What to Know Before Visiting Prague

Prague. Or “Pra-ha” when in the Czech Republic. And actually- the country has most recently been referred to as ‘Czechia’. I wouldn’t be too concerned about offending any Czechs by not being in the know of this recent nickname. But I would be conscious of not referring to their homeland as ‘Czechoslovakia’ though. This would be to point to a time in the country’s turbulent history when the Czechs and Slovaks were joined together to become one united state. This was at the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I in1918. Czechoslovakia was prosperous during this newfound freedom, but sadly, it was short lived. In 1938, Nazi Germany came in and occupied the state until 1945. Shortly after, Czechoslovakia was under Soviet control which lasted until 1989. It wasn’t until 1993 that the Czech Republic and Slovakia separated and became independent countries. Considering I cut Czech history down into three sentences, if you’re interested in history at all or just curious to learn more, I highly suggest you read an in depth summary. The Britannica obviously has one, which you can read here, but you can also find plenty of information online. ( ..in case you didn’t know the internet existed.) But it’s all very fascinating and in my opinion, having the knowledge adds to your experience while visiting. So to put it plainly, to refer to them as ‘Czechoslovakia’ would be to not only ignore their long-awaited freedom and independence, but also to disregard the hardship and challenges they faced for so long. So let’s not do that and you’ll be good :) Besides that, the Czechs are very nice people. They may not wear an excited expression or give off an overly warm welcome, but don’t be alarmed by it. As Americans, we kinda overdo the kindness a bit and expect it in return.

The Czech Republic is not on the Euro

That’s right. Leave all your leftover Euros from last trip at home. Unless of course you’re traveling throughout Europe. In that case, they may come in handy. But the Czech Republic actually has their own currency and it’s called the Czech Koruna. Or Czech crown. At the time of writing this post,1 US dollar equates to 23 Crowns. Read that one more time. And one more. Yes, the crown is going to be the reason you don’t go broke while gallivanting around Europe. It’ll definitely be a breath of fresh air if you’re used to converting your money into the Euro. But that’s not to say that the entire country is super cheap. In the last 10 years, Prague has become quite the tourist destination. And it just continues to drawl more people in each year. With this, obviously the cost of experiencing the city has also risen, but food and drink are two things that remain relatively affordable and will help your budget for sure.

Avoid Money Exchange Places

Money exchange places do not usually offer the best exchange rate- even when they claim they do. Some places even promise incredibly low rates to only give you back currency that is no longer accepted in the country. The Czech Republic changed out their currency nearly ten years ago, but old bills are definitely still floating around. And sometimes they tend to land right into tourist hands by scammers promising low exchange rates. An easy way to avoid this happening to you is simply using an ATM. The fee and international charges end up being less than what you would pay to exchange anyway. And you also don’t have to worry about getting ripped off.

Be aware of pickpockets

Like many busy European cities, pickpockets are a thing.. especially in crowded areas where tourists flock to and are oblivious to their surroundings. The only thing you can do is be aware and keep your bag close. Just common sense stuff. I’m not that person that tapes my passport and cash to my torso under my clothes (do people really do that?) but I am that person that sits at a restaurant with my bag on the ground and my foot placed into the strap loop. If someone decides to run by and grab it, they’re taking my foot with them.

Airbnbs probably won’t have air conditioner

If you’re an avid Airbnb user and plan on traveling to Prague in summer, you may want to keep this in mind. A lot of Airbnbs in Prague tend to be lofted with a tiny living space/kitchen below, and a bed elevated above, up a ladder or narrow set of stairs. This is a great option for travelers looking for their own space but also on a budget. But, remember, heat rises.. and summertime can get quite warm. This is not to say opting for hotels over Airbnb is necessary, OR that all Airbnbs are the same, but just something to keep in your back packet.

Everything is Easily Seen on Foot

Prague is most definitely a walking city. Old Town is compact and easily explored on foot- so you don’t have to worry about sites being too spread out and not having enough time to see it all. The must see attractions are in close proximity and you can most definitely cross quite a few sites off your list in an afternoon. Just plan your day (and route) efficiently. A lot of the roads in Old Town are little cobblestone roads that weave around old buildings, which make the wandering even more of an exciting experience.

Get to Charles Bridge Early for Photos

Getting photos of the famous Charles Bridge without an insane amount of tourists is not going to happen easily. I was there at 6am and multiple groups were already glammed up and taking pictures. So get there earlyyyy. If this already sounds annoying, I suggest heading to the Old Town Square instead. Getting photographs of the square quiet and empty is not only a peaceful and powerful experience in its own, but its also doable. Ben and I cut through the square one early morning for the train and not one person was there.. The architecture was stunning as usual and having it all to ourselves for a moment was pure magic.

Opt for Public Transport or Rideshare over Taxis

Although you can easily do Prague on foot, you do have options if youre exhausted and can’t do anymore walking. There are subway and tram car stops all throughout the city, making getting from point A to point B a breeze. Taking public transportation will save you quite a bit of money and they’re super easy to figure out. If you much prefer hopping in a car, choose rideshare over taxis. In Prague, taxis have a tendency of ripping off customers and overcharging on rides that would be much cheaper with uber or Liftago. Liftago is the Prague version of Uber and you can easily download the app and see the cost of your ride before committing.

Beer is Cheaper than Water

It’s true. Ben did study abroad in Prague way back when, and insists that everyone in his program drank beer over water since it was so much cheaper. I’m going to go ahead and make the assumption that the cost was probably only half the reason ..and that being reckless college students may have had something to do with it. Either way, if you’re a bottled water person, it will cost you more than a pint. That being said, if you’re out at a restaurant or pub, you can always ask for table water- don’t worry, it’s safe to drink. Water isn’t always brought to the table though, so you will have to ask for it. Ben and I tend to track down grocery stores and load up on water. It’s cheapest this way and you can always throw a bottle in your bag for the day, making sure you stay plenty hydrated. In Prague, there are a lot of bodegas, which you can pick up water, snacks, beer, and even fresh fruit. They’re perfect when you’re in a pinch, but these places can run you just as much as eating/drinking out. So try to find the actual grocery stores.

How to Order Beer

If you’re going to old school Czech pubs or a beer hall of sorts, typically one main beer is on draft and it’s assumed you’re there to consume it. Waiters walk through with a tray loaded up of beer steins, place one down in front of you and mark a tally on a scrap of paper, and walk away. Usually, without even a word. This scrap of paper is left with you and essentially is your receipt. When you’re finally finished, you wave over the waiter, hand him the paper, which will tell him how many beers you drank, and pay your tab. It’s really as easy as that. One thing to note though, if there are coasters on the table, make sure to place one in front of you. That basically indicates that youre ready and waiting for your brew. If you’re looking to stray from the norm and order something else, just speak up and catch the waiter before he blows past you. Servers aren’t overly friendly, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel bullied into drinking something you don’t want.. I can’t tell you how many beers I drank because I was afraid to ask for anything different.

Dumplings are not what you’re thinking

If you’re like me, seeing dumplings on a menu immediately seals the deal. You all of sudden can’t concentrate on the rest of the menu because you’re salivating thinking about juicy, oily, plump dumplings and how you can’t resist them. It’s a sickness, I’m telling you. And although Czech dumplings are delicious, they are absolutely *not * like Asian dumplings/potsickers/gyoza or any other dumpling like creation that you’re picturing. Instead, they are more like a dense slice of bread. They look like bread, they kinda taste like bread, and they are primarily used to scoop up gravy and sauce JUST LIKE BREAD. I think you get it. They’re delicious and you must try them, but also, know what you’re getting into ;)