Czech Republic

Czechia (also known as the Czech Republic) is a landlocked Central European country known for its medieval architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant capital Prague. The country attracts over 20 million visitors annually, making it one of Europe's most visited destinations.

For air travelers, Prague serves as the primary gateway. The country's central European location and membership in the Schengen Area make it an accessible destination from across Europe with numerous low-cost carrier options. Despite being an EU member state, Czechia uses its own currency (Czech Koruna) rather than the Euro.

International Gateway

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
PRG	Prague	Main international hub	Czech Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air

Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG) is the country's only major international airport, handling approximately 17 million passengers annually. Located 17 km west of Prague city center, it serves as the base for Czech Airlines (now part of Smartwings) and hosts significant operations from European low-cost carriers.

PRG has two main terminals:

• Terminal 1: Non-Schengen flights (UK, intercontinental)
• Terminal 2: Schengen flights (European destinations)

Regional Airports

Airport	City	Notes
BRQ	Brno	Limited scheduled service, mainly charters
OSR	Ostrava	Seasonal flights, primarily charters
KLV	Karlovy Vary	Small international airport, limited service
PED	Pardubice	Very limited scheduled flights

Regional airports have minimal scheduled service. Most travelers use Prague regardless of final destination.

Flag Carrier

Czech Airlines (OK) — The former national carrier is now part of the Smartwings group. It operates a mix of scheduled and charter flights from Prague to European destinations and select long-haul routes. Star Alliance member status was discontinued.

Smartwings (QS) — The parent company operates both scheduled services and charter flights, serving leisure destinations across Europe and beyond.

Low-Cost Carriers

Low-cost carriers dominate the Prague route network:

• Ryanair (FR) — Largest LCC presence at PRG, extensive European network
• easyJet (U2) — Flights to UK, Western Europe
• Wizz Air (W6) — Growing presence, connections to Eastern Europe and beyond
• Eurowings (EW) — Lufthansa's LCC, German connections
• Vueling (VY) — Spanish destinations

Full-Service Carriers

Major European carriers with Prague service:

• Lufthansa (LH) — Frankfurt and Munich hubs
• British Airways (BA) — London Heathrow
• Air France (AF) — Paris CDG
• KLM (KL) — Amsterdam
• Austrian (OS) — Vienna hub (convenient alternative)
• Emirates (EK) — Dubai connection for long-haul
• Korean Air (KE) — Seoul (seasonal)

Schengen Area

Czechia is part of the Schengen Area. This means:

• No border controls with other Schengen countries
• Single visa covers all 27 Schengen states
• 90-day limit within any 180-day period for visa-free visitors

Visa-Free Travel

Citizens of the following regions can visit without a visa for up to 90 days:

• EU/EEA countries (unlimited stay)
• USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore
• Most Latin American countries

ETIAS (Coming Soon)

From 2025, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) pre-authorization:

• Online application
• Valid for 3 years
• Covers all Schengen countries

Visa Required

Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list need a Schengen visa. Apply at the Czech embassy or consulate in your country.

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 3 months beyond planned departure from Schengen
• Issued within the last 10 years
• At least 2 blank pages

Official visa information: Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Domestic Flights

Domestic flights are virtually non-existent due to Czechia's small size. Prague to Brno is only 200 km by road—faster and cheaper by train or bus than flying.

Trains

Czech Railways (CD) operates an extensive network:

• Prague ↔ Brno: 2.5 hours, frequent departures
• Prague ↔ Ostrava: 3 hours
• Prague ↔ Karlovy Vary: 3 hours
• Prague ↔ Cesky Krumlov: 3 hours (change at Ceske Budejovice)

International connections:

• Prague ↔ Vienna: 4 hours
• Prague ↔ Berlin: 4.5 hours
• Prague ↔ Munich: 6 hours

Book at cd.cz or use RegioJet for private rail service.

