Czech Getting Around Czech Republic

Czech Airlines (OK) (website: www.csa.cz) operates an extensive domestic service. There are regular domestic flights from Prague to Ostrava and Brno.

Navigable waterways can be found in the country and the main river ports are located at Prague, Ústí nad Labem and Decín.

The rail network is operated by Czech Railways (tel: 412 503 113, within the Czech Republic only; website: www.cdrail.cz). There are several daily express trains between Prague and 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.

The Czech Flexipass, available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, offers unlimited first or standard class train travel for three to eight days in a 15-day period. It can be purchased online through the European Rail Guide (website: www.europeanrailguide.com) and Rail Europe in the USA (website: www.raileurope.com). 

The EuroDomino pass enables holders anything from three to eight days’ extensive travel within a one-month period on the entire rail network of their chosen country. It is valid in 25 European countries. Only those who have been resident in Europe for at least six months can purchase a EuroDomino pass. A passport number is required at time of booking. It is not permitted to purchase a pass for travel within the holder’s country of residence. Those aged under 26 years get around 30% discount and children around 50%. Children under four years travel free. Seat reservations, couchette and sleeper charges are not included in the cost of the pass and are payable at the normal rate. Passholder fares are payable on some services. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/railpasses/eurodomino.htm).

Cheap fares: Purchasing an In-customer card, which is a photo pass valid for three years, entitles the holder to pay reduced fares within the Czech Republic. Two types of card are sold: adult (over 15 years old) and child.

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 vignette (season ticket valid for 10 days, one month or one year). Traffic drives on the right. Coach: The extensive coach network is efficient and comfortable. Buses are mostly run by the State Bus Company (website: 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 15 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 Ustredni 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.

Public transport is excellent. Dopravní podnik (website: www.dp-praha.cz) operates Prague’s public transport system. There is a metro service in Prague that runs from 0500-0000. There are also tram and bus services (for which tickets must be purchased in advance from 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. A separate ticket is required when changing routes. There is a fine for fare evasion. Taxis are available in all the main towns and are metered; higher fares are charged at night.

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	2.45	2.15	2.15
Karlovy Vary	0.30	2.00	2.10
Ostrava	1.00	6.45	4.30