things. Here are our tips on how to save money on excursions when traveling to Prague on your own.

Architecture. Yes, almost everything in Prague can be seen for free and on your own, without excursions! , Charles Bridge, Vysehrad - all this is available to everyone. You can walk and watch for free, with the exception of Golden Lane in Prague Castle- but even there at 16:00 or 17:00 visitors are allowed in free of charge. Well, you already have to pay to enter many buildings.

Temples and cathedrals. You can actually see paid churches for free - they usually let you into the front part without any problems. It’s just that you won’t be able to see the details from there. For example, this is how you can go to the Cathedral of St. Vita and Tyn Temple.

Excursions. There are free review ones, but they are English language- from Prague Extravaganza and Royal Walk free tour.

Before independent travel When visiting Prague, plan your route carefully. There are many attractions in the city, and there is even more information about them on the Internet - and all this covers the tourist like an avalanche. When we realized that we were drowning in this flow of information, and there was little time left, we simply bought a Lonely Planet pocket guide. We don’t like them for their pathos, but in some cases this is a real salvation!

If you want to see as much as possible in short term and at the same time save money, buy a Prague Card - it gives you free entry to 60 attractions, discounts and all sorts of goodies. It lasts 2, 3 or 4 days and costs 62, 72 and 83 euros respectively.

Map of Prague with attractions

After our trip to Prague, we decided to briefly describe our own route - we hope it will help you. In it, in addition to the list of places that you can see in Prague on your own, it gives helpful information: addresses, prices, opening hours, our review, etc.

8. Free things to do in Prague

You can save money when traveling to Prague not only on attractions, but also on entertainment:

• Visit gardens and parks - for example, Obora Hvezda, Kampa Island, Letenské Gardens, Wallenstein Palace Park.
• Changing of the guard at 12:00 in Prague Castle at the Presidential Palace. There are a lot of people, come early if you don’t want to look at the backs of heads.
• In the summer there are free open-air film screenings - which ones, where and when.
• Admire the swans and nutria on the Vltava near the Kafka Museum - they are not afraid of people and eat from your hands. From there there is a magical view of the Charles Bridge!
• Free or low-cost concerts are held in some non-tourist cathedrals.
• Watch a free show on the astronomical clock in Old Town Square.
• Find installations and sculptures that are scattered throughout the city. These are mainly the works of David Cherny.
• Go to Nový Svět street in Hradcany - there are picturesque houses and few tourists.
• If you come around Christmas, don't miss the Christmas markets - they open in the evenings.

Cheap things to do in Prague:

• Rent a boat and see the city from the water. An hour costs 350 CZK, the boat can accommodate 4 people - you can find fellow travelers and split the cost.
• Take a ride on tram number 22 - the route passes through historical places.

9. How to save on excursions in Prague

We prefer to see the sights and walk around Prague on our own. However, we understand that in some cases excursions are better.

When to take excursions:

• first acquaintance with the city, if there is no time to prepare for the trip;
• the history of the city, its legends and myths are interesting - in this case, take the author’s;
• It is impossible or difficult to visit a place on your own (for example, closed dungeons, bunkers, tunnels, inaccessible castles and fortresses).

If you want to get to know the city through guides, then choose those excursions that have a lot of positive reviews - this way you won’t get a pig in a poke.

To save money in Prague, take group excursions- they are significantly cheaper than individual ones.

New excursions are cheap: guides set low prices to earn reviews and gain clients. However, then you cannot be sure of the quality of the excursion.

10. Money, ATMs, currency exchange in Prague

In the Czech Republic, crowns are in use.. If you are traveling with cash, it is better to have dollars or euros and exchange them in the city. Better yet, keep everything on your account or card.

Where can I withdraw money without commission? We used ČSOB (Československá Obchodní Banka) ATMs. Many ATMs do not charge a fee, but your bank may, so check the terms. We traveled with a card - commission-free withdrawals from any ATM for an amount exceeding 3 thousand rubles. She was also paid in shops, cafes, pubs and hotels.

Don't change money at the airport- the rate is brutal, plus they charge 5%. You can buy a ticket for the metro and bus from the machine at the stop - it accepts cards.

Take a closer look at exchangers when you walk around the city. In the center, the course for everyone is more or less the same and adequate. Make sure there is no commission.

How much do groceries cost in the Czech Republic?

How much does a trip to Prague cost?

