Useful information


Time zone

The Czech Republic has the GMT + 1 hour time, the same time as in most Europe, and one hour more than in the United Kingdom, Portugal and the Canary Islands. They change the time in winter and summer, as the rest of Europe.

Weather

The summer is generally warm in the Czech Republic, some times rainy, reaching in counted occasions 30 degrees in the main cities, but the usual average temperature is 20 degrees. Winters are quite cold, and often it snows all along the country.

Currency

The official currency in the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown (Kč). It is internationally known with the abbreviation CZK. One Euro is worth approximately 24 Czech Crown, depending on the exchange fluctuations.

Public Transport

The city of Prague has a good public transport, composed of trams, buses and metros. There are tickets available for all these kind of transport, which can be used for 20 or 90 minutes, or for 3, 7 or 15 days. If you are staying for more time in the city, there are tickets for 3 months. If you want to travel by taxi, it is advisable to agree the price of the trip with the driver before getting into the vehicle.

Electricity

The Czech Republic has 230 V in the electric net.

Important telephone numbers

  • 112 – Emergencies
  • 155 – Urgency medical assistance
  • 158 – National Police
  • 156 – Municipal Police
  • 150 – Firemen
These telephone numbers are for free, even from the cellular phone.

Free information numbers: they begin with the number 800.
To ask for telephone numbers: 1180 and 1181.

Local holidays

  • New Years´ Eve: January 1st
  • Easter Monday: between March and April
  • Work day: May 1st
  • Victory day: May 8th
  • St. Cyril and St. Methodius day: July 5th
  • Jan Hus death in fire day:July 6th
  • Czech State day: September 28th
  • Independence of the Czechoslovaquian State day: October 28th
  • Day of the fight for Freedom and Democracyářčáář: November 17th
  • Christmas days: December 24th, 25th and 26th

Business opening hours

Most of the small businesses in the city close at 5 or 6 in the afternoon, but the tourist shops and some small food shops stay open until 9 pm at least. The shopping centers and the big supermarkets usually remain open until 9 or 10 pm.

Language

The official language in the Czech Republic is Czech, although in most of the shops and restaurants of the center of the town they can easily understand you in English. Spanish is a language which is gaining importance in the country, due to the spanish-talking tourists that come to the country every year.

Tips

In bars and restaurants the service is not included, so people usually pay the 10% of the total amount as tip, if they want to. Some restaurants don´t leave this election in the hands of the customer, and they charge this tip obligatorily.

Smokers

It is allowed to smoke in most of the restaurants and bars, but it is forbidden doing it in public places, such as train and bus stations. It is important being aware of the prohibition signs, not to be fined.