Flight to Prague (PRG)

Flying to Prague: tips and information for your trip

The capital of the Czech Republic has the history and culture to rival some of Europe’s longest-standing tourist hotspots. Thanks to its architecture and penchant for all things artistic, it’s just as easy on the eye and lighter on the wallet, making it a popular destination all year round. You’re spoiled for choice when trying to decide what to do on a city break in Prague, but whatever you opt for, you’ll love the ambiance of the cool capital that was home to huge historic figures such as Franz Kafka.

Don’t hesitate and book a ticket today to Prague with Brussels Airlines!

What to do in Prague?

1. Head to the top of the Prague Castle grounds for stunning gardens and incredible views of the city. There are free areas you can explore once you’re there, but it’s worth paying to see the sights of St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and St. George's Basilica, to name a few. Depending on how much time you have, ticket option ‘B’ covers the highlights.
   
   
2. Prague’s Old Town is one of the most iconic parts of the city, and the Old Town Square houses some of the main tourist attractions. On the hour, watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles when the astronomical clock strikes, and then take a tour of the Old Town Hall to see beautiful mosaics and Gothic cellars.
   
   
3. The Josefov Jewish quarter is historically rich yet haunting. Here you can visit the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Pinkas Synagogue, which today serve as memorials for Czech Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
   
   
4. You can also compare the styles of the Old-New Synagogue with the Jerusalem Synagogue, which is a short walk away. Here you’ll learn about the history of Jewish people in Prague.
5. Prague gave the world Kafka, and plenty of attractions celebrate his life and works. Head to the Franz Kafka Museum, or appreciate the innovative design of various monuments to him around the city (particularly Metalmorphosis, a huge rotating statue of his head).
   
   
6. Walk along the river to take a look at the ‘Dancing House’, the Nationale-Nederlanden. Frank Gehry’s unique design makes it look like the house moves and dances, It’s quite popular with tourists.
   
   
7. Be sure to cross Charles Bridge, which connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town. The statues that run along the side are said to bring good luck, so touch their plaques as you work your way along this Gothic masterpiece.

Practical information for your trip

• You can travel from Vaclav Havel Airport to the city centre by coach, bus, train or taxi. Flixbus and Regiojet run coach services, whilst bus lines 100, 119, 191 and the 910 night bus also run to and from the airport. The Airport Express service runs to the main railway station.
  
• Currency: Czech Crown(CZK). Cash is king, but larger establishments will accept cards. Make sure that, if you’re using an ATM, you select the ‘local currency’ option to avoid conversion fees.
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: +420. Free Wi-Fi is widely available.
• Electric sockets: Types C and E, with a supply voltage of 230 V and a frequency of 50 Hz.
• Travel information: European Unions citizens don’t need a visa to travel to the Czech Republic. A passport or identity card will suffice.

Dos and don’ts in Prague

• Remember to validate your public transport tickets. Simply buying them isn’t enough; you have to scan them on board or on the platform.
  
  
• Wear comfortable shoes; cobbled streets and lots to see mean that appropriate footwear is a must if you want to enjoy your trip.
  
  
• Consider a bar crawl or tour to appreciate the nightlife. Prague has lots of bars and clubs and, importantly, lots of world-class beer you should definitely try. There are organised bar crawls to suit all tastes, and it’s a great way to make the most of some local knowledge.
  
  
• Don’t be afraid to try the local cuisine. Prague’s beer is some of the best (and cheapest in the world), and restaurants such as Lokál offer hearty, traditional grub in a cool and edgy canteen setting.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Despite being a top city break destination, there are a lot of people in Prague who won’t speak or understand English, particularly the older generation.  Learn some key phrases to help you get by:

• Hello : Dobrý den (dobree den)
• Goodbye : Na shledanou (nas-khledanow)
• Yes : Ano (ano)
• No : Ne (ne)
• Please : Prosím (proseem)
• Thank you : Děkuji (daykooyi)
• Good morning : Dobré ráno (dobree rano)
• Good afternoon : Dobrý večer (dobree vetchair)
• Good night : Dobrou noc (Dob-row nots)

Online translation tools are great to help with pronunciation, and even if your Czech isn’t immediately understood, putting in a little effort to learn the pleasantries will make people much more willing to try and communicate with you, regardless of your language skills.

Cultural events

• If you’re after a winter holiday, Christmas markets are done well in Prague and are sure to get you in the festive spirit.
  
  
• Prague hosts the Czech Beer Festival in summer, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
  
  
• In autumn, there’s an International Jazz Festival.
  
  
• If you visit around February or March, keep an eye out for the Bohemian Carnevale. This is celebrated every year before Lent, and sees public celebrations, parades and partying take over the capital.
  
  
• Celebrations of Prague’s famous Black Light Theatre happen throughout the year and are creative and visually appealing for all ages.

When to go to Prague?

For good weather, it’s best to travel between late spring and autumn, as these months offer the warmest temperatures. Summer months offer the least rain, but Prague is also popular for short winter breaks. Just be sure to wrap up warm.

What to eat in Prague?

Prague has plenty of specialities and delicacies that you shouldn’t miss:

• Try a sweet treat with Prague’s traditional gingerbread, which can be found in shops around the city and which tastes as good as it smells.
• If you want a slightly less traditional but nonetheless delicious sugar boost, trdelník, or chimney cakes, are delicious.
• Try guláš, a type of traditional stew.
• Another favourite is kulajda, a kind of creamy potato soup.
• Knedlíky, a type of dumpling, is usually served with delicious sauces that mean you can try the dish several ways before you leave.