Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is part of both the EU and the Schengen Area, so entry rules depend on your nationality — always check your own situation before booking. Citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, can currently enter visa-free for short stays; travellers who do need a visa apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.

The key rule for visa-exempt visitors is the Schengen 90/180 rule: you may stay a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area combined — not 90 days per country. Your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years and remain valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure.

The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records biometric data — fingerprints and a facial photo — for non-EU visitors at the border instead of stamping passports. Separately, the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to launch in late 2026; once in force, visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online in advance, so check whether it is required before you travel.

Despite being an EU member, the Czech Republic does not use the euro — the currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), also called the 'crown'. Some tourist-area businesses accept euros, but at poor rates, so it is better to pay in koruna. Cards and contactless are widely accepted, but keep some cash for small vendors, transport tickets and tips.

Use bank ATMs for cash — stick to machines operated by major banks rather than standalone tourist-zone machines, and always decline 'dynamic currency conversion' by choosing to be charged in koruna. A well-known Prague trap is street currency-exchange booths with flashy rates and hidden fees — avoid them entirely.

Tipping is modest and customary for good service: round up the bill or add about 10%. The Czech custom is to state the total amount you want to pay as you hand over cash or your card, rather than leaving coins on the table afterward.

Czechs are generally reserved and value courtesy. Greet with a firm handshake, eye contact and a polite 'Dobrý den' (good day); use formal address and surnames until invited to switch to first names. Avoid loud or overly expressive behaviour in public — Czechs tend to keep their voices down.

For dining, wait until the host says 'Dobrou chuť' before eating, and when toasting — beer is practically a national institution — clink glasses while making eye contact. If invited to a Czech home, bring a small gift and expect to remove your shoes at the door.

Dress is generally smart-casual, with modest attire expected in churches and synagogues. The clearest taboos are about identity: don't call the country 'Czechoslovakia' (it peacefully split from Slovakia in 1993) and don't describe it as 'Eastern Europe' — Czechs see their country as firmly Central European.

The main international gateway is Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG). Intercity travel is excellent and affordable: the national operator České dráhy plus private operators RegioJet and Leo Express link Prague with Brno, Český Krumlov and beyond, and long-distance buses are another cheap, reliable option.

Prague has an integrated public-transport network of metro, trams and buses. Buy tickets from machines, newsagents or the PID Lítačka app — and crucially, validate paper tickets in the yellow stamping machines when you board, as unstamped tickets count as fare evasion and inspectors issue on-the-spot fines.

For door-to-door trips, use the ride-hailing apps Bolt and Uber, which both operate legally and reliably and show the fare up front. Avoid hailing taxis on the street around tourist areas, as overcharging is a well-known Prague problem. Driving is on the right and a motorway vignette is required.

The Czech Republic has three main mobile carriers — O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone — with excellent coverage in cities. Prepaid tourist SIM cards are inexpensive and sold at carrier shops, kiosks and convenience stores, including at Prague Airport; you'll usually need to show a passport to register one.

For most short-stay visitors a travel eSIM is the simplest option — buy and activate a data plan online before you arrive. Because the Czech Republic is in the EU, a SIM or plan from another EU country also works here at no extra cost. Wifi is widespread and usually free in hotels, cafés and restaurants.

The Czech Republic is a safe country with low violent crime. The US, UK and Australian advisories all place it at their lowest risk level, and none warn against travel — standard big-city caution is all that is needed.

The main issue is petty crime, above all pickpocketing. Thieves operate in Prague's crowded tourist hotspots — Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square — and especially on busy trams and the metro. Common scams include rip-off currency-exchange booths, dishonest taxis that overcharge, and inflated bills in tourist-area restaurants — check menu prices and your bill.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the Czech Republic. The CDC has flagged a hepatitis A outbreak in the country, including Prague — practise good hand hygiene and consider vaccination. The emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators.

Power: the Czech Republic runs on 230V, 50Hz, with Type C and Type E plugs (the round two-pin European style). Visitors from the UK, US and elsewhere will need a travel adapter.

Language: the official language is Czech. English is widely spoken in Prague and other tourist areas, hotels and among younger people; learning a few words like 'Dobrý den' and 'Děkuji' is appreciated.

Best time to visit: spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal, with mild weather and thinner crowds than the summer peak. Winters are cold but atmospheric, and December brings famous Christmas markets to Prague's squares.

Time zone: the Czech Republic is on Central European Time (UTC+1), shifting to Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) from late March to late October.