Czech Republic

BASIC INFORMATION

Official name: Czech Republic

State system: Parliamentary democracy

Date of establishment: 1st January 1993 as one of succeeding states to Czechoslovakia

Area: 78 864 sq km

Inhabitans: 10 302 215

Situation: between 49° and 51° north latitude and 12° and 19° east longitude

Neighbouring countries: (from east) Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland

Capital: Prague (Praha)-1,160.118 inhabitants (May 2002)

Other major towns: Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň

Official language: Czech

Main religion: Roman Catholic and protestant

Clima: mild continental clima. Average temperature in winter are between 0 and -5° C, in summer between 13 and 26° C.

Time: GMT + 1 (Summer time from end March till the end October GMT + 2 hours)

Languages: Official language is Czech. People in bigger towns often speak English, German and sometimes French language.

Charakteristic
Czech Republic has very good conditions for hunting and fishing. Large number of sports and recreations resorts can be found in the Czech Republic - Krkonoše (Giant mountains), Krušné hory (Ore mountains), Šumava (Bohemian forest) Orlické hory and Jeseníky. The Czech Republic is world-famous for the therapeutic utilization of its mineral springs and healing mud. More than thirty spas offer health care and comfort to their guests. The most popular Czech spas are: Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) and Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad).
There can be found a lot of architectural sights in the Czech Republic. The most beautiful ones - Prague, Český Krumlov and Telč - are stated in the list of UNESCO.
Except these beautiful towns there are others very interesting towns and places and are well worth a visit: Kutná Hora, Tábor, České Budějovice (world-famous Budweiser beer is made here), Prachatice, Cheb, Telč, Slavonice, Olomouc and many castles (Hluboká, Červená Lhota, Karlštejn etc.).

Prague - "a gold town in the heart of Europe"
capital of the Czech Republic. It is situated on the both banks of the river Vltava (Moldau). Charm of this town is in architectural monuments in Romanesque, Gothic, Classicism, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau style. Every visitor should not miss to see the following places: Pražský hrad (Prague Castle), Karlův most (Charles Bridge), Staroměstské náměstí (The Old Town Square), Prašná brána (the Powder Tower), ulice Na Příkopech, Národní divadlo (The National Theatre), the oldest seat of legendary princess Libuše and first kings Přemyslovci Vyšehrad and of course Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square).

FORMALITIES

Personal documents:
Valid passport without visum or an identity card for citizens of the states of EU is the only document for a visit the Czech Republic. Further information can be obtained from ÚAMK.

Documents for drivers:
All drivers must have valid driving licence and technical certificate. All vehicles must bear the distinguishing sign of their country of registration. Green card is recommended to all foreign drivers. Further information can be obtained from ÚAMK.

Cats and dogs:
Cats and dogs can travel only with an EU Pet Passport, other animals may be temporarily imported only with a veterinary anti-rabies and health certificate issued at least 3 days but not more than 3 weeks before arrival.

Import and export restrictions:
The export of antiques is strictly forbidden. It is possible only with purchace certificate from an antiquity shop and special export permit issued by the National Museum or the National Gallery.
Import and export of the Czech currency, foreign currency and cheques is restricted only up to 15.000 EUR. Exceeding amounts must be declared on entry.
10 litres of fuel may be imported duty free in a fuel can for private use. Export of fuel is not restricted.  Further information can be obtained from ÚAMK.

Local currency:
Monetary unit in the Czech Republic is Koruna česká (the Czech crown) divided into 100 hellers.
Bank notes: 5.000, 2.000, 1.000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 CZK.
Coins: 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 CZK; 50 hellers.
Exchange rate (December 2004):
1 EUR = 30 CZK
1 USD = 23 CZK
1 CHF = 20 CZK
1 GBP = 44 CZK

The most usual credit cards (American Express, Eurocard, Diners´ Club, Visa, Access/Mastercard, Carte Blanche, JCB) are accepted in the Czech Republic.
Some petrol stations accept credit cards too.

