Pharmacies: Pharmacies in the Czech Republic issue medicines and other materials necessary for treatment and healthcare based on doctors’ prescriptions and sometimes without them. Prescription medicines are issued free of charge or for a small fee if the patient’s health insurance does not cover the full amount. Some must be paid for in full by the patient.  

Electricity: Electricity AC in the Czech Republic is 230 volts.

Telephones: The international dialling code for the Czech Republic is +420 (or 00 420). When calling from abroad this must be dialled first, followed by the 9-digit number. The Czech Republic has one of the densest networks of public telephone boxes in central Europe. The majority of these take telephone cards (150, 200 and 300 Kč) or Czech coins (though there are less of these).

Mobile Telephones: Three mobile phone operators provide mobile services in the Czech Republic: O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone. Almost 100% of the country is covered by the mobile signal. The network uses the GSM 900 and 1800 system. This is compatible with the rest of Europe and Australia. Problems can arise with handsets from North America and Japan. Find out before you leave home what type of telephone you have and activate the roaming service provided by your operator.

Internet: The Czech Republic enjoys good internet connections. In recent years slow dial-up modems have been replaced by quicker broadband lines and Wi-Fi networks. A computer with internet access now comes as standard at every hotel. There are also internet cafés where you will pay around 60 Kč (2 euros) per hour. In large towns and cities in particular, the number of places with free Wi-Fi hotspot internet access is on the increase. Restaurants and hotels very often provide their customers with free internet access, though some networks are operated by municipal authorities.

Money and Banks: The official currency used in the Czech Republic is the Czech crown which has the international abbreviation CZK. In the Czech Republic you will find coins worth 50 h, 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč and 50 Kč. Banknotes come in the following denominations: 50 Kč, 100 Kč, 200 Kč, 500 Kč, 1000 Kč, 2000 Kč and 5000 Kč.

Exchange offices: Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, travel agencies, hotels; cheques can be cashed in banks. ATM (automatic teller machines) are available in all larger towns. At exchange offices in banks you will pay 2 % of the total sum in commission. In certain banks there is a minimum fee of 50 Kč (1.70 euros). You will pay this only when the 2 % commission comes to less than this amount. In privately run exchange offices it is recommended that you first of all ask for the exact sum you will receive for your money: the sign advertising 0 % commission often relates to buying foreign currency! You can also change money at your hotel reception. Please never change money on the street in the Czech Republic !

ATMs and credit and debit cards: In the Czech Republic you will find a dense network of ATMs (cash machines) which will accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus and others). The majority of shops and restaurants also accept cards.  

Travellers‘ cheques: American Express, Thomas Cook and Visa customers will have few problems when cashing travellers’ cheques in banks in the Czech Republic. Eurocheques are also widely accepted.  

Banking Hours: Banks are only open Mon – Fri, usually from 9 am until 5 pm, though some days they may stay open until 7 pm. Branch opening times differ from place to place. ATMs (cash machines) can be accessed 24 hours a day.

Shopping hours: In small towns most shops are open Monday to Friday, from 8 or 9 am until 6 pm, and only in the morning on Saturdays. In big cities shops may stay open until 9 pm. Only a few small shops have a lunch break, usually between 12 and 1pm. Shopping centres and department stores have longer opening hours, usually until 10pm even at weekends. Some large supermarkets are open 24 hours a day.

Post Offices: Post Offices are usually open on weekdays from around 8am until 5pm and on Saturday mornings. 

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays mean most banks and offices will be closed. Ordinary shops also close on Sundays and public holidays, while supermarkets and shopping centres often stay open.

Public holidays: Czech Independence Day (1 January), Liberation Day (8 May), Day of the Slavic Apostles Cyril and Methodius (5 July), Jan Hus Day (6 July), Day of Czech Statehood (28 September), Czechoslovak Independence Day (28 October), Freedom and Democracy Day (17 November). Other holidays: New Year (1 January), Easter Monday (March/April, changes every year), Workers’ Day (1 May), Christmas Eve (24 December), Christmas Day (25 December), Feast of St Stephen (26 December).

Typical Products:  Beer is regarded by the Czechs themselves as their national drink – whether dark, light, mixed, wheat. There are over 470 different types of beer in the Czech Republic. The best-known brands of Czech beer are: Pilsner Urquell and Budějovický Budvar (known elsewhere as Budweiser), other popular Czech brands are Gambrinus, Staropramen, Krušovice, Radegast, Bernard and Velkopopovický kozel.

A bottle of Becherovka, a bitter herb liqueur hails from the famous spa town of Carlsbad, makes a great souvenir for visitors to the Czech Republic to take home.

The best wine producing regions can be found in South Moravia.

Cuisine: Although the cuisine shows influences from neighbouring countries (Hungary, Austria and Germany), the greatest inspiration remains traditional old Bohemian recipes. The basis of Czech food are ingredients which could be grown at home – above all grains, pulses, potatoes and meat. CZECH CUISINE RECIPES.