First Time in Prague? Everything You Need to Know

Prague is one of Europe's easiest cities to visit — compact, walkable, well-connected, and affordable enough that budget mistakes barely register. But a few quirks of Czech life can catch first-timers off guard: the currency is not the euro, the restaurant bill might include items you never ordered, the tram system has its own logic, and the airport transfer can be done for a fraction of what a taxi driver will quote.

This guide covers the practical essentials — from landing at Václav Havel Airport to navigating the tram network, avoiding the most common tourist traps, and understanding the unwritten rules that will make your Prague trip smoother and cheaper.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Bus 119 + Metro (Best Option)

The cheapest and most reliable airport transfer. Take Bus 119 from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station (17 minutes), then transfer to Metro Line A (green line) to reach the center. The whole journey takes about 40 minutes and costs CZK 40 for a 90-minute ticket — valid for both the bus and metro.

Buy tickets at the yellow machines in the arrivals hall or via the Lítačka app (download before you land). Validate paper tickets on the bus by stamping them in the yellow machine onboard. Buses run every 5-15 minutes from 5 AM to midnight.

Airport Express Bus (AE)

A direct bus to Praha hlavní nádraží (Prague main train station) in 35 minutes for CZK 60. Useful if your hotel is near the station or you are connecting to a train. Runs every 30 minutes.

Taxi & Ride-Sharing

Official airport taxis cost CZK 600-800 to the center. Use the AAA Taxi stand outside arrivals — agree on the price before getting in, or insist on the meter. Bolt and Uber both operate in Prague and typically cost CZK 400-550 from the airport. Book through the app to avoid negotiation.

Currency: CZK, Not EUR

The Czech Republic uses the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro. This catches many visitors off guard. While some tourist businesses accept euros, the exchange rates they apply are terrible — you will lose 10-20% versus paying in CZK. Always pay in koruna.

Current rate: 1 EUR ≈ 25 CZK. Roughly, divide CZK prices by 25 to get euros. A CZK 250 meal is about €10. A CZK 50 beer is about €2.

ATMs: Use bank-branded ATMs (Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank). When the ATM asks "convert to your home currency?" — always select NO (decline conversion). Accepting conversion means the ATM applies a markup of 5-10% on the exchange rate. Withdraw CZK and let your own bank handle the conversion.

Avoid: Euronet ATMs (bright blue, found everywhere in tourist areas) charge exorbitant fees and push unfavorable dynamic currency conversion. Exchange offices on Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square, and tourist streets with "0% commission" signs are some of the worst in Europe — their "0% commission" is offset by an exchange rate that steals 10-15% of your money.

Getting Around Prague

Tram System

Prague's tram network is one of the best urban transit systems in Europe — 24 daytime lines and 9 night trams covering the entire city. Trams run every 4-10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. Key tourist lines: Tram 22 runs from the center through Malá Strana up to Prague Castle (the scenic route), and Tram 9 connects Wenceslas Square to Vyšehrad.

Download the Lítačka app for tickets and real-time tracking. Google Maps handles Prague transit routing perfectly.

Metro

Three lines (A green, B yellow, C red) intersect at three central stations: Muzeum (A+C), Můstek (A+B), and Florenc (B+C). The metro runs from 5 AM to midnight. Useful for longer distances but unnecessary for most central sightseeing — walking and trams cover everything.

Walking

Prague is extremely walkable. Old Town Square to Charles Bridge is 10 minutes. Charles Bridge to Prague Castle is 20 minutes (uphill). Old Town to Vinohrady is 15 minutes. Wear shoes with good grip — the cobblestones are beautiful but treacherous when wet.

The Restaurant Bill Padding Scam

This is Prague's most notorious tourist trap, and while it has diminished significantly in recent years, it still happens. Here is how it works:

The bread basket trick: A basket of bread and/or a bowl of nuts appears on your table without being ordered. You assume it is complimentary. It is not. When the bill arrives, you will find a CZK 50-100 charge for bread you did not ask for. Solution: If bread arrives unbidden, ask "Is this free?" If not, send it back.

Inflated prices: The menu shows one price, the bill shows a higher one. Sometimes drinks are charged at a "large" size when you ordered small. Solution: Photograph the menu and compare it against the bill before paying.

The "cover charge": Some tourist restaurants add a mysterious "couvert" or "service" charge of CZK 50-100 per person. This is not standard Czech practice. Solution: Ask about cover charges before sitting down.

Where it happens: Almost exclusively in tourist-heavy restaurants on Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and directly adjacent to Charles Bridge. Walk three blocks in any direction and this problem vanishes entirely. Restaurants with good Google reviews (4.0+) are almost always honest.

Tipping

Tipping in the Czech Republic is straightforward. Service charge is not included in restaurant bills (unlike France or the Netherlands). A tip of 10% is standard for good service. Round up smaller bills to the nearest CZK 10 or 50.

When paying, tell the waiter the total you want to pay including tip — for example, if the bill is CZK 430, say "čtyři sta padesát" (four hundred fifty) and hand over CZK 500. They will return CZK 50. Do not leave the tip on the table after paying — hand it directly to the server or include it in your stated total. At bars, round up by CZK 5-10 per drink.

Practical Tips

Language

Czech is a Slavic language that is genuinely difficult for English speakers. Fortunately, English is widely spoken in Prague's tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels. Younger Praguers (under 35) generally speak good English. Learning a few words helps: dobrý den (good day/hello), děkuji (thank you), prosím (please/you're welcome), pivo (beer), na zdraví (cheers).

Safety

Prague is very safe. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are pickpocketing (Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, tram 22, crowded metro), taxi scams (always use Bolt or Uber, or insist on a metered fare), and currency exchange scams (avoid tourist-area exchange offices). Keep valuables in front pockets in crowded areas.

Weather & Packing

Prague has a continental climate with genuine seasons. Summer (June-August) averages 22-26°C and is pleasant. Winter (December-February) drops to -2 to 3°C with possible snow — pack warm layers. Spring and autumn are mild but rainy. A waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes are essential year-round.