Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Prague, Czech Republic
What are things to know before coming to Prague?
#1 - Do Not Call it “Czechoslovakia”
The Czech Republic was once called Czechoslovakia under the communist regime when the two states of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic were together. In 1992, after tensions between the two states, they split the area in two countries: Czech Republic and Slovakia. It would be very ignorant to call it Czechoslovakia, and you will not make local friends by saying that here. Czech people are very kind and welcoming, but the only time I see locals getting frustrated with tourists is when tourists state that they are in Czechoslovakia. That’s when I see the eyes roll or raised voices. Don’t do that.
#2 - The Czech Republic Uses the Czech Crown As Their Currency, Not the Euro
Many European countries use the euro as their national currency, but the Czech Republic is not one of them. They use the Czech crown. Don’t be alarmed when you see all the zeros on their bills, since the koruna is 21.8 to 1 USD (as of May 2023). It will take some adjusting to the currency, but you can always download a currency converter app on your phone to properly see how much money you’re spending. Make sure you get enough in cash beforehand (plus a little more) so you don’t deal with the tourist traps of fraudulent exchange rates in the city. Better to just take care of that a few days before your trip so it’s one less thing to do when you arrive in Prague.
#3 - Russian Dolls Are Not a Local Souvenir, But Czech Puppets Are
When you walk into a souvenir shop, you will most likely see Russian dolls. You know, the ones that have smaller and smaller dolls inside. Don’t buy one here. It’s not an authentic souvenir of the Czech Republic. Instead, we recommend purchasing a traditional Czech marionette or puppet. You will also see these everywhere, and most of them are hand-carved here in the Czech Republic. Czech puppets are a big part of the Czech culture, so you can bring some of the authentic culture home with you. There’s lots of varieties, so you should find at least one you like! As a side note, Czech puppets are safer for children rather than the Russian dolls. There have been instances of children choking on the smaller dolls. So, the puppets are a better option anyway!
#4 - It Is Common Practice to Tip 10% at Restaurants
In many countries, tips are not required or even frowned upon. However, in the Czech Republic, it is common practice to tip up to 10 percent at most restaurants. That doesn’t mean that the service is better, though. You still may have to wave the waiter down to get your bill to pay or get more water (tap water is safe to drink). Waiters here have their own independent salary; however, it is very low and not a practical income. Therefore, the tipping can add to their income so they can have a better quality of life.
#5 - Beer is Cheaper Than Water
I didn’t believe this one when we first travelled here. But it’s actually true in a lot of places. Beer, on average, will cost approximately $1, while a bottle of water will cost about $2. It’s no wonder why Prague possesses the highest beer consumption in the world. And while I don’t drink beer myself, my husband says it’s some of the best in Europe. Beer rules here, but water is important to have on hand since you’ll be walking a lot.
#6 - Soooooo Many Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
I vaguely remember seeing this in 2015, but it is more prevalent than I’ve ever seen before. You will be amazed by how many stag parties you will see in Prague. It is actually ranked as the #1 stag weekend destination in Europe. They also go all out on the costumes and drinks. We saw groups dressed as Snow White and the seven dwarves, Princess Leia and stormtroopers, a “hula girl” and tiki torches, a king and peasants, a chicken and his “chicks,” and Disney princess girl squads. It’s absolutely hilarious! A lot of these groups enjoyed the comments they were receiving from tourists, so it seems like they’d welcome the jokes. Prague is famous for its nightlife and drinking scene (remember - beer is cheaper than water), so it makes sense why it’s so attractive for these groups of people.
#7 - You Will See Vintage Cars Everywhere
Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of cool, classic cars advertising for sightseeing rides around Prague. It’s definitely a bit of a tourist trap. They’re classy cars driven by locals working within the company to entice you with their beautiful display of motors. Although there are many companies doing this, they all have one thing in common: they’re expensive. Unless you want to pay, on average, $80 for a 40-minute ride, we suggest just walking the path so you can experience all the details that you would miss otherwise. You can also bypass traffic, unlike these cars. We saw a lot of annoyed-looking tourists sitting in traffic multiple times. That being said, for those who have a harder time walking (or are exhausted), this might be a good option for you. There are plenty of other cool transportation alternatives, so we recommend evaluating what options are better suited for you.
#8 - Prague is A Very Walkable City
You really don’t need to use a taxi or Uber much in Prague. Most of the top attractions are centrally located, so they are very easy to walk to. Prague Old Town, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge connecting to the area of Prague Castle… all of it is very close together. Because of this, I think you will be surprised how much you can get accomplished on your trip to Prague in a short period of time. It really takes the stress out of your trip so you can take in the sites and enjoy your travels here! Also, for those who have a harder time walking around, there are several modes of transportation to get you where you want to go. Prague provides tons of options to fit everyone’s tastes.
#9 - Prague is Cheaper Than Other European Cities
Overall, you can expect to pay anywhere between $52 - $142 per day depending on what food and activities you choose to explore. Compare that to $281 a day in Paris or $185 a day in Rome. And I think $142 is way overestimating cost in Prague, even with it being the high end. Most meals will cost $12, Prague Castle, which includes lots of museums/exhibitions, currently costs $16, and there are lots of cheaper Airbnb options for those on a budget. That being said, Prague is slightly more expensive than it was on our first visit in 2015. We expected that, especially since we live in a post-covid era.
#10 - Prague is a Major Tourist Destination, and it Can Get VERY Crowded at Times
Roughly 6 million people from around the world visit Prague each year, with the busiest months being between April – June. Prague is also smaller than other European cities, so it may feel more crowded. It may feel a little overwhelming at times, but don’t let it keep you from having a great time here. Most people tend to stay in Prague Old Town, so if you travel outside of that area, you will usually get relief from the crowds. You’ll understand why Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe, as you will discover its beauty and uniqueness. It’s one of those places that truly feels like a fairytale town. We are shocked every time we visit by how gorgeous it is in Prague. That paired with being more reasonable, it’s a match that most people keep coming back to once they’ve been once. I know we will keep coming back here, as it holds a very special place in our hearts. I suspect it will for you too!
