Czech Republic Travel Guide:

         Travel Information

Special Note   Road Safety and Conditions   Medical Care

The Czech Republic offers limited vacation destinations for all but the most accomplished traveler.  Prague is the jewel of the country and a perfect destination for a short visit. Expect lower standards outside of Prague.

1. The Czech Republic is a rapidly developing European nation. Tourist facilities in Prague are at the level of those found in most Western European countries; outside Prague, however, these facilities are not as developed and vacation travel can be challenging.  Prague is a great town for walking, as the historic district is compact.  In addition, Prague's history has been well preserved and it has become of tourist favorite for a day or two stay.



2. Prague is a safe destination for independent travel.  If you are interested in visiting other parts of the Czech Republic, do so as part of tour, organized by a reliable company.  (Read our article on How to evaluate tour operators.)   



3. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations for the Czech Republic can be found here Czech Republic: Places to Visit.



4. Additional information on travel in the Czech Republic can be found at the country's official tourism website  www.visitczech.cz
or http://www.turistik.cz/en/ .


5. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Overall, the Czech Republic is a safe destination for tourists.

1. The countries of the former Soviet Union do not provide health care and prevention systems that meet western standards.  Read our article on Health issues in Russia and Eastern European Countries for information on health risks and strategies for prevention.  Traveling in Russia or Eastern Europe without practicing the preventions described in this article is not recommended.  Check with the CDC for updates before you travel.

2. No specific travel warnings are in effect at this time.  Before you depart, always check with the Department of State   insure that this conditions have not changed.  In addition, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.

3. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .
4. When visiting a foreign country, avoid public demonstrations (whatever the cause) and do not broadcast either your public opinions or your nationality.
5. Civil disorder is rare in the Czech Republic, although strikes and demonstrations do occasionally occur. U.S. citizens should be vigilant in protecting their security, bearing in mind that even demonstrations meant to be peaceful could turn violent. Americans are advised to avoid street demonstrations.
6. People traveling in the Czech Republic who do not speak Czech may call 112 if they require emergency services. This is a 24-hour toll-free number. Callers will be able to report emergencies or request emergency assistance in English (as well as Czech) from Czech ambulance services, the fire department, and the police.
7. The U.S. Embassy in Prague is located at Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague, Czech Republic; tel. (420) 257 022 000.  Information is also available on the Embassy's web site at  http://prague.usembassy.gov.  See our article on how U.S. Counsels can help Americans abroad.

Visas are required for longer stays and for any gainful activity. For more information, contact the Embassy of the Czech Republic at 3900 Spring of Freedom St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 274-9103, or visit the Embassy's web site at http://www.mzv.cz/washington.

The Czech Government requires that you have proof of finances to pay for your stay and is requiring proof of medical insurance for travelers to the Czech Republic. Minimum coverage of the insurance has to be at least $35,000.

• (According to Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington D.C., the details of the insurance requirement are as follows: "Please note that you are required to have a travel/health insurance to travel to the Czech Republic. Your health insurance must cover the medical services abroad - if not, you must have a travel insurance for possible expenses and hospitalization charges for medical reasons (accidents or unexpected illness while traveling in the Czech Republic), including repatriation to the country of your legal residence or to the country which issued your travel document.
• Minimum coverage of the insurance has to be at least $ 35000. Make sure you will have a proof of your medical insurance with you when entering the Czech Republic.")
• According to the Czech Government, a health insurance card or an internationally recognized credit card with health insurance included will generally be accepted as proof of insurance to enter the Republic.

If you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

DUAL NATIONALITY: U.S. citizens who are also Czech citizens under Czech law may be subject, while in the Czech Republic, to certain aspects of Czech law. Those who may be affected should inquire at a Czech Embassy or Consulate regarding their status.

In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. For additional information, please see the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at
http://travel.state.gov for an explanation of dual nationality issues. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of 
any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and
depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers.

Be alert and avoid the petty theft situations that target travelers.  The more common situations are described below.

Street crime, particularly pick pocketing is a problem, especially in Prague.  Be alert when in Prague's crowded tourist areas, using the city's public transportation, or when eating at restaurants.

Reported incidents of pick pocketing in 2005 were up by 2 percent over 2004.