Buses

RegioJet and FlixBus offer comfortable, affordable long-distance buses:

• Often faster than trains for some routes
• WiFi and refreshments included
• Prague bus station: Florenc

Car Rental

Useful for:

• Bohemian countryside
• Castle hopping
• Mountain regions (Krkonose, Sumava)

Requirements:

• Valid driving license (IDP recommended for non-EU)
• Highway vignette required for motorways (purchase online or at border)
• Drive on the right

Peak Season (June-August, December)

Summer brings the best weather and largest crowds, especially in Prague. December is popular for Christmas markets. Expect:

• Highest airfares
• Crowded attractions
• Book accommodation well ahead

Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October)

Best overall value. Pleasant weather, fewer tourists, lower prices:

• Spring: Cherry blossoms, Easter markets
• Autumn: Fall foliage, wine harvest in Moravia
• Flights 20-30% cheaper than peak

Off-Season (November, January-March)

Lowest prices but cold, grey weather:

• Great for museums, concerts, beer culture
• Ski season in mountain areas
• Prague less crowded but still atmospheric

Weather Patterns

• Summer: Warm, occasional thunderstorms (20-30°C)
• Winter: Cold, snow possible (-5 to 5°C)
• Spring/Autumn: Mild, variable (10-20°C)

Cities

City	Nearest Airport	Known For
Prague	PRG	Old Town, Charles Bridge, castle, beer
Brno	BRQ/PRG	Moravian capital, universities, wine
Cesky Krumlov	PRG	UNESCO medieval town, castle
Karlovy Vary	KLV/PRG	Spa town, film festival
Olomouc	PRG	Baroque architecture, cheese

Regions

• Bohemia: Western region, includes Prague, castles, spa towns
• Moravia: Eastern region, wine country, folk traditions
• Czech Switzerland: National park, dramatic sandstone formations
• Krkonose Mountains: Skiing, hiking, highest peaks

Day Trips from Prague

• Kutna Hora (bone church) — 1 hour by train
• Karlstejn Castle — 40 minutes by train
• Terezin Memorial — 1 hour by bus
• Pilsen (Pilsner beer origin) — 1.5 hours by train

Money

• Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK). Czechia is NOT in the Eurozone
• Exchange rate: Approximately 25 CZK = 1 EUR (varies)
• Cards: Widely accepted in Prague, less so in rural areas
• Cash: Useful for small purchases, some restaurants
• ATMs: Widely available. Use bank ATMs, avoid exchange bureaus
• Tipping: 10% at restaurants, round up for taxis

Electrical

• Voltage: 230 V / 50 Hz
• Plugs: Type C (Europlug) and Type E (French standard with grounding pin)
• Adapters: UK, US, Australian travelers need adapters
• Note: Most phone chargers and laptops are dual-voltage (100-240V)

Connectivity

• Mobile: Major carriers Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2
• EU Roaming: Free for EU residents
• eSIM: Widely supported, Airalo and Holafly work well
• WiFi: Free at airports, hotels, many cafes and restaurants

Language

• Official: Czech
• English: Widely spoken in Prague tourism areas, less common elsewhere
• German: Understood by older generations
• Useful phrases: "Dobry den" (hello), "Dekuji" (thank you), "Pivo" (beer)

Safety

Czechia is very safe for tourists. Standard urban precautions apply:

• Watch for pickpockets in crowded tourist areas (Old Town Square, Charles Bridge)
• Use reputable taxi apps (Bolt, Liftago) rather than street taxis
• Emergency number: 112 (EU standard)

Beer Culture

Czechia has the highest beer consumption per capita globally:

• Pilsner Urquell: World's first pilsner, from Pilsen
• Budweiser Budvar: Original Budweiser, from Ceske Budejovice
• Beer often cheaper than water in restaurants
• Traditional pubs ("hospoda") serve fresh tank beer

• Tourism: Visit Czech Republic
• Visa: Czech MFA
• ETIAS: Official ETIAS (when launched)
• Prague Airport: prg.aero
• Train Tickets: Czech Railways
• Bus Tickets: RegioJet