Does anyone know how prevalent English speakers and signs are in Prague?

Question

Can most people in Prague speak English and are the signs, menus, bus and train schedules in English? Firsthand info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

The only place where English is widely spoken is the Old Town but its priced accordingly. In worst cases you pay 5 $ a beer when you can get one for 1 $ just few metro stations away. The same goes with food quality remaining the same.

Don't worry the language, take a food guide with you and go around the Pivoars (PUBs) outside Prague 1 (Center) people are nice and you maybe bump up to some speaking English, happened to me many times. Buy yourself a public transport pass on one of the underground stations (around $ 10 a week or for shorter time) and stroll around with trams, buses and metro.
Prague is safe and nice to go around.

Language is not that important

Answer 2

I was in Prague in May(I am Czech).Well,people speak English but only the young ones,the older generations like 45 and over not.If you ask someone in Prague for advise I am not sure they will understand,they know how are you,thank you,buy this...and that's it.Menus are in English but watch out for double prices in downtown Prague(it's very expensive to have even a coffee there-at Old town square over $6...),signs honestly I don't know(well,the traffic signs and names of streets and store names are in Czech)don't drive around Prague,it's impossible to get a parking spot,don't take a cab,they are rip off and don't understand a word in English.Bus and train schedules are probably in Czech too,and I never tried to visit some tourist info either to try if they understand.Good thing is to get a map and some city map from some info centre right at the airport,it's not so difficult to find interesting places in Prague by yourself.

Answer 3

Hi, there. I was in Prague a month ago and it surprised me how small percentage of Chech people speak English. Taxi drivers know only a few words, and waitresses in some restaurants can't speak a word of English. The good thing is that there are menus and bus schedules in English, and if you ask a younger person on the street for directions they'll be able to help you. Anyways, that's my experience.

Answer 4

I was born in Prague and I live and study here. The young people, especially students, do speak English (on some level, often good). The generation of our parents is somewhat able to say something sometimes :) and the generation of grandparents is able to speak russian or nothing (more propable). The signs are not in english but the menus in restaurants in the centre are, so are the information for tourists. Bus and train schedules are in czech, but it´s kind of a chart so you don´t need to understand czech to get it. DON´T BE SURPRISED when older people will talk to you slowly in czech and they will think you will understand ... :), you will obviously not but it´s fun. The important places (hospitals, airports, hotels, information centres) have ALWAYS someone who speaks english. Clue on the end AHOJ means HI and DEKUJI means THANKS.

Answer 5

I live in Prague and I can say that there is no any problem for English speakers here, since there are a plenty of foreigners living, working and studying here. Most people (Czechs or other) are very good in English, especially in public services, and signs, menus and other public texts are at least bilingual. Although I speak Czech now, it was not a problem at all for me to use only English when I have moved to Czech Republic. You are welcome to visit Prague anytime.

Answer 6

Well, all the restaurant menus are usually in czech, english and german (or french). Dont expect time tables to be in english.
Citizens of Prague usually speak english, but only young people, I mean under 40.
Have fun. M.

Answer 7

From what I know, signs are in Czech. If you want to catch a bus, it will say in Czech. The younger people can speak English, or at least some, menus can be in a few different languages. It really depends.