We spent 8 nights and 6 full days in Prague. Here are our expenses for these days (based on two people). Based on them, you can calculate the cost of your trip to Prague. Air tickets were not included in the budget, since we flew to Prague from Brussels and then left for Vienna.

The cost of our trip to Prague was 35 thousand rubles (at the euro exchange rate - 70 rubles). If you add air tickets from Moscow to this, you get about 65 thousand rubles for two- approximately how much a trip to Prague for a week will cost. As you can see, the main expenses are tickets and accommodation, while food, transport and attractions are inexpensive.

Introductory image source: © unsplash.com / @jeshoots.

Organizing your trip to Prague on your own is very easy. In this article I will present all the necessary information for organizing your trip to Prague on one page, nothing superfluous. I’ll tell you what to see in Prague itself and where you can go from Prague for one day and how much it will cost you at a minimum, the maximum is limited only by your imagination. I will provide links to all the necessary resources.

Prague, the most wonderful city in Eastern Europe, has been the capital of the Czech Republic since 1993. Prague has been the capital of Czechoslovakia since 1918; in an earlier period, the Czech Republic was part of the Habsburg Empire. In those distant times, she received the nickname Golden Prague. So the Czech Republic is a very young state.

Currency of the Czech Republic

Czech crown (CZK)

10 CZK = 0.41$
10 CZK = 0.37€
10 CZK = 25.7 Russian rubles
10 CZK = 10.42 hryvnia
10 CZK = 0.77 Belarusian new rubles

It is best to change in the city at official exchange offices. The exchange rate at the airport is very unfavorable, and there is a high probability of deception and fraud.

Czech language

Czech. But many residents over 30-35 years old speak Russian. During the years of Soviet power, Czechs studied Russian at school as a foreign language. Personnel employed in the tourism sector almost certainly know Russian or will be able to quickly call their Russian-speaking colleague. In addition, many of our compatriots moved to the Czech Republic and are now working there in the tourism sector.

In the center of Prague, all restaurants have menus in Russian and offer a large number of excursions in Russian.

Czech is a Slavic language, just like Russian. Many words are similar, many inscriptions are understandable without translation, but there are some curious cases.

Why go to Prague

Prague is a fairy tale city, a picture city.

Ancient, very well preserved architecture. Prague suffered almost no damage during the Second World War.

Czech cuisine and Czech beer are worthy of all praise. Very tasty and compared to other countries Western Europe not expensive.

Czech beer for only 31CZK

Musical events from classical to rock and discos.

In Prague, everything is legalized as in Amsterdam, but costs several times less.

Atmosphere.

Prices in Prague

Prices in Prague are very reasonable compared to Western European countries.

The prices of almost all restaurants are posted on chalk boards in front of the restaurants. Typically, if a glass of beer costs 30CZK (1.1€), then a large plate of hot meat food will cost 7-8€. The portions are very large, so if you are small or have children, do not take one dish for each person. The farther from the center the cheaper the food and the larger the portions, the only thing is that in non-tourist places there may not be a menu even in English, let alone Russian.

The Czechs do not fight smoking at all; you can often find very smoky pubs and cafes; the non-smoking room in such establishments is in no way fenced off from the smoking room and clouds of smoke penetrate everywhere. And people with children often sit in this smoke, that’s how they behave.

In food stores, prices are approximately the same as in Moscow or St. Petersburg, some are cheaper than here, some are more expensive, but on average it will work out. Below is a comparative chart of the cost of living in different capitals around the world. It is clear that life in Prague is somewhere on the same level as life in Moscow. But the cost of food in restaurants is on average 38% lower in Prague, which is good news.

Hotels in Prague

A hotel room for two can be found for 30-40 €, of course it all depends on the season and your tastes. In the high season, prices rise and in the low season they fall.

By train

You can also get to Prague by train. From Moscow to Prague follows branded train“Vltava”, travel time is 1 day 5 hours, the cost of a one-way ticket is about 11,000 rubles. In low season, the Vltava train runs once a week, and in high season, 2 times a week.

Only a trailer carriage goes from St. Petersburg to Prague, travel time is 1 day 13 hours, the cost is 12,000 rubles one way. Based on the prices, we can conclude that the train is intended only for those who are mortally afraid of flying and are willing to pay almost twice as much.

By bus

There are also buses to Prague, the only thing that upsets us is the travel time is about 60 hours from Moscow or St. Petersburg. Prices are less than for a plane, but in 60 hours you have a chance to eat all your winnings. But sometimes bus companies have sales, and at this moment you can save a lot. Of course, sales are held only during low tourist season. From Belarus and Ukraine, it’s actually possible to get to Prague by bus; it will be cheaper than by plane, and Ukrainians can also support the domestic manufacturer by ordering tickets on the website

Ready tours

Prague is so popular that numerous ready-made tours are sold there. It is possible that purchasing a ready-made tour will be the best deal. For example, a week in Prague at three star hotel will cost about 20,000 rubles, this includes breakfast and transfer. View or tours to Prague from Moscow. Be sure to check booking.com for hotel tour reviews to avoid disappointment.

Tour. Companies, as a rule, use a very limited number of hotels and will have to fly by charter. If your soul wants a holiday, something out of the ordinary, then of course it is better to book a separate flight and hotel. Here the choice of hotels, guest houses and villas is almost limitless.
If you are planning out-of-town trips by public transport, it is advantageous to book a hotel between the train and bus stations. If finances allow, of course it is better to live in the center. If you come by car, pay attention to the parking conditions in the center of Prague free parking No.

Public transport

Prague is enough Big city and if you want to spend several days in the city, you will definitely have to use public transport.

Single trip 90 minutes – 32CZK (1.18€)

Single trip 30 minutes – 24CZK (0.9€)

Day pass – 110CZK (4€)

Three-day pass – 310CZK (11.5€)

Children from 6 to 14 years old travel on public transport for half the price.

If you come for two weeks, then it would be logical to take a monthly pass (550CZK - 20€), since Prague has large wholesale discounts on public transport. The pass will allow you to receive a discount on travel on commuter trains.

Single tickets must be composted, the time is counted from the moment of composting. There are no turnstiles in the Prague metro, but there are inspectors.

The distances between neighboring metro stations in Prague are much shorter than, for example, in St. Petersburg, so a 30-minute ticket may well be enough to move from the hotel to the city center. According to my plan for exploring Prague, on the first day you only need to come from the hotel to the center, and then go back. On the second and third days a mid-day move will be required.

In principle, excursions in and from Prague are not expensive. Read .

What to see in Prague on your own

First day

The most important attraction of Prague, of course, is Prague Castle- the largest castle complex in Europe. Entrance to the castle grounds is free. Tickets need to be purchased only to visit different museums. Read more about all available museums and ticket prices in the article. You can enter the Cathedral of St. Vitus for free, but it is not possible to go deeper; if you are happy to look at the interior of the cathedral from the entrance, then you don’t need to take tickets. After 18-00 you can also see Golden Street for free, but all the houses will be closed.

The second must-see attraction, of course, is the Charles Bridge with its numerous statues, souvenir sellers, beggars, tourists and a few local residents. It's easy to walk from Prague Castle to Charles Bridge, looking around along the way.

And then continue your walk through the incomparable Old Town Square. Each house on it has its own name and almost every house has a restaurant serving Czech cuisine. You should also explore the Tyn Temple there and watch the performance put on by the Orloy astronomical clock. Usually the first day’s program ends at this place.

If you come to Prague for just one day, the first day program is what you need.

Second day

The second day can be devoted to exploring the “Nove Mesto” district of Prague, when this area was founded as an absolutely independent settlement. You can read more in a separate article with a route map.

There are many shopping centers on Wenceslas Square, you can visit them too. The walk around the area ends naturally. This is a very pretentious place, the oldest beer hall in Prague, founded in 1499. But the prices there are higher than the city average. To get to the Hradcany area you will need public transport.

The third day

It’s logical to start the third day in , in this place you can say Prague was born. This is a fortress on the high bank of the Vltava, from its walls you can see magical panoramic views to the Vltava and the city. The very original Church of Peter and Paul is worthy of attention.

In addition, the most famous cemetery in Prague is located in the fortress; outstanding composers, artists and writers of the Czech Republic are buried there, such as Bedrich Smetana, Antonin Dvorak, Alfons Mucha, Karel Capek and many others. For children there is an absolutely wonderful playground with heroes of Czech legends.

3-4 days is the absolute minimum for Prague, more is better. Depending on the season, you can diversify your life with walks in parks and gardens in the summer or a visit in December.

Music lovers should definitely attend the concert. Prague is a very musical city, for example, you can give preference to one of the events taking place in the Prague Public House (Obecní dům), the interior of this building is very good.

