• Introduction
• Reports (1)
• Useful information

  Identity card

  Know before you go

  Driving in Czech Republic

  Practical A to Z

• Eating out
• Electricity
• Embassies and consulates
• Health
• Money
• Post
• Public holidays
• Shopping
• Telephone

---

Eating out

Tips

Service is not, as a general rule, inclusive and you should add on around 10%. However, in tourist districts, the tip is often included in the bill. This practice is not however legal and visitors should be aware that that the restaurant staff sometimes calculates the tips, adding 15-20% or even more to the overall bill.

Wherre to eat

In addition to traditional restaurants, try the neighbourhood bars, pivnice, where the Czechs often congregate around a glass of beer and where you can sample filling snacks for next to nothing. Hospodas are the equivalent to old taverns, where diners often share tables.

---

Electricity

The voltage in the Czech Republic is 220V and plugs are standard two-pin continental plugs, so you will probably need an adaptor.

---

Embassies and consulates

British Embassy – Thunovska 14, 118 00 Prague 1 – t 257 402 111 – http://ukinczechrepublic.fco.gov.uk/en

Irish Embassy – Velvyslanectv Irska, Trziste 13, 118 00 Prague – t 257 530 061 – http://www.embassyofireland.cz/

---

Health

Also see Know before you go.

Emergencies

Universal European emergency number: t 112.

Chemists

Chemists are generally open from 7.30am to 6pm (some close at lunchtime between 12.30pm and 2pm).

---

Money

Currency

The currency in the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna (crown), shortened locally to Kč. In 2012, the Czech currency will be replaced by the Euro.

Banks / exchange

Banks are open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and occasionally on Saturday mornings.

Never change money on the black market. The rate is no better than in official establishments and you risk ending up with out-of-date Hungarian banknotes.

Commission rates vary depending on the bank or exchange office. The former however often offer more attractive rates. ATMs are a practical means of “changing” money; a commission is generally charged for each withdrawal.

---

Post

Post offices are open weekdays from 8am to 5pm and from 8-9am to noon-1pm on Saturdays. The rate for a standard letter or postcard is Kč17.

---

Public holidays

1 January

Easter Monday

1 May

8 May – Liberation Day

5 July – Day of the Slavic apostles Cyril and Methodius

6 July – Jan Hus Day

28 September – Day of Czech Statehood

28 October – Czechoslovak Independence Day (National holiday)

17 November – Freedom and Democracy Day

24, 25 and 26 December

---

Shopping

Shops are open Monday to Friday from 8-9am to 6pm and until 1-2pm on Saturdays; some close at lunchtime.

---

Telephone

Calling the Czech Republic from abroad

00 + 420 (country code for the Czech Republic) + number of the person.

Calling home from the Czech Republic

00 + country code. For the United Kingdom: 44; for Ireland: 353.

For calls abroad, purchase an attractively priced Telecard worth Kč150, 300 or 750; the highest priced cards offer the most attractive rates, equivalent to approximately 3hr when calling a UK landline.

National calls

When calling numbers in the Czech Republic, always dial the full 9-digit number.