Minimal currency amount for the visit :
When comming to the Czech Republic, it is necessary to prove on the border minimal amount of 1160 CZK per person and day of stay (for a visit up to 30 days) or 34 800 CZK for a visit over 30 days + 4640 CZK for every additional month. Children up to 18 years of age only 50 % of this amount.
These restrictions are valid only for tourists, who do not need the visum for visit of the Czech Republic. At the same time it does not apply for visits arranged by travel agency.

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Traffic regulations are similar as in other European countries.
Speed limits (in km/h):

Minimum speed on motorways is 50 km/h.

Other traffic regulations
No degree of alcohol in the blood is tolerated. All passenges in the vehicle must wear seat belts (if fitted). Drivers of mopeds with maximal speed more than 40 km/h and motocycles as well as their passengers must wear a crash helmet (also in built-up area). Children under 12 years of age (and persons under 18 years who are under 150 cm in height) must wear a restraint systém adapted to their size when travelling on the front seats of vehicles. When travelling on the rear seats, persons under 18 years of age who are under 150 cm in height must wear a special restraint system.
Hitch-hiking is forbidden on motorways and dual carriageways, on other roads  is allowed. Attention - hitch-hiker is not covered by drivers third party insurance. The use of spiked tyres is prohibited in the Czech Republic
There are special parking zones in Prague and other larger towns where only local persons and institutions can park. They are marked with special sign. In centres of bigger towns there are parking machines (in Prague 2 types according to total parking time - up to 6 or 2 hours). Other possibility is to park in parking garages.
Czech words appearing on traffic signs:

Traffic restrictions:
Vehicles over 7.5 t must not use motorways, dual carriegways, main roads and the roads for international transport during:
a) Sunday and public holiday from 0.00 to 22.00
b) Saturday from 1st Juli to 31st August from 7.00 to 20.00
(These restrictions are not apllied to busses, coaches, police and army vehicles and vehicles transport food and live stock).

Fuel:
In the Czech Republic is readily available:
Unleaded petrol 95 Oktan (NATURAL)
98 Oktan (SUPER PLUS)
Diesel (NAFTA)
LPG (PLYN or LPG)
Unleaded petrol Natural 95 is available in all petrol stations, Super plus 98 at the most petrol stations. Autogas only seldom (ca 450 petrol stations - list is available in ÚAMK).

Road Assistance
In emergency can motorists call ÚAMK to emergency number 1230 or 261 104 123. Emergency centres ÚAMK operating 24 hours a day. Along motorways are emergency telephones (every 2 km) - they are connected to police department which can contact our patrol vehicle. Moreover it is clearly possible to stop pendling ÚAMK road assistance vehicle of yellow colour with the symbol “SILNIČNÍ SLUŽBA“.

Tolls on motorways and dual carriegways:
For the use of motorways and dual carriegeways it is a system of motorway tolls. Old stickers which are no longer valid must be removed.
Motorcycles need not a motorway sticker for the use of motorways and dual carriegways.

* including  vehicles towing a caravan or trailer
List of motorways and other roads where tolls have to be paid is available by ÚAMK (ca 712 km). Exceptions are signed with a supplementary table "BEZ POPLATKU".
Stickers can be bought on frontier borders, all ÚAMK branch offices, on the post offices and at some petrol stations.
The driving on the motorway and dual carriegways without sticker will be fined up to 15.000 CZK.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Means of transport:
The international airport in Prague - Ruzyně - is about 20 km from the city centre. It can be reached by taxi (600,- CZK) or bus (during a day No. 100, 119, at night 510).

