Travel to Czech Republic?

Question

I am traveling on business to Prague in late November/early December, staying a kilometer north of the main train station. Any tips on a basic guidebook on Prague with a decent city map and a basic vocabulary?

Thanks

Answer 1

Prague is a great place to visit. It's very tourist-friendly. Easy to get around in, excellent public transportation, the food is great (but can be expensive around the old town square), and English is widely spoken. There are a number of good on-line resources for maps, information on getting around, restaurant reviews, etc:

http://www.discoverczech.com/prague/
http://www.myprague.net/sitemap.aspx
http://www.prague-tourist-information.com/

I use up a map (the red one) that I picked up at the Kiosk where you buy bus tickets at the arrivals area at the airport in Prague. It's small enough to fit into a pocket easily.

Prague is a popular destination - there are a large number of good guidebooks. Personally, I like the Eyewitness Guides:
http://www.amazon.com/Prague-Eyewitness-Travel-Guides-Publishing/dp/0756615488/ref=sr_1_1/104-3970622-0503953?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191998274&sr=1-1 and/or
http://www.amazon.com/Prague-Eyewitness-Top-Travel-Guides/dp/075134849X/ref=sr_1_12/104-3970622-0503953?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191998186&sr=1-12

The usual hard copy travel guides (Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, Fodor's, Frommer's) all do a good job of covering Prague and many of them also have on-line information:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/prague/
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/tournews/0404/prague.htm
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=prague@122
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/czech-republic/prague

Lonely Planet also has a good phrase book: http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Czech-Phrasebook-Dictionary/dp/1864501847/ref=sr_1_33/104-3970622-0503953?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191997876&sr=1-33

Try the Medovnik (honey cake) & the hot apple or pear drink at the trolley cafe in Wenceslaus Square while you're there.

Answer 2

I don't eBay much but it's a place that has almost everything -- You can even buy a phrasebook off there. Also, get a guidebook while you can.

Prague has one of the best metro systems if you plan on taking one.

About taxis, you must be aware if you plan on taking one anywhere, especially from the airport. They are known for their bad reputation.

Depending on the destination, a trip to the city costs up to 700 Kè per 2-3 persons Before entering the car, check the price with the driver. It is not recommended to accept a price over 700 Kè.

Just protecting the fellow foreigners like you. ;)

About renting a car if you haven't already and are interested: http://prague.cz/rentcar.asp

Answer 3

I find Lonely Planet has guidebooks the best... there's a few that cover Prague

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/Primary/Region/EUROPE/Eastern_Europe/Czech_and_Slovak_Republics/PRD_PRD_1844/Czech++Slovak+Republics+Travel+Guide.jsp;ODLPSID=HMvml7TT8KdGjDmRJRq0Js3JPmKHBT7TDpLW7TbpWMkb8JP2sBLP!-32294615!133762024?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181057&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025935&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441760686&bmUID=1192013606973

or once you make it to Prague go to the bottom of the Wenceslas Square, there's a bookstore (Kanzelberger) and I believe it's the 4th floor, there's a foreign language book section... I'm sure you'll be able to find English guidebooks.... Maps should be available throughout the city or at your hotel....

ps: (in reply to cowboydoc)... he doesn't know what he's talking about... I'm from Prague and none of the stuff he's saying is true... enjoy Prague!

Answer 4

Some very close friends just came back. I don't think I would go myself. They said the street light near the train station turn off after dark, if they ever came on.
There are very few restaurants that are reasonable to eat in and you can actually eat the food. You don't ask if anyone speaks English, your expected to speak they're tongue.
When you ask for help, they stick out their hand. No payment, no help.

They weren't very happy, they looked for relatives for days but, with little help, it was on the last days of their holidays they finally found them. They said they wouldn't return.

And, by the way, the traffic in the streets all but stopped after dark, including any cab service, there was no where to hire anyone.

Answer 5

Before I went there i got a book called "CZECH PHARASEBOOK"