Since Prague is still not part of the EU, you must change your currency at some point. By far the best deal is using an ATM machine. There are two at the airport, not far from the information desk (who can point it out to you). When I went to use one, there was a uniformed armed guard carrying an automatic weapon who I had to shoo away (very carefully!). I recommend you take out a minimum of 1000 crowns (35 euros), but not more than 3000 (100 euros) at a time. If you plan to pay for hotel and meals with credit cards, that should be plenty of cash to play with for a couple of days. You’ll spend less in Prague than you’d expect to spend elsewhere. There are ATMs in town at most bank branches. If you can’t use an ATM for some reason, banks offer the second best exchange rate for cash or traveler’s checks. Of course when they’re closed you won’t have that option.

You can also change money at the many currency exchange windows in town, but they will, without a doubt, give you much less by adding commissions and poor exchange rates. Don’t believe it when they say no commission. That is only if you are trading in Czech crowns for other currencies. You could easily pay 10% or more for a small transaction.

You may also be approached on the street by unscrupulous people who want to change money for you. Don’t do it, or you’ll surely be ripped off! They often try to sell you old notes that aren’t accepted anymore. You’ve been warned!

Once the Czech Republic enters the EU, Euros will rule the day in Prague. But like other countries who went the Euro route, you can expect prices to jump big time when they convert their crowns to Euros. So enjoy the Czech bargains while they last!

Central Prague is very compact and walkable. If your hotel is in the Old Town, or almost anywhere in Prague 1, you can probably walk wherever you want to go. If you need transportation, Prague offers a multitude of options.

Metro: Prague’s metro is fast and reliable. There are several metro lines and all come thru the center of the city, with the main stops at Staremeska (Old Town) and Mustek (Wenceslas Square). It costs only 12 crowns per trip (about 40 Eurocents). There are discount cards for 3 or more days, but you are unlikely to need public transport that much to realize any savings.

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By Air: Prague is not yet part of the European Union, so there are not as many connections to the city as most Western European capitals enjoy. But you still have a wide range of choices. The best deals on flying to Prague are through the UK with direct flights from London, Manchester and other UK cities. See EasyJet, Czech Airlines and others for special deals that can cost as little as 100 Euros round trip including taxes.

From other destinations, there are often deals on Czech Airlines, but they change all the time, so you must check their site often for the deals that match your itinerary. Expect to pay around 150 Euros for a discounted flight from Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam, which is about half the normal price. Czech Airlines also has deals from the US to Prague, often with a stopover.

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There’s so much to see and do in Prague, you should plan on at least three to four days to cover the main sites and perhaps explore some of the lesser know attractions.

As the center of art and culture in Bohemia for hundreds of years, Prague is bursting at the seams with wonderful places to explore. The first place people head to is Old Town, with it’s huge square surrounded by colorfully painted buildings. This is the center of the tourist district and pedestrian malls radiate in several directions from the square enticing you to stroll and shop.

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The Rough Guide Prague
by Rob Humphreys

The Rough Guide provides all the practical information a budget traveler needs to navigate the streets and cultural landscape of Prague. Great for anyone seeking the alternative side of the city.

Prague: A Traveler’s Literary Companion
by Paul Wilson (Editor)

Prague has always been a center of literature but little of it has been translated into English. This wonderful tome includes some excellent works by Franz Kafka and other lesser known Czech writers. This book is a good way to discover the literary history of this great city, and the unusual challenges faced by those writers expressing their freedom of speech.

Lonely Planet Prague
by Neil Wilson

Lonely Planet guides are geared to the budget traveler and this one is replete with hundreds of great tips on where to stay and what to do in beautiful Prague. The detailed information is very up-to-date yielding one of the best alternative guides you can buy.

Prague (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
by Vladimir Soukup

As usual this Eyewitness Guide to Prague is replete with stunning photographs, detailed drawings, walking tours, and suggestions to get the most out of your trip to this center of arts and culture. Includes a guide to hotels, restaurants, entertainment and more. Highly recommended.