Train and bus transport:
The Czech Republic has good rail and bus network. Information are available on the railway stations and from the travel agencies ("Informace","Cestovní kancelář"). The information are also available in Internet: http://idos.datis.cdrail.cz

Urban Transport:
There is urban transport in large towns operating with trams (in bigger towns), buses and trolley buses. There is an underground in Prague called "Metro" which operates from 5.00 to 24.00 hours. Tickets can be bought from newsagents, tobacconists and from yellow vending machines. Fares are vary from town to town (in Prague single fare 15 min. without changing costs 8 CZK, 1 hour ticket 12,- CZK per person, but visitor can buy long-term tickes - information available at ÚAMK).

Taxi:
The prices of taxi vary from town to town. The price list must be placed in vehicle´s interior. Every taxi driver is obliged to issue the bill. At present time the ceiling taxi price in Prague is 25,- CZK per km, start fee 34,- CZK, one minute waiting 5,- CZK).

Telefon:
International dialing number of the Czech Republic is from March 1997 420. To call abroad dial 00 and international dialing number of the country.
Public phones operate for 1,2,5 and 10 CZK coins. There are card phones too (telephone cards for 150, 200 and 300 CZK can be bought from newsagents, tobacconists and post offices).
Other informations are in an official telephone diary “Zlaté stránky“ (Yellow pages).

Emergency numbers:
Police 158 Ambulance 155 Fire Brigade 150, Integrated safety system 112.

Opening hours:
Banks: Monday to Friday 8.30 - 17.00 hours
Foreign exchange offices, especially in Prague, are open 24 hours a day. Money can be changed in the hotels, too.
Food shops: Monday to Friday 8.00 - 18.00 hours
Saturday 8.00 - 12.00 hours
In larger towns there are some shops open 24 hours a day.
Department stores: Monday to Friday 8.00 - 20.00/22.00 hours
Saturday 8.00 - 14.00/20.00 hours (some of them on Sundays as well)

Post offices: Monday to Friday 8.00 - 19.00 hours
Main post office in Prague 1, Jindřišská Street 14, is open 24 hours a day.
Pharmacies indicated as "POHOTOVOSTNÍ SLUŽBA" are open 24 hours a day as well.
Castles:
Touristic most important castles are open all the year round. They are usually open from 10.00 till 18.00 hours (Monday is mostly closed).

Accommodation:
Price for one night in single room in *** hotel costs from 800 CZK, double room is from 700 CZK per person. In bigger towns and tourist interesting places are prices higher. Tourist menu or lunch in common restaurant costs around 150 CZK.

Mobile phones:
From 1996 in the Czech Republic operates 3 networks of GSM mobile phones (Eurotel, T-Mobile and Oskar).

Postal service:
To send postcard to Europe costs 9 CZK, to another countries 9 CZK (by air 14,-CZK).
The sending of letter up to 20 g in Europe costs 9,-CZK, to other countries 9 CZK (by air 14,-CZK).

Public holidays 2005:
1st January - New Year´s Day, Easter Monday (movable, in 2005: 28.3.), 1st May - May Day, 8th May - National Liberation Day, 5th July - St. Cyril and St. Method, 6th July - Johannes Hus Festival Day, 28th September – National Day, 28th October - Independence Day, 17th November – Day for Freedom and Democracy, 24th - 26th December-Christmas.

Shool holidays 2004/2005:
christmas (23.12.2004-2.1.2005), half-year (4.2.2005), spring (17.2.-20.3.2005, one week according place), easter (27.-28.3.2005), summer (1.7.-31.8.2005).

Notice:
We recommend to change money in banks, because the commission rates in exchange offices are much higher.
Radio BBC broadcasts in English (Prague 101.1 FM, Plzeň 98.6, České Budějovice 89.8, Hradec Králové and Pardubice 99.1,Brno 101.3, Ústí nad Labem 105.8), in german for example Radio Europa-Info (LW 261 kHz). Traffic information about the Czech Republic can be obtained from ÚAMK Information centre.

Further information can be obtained free of charge from ÚAMK.

Addresses of some embassies in the Czech Republic: