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Getting Around by Air
Czech Airlines (OK) (website: www.csa.cz) operates an extensive domestic service. There are regular domestic flights from Prague to Ostrava, Karlovy Vary and Brno.
Getting Around by Water
Navigable waterways can be found in the country and the main river ports are located at Prague, Ústí nad Labem and Děčín although there are no regular passenger services along these.
Getting Around by Rail
The rail network is operated by Czech Railways (tel: 8401 12113, within the Czech Republic only; website: www.cdrail.cz, train timetables www.vlak-bus.cz). There are several daily express trains between Prague and the main cities and resorts. Reservations should be made in advance on major routes. Fares are low, but supplements are payable for travel by express trains.
Rail Passes
European East Pass: available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, this offers unlimited first or standard class train travel for five days in one month in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. It can be purchased online through the European Rail Guide (website: www.europeanrailguide.com) and Rail Europe in the USA (website: www.raileurope.com).
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within the Czech Republic. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk).
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within the Czech Republic. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk).
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. The Czech Republic has a good network of first and second class roads, as well as a growing motorway network. Users of the Czech motorways have to buy a windscreen sticker or vignette (season ticket valid for two weeks or one year). This is usually included with rental cars.
Coach: The extensive coach network is efficient and comfortable. Buses are run by a range of private operators and the state bus company CSAD. For bus timetables, see www.vlak-bus.cz.
Car hire: Self-drive cars may be hired through international and local companies.
Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are 31mph (50kph) in built-up areas, 55mph (90kph) outside built-up areas and 80mph (130kph) on motorways. Seat belts are compulsory and those aged under 12 years must sit in the rear. Drinking is prohibited, as is using a handheld mobile phone. Headlights must be turned on at all times when driving. All private cars must carry: one fluorescent green high visibility safety jacket, one first aid kit, one spare pair of prescription glasses (if necessary) kept in the glove compartment, one warning triangle and one complete set of spare bulbs.
Emergency breakdown service: A 24-hour service is available from the Ústředni Automotoklub (tel: 1230) and the Autoklub Bohemia Assistance (tel: 1240).
Documentation: A valid national driving licence. If this has no photocard, an International Driving Permit is also required. A Green Card should be carried by visitors taking their own car into the Czech Republic.
Coach: The extensive coach network is efficient and comfortable. Buses are run by a range of private operators and the state bus company CSAD. For bus timetables, see www.vlak-bus.cz.
Car hire: Self-drive cars may be hired through international and local companies.
Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are 31mph (50kph) in built-up areas, 55mph (90kph) outside built-up areas and 80mph (130kph) on motorways. Seat belts are compulsory and those aged under 12 years must sit in the rear. Drinking is prohibited, as is using a handheld mobile phone. Headlights must be turned on at all times when driving. All private cars must carry: one fluorescent green high visibility safety jacket, one first aid kit, one spare pair of prescription glasses (if necessary) kept in the glove compartment, one warning triangle and one complete set of spare bulbs.
Emergency breakdown service: A 24-hour service is available from the Ústředni Automotoklub (tel: 1230) and the Autoklub Bohemia Assistance (tel: 1240).
Documentation: A valid national driving licence. If this has no photocard, an International Driving Permit is also required. A Green Card should be carried by visitors taking their own car into the Czech Republic.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Public transport is excellent. Dopravní podník (website: www.dpp.cz) operates Prague's public transport system. The city's metro service runs from 0500-0000. There are also tram and bus services (for which tickets must be purchased in advance from vending machines, tobacconist shops, newsagents, metro stations, information centres or travel agents). Night trams and buses run from 0000-0430 in Prague.
Buses, trolleybuses and trams also exist in Brno, Ostrava and several other towns. Most services run from 0430-0000.
All the cities operate flat-fare systems, and passes valid for a certain number of journeys or specific period of time can be purchased in advance. Tickets should be validated in the appropriate machine on entering the tram, bus or, in the case of Prague, metro station. There is a fine for fare evasion.
Taxis are available in all the main towns and are metered; higher fares are charged at night.
Buses, trolleybuses and trams also exist in Brno, Ostrava and several other towns. Most services run from 0430-0000.
All the cities operate flat-fare systems, and passes valid for a certain number of journeys or specific period of time can be purchased in advance. Tickets should be validated in the appropriate machine on entering the tram, bus or, in the case of Prague, metro station. There is a fine for fare evasion.
Taxis are available in all the main towns and are metered; higher fares are charged at night.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Prague to other major towns/cities in the Czech Republic.
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Brno | 0.45 | 2.15 | 2.15 |
| Karlovy Vary | 0.30 | 2.00 | 2.10 |
| Ostrava | 1.00 | 6.45 | 4.30 |