Briefly about Prague

Prague is the capital and the largest city of the Czech Republic. It is situated on the Vltava river in the north-west of the country and it is home of about 1.3 million people. Its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population over 1.2 million. Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of Central Europe during its 2 300 year existence.
The city offers many famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of twentieth century Europe. Main attractions include the following: Prague Castle, Vysehrad, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter, the Lenon Wall, and Petrin hill.
Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Prague has more than ten major museums, along with countless theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. A modern public transportation system connects the city. Prague is classified as a Beta+ global city according to GaWC studies, comparable to Berlin, Rome, or Houston.
Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and the city receives more than 4.1 million international visitors annually, as of 2009.
In 2011 Prague was the sixth most visited city in Europe.

You can find more information on the following websites:

Practical Prague guide:
http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/prague

Official home page of Prague:
http://www.praha.eu/jnp/en/home/index.html

The Capital City of Prague tourism portal:
http://www.praguewelcome.cz/en/

Electricity

The electricity network in the Czech Republic has a voltage of 230 V and frequency of 50 Hz. Electrical sockets are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all three types.

Telephone

The Czech Republic country code +420 is used for calling Czech Republic from another country.
Important phone numbers:
  • 112 Emergency Central Number
  • 158 Police
  • 156 City Police
  • 155 Ambulance
  • 150 Fire Department
  • 1180 Information about Czech and foreign telephone numbers
  • 12 444 Prague Information Service – a telephone help line provided in Czech, English and German. Tourist information, cultural events, public transport, phone numbers and addresses of companies, stores and services, etc. Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., local calling rates.

Time

Time zone for the Czech Republic: UTC/GMT + 1 hour

Weather

Czech Republic lies in the temperate climate zone, which is characterized by cool summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters. Average daily temperature at the September is 18° C.
Weather forecast for Prague:
http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Prague/forecasts/latest

Foreign exchange, banking facilities

The official Czech national currency is the Czech Crown (CZK). Czech banknotes are issued in these denominations: 100/200/500/1000/2000/5000.
The simplest means of obtaining currency in Prague is to withdraw Czech Crowns from a cash point (ATM). These accept debit/credit cards backed by Visa, Mastercard/EuroCard, Maestro and American Express. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, international shops and more expensive restaurants. Many local shops and cheaper restaurants do not accept credit cards.

To exchange cash for Czech Crowns, you can get good rates in Prague, but be careful where you go. Our top tip where to change money in the city centre (excellent rates and no commission) is eXchange at Kaprova 15, near metro stop Staromestska (line A) and the Old Town Square.

Czech and International banks in Prague generally offer good exchange rates, but the commission varies, so ask what it is before you buy. The banks are mostly located around Wenceslas Square and on the route to the Old Town Square.

Public transport in Prague

Prague has a very effective public transportation system. In general, buses, trams and metro operate between 4.40 AM and 0.00 PM. Night and daily timetables are posted at stops, night tram and bus lines are posted on the trams and buses. Night trams operate with frequency of 30 minutes and night buses with frequency of 30 or 60 minutes.

Metro has 3 lines (A, B, C) and operates in 2-10 minute intervals. The last train leaves terminal stop a few minutes after midnight. Ticket vending machines are installed in all metro stations and at selected surface transit stops including the Ruzyne Airport.

Complete information about public transport in Prague can be found on official website of Prague Public Transport Company:
http://www.dpp.cz/en/

Useful information:
http://www.dpp.cz/en/fares-in-prague/,
http://www.dpp.cz/en/fares-in-the-periphery-areas/

Info centres:
http://www.dpp.cz/en/infocentres/

Transport from Václav Havel Airport to Pruhonice (Floret Congress Centre):

Public transit:
Bus 119 from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 exit at Nádraží Veleslavín stop (metro A)
Metro A from Nádraží Veleslavín to Muzeum (change to line C - it is very easy - just follow information tables fixed to ceiling ) and continue by Metro C line from Muzeum to Opatov (direction Haje).
Bus 363 from Opatov to Pruhonice (Kvetnove namesti), you stop just in front of Floret Congress Centre!
You need 40 CZ (5 zone) ticket and it takes approx. 90 minutes during the day (and a little bit longer in the evening).
After Midnight metro is closed and taxi remains the only possibility...

Transport from the railway station to Pruhonice (Floret Congress Centre):

International trains stop at Prague Main Train Station (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi) or at Praha Holesovice station.
Public transportation:

The best connection to the Prague city centre represents the bus – lines 363 or 385 - to or from metro station Opatov. There you change to metro line C (in direction Letňany), which goes to the city centre and also stops at the Main Train Station (“Hlavní nádraží”). The bus stop Průhonice is located in the square about 100m from the Cogress Centre. Departures of bus lines 363 and 385 from bus stop Průhonice (in direction Opatov) and Opatov (in direction Průhonice) are mentioned below and subway trains run from around 4:45 a.m. and the last train leaves its terminal station at midnight. Travelling to the centre takes about 40 minutes and a (5-zone) ticket costs 40 CZK. It is valid for 2 hours on any type of public transportation from its validation. (You need to valide your tickets only once.)

Time table of buses 363 and 385

Transport by Taxi:

Taxi transport is the easiest way how to get to Pruhonice.
The distance between the airport and Pruhonice is about 30 km and estimated fare is 40 EUR.
Estimated fare of the transport from the railway stations to Pruhonice is 30 EUR.
Although the situation is getting better, many Prague taxi drivers behaves like taxi drivers everywhere else...
Luckily, there are more reputable taxi companies that you can rely on for good service and fair rates with higher probablity. Some reliable and courteous taxi companies:
http://www.aaa-taxi.cz/en/,
http://www.citytaxi.cz/en

Map of Pruhonice:

 

Shopping

Stores usually open at 8 or 9 a.m. (large grocery stores at 7 a.m.) and close at 6 or 7 p.m. Some local stores are closed during lunch hours. The hours are shorter on Saturdays and most stores except large supermarkets are closed on Sundays.
Stores in the centre of Prague and in shopping malls have longer hours. Large supermarkets stay open until 8 or 10 p.m. and some are open 24 hours a day. Most stores in the Prague city center and tourist locations are open at weekends.