Younger travelers should be aware of the reported use of rohypnol, and other "date rape" drugs in the Czech Republic. Caution should be used when accepting open drinks at bars or clubs

Travelers should  be very careful while riding the trains, trams, or metro in Prague, where most pick pocketing crime occurs. Keep a copy of your passport in a safe place separate from the passport itself; this copy can help you to apply for a new passport if yours is lost or stolen.

Visitors should be alert to the potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Radio-dispatched taxis are often much more reliable, but is it advisable to set a price in advance.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Keep a copy of your passport in a safe place separate from the passport itself; this copy can help you to apply for a new passport if yours is lost or stolen.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

• Passengers should determine the fare to be charged and agree on it before beginning a taxi ride.
• Information on normal charges for common routes is available at Prague Airport and at many tourist information offices.
• Airport taxis are allowed to charge a higher-than-normal tariff.
• Radio-dispatched taxis are generally reliable and cheaper than taxis\ flagged on the street.

2.  People camping or hiking in long grass or woodlands from April through October run the risk of both tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. There is a vaccine for the former, but not for Lyme disease. All travelers should take precautions to avoid tick bites.

3.  Passengers on public transportation should buy a ticket prior to boarding to avoid being fined. The ticket must be validated at the outset of the trip by inserting it into the yellow box found on trams and buses and in the entry halls of subway stations.

4.  ThereArePlaces makes every attempt to ensure that the travel information we present to you is current. Before you depart, be sure to check with official government sources to determine the status of critical information relating to a particular county.

While in the Czech Republic, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  Road fatalities are occurring at an increasing rate in the Czech Republic, placing it amongst the most lethal places to drive in Europe.

The information below concerning the Czech Republic is provided for general reference only and may not be accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Travelers should note that road fatalities are occurring at an increasing rate in the Czech Republic, placing it amongst the most lethal places to drive in Europe.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

First-class roads in the Czech Republic generally meet Western European standards.

• When driving on side roads,  be prepared to encounter uneven surfaces, irregular lane markings and sign placements that are not clear.
• Streets in towns are not always in good condition.
  •  U.S. drivers should pay special attention to driving on cobblestone and among streetcars in historic city centers.
• Traffic lights are placed before the intersection and not after, as in the United States.
• Passing is permitted on the left side only. When passing and turning, it is necessary to use a turn signal.
• If there is a red light on a traffic light, drivers are forbidden to continue driving (even when turning right).

An International Driving Permit (IDP), (available from AAA in the United States ), must accompany an official driver’s license; failure to have the IDP and a valid license may result in denial of an insurance claim after an accident.

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.  Failure to do so could result in fines or confiscation of the car during your travels.  Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs).

Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that a road usage tax sticker is required to drive legally on major highways. Signs stating this requirement are posted near the border, but they are easy to miss. The stickers are available at larger gasoline stations. 

• Detailed information about the stickers can be obtained at border crossings and larger gas stations.
• The fine for failing to display a motorways toll sticker is assessed on the spot.
  

Speed Limits in the Czech Republic:

1. Built-up areas - 50 km/h
2. Outside Built up areas (including  dual carriageways) - 90 km/h
3. Motorways - 130 km/h

Our information on speed limits is as current as possible. Always confirm the speed limits with your rental car agent and observe the posted speeds limits whenever and wherever you drive.

Use of mobile telephones while driving is against the law in most European countries.  The fine for violating laws against the use of mobile phone while driving is significant.  If you need to use your mobile phone while on the road, stop your car in a designated parking area and place your call.

ThereArePlaces recommends that you do not drink and drive.  In most foreign countries, especially in Europe and the UK, the maximum permitted blood alcohol levels are lower than those enforced in the United States. Penalties and punishments are significant. See our article on drinking and driving in foreign countries  for more information.

For specific information concerning Czech requirements for driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Czech Tourist Authority offices in New York by telephone at (212) 288-0830 or via email at nycenter@pop.net.  For additional general information about road safety , including links to foreign government sites, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html.

Prague has good Western-style medical clinics with English-speaking doctors and dentists.

However, staff members at the majority of Czech medical facilities do not speak English. Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health services, though some facilities do accept credit cards. Hospitalization in the Czech Republic is much more liberal than in the United States; conditions that would be treated on an outpatient basis in the United States are often treated on an inpatient basis in the Czech Republic.

Ambulance services are not on par with U.S. standards. Response can sometimes be slow, and different ambulances are dispatched depending on the perceived severity of the patient's condition. Many ambulance companies expect payment at the time of delivery. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more.

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure                         “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.  ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.