Or simply relying on chance to fit into any concert from barkers on the streets. Mozart lovers should visit.

Naturally, this minimum program can be stretched over 4 or even 5 days, each with its own pace.

Prague with children on your own

Prague is a very favorable city for traveling with children; almost all the places I listed have something interesting for children.

A water park is always a holiday for children. We didn’t go to the water park ourselves, but judging by the reviews, people were delighted. There is a hotel right next to the water park, but it is far from the city center. An adult ticket costs about 20€ for 3 hours.

Day trips from Prague on your own

Prague offers a huge number of excursions around the city and its suburbs, even foreign excursions to Dresden and Vienna are offered. A very good site with many Wheatlas excursions, the prices are very reasonable, it is unlikely that you will be able to find cheaper ones in Prague. Excursions will allow you to see more, since Karlštejn on excursions is usually grouped with Konopiste, and it will not be possible to see two castles in one day using public transport. This thesis is also true for other excursions.

Or you need to rent a car and drive around small towns on your own. If you are 3-5 people, renting a car will be financially justified. View prices on , prices start from 22€ per day. A round-trip ticket for one person to any of the towns I recommend by public transport costs 15 €.

Next, I will tell you how to get to the very interesting places in the Czech Republic. The country is small and it takes about 3 hours to drive from Prague to the most remote border towns. I really don't recommend going to Vienna or Dresden in one day. It takes 5 hours to get to Vienna or Dresden by bus, it’s very tiring, you spend 4 hours walking around Vienna, and then drive 5 hours back.

Half a day is nothing for Vienna, Vienna is big and interesting city, where you can easily spend a week. If you really want to go to Vienna or Dresden, then you need to plan an overnight stay there, maybe even more than one.

Next I will list possible options for independent trips around Prague. Tickets for trains can be found on the Czech Railways website (English). And tickets for regional buses are on the Student Agency website (English).

Prague, main railway station - Praha hl.n.
Karlštejn
Karlovy Vary
Kutná Hora
Cesky Krumlov

In small Czech towns you can eat very well and cheaply, with the exception of Karlovy Vary. Souvenirs there will also cost less than in Prague.

To Karlštejn on your own

The simplest and relatively cheapest independent excursion can be a trip to Karlštejn Castle. The castle is located just 33 km from Prague's main train station, the journey takes about 40 minutes, one adult return train ticket costs 104CZK (4€). The second ticket is purchased with a 25% discount, the third with a 50% discount, so even for a group, traveling by train promises to be budget-friendly. If you have a pass for public transport in Prague, present it when purchasing train tickets and the ticket will cost you even less.

An adult ticket to the castle itself costs 300CZK (11€), there are three types of tickets to visit different rooms in the castle. You are allowed inside the castle only with a guided tour; excursions are conducted in Czech, English and Russian, but in the low tourist season you can’t wait for excursions in Russian, they are rarely held, and there is no schedule of excursions in different languages ​​on the official website of Karlštejn. Check the opening hours on the official website of Karštejn Castle.

To Karlovy Vary on your own

Karlovy Vary main thermal resort Czech Republic. There you can drink mineral water from the springs. In addition, the city is home to the Becherevka Museum, the national Czech drink. The cost of visiting is 120CZK (4.4€). The city is also famous for its Karlovy Vary waffles, baked at the local mineral water. Many Russians have settled in Karlovy Vary and Russian speech can be heard everywhere.

In Karlovy Vary, you must definitely take the funicular up the mountain, you can plan to swim in the pool, for this you need to take the necessary equipment. Just 12 km from Karlovy Vary is the picturesque Loket Castle. The cost of a tour of the castle with a guide is 7.5 €, without a guide 5 €. Although it will be difficult to fit a swimming pool, walks in the mountains and Loket Castle into one day and have time to go back to Prague.

The bus from the Florenc bus station (metro station of the same name) to Karlovy Vary takes 2 hours 15 minutes, the one-way fare is 6.10 €.

In Kutna Hora on your own

Kutná Hora became famous for its Church of All Saints with its ossuary, mines where silver was mined in the Middle Ages and beautiful ancient buildings included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Getting to Kutná Hora from Prague is quite easy, just 70 km and 55 minutes by train. A round trip by train will cost about 400CZK (15€) and takes 55 minutes.

