Air
The largest and main Czech airport is Prague-Ruzyně. Domestic flights run from Moravia to Bohemia (e.g. from Ostrava to Prague), although most flights are international. Prague-Ruzyně Airport meets all European standards and is made up of three terminals. The official airport website can be found here.
Transport to the airport:
- by car on road R7,
- by bus: from the Dejvická metro station (bus 119), Zličín (bus 100), Nové Butovice (bus 179 and 225), Prague Main Station (Airport Express),
- by taxi.
The Czech airline is called Czech Airlines (ČSA) and ranks among the large European airlines.
Long-distance trains and busses
The Czech Republic has one of the densest rail networks in Europe and an elaborate system of public bus transportation with a great density of connections. Connections by bus and train are usually relatively reliable and cheap.
Timetables
All information about domestic transport can be found on the IDOS.cz website. Many carriers also state prices.
Carriers
Rail transportation is ensured almost exclusively by Czech Railways, bus transportation is ensured by several private carriers. Transportation by train is usually slower but more comfortable. Bus transportation is generally cheaper and somewhat quicker. Travelling by train with Czech Railways, it is possible to make use of several discounts. The company offers discounts for passengers with a loyalty card (the so-called customer card) or for larger groups of passengers.
Transport by car
Basic traffic regulations
- vehicles must drive on the right,
- seatbelts must be worn when driving,
- lights must be switched on all year round,
- children (under 150 cm in height) must be strapped into a car seat and may not sit in the front passenger seat,
- speed limit: motorway/out of town/in town – 130/90/50 km/h,
- pedestrians on a crossing always have right of way,
- drivers must be over the age of 18,
- it is forbidden to hold a mobile telephone while driving, telephoning is only possible with a hands-free set,
- the level of alcohol permitted in the blood is zero per ml. Anything above this is considered violation of the law.
Documents required
- driving licence (European or international),
- ID card (EU) or passport,
- vehicle documents (small certificate of roadworthiness, third party insurance and a green card).
Fees and toll
Passenger cars must have a sticker on the windscreen to use the motorways (the so-called motorway vignette), which is proof of payment of the fee for use of motorways. The motorway vignette can be purchased at any filling station. Prices for vehicles up to 3.5t are as follows:
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annual vignette – CZK 1,500
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monthly vignette – CZK 440
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10-day vignette – CZK 310.
Vehicles over 3.5t in weight are subject to payment of electronic toll fees and must acquire a special on-board unit. More information can be found here.
Accidents
The rule applies in the Czech Republic that if you estimate the costs for damage to the vehicles involved including transportation fees at less than CZK 100,000 (and if the participants agree on who caused the accident), you do not need to call the police. You are however obliged to draw up a record of the traffic accident on a special form (the standard European Accident Statement form – your insurance company will provide you with this). Both parties involved in the accident must then report the accident to their insurance company.
If the damage is greater or if any injury or damage occurs to the property of a third party (or for example to crash barriers etc.), you must always call the police. You are obliged to provide essential aid to injured parties and to mark the location of the accident.
If the damage is greater or if any injury or damage occurs to the property of a third party (or for example to crash barriers etc.), you must always call the police. You are obliged to provide essential aid to injured parties and to mark the location of the accident.
LPG/CNG
There are almost 900 filling stations for LPG in the Czech Republic and less than 30 stations with CNG.
Source: CzechTourism