Toll Free (USA & Canada) +1 866 978 2997
PREPARING TO GO TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
CAPITAL
Prague
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Czech and numerous dialects
RELIGION
The country has a sizeable population of Roman Catholics and Protestants. Other minority religions include Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts - Sockets are of the European, two-pronged round pin variety
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.
LOCAL CURRENCY
The monetary unit in the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna (CZK).
Austrian Currency information:
Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Czech Currency information:
Koruna (CZK; symbol Kč) or Crown = 100 haler. Notes are in denominations of 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100Kč. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1Kč, and 50 haler.
XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.
MONEY EXCHANGE, ATMS & CREDIT CARDS
The best place to change money in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria is at a bank – it is strongly suggested that you compare current rates and fees before exchanging money. If you decide to use a private exchange office, check their rates and fees carefully as they can be misleading.
Banks and ATMs are widespread in the major cities and tourist centers. Most major credit cards are accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels, but it is best to check, particularly in more remote areas.
Czech Banking hours:
Generally, Mon-Fri 0800-1630. Some banks close early on Fridays.
CLOTHING
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In Europe's hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. The Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria have relaxed attitudes about dress and for the most part shorts and short sleeved tops are perfectly acceptable. However, if you intend to visit churches and monasteries it is important to dress more conservatively (i.e. cover shoulders and knees). Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in the summer, night-time and early morning temperatures can be cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A waterproof garment is also strongly suggested, even during the summer months and particularly in areas of higher altitude.
COMMUNICATION & EMAIL
There are many internet cafes in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria, particularly in larger towns and cities. Wi-fi is increasingly available in more densely populated areas, often for a fee, but you might not find internet access in hotels in more rural areas
Telephone
It is easy to make international calls in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria. The most economical method to make telephone calls is with a telephone card - these cards can be purchased from a variety of outlets, including newsstands, post offices, and sometimes from supermarkets.
Emergency Numbers
Emergency Medical Service 155
Police 158
Municipal Police 156
Fire and Rescue Service 150
Mail
Post offices are widely available in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria and the mail is generally very efficient. Stamps can be bought from post offices or newsstands.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
The seasons are distinct in the Czech Republic. Summer (June to August) sees the highest temperatures and heaviest rainfall. The winter months (December – February) often see temperatures reaching as low as -5°C in the cities and -10°C to -15°C in the mountainous areas (-30°C at higher altitudes). The mountains receive about 130 days of snow a year, but other areas get coverage as well. Spring (late March to May) can bring changeable, rainy weather and sometimes flooding. Autumn is also variable, but temperatures can remain warm into September.
MEAL COSTS
Breakfast is provided each day on most. Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below, but please note that the exact cost varies widely depending on whether you are in the capital cities or smaller regional towns.
FOOD AND DRINK
Traditional Czech cuisine is hearty and filling, and is often based around meat, be it pork, beef, or chicken. Many dishes include a sauce and a side dish, notably dumplings (“knedliky”), which are made from wheat or potato flour, boiled in water as a roll and then sliced and served hot. Some unique Czech dishes you may like to try are roast pork with bread dumplings and stewed cabbage (Vepřo-knedlo-zelo) or roast sirloin beef with steamed dumplings and cream-of-vegetable sauce (Svíčková na smetaně). Czech cuisine also boasts delicious soups like beef broth with noodles and liver dumplings, potato soup, garlic soup, goulash or the Krkonoše sour soup. Czech desserts are rich and tasty; from chocolate-based desserts to fruit pastries and tarts, or the famous Czech Pancakes (Palačinky) which are filled with ice-cream, jam or fruits and coated in whipped-cream, almonds, or sugar.
Brewing has been a traditional activity in the Czech Republic for centuries, and the country has more than 60 breweries. The famous Pilsener style beer originated in the western Bohemian city of Plzeň, and further south the town of České Budějovice, known as Budweis in German, lent its name to its beer, eventually known as Budweiser Budvar. You may also like to try some Czech wine while you are visiting – wine has been cultivated here since around 300AD! The Czechs also produce two unique liquors, Fernet Stock and Becherovka, which every visitor must try!
Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable.
Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:
|
Service |
Tipping amount per/person |
|
1 - Drivers per/ day |
EUR 10 per person |
|
2 - Guides per/day |
EUR 15 per person – private tour EUR 5 per person – SIC tour |
|
3 - Bellmen at hotels per/check in or check out |
EUR 1 per bag |
|
4 - Restaurant servers |
A percentage of the bill if it is not already included |
HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends and should have a minimum of three (3) blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. Holders of U.S. and Canadian passports are not required to obtain a tourist visa for entry into Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary for stays of up to 90 days. Hungarian law requires that you carry photo identification, such as your passport, at all times.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.