There is a fee to visit all interesting sites:

Ossuary 90CZK (3.3€)
Cathedral of St. Barbara 60CZK (2.2€)
Vlassky Dvor or former coin forge 250CZK (9.2€)
Medieval silver mine in the Hrádek Silver Museum 140CZK (5.1€)

To Cesky Krumlov on your own

Cesky Krumlov is a very beautiful town, listed world heritage UNESCO, but the journey to it is much further than 170 km, taking about 3 hours by car or bus. You can take a direct bus from the Florenc bus station, next to the metro station of the same name. It is better to buy tickets in advance, since the trip will take the whole day, the cost of a one-way ticket is about 7.60 €. When purchasing on the website, you can choose your seat in advance; on the last day, only the most inconvenient seats may remain.

In Cesky Krumlov, it would be logical to visit the castle. It is better to find out the opening hours and ticket prices on the official website of Cesky Krumlov Castle. There are several types of tickets to different rooms of the castle.

Cesky Krumlov brews its own Eggenberg beer and has a signature restaurant. Eggenberg restaurant menu with prices.

By train you will have to travel from the main railway station of Prague with a transfer in Ceske Budejovice; the cost of round-trip train tickets is about 400CZK (15€). There is a discount for the group that I wrote about earlier. But transplantation takes time.

This is an ancient fortress with an area of ​​45 hectares with picturesque towers, gardens, palace complex, historical buildings housing museums. Main attractions: Gothic Cathedral St. Vitus, Wenceslas and Vojtech, as well as Golden Street with miniature houses, where, according to legend, alchemists lived.

Commons.wikimedia.org

On it stands the town hall with the famous astronomical medieval clock, Tyn Church (one of the symbols of Prague), St. Nicholas Cathedral with a crystal chandelier in the shape of a crown. It was presented by Russian Emperor Nicholas II.

It is 520 meters long and connects the banks of the Vltava River. A hangout for musicians, artists, and souvenir sellers. The bridge is over 600 years old.

The highest hill in Prague with picturesque gardens, a tower that looks like a smaller version of the Eiffel, a mirror labyrinth and an observation deck.

It is 750 meters long, similar to a boulevard. There is a monumental building on it National Museum, as well as a monument to St. Wenceslas - the heavenly patron of the Czech Republic.

Historical district of Prague with beautiful houses.

One of the largest in Europe. The zoo has a unique pavilion where the jungle is recreated.

For those who came for a week

Žižkov TV Tower. Its peculiarity is its unusual decoration. Giant cast-iron babies (each weighing 700 kg), made by sculptor David Cherny, crawl along the tower. The height of the building is 216 meters, there is a bar, a restaurant inside, observation decks and a hotel with a single deluxe room.

How to get there: by metro to Jiřího z Poděbrad station or by land transport to the tram stop with the same name.

dancing House. It was built on the site of a building destroyed during the war. The house seems to be clenched into a fist by a giant: according to the architect’s idea, it is a metaphor for a dancing couple. People call the unusual building “Ginger and Fred” (in honor of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire) and “The Drunk House.”

Address: Jiráskovo náměstí 1981/6, Prague 2.

To get to the place, use the applications collected at the end of the article.

Located in a former brick factory. In the courtyard of the museum there is a famous fountain - two bronze men pissing, who write words asked by visitors with water. The museum is divided into two parts: “Existential Space” and “Imaginary Typography”.

Address: Cihelná 2b, Prague 1.

From here you have a gorgeous, photogenic (especially at sunset) view of the Vltava River and bridges. The park has a 24-meter metronome with a 20-meter barbell. At this place there used to be a huge monument to Stalin. Nearby you can see old pairs of shoes hanging - a symbol of the need to part with the past without pity.

Address: Letenske sady (Letna Park), Prague 7 - Letna.

The narrowest street is. Its width is 70 centimeters. One person can walk along it: for this purpose, traffic is regulated by special traffic lights. Previously, this was a fire passage between houses, and “Devil” was the name of the winery located nearby.

The street is located on Kampa Island (in the “Venice of Prague”), where there are many interesting tourist sites. Including the wheel of a 500-year-old water mill.

How to get there: walk 150 meters from the Charles Bridge (if you move from the center towards Hradcany, after the bridge you need to turn right).

Which is considered a man-made monument not only to the legendary Beatle, but also to freedom. The wall was painted over many times, but the young people painted it again. The cult place has become a tourist place.

