Arrival

By car:
ATTENTION: Vignettes are compulsory for cars up to 3.5 tonnes driving on public roads subject to tolls, such as motorways. You can get the stickers at petrol stations, Czech post offices, border crossings and specialised shops for motorists. We obtained them through the ADAC.
There is a well-developed road network in the Czech Republic, with numerous main roads running through the country.

By rail:
The Czech Republic has one of the densest railway networks in Europe. The railway network is operated by the company Czech Railways České dráhy (ČD), but Regiojet also covers many railway routes in the Czech Republic. In addition, there is the provider Leo-Express. Tickets can be bought up to 90 days in advance.
Interrail and Eurail passes are also valid in the Czech Republic.
There are numerous connections from Germany to Chechnya, most of which run via Prague.

By bus
The Czech Republic has an extensive network of bus routes, most of which are faster and even cheaper than the train.
Regiojet, for example, has a large long-distance bus network in the Czech Republic and abroad.
The largest bus station is the ÚAN Florenc long-distance bus station in Prague.

By plane
The largest international airport in the Czech Republic is Prague Airport. There are flights from almost all parts of Europe.
Other international airports in the Czech Republic are located in Brno, Ostrava, Karlovy Vary and Pardubice.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for EU citizens
EU citizens do not require a visa to enter the Czech Republic. You can enter the country with a valid passport or identity card. The travel document must be valid at least until the date of return.

EU citizens may stay in the Czech Republic for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. For stays longer than 90 days, a residence permit is required, which must be applied for at the relevant immigration office after entering the country.

EU citizens staying in the Czech Republic for longer than 30 days must register with the immigration police responsible for their place of residence within 30 days. A change of residence must be reported to the relevant immigration police within 15 days.

EU citizens must provide proof of valid health insurance if requested by the police.

Entry requirements for non-EU citizens
Non-EU citizens require a valid passport to enter the Czech Republic. Visas are required for many countries, but there are also exceptions for certain countries such as the USA, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Australia, whose citizens can enter without a visa. Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay.

Non-EU citizens may stay in the Czech Republic visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, provided they come from a visa-exempt country. A visa or residence permit is required for longer stays.

Family members of EU citizens who are not EU citizens themselves can enter the Czech Republic without a visa under certain conditions if they have a valid ID of the EU citizen’s family member or can prove their relationship. For longer stays, however, they require a residence permit.

In most cases, non-EU citizens require a work permit, which is issued in a “dual” procedure together with the residence permit.

Special regulations
Pets
Anyone wishing to bring pets such as dogs or cats to the Czech Republic requires a pet passport, which is a standardized EU document issued by a vet.

On the road in the Czech Republic

By car
Important rules for driving in the Czech Republic:

The lights must always be switched on.

The 0.0 per mille limit applies to drivers.

Drivers may only use their cell phone via a hands-free system while driving.

A child weighing less than 36 kilograms and smaller than 150 centimeters must sit in a child seat.

In urban areas and villages, the speed limit is 50 km/h.

Outside the cities and municipalities on rural roads, the speed limit is 90 km/h .

The speed limit on the highway is 130 km/h. In towns and villages, the maximum speed limit on the highway is 80 km/h.

By bus and train
If you are traveling by bus or train, you will find a well-developed network in the Czech Republic. The providers are generally very reliable and punctual. Traveling by bus is often faster and cheaper than taking the train.

Tolls

The toll rules in the Czech Republic are clearly structured and mainly affect freeways and expressways. From 2024, some changes will come into force that will affect both the toll rates and the toll road network. It is important to find out about the current toll regulations before traveling and to purchase the appropriate vignette to avoid high fines.

If you drive on toll roads without a valid vignette, you can expect heavy fines. These can amount to up to 20,000 Czech crowns (approx. 844 euros).

Motorcycles are exempt from the toll. Historic vehicles and vehicles transporting certain persons (e.g. persons with a Czech disability card type ZTP or ZTP/P) are also exempt from the toll. Vehicles with alternative drives such as electric drives or plug-in hybrids (provided the CO2 emissions are below 50 g/km) are also exempt, but must submit an application to the authorities in advance.

Toll rates will be adjusted from March 1, 2024. The annual vignette will become more expensive, while the monthly and 10-day vignettes will become cheaper. In addition, a new daily vignette will be introduced, which will cost around eight euros (CZK 200). A new toll that takes into account the CO2 emissions of vehicles will be introduced. Vehicles that run on biomethane or natural gas will only pay half the toll. Electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles are exempt from the toll.

Best time to visit

Spring (March to May)
Spring is ideal for sightseeing and tours, as the temperatures are pleasant and nature begins to blossom. The months of April and May are particularly suitable for city trips and hiking tours.
Temperatures and weather
March: Maximum 8 °C, 6 rainy days
April: Maximum 13-14 °C, 6-7 rainy days
May: Maximum 18-20 °C, 9-13 rainy days

Summer (June to August)
The summer months are the best time for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and water sports. The temperatures are warm and the days are long, which is ideal for swimming and water sports at the numerous reservoirs.
Temperatures and weather
June: Maximum 21 °C, 9-12 rainy days
July: Maximum 23-24 °C, 9-13 rainy days
August: Maximum 23-24 °C, 8-11 rainy days

Fall (September to November)
Temperatures and weather
September: Maximum 18-19 °C, 6-10 rainy days
October: Maximum 13-14 °C, 5-6 rainy days
November: Maximum 6-7 °C, 7-10 rainy days

Winter (December to February)
The winter months are ideal for winter sports in the mountain regions. The ski season lasts from December to March and temperatures are often in the freezing range, providing perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding.
Temperatures and weather
December: Maximum 2 °C, 7-11 rainy days
January: Maximum 0 °C, 6-13 rainy days
February: Maximum 3 °C, 6-9 rainy days

Language

The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech.

As a tourist, you can get along with English. In some regions, however, you can also communicate in German and Russian.

Money

The Czech crown (CZK) has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 1993.

One crown is divided into 100 heller. The following coins are in circulation: 1 crown, 2 crowns, 5 crowns, 10 crowns, 20 crowns and 50 crowns. The following banknotes are used for payment: 100 crowns, 200 crowns, 500 crowns, 1000 crowns, 2000 crowns and 5000 crowns.

Tip

Here it is customary to tip ten per cent in pubs and restaurants – unless the amount is already on the bill as a service charge, in which case there is less cash. If the bill is brought on a tray or in a folder, that is the right place for the tip.
In a taxi, the passenger rounds up his fare by up to ten per cent.
In hotels, one or two euros should be converted into the respective currency: per service such as carrying suitcases or per night for the cleaning staff.

Power Plug

German holidaymakers do not need a travel adapter in the Czech Republic.
Type C and E plugs are used in the country.