Czech Republic

Czechia is easy to explore by combining trains, regional buses, and walkable city centres. Prague’s metro, trams, and buses form an especially efficient network: a standard ticket costs 39 CZK for 30 minutes or 50 CZK for 90 minutes, while 24-hour and 72-hour passes cost 150 CZK and 350 CZK respectively. Tickets must be valid before or immediately after boarding, and contactless payment is available on many vehicles. For intercity travel, Prague connects conveniently with Brno, Český Krumlov, Karlovy Vary, and Olomouc by rail or coach. Reserve seats for popular weekend routes, particularly in summer. Outside Prague, a car helps reach castles, hiking areas, and smaller villages, but avoid driving in historic centres where parking is limited. Download maps for offline use, and allow extra time for scenic regional routes. Hello eSIM keeps navigation and digital tickets available without roaming charges when activated before arrival; you can also use Hello’s trip planning tools to organise rail journeys and day trips.

Czech cooking is hearty, comforting, and best sampled slowly. Try svíčková, beef with creamy vegetable sauce and bread dumplings, or vepřo knedlo zelo, roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut. Goulash, fried cheese, potato pancakes, and mushroom-based soups are reliable choices in traditional restaurants. For a quick bite, look for chlebíčky—open-faced sandwiches topped with combinations such as ham, egg, cheese, and pickles. Czech beer is central to local culture, with pilsner-style lagers served in pubs across the country; ask for a small pour if you want to sample several varieties. In cafés, order koláče, apple strudel, or coffee alongside the city’s elegant architecture. Restaurants may add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping; around 10% is customary for good service. Prices rise around Prague’s Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, so explore neighbourhoods such as Vinohrady, Karlín, or Holešovice for better value. Use Hello’s expense splitting to settle shared pub meals, and budget tracking to monitor spending in Czech koruna.

Prague deserves several days, but Czechia’s smaller destinations add variety. Begin with Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town, then escape the busiest streets by walking through Malá Strana, Letná, or along the Vltava riverbanks. Arrive early at major sights for quieter views, especially in spring and summer. Český Krumlov is a picturesque overnight stop, while Karlovy Vary offers grand spa architecture, forest walks, and mineral-water colonnades. Brno brings a lively food and design scene, and Kutná Hora is known for its historic centre and the unusual Sedlec Ossuary. Nature lovers can hike in Bohemian Switzerland, the Krkonoše mountains, or the Moravian Karst; check trail conditions before setting out. Plan at least one slower day for a village, castle, or countryside walk rather than filling every hour with landmarks. Hello’s itinerary tools can group destinations by region, helping reduce backtracking and making day trips more manageable.

The Czech koruna, written as CZK or Kč, is the local currency, even though some tourist businesses display euro prices. Pay in koruna when possible and choose card payments or reputable exchange offices rather than accepting unsolicited currency-exchange offers. Keep a little cash for markets, small cafés, rural guesthouses, and public toilets. Czech restaurants commonly expect diners to say whether they want the bill together or separately, so decide before paying; Hello’s expense splitting is useful when travelling in a group. Learn a few words such as dobrý den (hello), prosím (please), and děkuji (thank you)—a small effort is warmly appreciated. Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones, and bring layers for changeable weather, particularly in the hills. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but ask before assuming it is included in a restaurant. Activate Hello eSIM before landing so translation apps, transport directions, and reservations work as soon as you arrive.