Address: Velkopřevorské náměstí, Prague 1.

Tankodrom Milovice. Located 50 kilometers from Prague. From 1968 to 1991, the headquarters of the Central Group of Forces of the USSR was based here, now it is a giant entertainment complex with tanks, special-purpose trucks and ATVs that you can ride.

Located in the Anděl Hotel in Prague. This is one of the largest (121 meters long) and detailed models of railway tracks in the world, running along the Ustsky and Karlovy Vary regions. Stations, landscapes, towns are recreated in the smallest detail.

Address: Stroupežnického 3181/23, Anděl, 150 00 Prague 5.

Tour of unusual monuments. You can arrange for yourself walking tour along a self-designed route.

• There is a hanging man on Gusovaya Street (a monument to Sigmund Freud).
• Along the banks of the Vltava, near the Kampa Museum, 34 penguins are marching and there is a six-meter-tall chair.
• There are also many unusual sculptures in the museum itself. In the courtyard, for example, there are three giant babies - “brothers” of those crawling on the Žižkov TV Tower.
• Near the Estates Theater there is the “Cloak of Conscience”, or “Commander” (dedication to the opera “Don Giovanni” by Mozart).
• In the Futura gallery there is a monument to sycophancy - two naked five-meter human figures, bent at an angle of 90 degrees.
• On the wall of the Na Zábradlí theater in Prague there is a human embryo that begins to glow in the evening (work by David Černý).
• In the Lucerne shopping center on Vodickova Street there is an unusual statue of the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Saint Wenceslas sits on an inverted horse.
• At the foot of Petrin Hill there is a monument to the victims of communism.

Gastronomic tour. In the Czech Republic, you should definitely visit authentic establishments and try national dishes or.

There are such cafes and bars, for example, in the areas of Zizkov and Vinohrady.

You need to try boar's knee, dumplings with goulash, duck, utopentsy, marinated cheese.

• To the Ferdinada restaurant on Karmelitska, 18.
• To the Vytopna beer depot on Wenceslas Square. Beer here is served on small steam locomotives along rails laid between the tables of visitors.
• Coffee shop Kafíčko near the Kafka Museum, where very tasty thick hot chocolate. Address: Mišeňská 67/10, Praha.

For those who want to feel like a local

Bike tour. The best way explore non-tourist places in the city - bicycle (classic or electric). There are several in Prague cycling routes, which pass through places where they rest local residents. You can find out the details.

Slope in Riegrovy Sady, from where it opens beautiful view. Prague residents come here for picnics. Be sure to bring a blanket with you.

Open air cinemas: Výletní kino Smíchov, located on the Smichov embankment of the Vltava, Žluté lázně beach (movies are shown here on Tuesdays), art space MeetFactory.

On the Vltava with open concert venues and bars, a farmer's market (open on Saturdays), where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, fish, cheese and other products. From October to April, one of the ships moored here has a sauna.

Here you can find inexpensive rarities from sellers from different countries Europe. The market is open on weekends from 9:00 to 14:00.

Theater "Ta Fantastika". This is a black theater where artistic performances based on the optical effect of a black cabinet are shown. Thanks to this, objects on stage “come to life” and become characters along with the actors. The main means of expression here are movement, light, music. You won't need a translator.

What not to waste time and money on in Prague

1. Experienced travelers do not recommend waiting on Old Town Square when the clock on the city hall begins to strike. Yes, it’s an interesting sight: the figures begin to move, a trumpeter plays. But it’s definitely not worth wasting time waiting for this.
2. The same applies to another event - the changing of the guard at Prague Castle. There's nothing special about it.
3. It is quite expensive to visit the Jewish quarter and the cemetery located here. If you are interested in historical burials, it is better to visit the Visegrad Fortress, where many famous Czechs are buried.
4. You can save money on walks along the Vltava. They are quite short, not cheap, and you can clearly see the river from the banks.
5. It is not recommended to linger in the park in front of the Main Station: according to reviews, this is not the most crime-free place in Prague.
6. There is no need to pay money to enter Zlata Street: you can walk along it in the evening for free. You can also save on visiting the royal chambers of Prague Castle.
7. Skip the not-so-tasty ham from the skewers in Old Town Square. You will most likely have a large and expensive piece cut off, which you will probably regret.
8. Don't spend time in shopping centers and passages of Prague. You won't find anything special in them.