Practical Information
Website of the Czech Presidency The website of the Czech Presidency (www.eu2009.cz) contains details of all the important events taking place during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. Time/Electricity/Currency The Czech Republic is on Central European Time (CET), one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). In the Czech Republic 220 V (230 V), 50 Hz supply the electricity, plugs are the standard two-pin continental European style. The currency used in the Czech Republic is koruna (Kc). Hotels, restaurants and businesses accept most major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Clubs). Some of them also accept Euro currency. Money exchange is highly recommended. The Climate The Czech Republic has a mild continental climate with warm, sometimes-damp summers and cold winters. The average temperature in the summer is 24 C (74 F), although temperatures can rise to 30 C (92 F). At night, temperatures fall to 15 C (46 F). In the winter, the daytime temperature averages around freezing point and at night falls to 4 C (26 F). During the coldest months, January and February, the daytime temperature hovers around 5 C (23 F). Spring and summer tend to be the sunniest months, with the period between May and August being the rainiest. Snow is rare in Prague during the winter. 2
Public transport Public transport in Prague is well developed, efficient and accessible. The metro, trams and buses are used by two-thirds of Prague s population and cover the majority of the city and its outskirts. Especially the metro makes getting around town a breeze since it enables covering long distances in a matter of minutes. For detailed information, see following links: www.dp-praha.cz official sites of the Prague public transportation authority www.cdrail.cz Czech Railways Company (info about trains) www.wasteels.cz prices of selected international train connections www.idos.cz timetable and other info about buses and trains www.csa.cz Czech Airlines www.csl.cz Prague airport (Ruzyne) map, timetables, transportation etc. Taxi Services Prague is flooded with taxis, but avoid picking one up on the street, as you ll likely be overcharged. Here are some of the reputable companies: 140 14 AAA 257 257 257 City Taxi 257 216 479 Taxi Praha 604 707 070 (Drink S.O.S.) If you have driven somewhere and for some reason are unable to drive back, this service will pick both you and your car up and drive you back home. Rent a Car www.abacar.cz rent a car www.chauffeur.cz hire your own chauffeur Important numbers for car trouble or road services: 154 Towing Service 1230 Emergency Road Service (ABA) 1240 Emergency Road Service (UAMK) 3
EMERGENCY CONTACTS The following numbers may come in handy during your visit. We need to draw your attention to the fact that besides the emergency numbers; reaching someone who speaks fluent English may be difficult. 112 General Emergency Number 112 is the general emergency line throughout the European Union (similar to 911 in the U.S.) It should be used for large-scale emergencies, especially for those who don t speak Czech operators will speak English and German as well as Czech. The number can be dialed from any phone, and the call is free. The number can be used for urgent help from Police, Fire Emergency, or Emergency Medical Assistance, though these numbers can also be dialed directly: 150 Fire Emergency 155 Medical Emergency (Ambulance/First Aid) 156 Prague City Police 158 Police First Aid and Hospitals In case of a medical problem that is not urgent, doctors/hospitals can be contacted directly. Below are a few examples of doctors and hospitals opened 24 hours: Hospitals 257 271 111 Nemocnice Na Holmolce (Prague 5) 222 801 111 Nemocnice na Františku (Prague 1) 222 928 111 Workplace: Poliklinika Palackého (Prague 1) 224 961 111 Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze (Prague 2) 24-Hour Pharmacies Even over-the-counter medication must be purchased at a pharmacy (lekarna). In case of urgent need, certain pharmacies are open 24-hours: 224 946 982 Prague 1, Palackého 5 222 519 731 Prague 2, Belgická 37 Dental Emergencies The following dental offices offer services from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and are open 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday: 224 986 981 Prague 1 241 733 918 Prague 4 Lost Credit Cards Lost or stolen credit card? Call one of the following services to take care of it: 224 125 353 Visa 222 800 111 American Express 261 354 650 MasterCard/Eurocard 267 314 285 Diners Club 4
Other information There are a few over-the-phone information services that are offered by Cesky Telecom, usually for a steep price. Note that many of the services are offered only in Czech. 187 General Information 1180 Info Line: Czech Number Directory 1181 Info Line: Foreign Number Directory 141 11 Operator for changed numbers (information about renumbering) 141 10 Information on air consistency (percentage of gases in the Prague air) 141 12 Exact time 141 16 Weather 141 20 Medical Information 133 002 Operator for International phone calls An interactive price list for these and other over-the-phone information services can be found here (follow the link for Volání na infolinky ): www.telecom.cz/nastroje_e/interaktivni_cenik USEFUL LINKS Prague online www.lss.com.au/prague/ a photographical travelogue of the major historical areas in Prague prague.tv/ unusual web for Prague visitors Culture www.ticketpro.cz a complete list of all cultural events in Prague and in the Czech Republic, purchase your tickets online www.fok.cz Prague Philharmony Orchestra www.czechphilharmonic.cz Czech Philharmony www.narodni-divadlo.cz National Theatre, Theatre of Estates, Kolowrat Theatre and National Theatre www.opera.cz State Opera Prague www.nm.cz National Museum (History and Natural-Science Museum) www.hrad.cz Prague Castle General www.gurman.cz Tells you which is the best Prague restaurant, where to find vegetarian food etc. www.visitczech.cz Czech Tourist Authority, Information Centre www.praha-mesto.cz Web Cam pointing towards the Old Town Square Money www.xe.net find what the exchange rate is (supports every currency) Magazines and Newspapers in English www.praguepost.cz weekly newspapers in English www.pbj.cz Prague Business Journal 5
Czech Presidency of the European Union www.eu2009.cz